The Bride of Windermere by Margo Maguire

her. I—”
    â€œYou? I thought it was the reverse. I thought your nurse came along to see to you.”
    â€œOf course not! Bridget hasn’t been able to do anything for me these last few years other than patch up my—”
    Wolf’s fierce look stopped her.
    â€œâ€”well, that is to say, Bridget is getting old now and cannot possibly work like she used to. She has been with me since I was a baby and as my mother’s distant cou—”
    Gerhart held up one hand to stop her. “Enough!”
    â€œâ€”cousin, I will not allow her to—”
    â€œHalt!”
    â€œâ€”travel in her con—”
    â€œAccording to the innkeeper, Windermere is a mere two hours’ ride from here.” His annoyance was clear in his voice. “I will see the woman myself and judge whether she is fit to travel.” He started to walk away, but hesitated long enough to chide her. Turning and raising one finger to punctuate his statement, he said, “You would do well to consider curbing your argumentative nature. It would make life a lot simpler.”
    His remark was enough to make Kit want to give him a good kick as he walked past, but then the man did the unthinkable. He patted the top of her head as he would a dog and further remarked, “You ought to wash your face more often, too, Sprout. It isn’t such a bad one.”
    â€œWhy, you overbearing, black-hearted, thick-skulled—”
    He didn’t stay to acknowledge her indignation at being so treated.
    Wolf found Bridget in the room she’d shared with Lady Kathryn. The old nurse had a steaming bowl of porridge before her and Wolf paced the room, asking questions regarding the woman’s health. She did look pale and had a terrible, rattling cough. For a moment, Wolf considered giving in to the girl’s wishes. He did not want to cause the woman undue discomfort, nor did he wish to be responsible for the worsening of her condition. However, the old woman insisted she was fit enough to travel. That is, if she could ride with one of the soldiers.
    Since it was to be a short ride, Wolf deemed her capable of making the distance. But he cursed the fate that made him responsible for two women. What did he know of the silly creatures? He was a man of war, not a nursemaid.
    â€œSir Gerhart,” Bridget said tentatively as the knight started for the door.
    He stopped and turned, giving her the opportunity to continue whatever she wanted to say. He hoped she’d be quick about it so they could be on their way. Windermere was only hours away.
    â€œAbout my Kit—she’s a good lass. Never meant to trouble nobody.”
    â€œNo,” Wolf replied, turning to leave. He found the old woman’s statement somewhat at odds with his experience.
    â€œYe don’t understand,” Bridget said. “She’s had to be strong. Independent. She’s, had no one to look after her and there’ve been times...”
    â€œSomers?”
    The old nurse nodded. “He’s come close to killin’ her twice. Only things stoppin’ him were the fact that he couldn’t run the estate without her. And the baron never knew when one of them knights would come from King Henry to check on her.”
    â€œKnights?”
    Bridget nodded.
    â€œFrom Henry?”
    â€œBaron Somers never could figure the reasons for those visits. Seemed to be just social calls but the baron was always suspectin’ they came to see Kit for some reason. Never failed to ask about her...”
    â€œWhen was the last time Somerton was visited by one of these...knights?”
    â€œWell, it’s been some years now. I don’t believe our new King Henry has sent anyone himself, though.”
    â€œAnd what about the estates? You say Lady Kathryn helps Baron Somers run his estate?”
    â€œNo. She doesn’t help him,” Bridget replied.
    Of course not. He had just misheard the old woman before. Wolf