Page 50 of Chivalry in the Meadow
“Indeed,” Lilly laughed too. “It was cold.”
Mia was correct that a shriek would draw attention, and soon, one of the knights who’d run up to the front of the tent. “Ladies?” He called in. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, we’re fine,” Lilly called out to him. “Don’t come in. We’re dressing.”
He coughed and then cleared his throat. “Very well then. Call out if you need assistance.”
They both silently giggled now, their eyes wide.
“Yes, sir,” Mia said, keeping her voice from giggling more. “We will.”
Lilly puttered around the tent, shivering from the cool water still dripping down her hair and back.
“No doubt you’ll be refilling the big water cooler with ice,” Mia said.
“Yes,” Lilly said. “I’ll ask Finn where to buy ice after we head back out. It’s a small price to pay to cool down in this heat.”
“Why have you and Finn not discussed showering?” Mia asked. “Surely these workers, especially the men, get cleaned up somewhere around here. It must get terribly hot wearing all that armor.”
“It slipped my mind,” Lilly said. “I’ll ask him when I ask about the ice. You’re right. They’re working here all summer and have to take showers somewhere.”
Mia rubbed her ribs. “It feels so good to have that bodice off at last,” she said. “I’m not keen on putting it back on.”
Lilly held up her sweaty clothing and sniffed it. “Everything is too sweaty. I can’t see us wearing these again. Let’s wear the gowns we wore last night. We only wore them for a few hours.”
Mis sighed with relief. “Yes, let’s do that. I’m glad I’ll be comfortable tonight. I won’t wear that bodice again. It’s made me too sore.”
“Likely from Sir Cedric using it as a harness to haul you on top of his lap!” Lilly laughed. “I don’t think they were designed for that.”
“No, I suppose not,” Mia said. “It also wasn’t helped by the wooden saddle either, which was quite hard.”
“Every time you are on your own here, something exciting happens with one or more of the knights,” Lilly said. “Have you realized that?”
“Well, it’s not my fault they come around when you aren’t with me.”
“I’m not saying it’s bad, Mia,” Lilly said. “It’s been good. And look at you being brave enough to sneak to the stables and then sneak back. You’ve become more daring!”
“Yes, I suppose I have,” Mia said.
“That is so much better than hiding in a book,” Lilly said. “Now you are starting to really live and have real life adventures. What will our next adventure be? Do you want to watch the third Jousting event for the day, do something else, or rest?”
“There’s no rest to be had, in here in this tent, at this time of day, with it so hot,” Mia said. “I’m for sitting in the shade of the pub, with something cool to drink, first, before we go watch the jousting.”
“Wonderful idea!” Lilly said. “Here, I’ll lace you up, then you do me, and then we’ll head there, afterward. We’ll wait until just before the jousting begins to go over to the jousting field. By then, the sun will be edging its way down.”
“I’m in mind of a cold root beer,” Mia said. “And a giant pretzel. Want to share one of those pretzels with me?”
“Yes! Sounds fabulous,” Lilly said. By now, she’d dried her body off, and dusted it with lavender scented powder, before putting deodorant on. She stepped into her dress, pulled it up and slipped her arms into the sleeves.
“You’re faster than me,” Mia said. “I’ll lace yours first.”
Lilly walked over and got laced up. “I’ll share my powder if you’d like some.”
“Thank you,” Mia said. “I love the scent of lavender.”
“Who doesn’t?” Lilly laughed. “This will help us not feel so sticky if we get hot again.” She handed the powder to Mia who applied it and then handed it back.
Stepping into her dress, Mia said, “I can’t have this dress laced so tight tonight. That would hurt.”
