The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(153)

Bardo told her.

The smile froze in place on Ayla's face. She stared at him, trying to think of something to say.

“Err…Bardo?” She cleared her throat. “Are you feeling quite well?”

“Yes, Milady.”

“You haven't been drinking, have you?”

“No, Milady. It's really what we use. It's what we've always used.”

“But the smell, Bardo…”

“You get used to it after a while, Milady.”

“Is that so? Well, I must admit, I've had no experience in that direction.”

“I didn't expect you would, Milady.”

“No.”

“But it really is what we need, Milady.”

“Um…I see. Well, with all the animals in the castle, we certainly have plenty of…that. I shall be glad to let the stable master bring you a cart full at the earliest opportunity.”

“Thank you very much, Milady.”

They parted, both happy to hurry away to what they were doing and promising to themselves that they would never, ever remember this conversation.

~~*~~*

“Ayla, really, this isn't necessary.”

“He needs to know what you have done for me. For all of us.”

“I'm really a very modest person.”

“Liar!” She grinned up at him cheerfully. “You're just afraid.”

The two of them were in the room at the bottom of the stairs that led up the castle's highest tower, where Ayla’s father lived. The growl that came from Reuben's throat in response to Ayla's words sounded like something between a bear and a rabid wolf. It reverberated around the stone chamber.

“I. Am. Not. Afraid,” he said very slowly and carefully.

“Then why don't you just come up and meet him?”

“Because I…”

Reuben scowled.

“Excuse me, Milady?”

At the sound of the voice, they turned around. Unnoticed by either of them, Sir Rudolphus had approached them, slate and pencil in hand. He bowed. “I have completed my assessment of the enemy supplies. Would you like to receive my full report?”

“Actually, I'm rather busy at the mo—” Ayla began, but Reuben cut her off.

“Of course! She would be delighted to hear it. We have really nothing to do, at the moment.”

“Wonderful! Wonderful!” Sir Rudolphus’s delighted smile dissolved the angry expression that had begun to form on Ayla's face.

“Very well,” she sighed, stepping on Reuben's foot and receiving absolutely no reaction. “Give your report.”

The report, as it turned out, was very much to Ayla's liking. Not only were the mercenaries' provisions enough to get her people through the winter, but stacks of warm cloaks had been discovered in a wagon outside the camp, and several cows who had provided the mercenaries with milk and cheese had been found in an enclosure not far away.

“It seems the enemy expected the siege to last into the winter months,” Sir Rudolphus said excitingly, tapping the slate he held with a pen, “and made their preparations accordingly. Now, the supplies they brought for a long winter campaign will see us through the cold time of the year.”

Ayla felt a renewed wave of happiness and warmth wash over her. She couldn't have borne it if she had seen her people through the siege, only to have them starve when the snow fell.

Thinking about all Rudolphus had said, it occurred to her that she might share some of the warmth she felt, literally.

“Will you please tell Burchard to distribute the clothes we found among the poorest of the village families?” she asked. “Particularly those with little children.”

“It will be attended to, Milady.” With a bow, Sir Rudolphus retreated. Ayla sighed and turned, knowing that arms would await to hold her. And so they did. She pressed her face into Reuben's chest and sighed contentedly.

“This makes you really happy, doesn't it?” She heard his deep voice but didn't look up. It felt so comfortable, just being pressed against his chest.

“You have no idea,” she whispered. “If my people were to come to harm because of me…”

“Shh.” His finger gently touched her lips, silencing her. The touch of his finger on her lips was…distracting. “Nothing is going to happen. We have enough food—you said it yourself.”

She rubbed her nose against him in a sort of nod. “Yes, we do. Still, it was a close thing. If my father hadn't been so cautious and collected supplies throughout the years, I’m not sure we would make it, with or without the food from the mercenaries.”

“Well, he has, and we will. So stop worrying.”

“I will. I promise. And…” She stepped back and, having just remembered, smiled up at him. “Speaking of my father, there is one thing that still needs to be done.”

Reuben groaned in manly despair. “I was hoping you had forgotten.”

“I am very persistent, Sir Knight.”

“I am fully aware of the fact, Milady,” he growled. “Do I really have to do this?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Didn't you say you loved me?”

“Yes. And?”