Page 92 of A Most Forgettable Girl

“As long as it is not ‘Daughter to Sir Aubron Payne of Payne Manor’ I will be content,” she told him dryly.

“When did I...?” Oh, that first letter he had written home after their marriage. He colored faintly, thinking of his former ineptness. “I hope I have improved somewhat in recent days.”

“Oh, you have,” she assured him, patting his chest. “I am sure I will like it, whatever words you chose. I am just heartily sorry that you will have to face so many expenses all at once.” She sounded guilty. “The Queen insists we must serve peacock and swan at our banquet. I am sure it will be very costly.”

“I’m working on a piece of music I think will sell,” James told her. “So, we need not worry overmuch about getting into debt.”

“Really?” she said swiftly, looking intrigued.

“It is not a ballad,” he said before she could ask. “But it was inspired by that first tale you told me. The one of the lady left to molder among the ruins of her childhood home.”

“Mistress Bartree’s tale? I hope you include her triumphant rise to fame and fortune at the end,” she said.

“Not in this piece, but perhaps in the next,” he said vaguely. “It could have companion pieces.”

“Have you titled it yet? Only, I have just had an idea. Do you know what I think you should call it, James?” she asked with sudden enthusiasm.

“No, what?”

“‘I Cannot Show the Love I Owe,’” she said, lifting her head. “Would that not be the perfect title?”

He considered this. “It is a good title, certainly.”

“So, will you call it that?” she persisted excitedly. He nodded as she rose up onto her elbow, affording him a view of her abundant charms.

“Yes,” he replied. “Whatever you will it shall be.”

“Really?” She looked flattered.

“It also occurred to me today that I should approach the Bishop of Badsbury with the last two pieces I composed.” He shrugged. “It would not hurt to seek an interview with him. I could even write to the Bishop of Hudde asking him for a letter of recommendation. If I do not seek out these opportunities, they will not land in my lap.”

Gunnilde nodded. “Yes, that is a good notion. Well done, husband.” Her eyes roamed over his face. “You will never guess what Mistress Fern told me before you arrived home. I can tell you, as you’re my husband,” she said quickly, “and because I know you will not tell anyone else.”

“What was it?” James asked uneasily.

“That Sir Ned is laboring under a curse!” she said, dropping her voice. “Apparently, he crossed some old crone who cursed him soundly and told him until he made reparation for his past mistreatment of the fairer sex, then he would never lie with a woman again!” She drew back to look at him. “What say you to that?”

“How could she prevent him?” James asked, spotting the flaw in at once.

“Well, apparently, he approached Mistress Fern because ever since this old woman screeched in his face, he cannot well...” She dropped her gaze demurely. “A certain part of him is not functioning as it should. That was part of the reason why she agreed to come and see us yesterday. When she got him to list the women he had wronged, he could only think of me and this old woman he apparently collided with in the marketplace. At first, Fern said she was disposed to disbelieve him, but now she’s not so sure.”

James’s eyebrows rose. “So, the knight you overheard that time...” he said, voicing his long-held suspicion aloud.

“Yes, it was he,” she admitted frankly.

“And has he yet apologized?” James could not keep a certain chilliness from his voice.

“Not really. Fern says he is lamentably poor with words, especially when he is ashamed. Apparently, he was too embarrassed to approach me about it at the time and when he had finally worked up the courage, he found I had left for the winter capital already.”

“Oh yes. Bashful is he?” James found himself harboring harsh feelings toward the knight still. “Well, I suppose he will just have to suffer until he can bring himself to do the right thing.”

“Presumably he will approach me with an apology at some point,” Gunnilde said impassively. James found himself bristling at the thought, even though she did not sound excited at the prospect. “I have another secret too, but it’s the Queen’s,” she admitted in a rush. “Shall I tell it to you?”

“Is it anything to do with us?”

“No.”

“Then keep her confidence.”