A Dishonorable Knight(73)

So why should he be sullen now? she asked herself. Hadn't she just tossed over every dignity by climbing onto that stump and playing tug-of-war until she was as sweaty as a horse? Elena gazed up at the stars, wishing she could read their supposed messages. Would she never understand this man?

Gareth tugged on her arm, startling her. She hadn't realized she had stopped when she was studying the stars.

"We're almost there," he said politely as she ran lightly to match his quickening pace.

When they reached the shop, it, like every other shop on the street, was dark.

"Have they forgotten us?" Elena asked worriedly. She did not want to sleep outside one more night, especially when their blankets, which offered meager comfort, were inside!

"No, I'm sure someone is awake in the back rooms," Gareth assured as he knocked on the door, although Elena didn't think he sounded very convinced.

Gareth tried the handle, but it was locked. He knocked again more loudly, but there was still no answer. He was just about to pound on the door when it swung open.

The sleepy countenance of Samuel greeted them, with voluminous white night shirt billowing, and nightcap askew. He was holding a candle up to inspect their faces. "Saints preserve us, young man, have you no consideration for the hours of an honest working man?" he asked as he opened the door wider for them to enter.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. We were in the market and we lost all track of time," Gareth apologized.

"Humph," Samuel replied as he led them through the shop and down the hall. He stopped in the middle of the hall and opened a door Elena had not even noticed earlier. "The lady may sleep in here. It's not large, but it is clean and comfortable. You, impertinent boy, are upstairs with all of the other men, on the floor." He placed the candle down and disappeared down the hall. Gareth stepped forward and gestured Elena into the room.

As she walked through the doorway, Elena judged that Samuel had been generous when he said the room was not large. It was more of a closet, with a low bed pushed into one corner and just enough room left for a small table. He was accurate on the clean and comfortable part, however, Elena thought. There was not a speck of dust to be seen and the bed was made up with a bright quilt and a small pillow. There was even an ewer of water on the table.

"Do you need aught else?"

For some reason, his question made Elena think of Gareth's passionate kisses. Hastily dismissing that thought from her mind, she said, "No. This should do." She felt like she should say something else, something to make the lighthearted Gareth of earlier this evening return, but she could think of nothing.

Gareth bade her good night and gently closed the door.

The door swayed open slightly after Gareth left and Elena tried to pull it closed again, but there was no latch to keep it tight. Elena shook her head. At least everyone was already asleep. Turning, she began struggling out of her worn and travel-stained gown. She pulled the faded cotehardie over her head, laying it on the foot of the bed and then leaned over to pull off her boots. Pulling off her chemise, she glanced in the pitcher of water. Thank heavens it was full. There was nothing she wanted more than to wash the sweat and dust of travel off her skin. The water was cool and refreshing. She had just put her chemise back on when she heard a light knock on the door.

Elena whirled around at the noise, clutching her gown to her breast, as the door swung open. A red-faced Gareth met her gaze.

"I--I'm sorry, Elena, I knocked, but the door…"

"Yes, I couldn't get it to latch."

Gareth glanced at her thin covering before focusing on a point somewhere around her forehead. I just wanted to, uh, give you this," he said as he thrust a large bundle at her. "Da thinks we'll have enough time to have it made up before we leave."

"Have what made up?" Elena asked as she tucked her gown under her arms and began untying the cloth wrapper. A folded length of the wool she had been looking at earlier fell onto the bed. She sucked in her breath.

"I thought you would like a new dress to return to England in."

Elena looked from the cloth to Gareth who stood uncertainly just inside the doorway. How many men realized the importance of a new gown or took the time to see to its creation? Heedless of her state of undress and the impropriety of her action, Elena threw her arms around his neck. "It's wonderful! I don't know what to say."

She felt Gareth's hands slide around her waist. "How about 'thank you'?"