The Innocent Read Online Free PDF Page A

wife, childless after all their years of marriage, had sent for her. I must not judge Isleen by that one visit, Elf chided herself silently. Still, they could have surely afforded the expense of a physician. Yet she loves my brother, and has taken good care of him. It must break her heart that God has not blessed them with sons and daughters. I must greet her as my sister, and as if it were the first time we met. I will love her because she loves Dickon. Has not our dear Lord said we must love one another as we love Him?
    "You have not yet taken your vows?" Saer de Bude spoke again. "Do you really wish to be a nun, and do you never consider the joys of marriage, lady?"
    "I have never wanted to be anything but a nun," Elf answered him honestly. "I bless the day my brother brought me to St. Frideswide's, although at the time, I was frightened, and confused. I had just lost my mother and never knew my sire, you see. All I had were Dickon and my old nurse, Ida. The nuns, however, mothered me and taught me. And one day I realized how happy I was in their company, how happy I was that I should join their ranks and have the privilege of serving God forever."
    "I can understand," he told her. "I always wanted to be a knight, and fight in the king’s service. I am happiest when doing it."
    They rode on in silence for a time.
    "Do you think you could go a bit faster?" he finally asked her.
    "I think so," Elf responded, "but if I become frightened, will you stop, sir?"
    "Aye." He grunted, and kicked his own animal into a gentle canter.
    The mare followed, with Elf leaning forward just slightly into the faster gait. She was quite surprised that she could do it, for she had only cantered a few times, but it was not unpleasant at all. She could feel a light wind on her face, and there was a freedom about it that was positively exhilarating. Sister Cuthbert was always teasing Elf that joy was not forbidden within the order, for Elf had a great tendency to be quite serious. Finally after a time she began to grow tired and called to him to stop.
    "Forgive me, lady, you are so quiet I almost forgot you are here. Of course you will want to stop and rest a bit. It is not far once we begin to ride again. Let me help you down." Reaching up Saer de Bude lifted Elf from her saddle, setting her upon the ground. "There is a stream just down the slope there. Would you like a drink?"
    "No, thank you," Elf said. "I only wish to stretch my legs a moment before we travel onward." She looked about her. "Are we on Ashlin land? It has been many years, but it does seem familiar."
    "Indeed, lady, your memory is a good one. Aye, we are on your brother’s lands. We have just about two more miles to go, and you will be home again." Then he smiled toothily at her.
    He made her uncomfortable, Elf thought. Was it because he was a man and she was not used to men; or was it something particular to him? She glanced casually at him. He was a pleasant enough looking man. Stocky, of medium height with gold hair and dark eyes. His face was just slightly pockmarked, but not enough to spoil his good looks. His round face was edged with a beard and mustache that connected about his mouth. The beard was barbered and short. He was well dressed, but not ostentatiously so, in medium brown and green garments, and Elf noted that his boots, though well used, were of the best leather.
    Saer de Bude drank from a small flask he carried. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he went off into the bushes, and she blushed to hear him relieving himself. When he returned, he said, "If you are certain you want nothing to drink, then let us be on our way again."
    Elf nodded in the negative. She was thirsty, but terrified to drink anything lest she should have to pee. How could she while in the company of this man? "Let us go, sir," she said. "I am as anxious as you to reach Ashlin." Then she looked past his shoulder as his hands lifted her up into the saddle again. "Thank you, sir," she told him. "I