Priceless

Eulalia Vasey swept into the great hall of Nottingham Castle. She knew that she
looked beautiful in her new clinging white dress and was smugly aware of the admiring looks she was getting.
She herself was looking around for Guy. There he was in the corner, giving orders to one of the guards. His darkly impressive presence was positively tangible, Eulalia felt herself drawn over to him. 'Good evening Sir Guy'. She purred. 'Good evening My Lady'. Guy replied non committally.

'Now that I'm 16, would you like to give me a birthday kiss?' The girl innocently asked.

Guy was no fool. Even if his mind were not taken over by Rosamond, Eulalia Vasey would have been a disastrous choice. She was too young and too similar to her father,
not to mention what Vasey would do to him. He picked up her hand and kissed that. 'Happy Birthday My lady', then he left her.

Rosamond had just arrived, her husband holding her in a vice like grip. He was smiling round at everyone, greasy as roast pork. Rosamond looked tense and un comfortable.

Guy manoeuvred himself so that when Rosamond saw him , he was behind Edmund. Her smile lit up her face as he blew her a kiss.

Moving round, Guy brought himself face to face with the Earl.
reeting was short and graceless, 'Gisborne', he growled. Rosamond spoke quietly, all meekly lowered eyelids.
Good evening Sir Guy'. Guy was tempted to take her hand and kiss it, but knew it would mean trouble for her. He contented himself with gazing into her eyes a second longer than necessary as he spoke. 'Good evening Countess'.

The look did not go un noticed. Rosamond felt her arm almost pulled from the socket as her husband rushed her away.

They approached Eulalia. Edmund now having regained his unctuousness The way he looked at the girl sent an icy chill into Rosamond's blood. Surely he wasn't lusting after a girl so young?

A dig in her ribs brought her attention back. 'The box, madam'. Edmund barked. Rosamond handed an ornate wooden box to Eulalia. Edmund had wanted the brooch to be shown of perfectly. Eulalia opened the gift and looked, not incredulous with delight as anticipated but petulant and puzzled.

The Earl looked to see what had displeased her, and a howl of rage rent the air.
'I've been robbed!!' Where the brooch had been when he had retired the night before was now a smooth flat stone.

'Vasey!!!' He yelled. The Sheriff sidled over. His calm making The Earl's purple faced rage look ridiculous. Through the incoherent babbling, Vasey could make just make out a description of the stolen brooch.

Rosamond had calmly sat her husband down, and fetched him a drink. Having regained his breath, Edmund gave a positive cackle. 'Ha !! I know who took it.'

He turned on his wife. 'Didn't I say, when you noticed Eirian missing this morning that we would find something missing'. He looked at Vasey. That's 2 runaways and one of them a thief, to be found. Mark my words , they're in it together'.

Rosamond was glacially calm. ' My Lord, how could she have taken it? You had it in your private chest, and the key never left you.
She lowered her voice ' How do I know you didn't hide the brooch yourself to make it look like theft, so that you could blame Eirian.' Edmund looked apoplectic now but Rosamond's courage was up.

'I saw how you looked at her sometimes and I guessed you had been with her.'

She added to him in a hiss. 'I know that you've forced yourself on her more than once. Can you wonder she has run away'.

She swept away from the group. Leaving her husband mouthing like a fish out of water. As soon as she left the hall breaking into a run.

She stopped in the castle courtyard to get back her breath. The run had released her tension and she burst into a brief but violent torrent of tears.

Trying to still her racing thoughts and her heart pounding with fear, she leaned her head against the cool stone of a pillar.

The creak of leather made her turn around. Guy was standing there. 'I slipped out whilst Bonchurch was doing his 'woe is me' monologue.' He grinned. He saw her tear stained face and stepping close put a warm hand onto the back of her neck.
Knowing of no other way he could comfort her, he bent his head to kiss her. His hands wandering over her body, stroking with a feather like touch. His lips and tongue moving with hers gently and tenderly. It felt so wonderful and soothing, Rosamond let out soft little moans.

Guy felt himself becoming aroused and knew he had to stop before he went to far. he lifted his mouth away with huge reluctance,, stroking Rosamond's cheek.

' Your brother's here'. He told her. He wants you to go home with him tonight and I agree. Bonchurch is very angry'. He led the way back into the castle, where Roderick of Somersby now stood waiting.

Rosamond threw herself into her brother's arms. 'I didn't see you in the hall. I was afraid you weren't coming'.

Roderick kissed her forehead. ' I was talking business with Vasey, when Bonchurch started hollering. I hadn't had chance to say hello, then you ran out. I found Guy already following you.

Rosamond heaved a sigh of relief. 'Thank you, both of you'. She took both Roderick's and Guy's hands. ' I said things to My Lord tonight that I've wanted to say for some time, but he will take very badly to my doing so in public'. I shall be glad to get away until he calms down.

She turned to Guy, eyes shining. 'Will you visit me at Somesby?'

Guy looked at Roderick, who gave a subtle nod. 'I'm sure I will be engaged in the search tomorrow'. he said rolling his eyes. ' and we will no doubt have to look towards Lincoln. I can make certain we are there as late in the day as possible.
Could we ask for hospitality at Somersby My Lord?' he asked with a wry grin. Roderick grinned back. I would have to answer to my sister if I said no.'

After brother and sister had departed. Guy returned to the Great Hall. The Earl of Bonchurch was still bending Vasey's ear about his losses.

'I'm afraid I have more ill news, My Lord.' Guy made no attempt to look or sound sorry. 'Only temporary I'm sure. I've just seen the Countess leaving with her brother'.

Vasey was enjoying the discomfort of Edmund who was getting on his nerves with his whining.

'My word, Bonchurch. You're having trouble keeping hold of people, aren't you just? Personally, I'd leave the Countess where she is for now. Women do so get in the way I find. Worry not though. I will give you what help I can in searching for your missing property. Won't you Gisborne?'

TBC