He turned his back to her, untying and pushing down his short bmies, and she caught a tantalizing glimpse of small, tight b.u.t.tocks above powerfully muscled thighs. This was not the body of a languid court popinjay but of a warrior.

He turned around again, as naked as G.o.d had made him, and she squeezed her eyes shut, but not before the image of his maleness had seared itself on her brain. She bit her lip "Aldyth?" he called softly, uncertainly.

Had he seen her looking at him? She willed herself to remain still, apparently relaxed, and made her breathing steady and even. There was silence, and a moment later the creak of the rope mattress as he lay down upon the bed.

As Aldyth was breaking her fast in the hall the next morning, she stole glances at Ranulf and Lady Desiderata, who sat next to him nibbling on a piece of manchet bread.

Ranulf seemed in a better mood this morning and smiled when the courtesan addressed him, but Aldyth could detect no change in the way he treated Desiderata. There were no long shared looks, no lingering touches, nothing that would indicate any change had taken place in their relationship last night.

She heard Ranulf and Prince Henry speaking of a ride into the nearby town of Barfleur this morning.

"Ah, and may I come along with you handsome gentlemen?" murmured Desiderata, looking appealingly at Ranulf.

"Or do you wish it to be just you men, with the New Year so close upon us?"

How bold to hint about the gift giving that customarily took place on New Year's Day! Aldyth had to admire the woman's audacity, even if the thought of Ranulf giving Desiderata a gift made Aldyth grit her teeth.

Surprisingly, though, it was Prince Henry, not Ranulf, who replied.

"Why certainly, my dearest lady, we wouldn't think of leaving you to languish in the hall on such a fair As a matter of fact, I haven't bought your gift yet, and I thought you might like to help select it at the Jew's shop, Aldyth watched the courtesan preen at the prince's words, but she saw her studying Ranulf a moment later. Was Desiderata disappointed that it had not been Ranulf who had invited her to come along, or who had mentioned buying her a present?

Aldyth was taken completely by surprise when he spoke p a moment later.

"Edward, how would you like to come along with us? You must have been bored with so little to do 5nerday. Would you not enjoy an outing, too?"

Even as her heart surged with joy that she was being asked them, she saw Desiderata's eyes narrow.

"So solicitous of a mere page," she purred.

"Is he not the n.o.blest of lords, to be so kind to a boy?" The words were admiring, but the way she said them, with the merest in- fiection, implied something less than courteous--implied, moreover, that Ranulf might be something worse than the rogue he was reputed to be.

Aldyth bristled. How dare the courtesan imply that Ranulf was one of those men?

Ranulf merely raised an eyebrow and favored Desiderata with an opaque glance.

"I'm certain Edward can make himself useful, perhaps by carrying your purchases? Won't you, Edward?"

All eyes were suddenly on her, so only Aldyth saw Ranulf's wink.

"Oh, uh... aye, Lord Ranulf--that I will."

Desiderata had to be content with that. Henry, ignoring or unaware of the charged atmosphere, said,

"Well then, let us be off. Desi, we'll wait only a few minutes for you, so if you wish to go, make haste."

Abram Ben Isaac came outside his shop at the sound of their horses.

"You are welcome to my humble shop once again, my most revered prince. I thought I might be seeing you soon, now that the Christian New Year is upon us:' Prince Henry seemed pleased at the goldsmith's greeting.

"Of course you knew you would see me, you cheeky rascal! Am I not your best customer?" he asked, slapping Ben Isaac on the back of his fine, brocade-trimmed tunic. "But of course you are, my prince. And I see you have brought another customer to me," the warthy man said, indicating Ranulf with a respectful bow, "and a beauteous lady. You are here to select her a New Year's gift, yes?" He looked from Henry to Ranulf, as if unsure of which lord to address.

"I have just the thing for the lady--a ruby necklace that will bring out the fire of her hair."

"Yes, I will be buying the lady a bauble," Henry said. "Now, are you going to let us stand out in the wind all day, or will you let us come inside?"

The day was remarkably mild for late Deccrabs, but the goldsmith smiled obsequiously.

"A thousand curses upon my head for my thoughtlessness, my lords, my lady.

Of course, come in. I, Abram Ben Isaac would be honored by your presence."

"And you'll ritually disinfect the place when we leave, I know,"

Henry retorted dryly.

"After you, my lady."

Desiderata swept in with disdainful hauteur as she pa.s.sed the well-dressed goldsmith.

"Edward, hold the horses," commanded Ranulf, handing the reins of the other three mounts to Aldyth.

The palfreys had been givca a good run on the way into the town of Barfleur and were content to stand, giving Aldyth no trouble. She studied the prosperous-looking stone front of the goldsmith's shop. There was a large window-with real gla.s.s, she noted, never having seen the costly substance except in churches and the residences of the highest n.o.bility.

She took advantage of the window to peer into the shop. There were Desiderata and Prince Henry, peering into a run, ed wooden case that the Jew held before them. As she watched, Ben Isaac held up a ring of gleaming gold set with a ruby as big as a man's thumbnail. Desiderata seized it, ting it on her finger and smiling coquettishly up at who studied it with narrow eyes before saying something to the goldsmith. Ben Isaac must have named a was too high, for Henry put it back/n the case, his head.

Desiderata looked sulky, and Aldyth saw her sidle up to Ranulf, who was standing by himself, bent over another velvet-lined case on a table. She said something to him, leaning over to whisper in his ear.

As Aldyth continued to watch, he looked over at Desiderata, smiled politely, then went back to his perusal, holding up first one, then another golden necklace, some of simple design, others with intricate carving, still others with jewels interspersed between every few links. Aldyth observed him curiously. For whom was he thinking of buying a New Year's gift if not for Desiderata? His mother, perhaps? But there was such an intensity about the way he studied each piece the goldsmith held up for his consideration, such a faraway look in his eyes, as if he contemplated the way in which the lady who was to receive the gift would look upon it. This could not be a gift intended for Lady Nichola of Kingsclere.

Perhaps her form cast a shadow through the window, or the very steadiness of her staring somehow made him aware that he was being spied upon, for he turned around and caught sight of Aldyth.

She tried to look unconcerned, smiling back at him, but he appeared fiercely displeased as he turned back to the jewelry, placing his back squarely to her in such a way that she could not see what he was looking for.

Well! And what was he being so secretive about, anyway? As if she cared whom he bought a New Year's gift for!

Aldyth turned her attention instead to Henry and the courtezan.

Henry had evidently been shown and rejected several pieces of the goldsmith's art, for shiny golden cups, girdles, rings, bracelets and necklaces littered Ben Isaac tabletop.

Desiderata avidly eyed each new piece held up, then looked stormy as it was rejected. She brightened as Henry 187 held up another necklace of sapphires, which glittered blue fire even in the dim light.

But wait! While she had been regarding the byplay between Henry and Desiderata, she had missed Ranulf making his selection. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ben Isaac handing something to Ranulf, Which he put into a pouch on his sword belt. What had he bought? Then the goldsmith said something to Henry, evidently naming an acceptable price, for the prince pulled out a purse and handed Ben Isaac three silver marks. His purchase made, Henry fastened the necklace around Desiderata's neck.

Aldyth saw the goldsmith bowing with oily courtesy, calling out blessings and farewells as the three, their purchases made, headed for the door. She moved quickly away from the window and was unconcernedly stroking her piebald mount when they came outside.

Desiderata was still fingering her new necklace.

"Thank you, my lord.

I shall have to give you something very special for the New Year in return,"