The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley Page B

with news. "My lady, your horses have
    been safely returned. Ned has just fed and watered them."
    "Oh, how wonderful! My palfrey means so much to me; I would
    dearly love to see her. Has darkness yet fal en?"
    "Yes, my lady, it is dark outside, but I wil light your way, you need have no fear," Griffin assured her. "But you wil need a warm cloak, for the night is bitter cold."
    "I wil fetch your cloak, my lady," Ned said. "You wil be so pleased at the condition of the stables." He almost ran from
    the hal .
    "Griffin, you and Ned must stay and eat; I can visit the stables
    tomorrow."
    "We are both eager for you to see the vast improvements in
    Per-shore's stable. We wil both enjoy our food better after we
    have seen the pleasure in your eyes."
    Such a concept startled Rosamond. The very notion that her
    happiness could bring them pleasure made her feel quite
    special.
    When she arrived at the stable, flanked by Griffin and Ned, her
    heart overflowed with affection for her little palfrey, and
    Nimbus greeted her with a soft nicker and a nuzzle. As
    Rosamond stroked the
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    fil y, she breathed in the clean smel of soap and fresh hay. "I
    can hardly believe what has been accomplished."
    "Sir Rodger has been known to move mountains, my lady."
    Rosamond laughed. Griffin had an earthy sense of humor, for
    indeed Sir Rodger had moved mountains of horse dung. As
    she crossed the bailey, she lifted her eyes to the bril iant stars.
    There was no cloud cover tonight and it was cold enough for
    frost. She pul ed her purple cloak closer about her and thought
    of de Leyburn. Surely he would not rout people from the
    warmth of Worcester Castle tonight. Nay, he had told her he
    would return today to keep her from being afraid. Likely it was
    done in kindness, yet she didn't appreciate being treated like
    a child.
    She glanced about nervously. Where was the brutish
    stableman this night, or the men of Pershore who had been
    drunk in the bailey? The pockmarked face of Dymock rose up
    in the dark and she felt her fingers tremble as they clutched
    her cloak. She liked Griffin very much, and Sir Rodger had
    told her she could trust him with her life, but Rosamond knew
    she would not feel secure tonight without de Leyburn's
    protective presence.
    The entire wing of Pershore where Rosamond had her
    bedchamber had been scoured and cleaned, and each room
    had been aired by its own fire, so tonight Rosamond had her
    own private quarters. Nan took an adjoining room, while Ned
    would sleep in the knights' quarters with Griffin.
    As Rosamond readied herself for bed, she imagined her
    chamber as it would be once improvements had been made.
    She visualized a plush carpet on the floor and rich, artistic
    tapestries upon the wal s. A rug and cushions before the
    fireplace would lend a cozy atmosphere, and deep-red
    hangings about the high window would make the room feel
    both warmer and safer. Rosamond loved vivid colors. Her
    hand caressed her crimson bed curtains and goosedown
    quilt, their familiarity bringing a measure of comfort, as she
    silently thanked Lady Eleanor for suggesting that she bring her
    own bedding.
    She went to the window searching for some sign of de
    She went to the window searching for some sign of de
    Leyburn, but other than the stars, she could see only
    blackness outside. She climbed into bed and the incredible
    events of the day replayed themselves in
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    her mind. Rosamond didn't believe she had ever fainted
    before in her life, and could not explain how her trampling
    dream had overtaken her senses while she was ful y awake.
    She told herself that the events leading up to it must have
    taken an emotional tol on her. The terrifying black horse must
    be a symbol of her fears threatening to overwhelm her. If she
    conquered her fears, she wondered if the trampling dream
    would stop.
    Eventual y her eyelids became heavy and she began to drift
    down into sleep. In the distance there was a low rumble.
    Thunder? No, it was far too cold