She seemed to run out of words, only staring silently at Hugh while all eyes looked to her. She took a breath as though deciding something, cleared her throat, and resumed with more confidence. “Nor have I talent for courtly speech and fine manners such as ye will expect of your lady, but by God’s grace I will endeavor to be worthy of your love. Is all in preparation for supper?”

Hugh Wisbech nodded. “But a moment and it lies ready within the hall, my lady.”

She raised her voice. “Then let us waste no more time on talk, but hasten us to break bread together.”

This was met with a smile from Hugh, broader than any Ranulf had ever seen on the man’s face. The men dusty with travel gave great sighs of relief, and everyone began to move, easy talking and laughing, spirits high. Even the dirty white mutt took up its whining again, running in mad circles about their ankles.

The combination of road-weariness, his love and loathing of this place, and the strangeness of having her – having anyone – at his side while he stood in this court, made him almost giddy. He found himself laughing, unable to stop.

She only looked at him, a furrow in her brow and no amusement in her face. She never laughed. The merest hint of her smile was a rare triumph. A grave and serious wife, who looked at him like his laughter was a sign of possible illness.

He reached for her hand again, to put on his arm. “Haps you have no talent for courtly speech, but never doubt your skill in greater matters.” He leaned in close so only she could hear him as they moved before the throng. “You use well what you have learned from leading men – cease talk, commence eating, and all will love you.”

She seemed not to see the humor in it. Haps there was no humor in it, but only his giddy mood that made him laugh. There was no such giddiness in her. She gave a slight grunt and a short nod, as if it were an observation that needed her assent.

“I have seen that men will gladly bear a strong hand if it be also just, and their stomachs are filled. But love and loyalty are not the same, and it is unwise to confuse the two.”

Her face was calm, no haughty judgment or hint of malice there. She had not said it as a criticism or a suggestion, but merely a casual statement of a fact so obvious to her, and so new to him, that he was struck dumb.