Agnes with a sly smile, obviously picking up on his sarcasm.
'Then 'e wuld nay mind if you were to go riding also, wuld 'e?' observed John.
''e is expected back soon and it wuld be rude of me to be away upon 'is return. Wuld you nay agree?'
'Is 'e nay riding with your father? Wuld that nay make 'im your father's guest?'
''e is me guest as well, me Lord.'
'I wuld nay think that one so old as Edmund wuld be your guest, me lady.'
Agnes acted as though she was perturbed, but she was clearly enjoying the attention and the fact that John was so persistent.
'Comb back lat'er, me Lord, and I will go riding with you.'
'Is that a promise, me lady?'
'Aye, it is a promise,' Agnes replied with a smile.
'Aye, and whot aboot Edmund?'
''e will be gone by then. I am certain of it.'
'And if 'e is nay gone?' asked John.
'I do nay know.'
'I do know. I will show 'im to 'is coach,' replied John with a sly smile.
Agnes blushed and looked at the floor. The thought of John vying so directly for her attentions pleased her.
John took Agnes' hand in his and smiled, 'Until then, me lady.' Then he smiled and turned to leave the room. As he walked into the entry hall, Edmund entered from a adjacent hallway. He had just returned from riding and still was wearing his riding clothing.
John observed him narrowly, but was not going to acknowledge him.
'Lord Darby,' started Agnes, 'This is Edmond of Suffolk. I do nay believe that you 'ave met.'
John turned and walked toward Edmund who was holding out his hand expectedly. John looked at his hand momentarily before accepting the offered greeting.
'Gud dee, Lord Darby. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.'
'Aye, likewise,' replied John with a forced smile. 'I 'ope that you are enjoying your visit with Lord Whitcomb.'
Edmund glanced at Agnes who only smiled ever so slightly and then turned her look to John.
'Aye, I 'ave enjoyed me visit with all of the Whitcomb's, me Lord.'
'The dee is a fine dee for your travels back to Suffolk. I trust that you will find the roads pleasant,' stated John with a glance outside.
'Aye, and so I shall,' replied Edmund.
With that, John walked toward the door and as he opened it stated, 'Shall I send some men to accompany you to Suffolk?'
'That will nay be necessary, me Lord,' replied Edmund in a voice that betrayed his growing irritation.
John bowed his head slightly in Agnes' direction, opened the door and said, 'Until later, me lady.'
Later that day John returned and went riding with Agnes. She was a well trained rider and was very comfortable atop a horse. She wore a long, light-purple dress and small hat of matching color. As they galloped through the fields, her dress caught the breeze and John was fascinated at her loveliness and her skill. They rode to Little Casterton and then to Great Casterton where they stopped for a meal at a public house.
As they rode slowly back toward the Whitcomb estate, Agnes said, 'You did nay need be so rude to Edmund, me Lord.'
'Aye, I suppose that I did treat 'im with sume contempt. There is no excuse for me actions, me lady.'
They rode in silence for a few moments before John asked, 'Is there an agreement then between Edmund and yourself then?'
Agnes looked at John with a surprised expression and stated plainly, 'There is nay any agreement between Edmund and meself. If there were, I wuld nay be riding with you now, me Lord.'
John smile and looked at Agnes. He already knew that Agnes would not have accepted his offer to go riding if there were an agreement, but he enjoyed hearing her state so. 'Is there an agreement between Edmund and your father?' he asked.
'There is no such agreement, me Lord. I can assure you. Edmund is only a friend,' replied Agnes.
Again they rode in silence for a time before John said, 'Agnes, I wish to 'ave your permission to call upon you regularly. May I do so?'
Agnes smiled and blushed a little as she looked straight at John. 'Of course you may. I wuld very much like that.'
Chapter Sixteen
1456
Lincoln, England
Richard finished soldering the section of window that he had been working on and stood back to admire the result. The window had taken several days to complete. He thought that it was truly magnificent and was proud that it would serve to praise God for years to come. This section was the