The Velvet Promise (Montgomery/Taggert 2)

d performed all the female arts to perfection, could underneath be cruel.”

Judith looked up in surprise as a giggle escaped from a pretty young woman next to her.

“You don’t agree, Lady Isabel?” Queen Elizabeth asked.

“Oh yes, Your Majesty, I most certainly do.” The two women exchanged understanding glances.

Alice, furious at being set down, continued. “But would a true woman wish to use a crossbow? I cannot see that there would be a need. Women are always protected by men.”

“May a woman not help her husband? I once took an arrow meant for John,” Lady Isabel said.

Several of the women gasped in horror.

Alice looked at the green-eyed woman with disgust. “But a true woman could not do violence. Could they, Lady Judith? I mean, a woman couldn’t kill a man, could she?”

Judith looked down at the empty canvas on the stretcher.

Alice leaned forward. “Lady Judith, you couldn’t kill a man, could you?”

“Lady Alice!” Queen Elizabeth said sharply. “I believe you pry into matters that are not your concern.”

“Oh!” Alice feigned surprise. “I didn’t know the Lady Judith’s handiness with a sword was a secret. I won’t speak of it again.”

“No, you won’t,” Lady Isabel lashed out, “now that you have told everything.”

“My lady!” Joan announced loudly, “Lord Gavin requests you immediately.”

“Is anything wrong?” Judith asked, rising quickly.

“I don’t know,” Joan said, an odd, blank expression on her face. “You know how he cannot bear for you to be out of his sight for very long.”

Judith gave her a look of astonishment.

“Come quickly. He won’t wait long.”

Judith refrained from reprimanding her maid before the queen. She turned and excused herself from the women, glad to see that Alice’s eyes smoldered in anger. When they were away, Judith turned back to her maid. “You forget yourself.”

“No! I only helped you. That cat would tear you to shreds. You’re no match for her.”

“She doesn’t frighten me.”

“Then perhaps she should. She is an evil woman.”

“Yes,” Judith agreed. “I am aware of that. I am grateful though that you took me from that place. I almost prefer Alice’s company to sewing, but the two together are more than I can bear!” She sighed. “I suppose Gavin didn’t send for me.”

“Why must he send for you? Don’t you think he will be pleased to see you?”

Judith frowned.

“You are a foolish woman,” Joan said, risking harsh words from her mistress. “The man wants you, yet you don’t see it.”

Once outside in the bright sunlight, Judith forgot all thoughts of Alice. Gavin leaned over a large trough of water, bare from the waist up as he washed himself. Judith crept silently behind him then leaned over and gave him a nipping kiss on his neck. The next moment she found herself gasping for breath as Gavin swung round and knocked her into the trough. Both of them were very surprised.

“Judith! Are you hurt?” Gavin asked as he put his hand out to her.

She knocked it away, wiping water from her eyes, looking at her soaked and ruined gown, the crimson velvet plastered to her body. “I am not, you clumsy oaf. Do you think I’m your war-horse, that I may be treated as an animal? Or perhaps you think I’m your squire?” She put her hand to the side of the trough to lift herself, but her feet slipped and she went under again. She gasped as she looked up at Gavin. His arms were folded across his chest and he wore a broad smile.

“You are laughing at me!” she hissed, enraged. “How dare—”