Chapter 8

“I don’t have anything as personal to give her,” I grumbled, although in truth I did have something. Father had given me a pouch containing some coins. You’re a gentleman, he’d said. As such you’ll treat your mistress well

I’d never considered it that way before, but yes, I supposed I did have a mistress. I refused to think what that made Thomas to me.

But all I wanted this last evening we’d be together was to spend it alone with him.

“That’s all right, my prickly Thorn. We’ll tell her the flowers are from both of us.” He handed the flowers up to me.

“Oh, very well.” I held the bouquet until he mounted Galahad, and then returned them to him, and we rode to the milkmaid’s cottage.

Meggie was tidying her little home and came to the door wearing old clothes that were dusty and worn.

“Mr Warrick. Mr Thomas. I weren’t expecting you this night, what with you both having to leave.”