Page 62 of The Blacksmith

It was the kind of question she could have answered in a trice. Although she’d heard of such a practice before, Roland had certainly never been required to do such a thing. Why hadn’t Lance asked her or even Dawson?

And why was her father looking at Lance so seriously, as if he were contemplating his answer, which would most certainly be no.

“Did such a request aggrieve you?” her father finally asked.

Lance answered immediately. “It did, my lord. If I may be so bold as to admit such a thing.”

The tone of the meeting had changed. And although she was astute enough to understand as much, Idalia had no idea what had happened. She did, however, plan to find out.

“Then you will be pleased to know I would not require it of you or any smith of Stanton.”

For the first time that afternoon, Lance seemed to relax.

Idalia barely listened to the pleasantries that passed between the men until her father finally remembered she was present.

“I will see to your mother this eve.”

It was her custom to do so, but she’d not argue with her father. Especially in front of a guest.

“Very well,” she said, bowing her head. And then remembered the stalls.

“Father, Master Lance told me of an idea for the market. Something he’s seen before in France that may be of interest.”

Lance explained what he had seen, encouraging her into the conversation. Her father seemed pleased by the idea and promised to give it further thought.

“If that is all?” Her father dismissed them both.

Lance understood and stood, Idalia doing the same as they made their way out of the solar.

“Ahh, my lady.” Dawson swooped down on them the moment they stepped into the hall, like a bird that had been lying in wait for its prey. “We have visitors. If you would assist me in welcoming them?”

She looked at Lance, who didn’t meet her eye. Something had been odd about that meeting, and she would discover what it was. But not, it seemed, at this moment.

“Of course. If you will pardon me, Master Lance?”

Did Lance appear relieved as he nodded in parting? He had defended her in there, and yet, she could not shake the feeling that he had misled her as well.

They were set to meet again at the Small Tower that evening, but Idalia was not patient enough to wait so long. She would see to the visitors and then visit the forge.

She had a question or two for Lance.

Chapter 20

When Lance opened the door of his private chambers, he didn’t expect to see Miles on the other side. He’d sent the boys home for the day not long ago and had just returned from a cold wash in the river.

“Good eve, Master Lance.”

Miles stuck out his arms, handing him what looked like a loaf of bread covered in a white cloth.

“Gyngerbrede,” he confirmed. “My ma made it herself. She says it’s to thank you for bein’ so kind to us.”

“Many thanks to her, Miles.” The sweet scent reached him as he took the bread. It was one of his mother’s favorites, a fact he’d relayed to the boys just the day before.

When Daryon had asked about his parents.

As usual, he’d spoken only of his mother. Idalia was one of the only people he’d told about his father. Other than her, only the rest of the other members of the order knew the truth.

“Master Lance?”