A Knight in Central Park(63)
Seconds passed without a word from Alexandra.
“And perfect,” he quickly added. “Yes, being with you was perfect. And, well, I just didn’t want you to think that what we shared meant nothing to me, because it meant a lot. I wish things could be different between us. If we had met under different circumstances...maybe we would have stood a chance. I mean come on,” he said as if they were actually having a two-way conversation, “talk about being in a long-distant relationship.” He laughed.
She didn’t.
After a long moment, Alexandra gave in and said, “’Twas foolish of me to think that a night of passion would not change anything between us.”
“I was the fool,” he said. “I knew it would change everything, but I didn’t stop it from happening.”
“’Twould seem there were two of us involved. I gave myself to you of my own free will. As Shelly has a fondness of saying, life goes on. In truth, I know not what came over me. It will not happen again, of that I can assure you, for I have no wish to drive a wedge further between us. Our friendship is too important to me.”
His heart twisted, every part of him wilting.
“I wish you no ill-will,” she said before he could find his tongue again, “only happiness and Godspeed in your return home.” Her smile was sincere, genuine, sending an arrow right through his heart.
He answered with a tight smile, although inside he wasn’t smiling at all.
“Look!” Garrett shouted, alerting his sisters and putting an abrupt end to their already dying conversation. Joe urged Alexandra’s horse along until they caught up to Garrett and Susan. They had reached the end of the high grass where it converged with a wide, pitted road. Sprawling green sheets of quilted meadows and fields divided by hedgerows lay before them. Sheep grazed contentedly while hawks hovered above looking for prey. In the distance, ribbons of smoke floated upwards and then disappeared, blending in with the grayish clouds.
A dog barked. Civilization at last.
Before long they stood before a tilted wooden sign outside the village of Clapcot.
Clapcot appeared much larger and more heavily populated than Brookshire. In fact, the entire town bustled with activity. Church bells rang above the high-pitched twang of the Blacksmith’s tools. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the streets, making Joe’s mouth water and his stomach grumble. Shops and small timber-framed homes lined the main street.
They caught a few curious glances as they made their presence known, but clearly these people were used to strangers passing by. While Garrett pulled Rebecca from the saddle and took her to the well to get a drink, Susan dutifully led the horses to a trough.
Joe turned to an elderly lady when she came scrambling out of an inn, wiping her hands on her apron. Wisps of wiry gray hair framed her face. “I have rooms available,” she said. “It’ll cost a shilling for each of you and another two for the horses.”
Joe put an arm about her hefty shoulders and urged her away from curious ears. “We need a hot meal, baths, and a couple of rooms. We don’t have any money...but,” he added quickly when horror lit up her face, “I have solid gold wrapped about my tooth and if you can find someone to remove it, it’s all yours.”
She raised a suspicious brow and said, “Open your mouth.”
He obeyed, relieved to see her brighten at the sight.
By the time Alexandra saw to the horses, unpacked their things and bathed Rebecca, exhaustion had set in. Night had long since descended upon them. As she moved through the halls, a faint giggling and a familiar male voice caught her attention. She followed the sound, then peeked inside a door that had been left ajar. A rush of heat came to her face upon seeing a young maid bathing Sir Joe, scrubbing his back and chest, her pale hands dipping under soapy water for an eternity and beyond, while her breasts nearly burst from her low cut gown, cushioning the back of his head.
“Is the water warm enough, my lord?” the maid asked.
Alexandra pushed the door wide and stepped inside. “’Tis good to see you enjoying yourself,” Alexandra said, unable to hide the ire from her voice. “I was beginning to worry that you were off somewhere in pain. But I see you are being well cared for.”
Upon seeing her, Sir Joe grinned from ear to ear, seeming to have no care as to her displeasure. “Alexandra,” he said. “I was telling Vicki—” He bent his neck backwards so that he could better see the maid. “Mind if I call you Vicki?”