Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(36)

"A stroll, perhaps?"

As much as she craved time with Arthur, she just felt heartsick over what had happened to Samara. "I'm so sorry, but I don't think I would be the best of company, Arthur."

"I am guessing that even when you are not at your best, you are still the most worthy companion I could wish to be around."

She smiled. "Okay, perhaps a short stroll."

"Excellent." He turned to Harry. "Sir, I wish for you to instruct the stable lads that Samara should be guarded at all times. If needs be, have one set up a bed of sorts in front of her stall so that none can disturb her again."

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I do not feel all that comfortable giving orders to your servants. I have no authority here."

"You have authority in the name of the king, Harry. I bestow it upon you."

Harry bowed slightly. "As you wish."

Arthur held out his arm and Isabel took it, loving the feel of his well-muscled bicep beneath her fingers.

"I just cannot understand, Arthur, the abuse of innocent animals."

"Nor, I, m'lady, nor I. As you may have noticed, I have a love of dogs."

"No, really? I could not tell, being too busy trying to keep from tripping over them all."

Arthur smiled and squeezed her hand. "There, now that's better. Now tell me, what is this Izzy thing?"

THE two ended up at the east gardens, which were just as beautiful as the others, but in a totally different way. There was a large pond here, teaming with bright, beautiful fish. And as far as Isabel could tell by the scents, this garden was made up mostly of fragrant herbs. It made sense, as the cookhouse was nearby, and beyond that were rows upon rows of plants, which she guessed would be producing fruits and vegetables very soon. And beyond that was an orchard in full bloom with the promise of apples and maybe apricots and cherries and peaches. She wasn't certain just what types of fruit trees they had in this time. But all of the different fragrances were intoxicating.

"Camelot is lovely, Arthur. Truly."

"My thanks, Countess. Although I cannot take credit for much of this. 'Tis the artistry of my people, and of course - " He stopped short and swallowed hard.

"And of course, Gwen," Isabel finished for him. "You should not feel reluctant to speak of her, Arthur. We have spent but a short time together, but I really do like her. She's a lovely lady, and I see perfectly why you fell in love with her."

He led her to a concrete bench and they sat. "So you see how I cannot bring myself to condemn her?"

"Absolutely. As we have said before, the heart wants what it wants. Sometimes it's a very fickle thing."

"It would seem that mine is just as fickle."

"As it can be for any human. Would you care to hear the story about the first boy I fell madly in love with?"

His sad eyes lit up with humor. "Oh, yes, madam, I would enjoy that very much."

"Well," she said, settling her skirts around her, "his name was Billy Thornton and we were in second grade."

"Second grade?"

"We attended school together."

"You do this in Dumont? School the young men and women together?"

"Indeed. So anyway, Billy and I sat side by side in class, at the back of the room, because we were both good students."

"You were seated by how well you did in the learning?"

"Yes. The problem children were seated right up front, so the teachers could keep a closer watch on them."

"Such different customs for two lands so close to one another."

"Yes, I suppose, but anyway, it was obvious he had a crush on me. He pulled my pigtails all the time and - "

"This was a sign of affection?"

"Yes. When we were that young the only way to express if you liked a girl was to tease and taunt. If a boy ignored you, that was a sure sign he wasn't interested at all. But if he teased, then you knew he liked you. Or at least wanted to grab your attention."

"Ha! That is so true. That at least we have in common."

"So then on Valentine's Day" - she held up a hand to stop his question - "it's a holiday we celebrate once a year, where sweethearts express their feelings for one another." She figured discussing having a Hallmark moment would be too hard to explain so said, "Mostly by writing handmade notes to one another with all kinds of sappy tidings and pictures of hearts and things like that."

He nodded. "This happens, too, at Camelot, yet we do not set aside a particular day for this."

"I know, it's possible we in Dumont overdo the holiday traditions."

He was actually grinning now, which made Isabel feel all fluttery. She loved his smile, and she loved being the one who could put one on his face when his heart was heavy.

"So on Valentine's Day, Billy slipped a note on my desk. It read, 'Please be my valentine.' I was really happy, as I had set my little girl's heart on him as well."

"I am certain that you were fetching even as a young girl. I do so wish I had also known the young lady you were then. I am certain that I would have battled with this Billy for your affections."

"I'm not certain that he would have fought that hard for me."

"Why is that?"