was one of my most visible characteristics.” I say with a smile. “And it’s been sharpened by years of sitting round in sieges waiting for things to happen. I’m sorry if you find my curiosity irritating, my lady but….” I frantically try to think of a way of ending the sentence that isn’t “…. But I do so much want to know everything there is to know about the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” The best I can come up with is “…but it’s such an unexpected pleasure to find such charming company that I want to know more.” I think I’m actually blushing…….

Flidhais smiles. “So shall we meet tomorrow morning for a stroll to the lake?”

“It will be my greatest pleasure to join you, my lady”. I bow and kiss her gloved hand. “And now I must see what my squire has been up to. Please excuse me”

I head up the inn stairs to the rooms we’ve hired. Marco is busily polishing my armour. His eyes are mischievous, though. He’s been up to something. Typical. Still, he’s a good lad; I sort of acquired him in the ruins of a castle in Tuscany when I was fighting for the Sienese. He reminds me of myself when I was his age.

“Chatting up the local talent, Boss?” he says.

“That is no way for a squire who wants to make his way in the world of the courts to talk, young man.”

“She’s very beautiful. Even if she keeps strange pets.”

“I’ve met Clyste”

“So have we- poor little Peire nearly had a fit when he met a wolf in the stables and Hermann was ready to take his crossbow to it.” Peire is my page, Hermann my general purpose servant and dead shot with a crossbow.

“Then I imagine Clyste offered his paw to shake”

“Correct, Boss. She is a woman of mystery, though.”

“Yes, Marco? And what leads you to that conclusion”

“I had a chat to her maid. Just a chat, Boss, so don’t worry- you won’t be having to dock my pay to meet paternity costs. Rosa’s a sweetie, though, so maybe you’d better start docking some in advance, just in case.” I throw my spare helmet at Marco, who catches it dextrously.

“As I was saying… Your new love is a woman of mystery. Her servants really like her but none of them have been with her for more than three months. She’s got money, but it’s not quite clear where it comes from. She’s not local- she’s from far far away. Maybe even from your part of the world, Boss”

“As it happens- yes she does.”

“How nice- two Scots far from home meet and fall for each other…. Anyway, the servants don’t quite know why she’s here in Monsalvat.” He pauses.

“Then there’s the gloves. She never seems to take them off, even when it’s hot. Rosa thinks she wears them in bed.” Marco suddenly looks very serious.

“Please, Boss. Be careful.”

I think I know where his mind is going. “If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, her fingers are there and they’re functional. I’ve felt them on my arm. Marco, she doesn’t have leprosy.”

Marco blushes a bit and nods. “That was my thought, Boss. I’m very glad to hear I was being over imaginative.” He sounds serious again. “But why on earth does she keep wearing gloves?”

“Marco, I don’t know. I didn’t ask. If I had to guess, I’d say that, whatever she may be now, the Lady Flidhais wasn’t always a lady any more than I was always a knight. Maybe her hands show that she had to work with them once. She might well be sensitive about that sort of thing. People at courts can be very nasty to people who’ve risen from humbler origins.” Marco nods.

“Anyway, Boss. Please be careful. I’ve never seen you like this with any other woman. You’re obviously planning the wedding already- can I be chief witness, please?- and I really hope it all works out as you want it to. Just…well, be careful Boss”

I think- am I really that transparent? Surely Flidhais must have spotted this too. Marco adds- I’m sure the little rascal has a familiar who tells him what I’m thinking- “Don’t worry Boss, I think she was too busy having her own thoughts about you to notice.”

“Have you been spying?”

“Keeping an eye on things, Boss. It’s my job to watch your back. I’m sure she’s as taken with you as you are with her.”

My heart does a somersault. “Really?”

“I think so, Boss. She can’t keep her eyes off you.”

“Anyway I am to meet her tomorrow for a stroll by the lake”

“Good luck, Boss. And….be careful”