said Lord Robert’s voice, suddenly at his elbow, tinged with humor. Wrong, then. He had been wrong about the archbishop. Elisha clutched the pommel with one hand, seeking balance, as Robert knelt, fingers laced, to help him into the saddle. Once Elisha was mounted, Robert checked the stirrups and handed up the reins. “Last time I escorted you to the Tower, ’twas in a cart.” He grinned. “I never expected to do it again, much less like this!” “Nor I,” said Elisha faintly. “Thank you.” “Ought to at least wave, or something,” Robert muttered. Taking a deep breath, Elisha sat up straighter and gave a wave of his hand. Most of the citizens cheered. Sister Lucretia looked pale and crossed herself but spoke no more, not risking the archbishop’s disapproval. Madoc kept shaking his head in disbelief, while Ysabeau retreated to Helena’s side. As a few of the duke’s guard came forward, the crowd opened to let them pass in procession, Elisha riding alongside the archbishop, who scattered blessings among the crowd and occasionally murmured fervently in Latin.
