A Dishonorable Knight - By Morrison, Michelle Page 0,111

she combed out and wound in a braid. A knock at the door made her drop her comb and rush to answer it.

Cynan's craggy face and lopsided grin greeted her as his rumbling voice said, "Good morning."

"Good morning," she returned, refusing to even consider that the sinking sensation in her stomach was disappointment. She could, after all, live without the man.

"Gareth asked me to take you to your seamstress's shop to pick up your dress."

"Where is he?"

"He and his father went to gather another horse and buy supplies for your trip. Worry not," he said with a grin, "I reminded him, 'No dried beef!'"

Elena smiled and rolled her eyes. "As if I'll be so lucky." Stepping into the hall, she led the way through the shop and out the front door.

"Would you like to eat before we go?" Cynan said, walking quickly to catch up to her.

"Do you jest? I've a new gown awaiting me!"

"I should have known that would be a woman's response. You wouldn't, by any chance, know where we are going, would you?"

"You don't?" Elena paused in the narrow street.

"Do you jest?" he asked, imitating her tone.

"Is it a national trait that the Welsh are completely lost when it comes to directions?"

Cynan laughed and held his hands up in denial. "I could find my way across every mountain range in Wales and let you know exactly when and where the sun was going to set. It's just when you put a poor mountain boy in a town, he has no way to judge his surroundings. For example, look at this row of houses." Elena obliged. "They all look exactly alike. But each tree is different, each rock has it's own shape, each stream has its own path. No," he finished, shaking his head. "I can not be held accountable for finding my way in the city."

Elena laughed. "Luckily for us, I know where we are going. And, no, I don't think those houses all look exactly alike. That one there has blue trim while the one next to it has rough wood. The third one down only has one window on the street."

Cynan acceded with a gallant bow. "Very well, you are the true trailblazer, I am merely a stupid shepherd who belongs in the field with his flock."

In good conscience, Elena forced herself to admit, "No, no. To me, every tree looks just like the one before it, every rock is simply a rock and every stream is just wet. It's all just a matter of perspective, I suppose."

"You are too kind, my lady. In that case, lead on!"

Elena found the seamstress's shop much easier this time and she called out for Annie as soon as she entered the empty downstairs room. Once again, Oengus came tumbling down the stairs to ask them to please, "Come dupstairs."

The previously tidy room was considerably messier on this visit. Dirty pots were stacked haphazardly on the rough table in the kitchen and a pile of mending or laundry was heaped on a chair. Oengus's few wooden toys were strewn about the floor. Surprised, Elena glanced around for Annie and found her seated at her worktable, breaking a thread with her teeth on what looked to be the cream-colored chemise.

When Annie realized she had visitors, she stood abruptly, her face reddening as she smiled feebly. "Good morning, my lady. Please forgive my house," she pleaded. "I'm afraid I tend to let things go when I have a project."

Never fond of cleaning herself, Elena shrugged with a complete lack of concern. "It does not bother me." Pointing at the fabric in Annie's hands, she asked, "Is that mine?"

"Oh yes. I was just finishing the hem. I've finished the overgown as well."

"You had enough time then?" Elena shook her head and laughed. "Obviously you had enough time. What I meant to say was I hope you didn't have to rush unduly."

"No, my lady. It was just the right amount of time."

"Very good. I would like to try it on, then."

"Of course, my lady. Oengus," she called. When the young boy came running from the corner in which he'd been playing, she gestured to Cynan. "Take, er--"

Elena smiled. She had been here three times with as many men. Poor Annie must be wondering exactly what kind of woman she was! "Another brother," she said in order to rest the young woman's mind, though for the life of her, she didn't know what possessed her to bother.

Annie's countenance immediately cleared, but before she could