And I want to be of account to him, she thought intently.

And I want to be of account to him, she thought intently.

She sat by the creek, half-hidden in lush grasses. Carefully she twined purple summer flowers into her single dark brown braid, and dabbled bare feet in the rushing water. Stems and crushed blooms littered the coarse yellow gown she wore and damp earth stained the garment, but she paid it no mind. She was purpose-fully intent on her work, for if she allowed her thoughts to range freely she would be overtaken by the knowledge and the hope that he still might come.

So, you wish to see Homana's prince take an unexpected bath, he said menacingly, but she saw the amusement in his eyes.

The animal reacted to her unexpected appearance with alacrity.

Alix Do you seek to unseat me?

Carillon, he said firmly. There are no titles between us.

Sunlight glittered off the gold of his mount's trappings and painted the chestnut warhorse bright red. She heard the jingle of bit and bridle and the heavy snort of the big stallion. His rider, who had yet to see her, rode unconcernedly through the meadowlands.

The prince stared down at her quizzically, one tawny eyebrow rose. What have you been doing harvesting all the flowers? You are fair covered with them.

Carillon, he said firmly. There are no titles between us.

His tawny-dark head was bent as he rode blue eyes on the shedding of his gloves. He wore black hunting leathers, she saw, and had thrown a thin green woolen mantle back from broad shoulders. A flash of green and gold glittering at his left shoulder caught her eye: the emerald cloak-brooch he favored. At his heavy belt was hung a massive two-handed broadsword.

Lousy slid down the muddy bank into the water again. His rider,

equally startled, reined the animal in with a curse and shot a glare over his shoulder. When he saw her his face cleared.

Lousy slid down the muddy bank into the water again. His rider,

The animal reacted to her unexpected appearance with alacrity.

The Captive

Hurriedly she brushed her skirts free of clinging stems and blossoms and began to pick them from her braid. Before she could strip them away entirely he swung down from the horse and caught her hands, kneeling.

She tried to draw her hands from his large weapon-callused ones. My lord...

Geoffrey Shafer.

The animal reacted to her unexpected appearance with alacrity.

He sighed and dismissed the topic with an idle wave of his hand. A ruby signet ring flashed on the forefinger of his right hand, reminding her of his rank and the enormity of his presence before her.

Alix Do you seek to unseat me?

proper. Then she grinned again-

The animal reacted to her unexpected appearance with alacrity.

The Captive