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chagrined?”
    Obviously, Godric thought David held her confidence, and David hesitated to disillusion him. So he nodded back just as sagely and stuffed bread into his mouth.
    â€œTo be rejected so rudely!” Godric tutted. “And in front of all the court.”
    Perking up at the thought of Lady Alisoun being taken down a peg, David chewed and swallowed. “And by whom? A nobody, that’s who.”
    Startled, Godric protested, “I wouldn’t call him a nobody. Simon is earl of Goodney, with so much gold in his possession he has cobwebs over the coins, and he has a pedigree to make our sovereign blush. But that he should refuse King Henry’s order to wed the fair lady makes him nothing more than a pestilent knave.”
    â€œBy the saints.” David was awed. “Simon of Goodney refused her.” Godric flinched at David’s surprise, and David spoke hastily to ease his sudden suspicion. “I still can scarcely credit it, with him as thrifty as a Spaniard with a bottle of port.”
    â€œOh, aye.” Godric plucked the towel that hung from his belt and polished the table. “’Tis a fact well known among innkeepers.”
    â€œWhat about her other suitor?” When Godric looked confused, David explained, “The one who plots to abduct her. Did you hear how he reacted to Simon’s disclaimer?”
    â€œI hadn’t heard of Lady Alisoun’s other suitor.” Godric leaned closer. “Who is it?”
    Good question, and one that Godric obviously couldn’t answer. David would have to find out another way. Acting virtuous, he said, “If it’s not common knowledge, mayhap my lady prefers to keep it that way.”
    Disappointed, Godric drew back and David returned his attention to the bowl. Ever the clever innkeeper, Godric retreated to leave him at peace, and as David’s stomach filled, his honor twitched to life.
    Lady Alisoun had given him gold coin. He had taken it, and she did have the right to name the time and place he should fulfill his obligation. By the sound of it, she might have waited for him if not for Simon of Goodney. He supposed he should roar with merriment that the lofty Lady Alisoun had been humiliated, but he’d had his own encounter with the great Lord Simon and knew the extent of his conceit. “In fact,” he murmured into the empty bowl, “if Simon of Goodney refused her, that’s a strike in her favor.”
    â€œQuite right, Sir David.” Hovering close as David finished, Godric whisked the bowl away and presented a dish of water.
    David looked at it suspiciously, but when Godric indicated he should wash his fingers, he did so. After all, he had learned manners when he’d been at court as the king’s champion. It had just been long since he’d had to utilize them.
    Godric handed him a towel. “One must suppose she is too fine for the likes of him.”
    Rising much refreshed, David scratched at his bellyand stretched. “Have your stable boys bring my destrier. I’ll ride after Lady Alisoun now.”
    â€œShe’ll be well protected with you at her side.”
    Godric’s flattened, outthrust palm appeared in the periphery of David’s vision, and David thrust a coin in it. Godric impressed David when he didn’t bite it to ascertain its authenticity, but slipped it into his purse where it clanked with its mates. Oh, to be able to stay at such an inn! To afford its luxuries for his daughter! He coveted Lady Alisoun’s privileges, coveted them mightily.
    Godric said, “I worried when she left with those carts, laden as they were with the purchases she had made, but your presence will set my mind at ease.”
    â€œHow many carts?” David asked.
    â€œThree.”
    â€œThree!”
    Godric peered at him. “Lady Alisoun is efficient. She combined her homage to the king with her twice-yearly buying trip.”
    David shook his head.