My Lady Reluctant. Laurie Grant

      She would not whine to this well-dressed lady-in-waiting about her uncaring father, or the attack that had taken her old nurse from her! “Nay, I am but tired,” she began, but was unable to find the words to go on.

      “I am sorry—I did not mean to make you sad,” Halette said kindly. “But this may cheer you—Her Highness has told me we are to go into London on the morrow! Matilda has decided she needs a milk-white palfrey to ride to her coronation, but doubtless we will not only visit the horse fair, but the markets as well. Wait until you see the wonderful markets in the city! I hope we will visit the goldsmiths. There was a gold ring at one of them that caught my eye….”

      Gisele allowed the woman’s chatter to distract her. Mayhap the next day’s expedition into the city would be very enjoyable, even if she had no coin to spend on trinkets. And she wondered how Matilda planned to afford a milk-white palfrey if she had no money for a coronation gown!