Her knight

Chapter Five

Vanessa put the seal over the letter she had just written and

gave it to Ian a young lad of ten who did odd chores in the

keep.

‘Take it to the postman and tell him to deliver it to Lady anna

of Pembroke,’ Vanessa said giving the letter to the boy who

collected it and put in his bag and waited eagerly for the usual

promise. ‘And when you get back, I have a little surprise for

you,’ she told him what he wanted to hear. He sped off like a

cat chasing a rat.

‘My lady, you spoil him. He will always expect something in

return for being sent to do a chore,’ Mary scolded. Vanessa

laughed as she looked at his retreating figure.

‘It’s not wrong to give him something for running an errand.

He needs the extra treats. He’s growing but it seems like he’s

not eating enough and you worry too much Mary. Ian is a good

lad and I’ve seen him run errands and not demand for

anything.’

‘If you are convinced my lady.’ She left the solar and made for

the kitchen. She had begged Fiona to teach her how to cook

because she wanted to cook for Adam someday. She was

taking notes of the dishes he liked to eat each time he joins

them for a meal. He had specially enjoyed the apple pie she

had assisted Fiona in making though he is yet to know she had assisted. Adam was more than what she had expected. He was

kind to her and always wanted to know how she spent her days

and at night he always made her scream. Katherine was right.

She nearly didn’t want to get up every morning in the three

months they have been married.

‘Your face is red my lady. Are you feeling feverish?’ Mary asked

concerned when they got to the kitchen. Vanessa placed both

palms on her cheeks. She knew why her cheeks were red but

she was not about to tell Mary she was blushing from

remembering her passionate nights with her husband. She

would sound like a total wanton woman. Fiona had run over

to them and was looking at her with a worried expression.

‘Don’t be silly Mary. I’m as healthy as a horse. I would know

if I’m ill. And you should wipe that worried look Fiona. I’m

not about to drop dead.’ The cook still wasn’t convinced.

‘Are you sure you can be here for today’s lesson?’ Vanessa

walked further to the stove and took the apron hanging by the

wall putting it over her head and fastening the rope round her

waist.

‘Your careless comment is going to make the cook drop dead

any moment now from worrying about a totally healthy young

lady,’ Vanessa told Mary who had also worn her apron. ‘Alright

to put your mind at rest, I was only blushing as a thought came

to mind. So, let get to work Fiona.’ Adam walked into the hall and looked around for his wife but

she was nowhere in sight. He has been hearing rumors that she

was always in the kitchen these days and he didn’t know what

to make of that. He had gone hunting with the men and they

had caught lots of meat that could last them even through

winter. He made his way to the kitchen but stopped dead when

he got to the door. He was sure the laughter he heard was

Vanessa’s. “What the hell was she doing laughing with the

help? She was the lady of the keep.” He was about to stalk in

when he caught on what they were saying.

‘My lady the apple pie you made was the tastiest food I’ve ever

eaten,’ came Ian’s voice. Adam had planned to scold the lad

for being in the kitchen the last time he asked for him but now

he got to understood why. His wife had made the tasty,

mouthwatering apple pie he had enjoyed for dinner. She was

turning out to be a puzzle each passing day.

‘And today’s walnut pie will be exquisite. The dish of a

century,’ he heard his wife say.

‘Which I can’t wait to have a bite of,’ Ian chipped in. He was

going to have a talk with the boy and let him know that the

kitchen wasn’t a place for a man. Vanessa laughed again and

he liked hearing the sound of her laughter. It sounded like a

soft wind blowing from the east. She was kind to the lad and

he imagined how she would be with their son or daughter. She

would make a good mother. “Well even I can’t wait to taste that walnut pie.” He turned and left the kitchen aborting the

mission he had gone for in the first place. He climbed the stairs

leading to the solar and when he got to the edge, he came face

to face with Magnus.

‘M’lord, I’ve just been to the solar in search of you.’ Adam

studied his right-hand man and noted that whatever took him

from the training ground must be serious.

‘Let’s go to the solar and you can tell me what’s wrong.’

Magnus followed Adam as they both made for the solar and

when they entered, Magnus carefully closed the door and

turned to a now worried Adam.

‘Spill Magnus. You’ve got me curious.’

‘A missive came from the king. I haven’t read it yet but I’ve

got news that there will be an attack on the king soon,’ Magnus

informed him and at the same time, he handed the missive to

Adam who broke the seal before he opened it and read the

content. He sighed and looked up at Magnus.

‘The king has requested to meet with me and other knight

commanders a fortnight from today. I will need to ride to the

estate to talk to the earl. He has the king’s ear, maybe, I can get

the find out the real reason for the summon before I meet with

the king. Inform the men. I need them ready for anything.’

‘Yes m’lord. Anything else?’ ‘I think the walnut pie will have to wait,’ he murmured and

stood up. ‘Please ready the horses we ride out immediately.’

Adam carefully opened the door so as not to make a sound.

He didn’t want to wake her up. He quietly let himself in and

carefully closely the door, putting the latch in place. Then he

tiptoed to the direction of the bed.

‘Where did you go off to,’ came Vanessa’s voice from the

fireplace. Adam stood frozen in place. He did not expect to

find her awake. ‘I searched everywhere for you.’

‘You haven’t slept yet,’ he said walking over to the fireplace

where she was sitting in front of the fire. ‘I thought you would

be. Why are you still awake?’ he asked her and sat beside her.

‘I was waiting for you.’ Adam noticed that the hearth was

burning well and that she had added enough wood to keep the

room warm throughout the night.

‘I’m sorry I went off without letting you know. It was an

emergency.’ Vanessa shrugged and turned to retrieve the plate

of walnut pie she had reserved for him. She knew not to pry

into his affairs or ask him what the emergency had been. He

would have told her if he wanted her to know. She was learning

more everyday about the kind of man her husband is. She

handed him the plate and he smiled.

‘I noticed that you enjoyed the apple pie that was serve the

other day so I saved this for you. Its walnut pie,’ she explained as he took the plate from her. He didn’t tell her e knew it was

walnut pie or that he knew she had made it. He would have to

explain that he had eavesdropped on her.

‘That’s thoughtful. I’m indeed famished.’ He lifted the plate

and looked at her. ‘And this is a feast.’ He took the spoon,

scooped up a potion into his mouth and closed his eyes as he

savored the taste. ‘This is magnificent,’ he told her

‘You are teasing. It doesn’t taste as good as you are describing.

I had a bite earlier.’

‘Maybe you will enjoy it if you taste it this way,’ and before she

knew it, he bent and kissed her. She kissed him back enjoying

the taste of the walnut pie from his lips. ‘What do you think,

wife?’ he asked her when he broke off the kiss. Vanessa smiled

at him.

‘That you are absolutely right and I want more, husband.’

‘Then I guess the walnut pie can wait.’ He dropped the plate

on the floor then he stood and scooped her from the chair and

carried her to the bed to the bed. ‘Let’s enjoy the taste of

walnut pie alongside other things,’ he said as he bent and began

to kiss her senseless.