Priceless

They say that twins often have telepathy between them. Roderick and Rosamond had always found themselves thinking similar thoughts. The pressures of adulthood had caused this skill to retreat somewhat into the background but it did surface from time to time.

It seemed to be doing so now. As Rosamond and Guy rode out from Leicester wrapped up against the increasingly cold November air. Rosamond found herself thinking that to go back to Bonchurch now would be fool hardy and there was one place where she could be safe.

'Guy. I've been thinking. It would look terribly suspicious if you and I rode into Nottingham or Bonchurch together. I have to account for my going away though.
I thought I might go to Kirklees for a while to stay with the nuns. We need to convince everyone that you went with the intention to bring Meinir and Eirian back. I would have been devastated of course and going to the nuns is what I might have done'.

She smiled at her lover who was looking doubtful. You're thinking about Roderick ? I sense that he and I are thinking on similar lines again. I think that when you return Vasey will have the idea that you and have lost me'.

Guy stroked her hand as Pendragon brushed against Artemis as seductive as his master Rosamond thought as he gave his wicked lop sided grin ' I think that when I got to Leicester our birds had flown....... What do you think ? Of course Vasey will want to investigate the claim but at least we've made sure it is not in ant way worth his while.'
Rosamond giggled. ' If I didn't know any better Sir I'd say you were enjoying this'.


The Abbess of Kirklees looked with some mistrust at Sherrif Vasey's Master at Arms. What misfortune had this dangerously attractive man brought to this lady's door, although as they said farewell at the gates there was little evidence of trouble.

Guy and Rosamond had reluctantly realised that for the next few weeks they should act as though they were no longer in love. Rosamond would remain with the nuns until after Christmas.

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Vasey was in Heaven. He looked forward to giving Locksley to Guy and naming him as the Earl of Huntingdon. He could drag eternal gratitude and loyalty from him for this.
He might even be able to convince him that after all women were untrustworthy and unnecessary and that a man (himself to be exact) in his bed would be much more desirable..

hen Guy arrived back Vasey had to suppress a grin as he awaited the sight of the trouble making pair belonging to Bonchurch. Instead there was just the brooding figure of Gisborne. 'I regret to say my Lord that when I arrived in Leicester I was told that the fugitives had left. Naturally I insisted on a search but to no avail'.


When angry Vasey tended to be sarcastic. Now it positively dripped from him.
'Oh dear Gisborne. Things are not going well for you are they. First you lose your lady and now you won't even have Locksley to make up for it. OH yes I do know about La Comtesse dumping you for this. My idiot son in law had a letter from her. It seems she's run off to a nunnery. Now get out of my sight.'
Eulalia was also furious. The idea of helping her father's Master at Arms to forget his lost love was not nearly so satisfying as helping the Earl of Huntingdon.

Vasey decided he had wasted quite enough time waste on the man hunt. Any pleasure had long since vanished. he decided to give it up as a bad job and concentrate on punishing Guy instead.

He couldn't understand why Gisborne was refusing to look in the least bit morosely repentant. He seemed to be missing the air of a caged wild animal.
He might even be able to convince him that after all women were untrustworthy and unnecessary and that a man (himself to be exact) in his bed would be much more desirable.

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The day after Twelfth Night, Rosamond returned to Bonchurch. She ached to see Guy again but with only 4 weeks to go she wanted to take no chances. Bonchurch was being more foul than ever but she had a secret that she was hugging to her heart and it kept her from despair.

Roderick wanted to see his sister again and asked her to come to Somersby.

In private brother and sister hugged happily. 'You knew what I was thinking then?' Roderick laughed. 'I told Eulalia that you wrote to tell me you we're hiding in a nunnery to escape Gisborne. How is Guy?' Rosamond sighed. 'We thought it best not to see each other for a few weeks to keep up the pretence but in Leicester he was magnificent'. Roderick took her hand. I have a little surprise for my 'dear wife' over dinner'.

At dinner |Eulalia was looking maddeningly beautiful with her now swelling belly. She had a smug satisfied air about her. Roderick was all set to wipe it from her. ' Ros,' he addressed his sister. 'Do you remember our cousin Stephen in Somerset?' Rosamond thought for a moment and said she did.

'Well' he continued, 'it seems he has a yearning to become a priest and wants to give his land to me to take care off'. He looked at his wife to let the realisation dawn.
'Of course I have had to tell him we will need to wait until our child is born but I think a change of scenery will do us good won't it my dear?'

'What will happen to Somersby?' Rosamond asked trying no avoid staring at the shock in Eulalia's face.

'Oh yes', said Roderick. 'I thought I might ask our good friend Gisborne to take it over'.

TBC