With trembling hands, Summer hastily penned a note in reply.
Dearest of loves, you are far too kind to me. I shall treasure these, though they do not substitute for your presence. Please hurry back, for the hours grow long and my heart yearns for you. ~S.
She thrust it at the squire, bidding the boy put it in Humphrey’s hand and no other. “Tell your lord my delight is bounded only by his absence.” She yearned to quiz him on how Humphrey looked, but sternly forbade herself that indulgence, a little frightened by the sudden strength of her own feelings. Seduced by books of poetry!
A long conversation over breakfast with her father followed, and at the last he said, patting her hand, “‘Tis strange of me, I know, but I would have you happy above all else, daughter. Go with caution, but not fear; I’ll stand with you. If I know aught ill of Gloucester, ‘tis that he plays with maidens’ hearts, yet he’s wise enough to woo you with books.”
Two more weeks had passed until Humphrey arrived back to London, and the weather also turned sour with the constant English rain. Humphrey indeed caught a cold himself yet he didn’t consider it a serious matter. He prepared for hunt in Greenwich park and he intended to spend it in the most pleasant company.
He sent the Lady Rainault his steward, with the invitation, and had a little gift waiting for her. A spaniel, for every lady needs a companion on a hunt, and that is indeed what he planned to do the next day. He didn’t plan much, he intended to stay in the woods of Greenwich Park and have a picnic. He was eager for her to arrive, to spend the day with her alone and to have her for himself.
Two weeks had seen but little change in the routine of Summer’s life. Her sister had returned to her husband’s manor, her other brother Alfred had come up from Kent, and she’d read ‘Il Canzoniere’ through several times. She grew ill-at-ease, beginning to doubt her memories and herself, and would often take out the necklace and slide it through her fingers. Even archery barely soothed her mind.
When finally the Duke returned and sent for her, she struggled to contain herself before the servants. She near drove her maid to distraction fretting over little details, and only managed to relax when she was at last ahorse, quiver slung to one side, gifted books in a saddlebag to the other, and Humphrey’s gorgeous velvet gift about her shoulders.
Finally she arrived at the house, and Humphrey himself welcomed her, helping her off the horse. “I believe you only became more beautiful my love,” he said and confirmed with a kiss, for all to see. Here in his household, he had no troubles of gossip to worry about. “I have another present for you, for today you shall need her,” he said when the squire escorted the little grey spaniel. “She is named Silver I was told. She is fairly young and inexperienced in the hunting affairs…do you hunt, my beloved?”
His household prepared half a dozen more dogs, along with arrows bows and spears, bags and food and flasks of wine, his squires and knights busying themselves around them as they talked. “I must apologise to you, my lady Summer,” Humphrey said. “My visit took longer than intended… I hope you decided what you ask from me for the wait. It shall be yours as I promised…”
“My lord, what I wish of you I dare not say.” Summer held his hands, smiling up at him. “I would not have you think ill of me. Only hold me, for I have sore missed your touch, and tell me of your journey.”