“Open it and see!”
She did, like a child on Christmas morning.
With a great sigh she pulled out a sapphire blue gown made of the finest, thinnest silk. It was an A line cut with a silver filigree belt and silver stitching on the cuff. Sewn into the shoulders was a gossamer cloak of blue tulle flowing down her back.
“Oh, Mr. Simeon, I couldn’t accept this. How did you…? Did you steal it?”
He waved her concern away. “She won’t miss it, dear Kes. You both look to be built the same. It should fit.”
“Oh, that you’ve seen her,” Kes stood up and held the gown up to her body. She couldn’t keep it. But to own something that Queen Berengaria had worn.
“Take it,” Mr. Simeon insisted. “The queen has more than she could wear in a lifetime.”
“No. It still doesn’t make it right.” She pushed the gown and its bag at him. “Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”
He exhaled a great breath. “Very well, I will leave her a gift in its place. Something she will actually enjoy, and I will pay for it myself. Deal?”
“What will you give her?” Kes asked, tempted.
“I’ll let you know what I decide.”
Jonathan, Walter’s servant served them tea and something that looked suspiciously like a famous little hot apple pie.
“Walter?” she asked, turning to him and holding the rectangular pie up to him. “What is this?”
Walter looked at it over his spectacles. “You know perfectly well what it is, Child. I suggest you eat it and stop holding it up to me or I can almost assure you thatIwill be the one who eats it.”
Kes cut Mr. Simeon a side glance. She knew it came from the future and he was the one who’d brought them here.
“What?” Walter asked, seeing her disapproving expression. “What are we changing by eating this delicious pie? ’Tis my favorite treat!”
“Of course.” Kes feigned a smile. “So the people who created this pie in my century don’t matter. If someone makes something similar now, you’ve changed those people’s future.”
Walter frowned at his pie and then at her. “Aw, very well then. Let this be the last time I ever eat one.” He bit into his pie and closed his eyes with delight.
Kes looked at hers, shrugged her shoulders, then took a bite. He was right. It was delicious.
Remaining here would be difficult. Knowing Mr. Simeon would make it a temptation to have possessions from every century, every dynasty. To everything, everywhere. But nothing would be as hard as trying to live without her knight in her life. Why did he have to be such a stubborn, gentle bear?
“Tell me,” Mr. Simeon said while they ate. “Where is the earl this morning?”
“He’s having a hard time with me being a Lancaster.”
“Pig-headed fool,” the time traveler muttered then sipped his tea.
“The Lancasters murdered his family,” Kes defended him. “We don’t understand what it’s like for him.”
“Aye. She’s correct,” Walter muttered and set down his cup. “This is a delicate matter and must be treated so. For now, let us leave matters of their hearts to them.”
Kes smiled at Walter for his thoughtfulness, and then laughed when Mr. Simeon suggested she try on the gown.
It didn’t mean she was keeping it. She was just trying it on.
It was no big deal.
Chapter Twenty
Someone knocked onWalter’s front door. Kes’ heart skipped its beats. It had to be Nicholas. He’d told Walter he would see her today. She’d admit, she hadn’t known him long, but he’d never lied to her—that she knew of. Yet.