Page 265 of Historical Hotties
Proudly, Thor led his wife through the column, picking up Darius and Nicola as they went. Clayne joined also, leaving Truett in charge of the escort now that the man had returned from securing rooms for the night. As the group headed toward the long but narrow street of the merchants, Clayne began sniffing the air.
“Smell it?” he said. “The roasting meat. The bakers’ ovens are roasting beef for suppers all over the city.”
It wasn’t uncommon for the ovens of the bakers to be used for things other than bread. They roasted meat for families who didn’t have the ovens or facilities to do it, and at this time of day, the ovens were going full steam for families all over the city.
“It smells like venison,” Caledonia said. “Slightly sweet.”
Thor looked at her. “How do you know that?”
“Because I like venison.”
Clayne took up pace on her other side. “Itisbeef,” he insisted. “I would know that smell anywhere. When I was young, my mother would make a mixture of finely chopped beef, spices, and mushrooms and bake it in a pie. Then she would cover it with gravy. My brothers and I would have to fight my father for it, but I always won. No one beats me when it comes to food.”
He was grinning as he said it, and Thor chimed in. “His mother is my mother’s sister,” he told Caledonia. “His father was a knight sworn to my father, many years ago. A fiercer man you will never meet.”
“Then you are telling me that he is family,” she said seriously.
“He is,” Thor said. “We call him Bully. It is a long story, but suffice it to say that his father is known as Bull and Clayne is just like his father. Little Bull.”
She understood. “And I am free to treat Bully like family?”
Thor suspected she had something in mind from the way she asked the question so he nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “I wish you would.”
With a playful glance at her husband, Caledonia turned her attention to Clayne, who didn’t look anything like her beauteous husband. He was fair, muscular, and short, and he had an aggressive manner about him, so she thought the name Bully suited him. She hadn’t spent much time around him during their journey because he was usually busy carrying out Thor’scommands, but she’d seen enough to know that the man was stubborn, loud, and easy with his laughter.
Truth be told, he reminded her a good deal of Constantine.
“I will make you a wager,” she said to Clayne. “I will bet you that my nose is sharper than yours. Itisvenison and it is coming from the next street over. Go and see for yourself if you do not believe me.”
Clayne frowned. “Beef!”
“Venison.”
“Go and find out,” Thor told his cousin irritably. “Buy some while you are at it. I am hungry.”
That was enough to send Clayne through the alleyway between the main streets, heading for the bakers and the smell of beef. Or venison. That left Caledonia and Thor, with Nicola and Darius following, on the street of merchants that was quite vast.
It was a small city unto itself.
It was less crowded at this time of day because most people had already done their shopping, so they were able to find a shop that carried fabric. A seamstress was next door and had pre-made garments, loosely basted, to be finished when a lady purchased them. Thor and Nicola were particularly interested in those while Caledonia wasn’t entirely sure about them. She didn’t really know fashion, although Nicola had done her best during their week of travel to educate her. Still, Caledonia hung back, looking at the tables of silk scarves, as Nicola made contact with the merchant.
The pre-made dresses began to come off their pegs.
Beautiful surcoats and complete dresses made from elaborate fabric were laid out on one of the merchant tables. In some cases, the dresses were quite detailed, with different types of fabrics on the bottom of the surcoat than on the top. There were embroidered bodices, silk panels, and brocade skirts. Thenthere were simpler gowns made from linen or lamb’s wool or fabrics from faraway lands. There were many to choose from, many that Nicola pored over, and Thor eventually brought Caledonia over to the table to look.
“Well?” he said. “Nica has picked these out. Do you like any of them?”
Caledonia was uncomfortable selecting clothing like this. Nicola had spent time at court so she knew what was popular and fashionable, but Caledonia knew nothing.
“They are all very pretty,” she said hesitantly. “It is difficult to choose.”
Nicola held up a ruby-red silk, putting it against Caledonia to see how it would look on her. “This is very pretty,” she said. “Do you like the color, Callie?”
Caledonia looked down at it. The dress was magnificent with gold thread, but it was so unlike anything she ever wore. As she tried to think of something kind to say to Nicola, who was genuinely trying to help, Thor could see her reluctance. She didn’t seem particularly at ease.
“Nica,” he said. “Put that dress aside and find something blue. I like blue.”
As Nicola turned around and went in search of a blue garment, Thor grasped Caledonia by the arm and gently pulled her back over to the scarf table, away from his sister and the merchant as they pawed over the clothing.
