A Dishonorable Knight(90)

So intrigued with her rediscovered passion for books, Elena scarcely noticed when Bryant began to doze, his head nodding forward to rest on his chest. She did not hear his muffled snore as he slipped deeper into sleep. She did finally notice him the very moment he listed to the right and tumbled off the bench.

Setting her book down, Elena rushed to his side. "Bryant! Are you alright? What happened?"

Rubbing his elbow and blushing hotly with embarrassment, Bryant pushed himself to his feet. "I'm fine," he mumbled. "I just dozed off."

"Dozed off?" She looked out the thick window at the front of the shop. "Good heavens, what time is it?"

Old Llywelyn laughed, coughed, and laughed some more. "You don't know how many times I've asked that very question. You know you are a true book lover when you ask it, though."

"I had no idea we had spent so much time here. I--I can't buy any of your books." Elena cleared her throat. Never in her life had she been without money or some means to purchase something. With not a little discomfort, she apologized, "I'm very sorry."

"Nonsense, dear girl, nonsense. I haven't enjoyed myself in years and as you can see, I don't get many customers. Here," he said, pulling the Arabic book from the bottom of the stack. "I wish you to have this. To remember me by."

Elena's eyes widened. Though accustomed to receiving gifts from men, rarely had she been given such an expensive and extraordinary gift. Never had she been given a gift from a man, other than her father, who had not hoped to gain her favor or even her hand. To be offered a gift such as this from an old man who would never see her again overwhelmed her.

"I couldn't possibly." Were these words coming from her mouth? Of course she could accept it! "That book is much too precious and no doubt worth a great deal of money. You must keep it or sell it."

Llywelyn smiled and shook his head, thin white hair flopping about his head. "A book is worth nothing if it is not read and treasured. You may not be able to read the words, but you can read the illustrations and you will certainly treasure it."

"I don't know what to say." Wouldn't Gareth tease her about that if he were here? Remembering Gareth, she knew just what he would expect her to say, and while she still wasn't completely used to saying it, she took the book in one hand, Llywelyn's spotted hand in her other and said as sincerely as she could, "Thank you very much. I will indeed treasure it always." Ha, she thought, Gareth could not complain about that! Thinking about Gareth, she did not even realize it had happened until she was suddenly wrapped in Llywelyn's warm hug. Unsure of what to do, she patted his back. When he released her, she quickly stepped back, but not before noticing his eyes were damp, though he was smiling brightly.

Once outside, Elena clasped the book tightly to her breast. "I want to stop by the seamstress shop and see how my new dress is coming along."

"What new dress?"

"Gareth bought me fabric for a new dress and chemise. We took it to a seamstress yesterday morning and she said she would have it done by the time we returned to England."

"Gareth bought you fabric?" Elena had never heard Bryant speak so sharply or bitterly, and she looked at him quickly to determine what had upset him. All she saw was a moody frown.

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, of course not," he said abruptly. Seemingly forcing himself out of his foul mood, he smiled tautly and said, "Do you remember where the shop is?"

Elena blinked. "I have no idea. Don't you know where they are? There are three of them on the same street. Once we reach the street, I'll remember which one it is."

"This is my first time in Aberstwyth. Let me ask the bookseller." Bryant ran back to the small shop. While she waited for him, Elena rubbed her neck, which was stiff from crouching over books all day. Looking up at the late afternoon sky, she felt a sense of peace come over her and she wished unselfconsciously that Gareth were here with her. There was a silence over the town that only occurs on such perfect late summer evenings. The sky was a rich lapis blue, the low-hung clouds impossibly white. Inhaling deeply, she smelled the wetness of the nearby sea as a cooling breeze kissed her face. Truly, Gareth should be here, she thought. He is the one who helped me appreciate such simple pleasures.

Alone with her thoughts since she first awoke, Elena wondered again why Gareth had not come to her room last night. Surely after the previous night and all of yesterday spent together, he did not think she loathed his company. Elena's feminine pride rebelled at the thought that he might have simply not wanted to come to her. A delicious tingle ran down her spine as she remembered their night spent together. No, he had been well pleased. He must have been unable to join her without arousing suspicion. There could be no other answer. Or, rather, she would allow no other answer.