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his team hauled him to his feet again, and the battle continued. She had no way of discerning who was winning, but the soldiers seemed to know, and Rhys declared the blue team to be the winner about an hour later.
    Because everyone had been watching the tourney, dinner was very late and consisted of bread baked the day before and cold meats and vegetables. But no one complained. The peasants and freed men helped tidy the field while women prepared the food, and then the day ended with a celebratory meal together. Elinor permitted no strong wine or ale to be served. Only the everyday watered barrels were used, but no complaints were heard.
    Elinor watched Hammond, Rhys, and Albin take Wade outside and speak to him. She wondered what he’d learned and hoped Rhys offered him some reward for his day’s work. She also noted that Lord Devon, who’d done so well in the jousting, remained all day, and that both Wade and Albin had spent time talking to him. I wonder if he no longer wishes to work for Lord Jeffrey. Or perhaps he’s here to see how prepared we are for an attack.
    She beckoned the steward to her.
    “Yes, Lady Elinor?”
    “Byram, what is the name of the girl child who did so well in the messenger test? Whose family does she belong to? I don’t recognize her at all.”
    “That is Nerida, lady. Her father, William, is a free man with no other child and has reared her more as boy than girl. But she honored him with her success this day. I saw him holding her oranges as if they were a purse full of gold.”
    “So he should. She proved that girls can run and remember as well as boys, at least at that young age. She will make a fine messenger for Wade’s little soldiers. Has Wade spoken to her father about her becoming one of his messengers?”
    “Yes, indeed, my lady. William nearly burst with pride at her being included in that group.”
    “Good. She is a child worth watching. I shall take an interest in her future. The boys may grow to become soldiers or guards. She may grow to become housekeeper or chatelaine.”
    “May I tell William that, Lady Elinor?”
    “You may tell him I am pleased with Nerida and wish to hear of her progress as she grows. Her future will be greater than marrying a peasant as soon as she becomes a woman. She has the potential to rise much higher than that.”
    “Thank you, my lady.”
    If William really had reared her more as boy than girl, he wouldn’t be rushing to bestow her on the first man who offered for her anyway, but it was good to let him know that Nerida showed promise of the ability to greatly increase her status.
    Elinor hated it when girls were married too young. Too many of them died. When a family had too many girls to support, she much preferred them sending a couple of daughters to a convent. At least there girls would learn skills in growing crops and plants, cooking and preserving food, caring for the sick, and some even learned to read and write. The brightest of them managed the lands and wealth of the convent, and the lives of dozens of people. An abbess had more power than many ladies, far more power, status, and authority than a peasant girl could even imagine.
    Elinor shook off her thoughts. It was almost the end of the day, and the men had promised something special for this night. She could hardly wait.

Chapter Three
     
    Hammond had to force himself not to run up the stairs to Lady Elinor’s solar. Tonight they were double fucking her. He’d been waiting for this night for so long, and his prick was ready to burst at the thought. He didn’t care whether he got her cunt or her ass. Both felt so good when they gripped his prick as she shared her body with him.
    He’d bought a tiny vial of oil with him. Although usually she sucked the cock of whoever would take her ass to make it wet, with two of them inside her together, Hammond had decided oil might be needed for her to accept them both. He’d never double fucked before but had heard a man who’d