“Molasses and cream. If you can warm the cream, that would be nice. Otherwise, I can warm it here.”
“I’ll take care of it, my lady.”
“Thank you.”
I took the bowls one at a time and placed them on the table in the morning room. Then I took the pitcher and the cups. Though they looked upon me strangely, they did not enter Branford’s rooms and seemed to be grateful for my decree. Before I was done, the woman from the kitchens returned with a small pitcher of warm cream and a cup of molasses. I thanked her and dismissed them all before they could make Branford too upset. When I looked out in the hallway as they left, I was greeted by Dunstan’s slight smile though he turned away quickly when he met my eyes.
I organized everything on the table in the morning room then added the warm cream, molasses, and berries to the cooked grains and stirred them all together. I sampled a spoonful of the mix and then added a little more of the cream and sweetener until it tasted right. I carried the two bowls into the bedroom where I saw Branford watching me with a quizzical expression.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, offering up the bowl.
“Definitely,” Branford responded. He took one of the bowls from my hand and peered into it. “What is it?”
“Grains and berries, mostly,” I said.
Branford sat in the chair and scooped some of it up, smelling it before tasting.
“Alexandra, this is absolutely delicious.”
I smiled to myself and ate from my own bowl. It had turned out well and was quite a bit tastier than it would have been without the molasses and cream. Branford continued to moan appreciatively
and even rolled his eyes to the heavens when he took another bite. His actions made me laugh, and he looked back at me and grinned.
“This is the best breakfast I have ever had,” he said.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.”
He devoured the rest without a word, with one gulp downed the cider in the mug, and informed me we must get ready for our outing. As I donned what I hoped would be an acceptable dress for horseback riding, my husband strapped his belt and sword to his waist. Branford pulled out a decorative blue riding jacket with gold buttons and then pulled a cloak out of my wardrobe and wrapped it around my shoulders.
“I think it will warm up nicely as the day goes on,” he said, “but I wouldn’t want you to get chilled this morning.”
“Thank you, my…Branford.”
He chuckled, then took my hand and brought my knuckles to his lips.
“Shall we go?”
“I’m ready.”
I followed my husband though the morning room with my hand on his arm. Branford opened the door and glared at Dunstan, who continued to keep his watch over our doorway during the day. I wondered if he had been there all night or if someone had relieved him.
“Dunstan,” Branford addressed him, “go to the kitchens and have someone bring our lunch in a basket out to the stables. Then find out where Alexandra’s possessions from Hadebrand are being kept and bring them to our rooms.”
“Sire, I’m not to…”
Branford released my arm and Dunstan was abruptly pinned to the wall next to our door. Branford’s left arm crossed the young man’s chest while his right hand grasped the hilt of his sword. I let out a gasp as Branford’s harsh gaze bore into the poor man. His voice was no less than a snarl when he spoke.
“Listen to me. I’m taking my wife out riding, and you are not coming with us. If you want to go have an audience with the queen on the matter, go do so yourself, but if I see you trailing behind us, I will have you drawn and quartered by nightfall. If my mother has anything to say about it, I’d suggest she send another guard. Probably one she isn’t too attached to. Am I perfectly, crystal clear on this, Dunstan?”
“Yes, sire!”
“Good. Now have someone send us our lunch and be quick about it.”
“Yes, sire!”
“Go!”