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Turning, she surprised a startled look on Agnes's face, and something that might almost have been a smile, though Je
Agnes stepped forward and began gathering up the fabrics, including the linen and cottons, which had already been singled out for specific uses. "Can you do the design for the cape and gown?" Je
A muffled sound like a swallowed giggle escaped one of the younger women, and Je
Gertrude's flush deepened.
"You did laugh, didn't you? Was it because of what I said about being handy with shears?"
The woman's lips trembled and her eyes almost popped out as she strained to keep her nervous mirth contained. Without realizing that she was staring the poor woman down, Je
If anything, the poor woman's eyes widened yet more, and she looked at her friend, swallowed a giggle, then looked back at Je
Suddenly the desperate deed seemed rather fu
"You did that, too?" And before Je
When the two younger women had left, Je
He had amazingly broad shoulders, Je
Many of his shirts were slightly frayed at the wrists, and buttons were missing from two of them. He was badly in need of a wife, Je
Now that the dam of reticence had been broken, Agnes seemed willing to talk at length about how to proceed with all the garments, and when she left, she actually smiled shyly at Je
When the maid left, Je
Sir Eustace, Sir Godfrey, and Sir Lionel were in the bailey, seated upon a low stone bench, their faces covered in a fine sheen of sweat, their swords dangling limply from their hands-obviously trying to recover their strength after a night of carousing and an afternoon devoted to practice with swords. "Have you seen Friar Gregory?" Je
Sir Eustace thought he'd seen the friar talking to the wagoner, and Je
"Are you looking for someone, your grace?" Je
"A stroll outside the gates perhaps?" Friar Gregory suggested, immediately comprehending her desire to speak where they'd not be observed or overheard.
When they approached the guards at the gate, however, Je
Je
"You ca
"I heard you," Je
The guard, a seasoned soldier with vast experience in battle and none at all in dealing with noble ladies, shot an alarmed glance at the sergeant-of-the-guard, who stepped forward, bowed formally, and said," 'Tis a question of… er… your safety, my lady."
Thinking he meant that she might not be safe in the village after what happened yesterday, Je
"I'm sorry. My lord's orders were specific."
"I see," Je
His gaze shifted to the horizon. "Only you, my lady. And your lady aunt."
Angry and humiliated, Je
"I know another place," Friar Gregory suggested mildly, taking her arm and guiding her back across the wide bailey.
"I can't believe this!" Je
Friar Gregory made a sweeping gesture with his hand that encompassed everything in the enormous bailey. "Ah, but what a glorious prison it is," he commented with an appreciative smile. "Beautiful beyond any castle I've seen."
"A prison," Je
"It's possible," the priest said without arguing her valid point, "that your husband has reasons, other than those which you think, for wanting to keep you within the bounds of his complete protection." Without realizing where he was taking her, she'd followed him to the chapel. He opened the door and stood back for her to enter.