I see Doug in the distance. He’s using a whetstone to sharpen weapons and tools. Like me, he doesn’t need the money, but he charges anyway. He’s stated many times that people won’t value his work unless they pay him for it.
As I move from table to table, people ask me about the duel. Word has gotten around that I’ll be banished from the community if Doug wins. Many are upset with him for demanding such unusual terms. But I’ve accepted it, because if I lose again, I won’t count myself worthy to be among them anyway.
“Sir William!” says Thomas, our miller and baker, who has freshly baked artisan bread at his booth. He hands me a roll of sweet bread. “Break your fast with me.”
“Good morrow, Thomas. I don’t have time. Lots of deliveries today.”
He nods and looks at me for a long moment. “Is it true what they’re saying about the terms of the duel with Sir Douglas?”
I nod, unsurprised, as this is the third time I’ve been asked a variation of this question. “It is.”
He begins talking and his words start to hit like waves on the beach, because I’ve just spotted Jenna’s bright blond hair in a booth across the way. She’s speaking with Agnes, our master seamstress, and admiring the gowns hanging at her booth. There are many beautiful, bright fabrics, but the dress that seems to have caught her eye is various shades of blue. It’s the color of the sky at the top then gradually darkens into a deep cerulean, and eventually to midnight blue at the bottom. It has laces up the back and long, flowing sleeves in the style of a medieval lady’s gown. The wind catches the skirt in the breeze, and I watch as Jenna runs a hand reverently over the fabric.
I picture her wearing it. How the cornflower shade at the waist of the skirt would match the blue of her eyes. How the sky blue near the neckline would make her skin glow. She’s already beautiful, but in that gown she would look like an angel…or a fairy princess. I could paint her portrait as if she were wearing that gown, but it would be better to see her wearing it in real life.
She’s laughing along with Agnes before she turns to walk away. After I finish my conversation with the miller, I make my way over to the seamstress’s booth.
“Sir William! Well met,” she says, giving me the typical medieval-style greeting.
“Well met, goodwife.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have any requests for you today. Those hangers and hooks you made for me a few months ago are working quite well. I think your craftsmanship is getting so good, you’ll work yourself out of business soon.”
Her words surprise me. “I would never do less than my best.”
“Of course, of course. Now what can I do for you, Sir William? Are you looking for new garb? A doublet perhaps?”
I look at the exquisite dress that Jenna was just admiring. “I want to purchase this gown.”
“I don’t think it would fit you.” Agnes smiles.
“No, it’s not for me. I’d like you to tailor it so it fits Mistress Kovac.”
Her facial expression changes, but I have no idea how to read it. “I’d love to do that. Would you want it to be a surprise? I could find an excuse to get her measurements.”
I reflect on that for a moment. I don’t like surprises at all, but I know that many do. And it might be nice to see what effect this surprise would have on her. Perhaps it might convince her to stay. Because ever since last night and the long hours I spent awake remembering the feel of her against me, I know that this is what I need. For her to stay. For her to be mine.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if I have no idea right now what that will be.
“I would like for her to have it in time for the Beltane Ball at the Festival. Is that possible?”
Agnes smiles widely. “More than possible. I could even make you something to match.”
I think about that for a moment, unsure how Jenna would interpret such a gesture. Wearing matching clothing might make her think I’m claiming her. Then again, I want to claim her.
If she’s going to try to run away and never come back, then it’s up to me to make that decision impossible, or at least extremely difficult.
“Yes, that would be fine,” I tell Agnes.
“Sounds wonderful. I’ll take your measurements at the next meeting.” I pull out my wallet and hand her two hundred dollars as a down payment. “I’ll bill you the balance on delivery.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Before I leave, I remind myself to say, “Thank you.”
I look down toward the end of the row and see that Jenna is now sitting at a table with her friend, Caitlyn, who traces people’s silhouettes for a small fee. Jenna is flipping through her Tarot cards, but her eyes are on something else. I follow her gaze and see that she’s watching Doug, who is speaking with a new member of our group, a dark-haired woman named Glynnis.
I wonder what Jenna is thinking. Is she angry to see her former boyfriend talking to another woman? Does she still have feelings for him? How strong were her feelings for him?
I decide that I don’t want to find out—and that I will do everything in my power to make her forget him. Even if it means wiping him off the face of the Barony of Anaya. I won’t risk losing her again.
With purposeful strides, I make my way toward her booth, sink down on the hard, wooden stool in front of her table and plunk down a twenty-dollar bill. I don’t believe in fortunes at all, but I do believe in watching Jenna’s every move and listening to her every word as she tells me mine.
Chapter 13
Jenna
“What is it you wish from Mistress Jenna?” I asked, trying not to smile.
William’s face was expressionless, but it also held somewhat of a challenge, as if to say, “Do your worst.”
“I seek the answer to a question,” he answered without hesitation. My brows twitched a little with surprise. He’d mentioned the night before that he was skeptical about this, and I was certain my brief answer explaining that the cards functioned as a meditative device didn’t dispel his doubts.
I pulled out one of my older decks—the Rider-Waite. It was a classic, with bright colors and beautifully rendered pictures. It was one of the oldest and most well-known Tarot decks around. And something about William just screamed classic to me.
“Take this and handle the cards for a few minutes while thinking about your question. You can shuffle it, cut the cards, whatever. Just generally manipulate them and focus on what you want to know about.”