Chapter 54: Day 72

The next morning, Lisette and Tristan departed Haven for Wickham, leaving Priscilla in the Bailiff's custody on a charge of malfeasance. King Edward had guaranteed her safety for the moment, but had ordered her held for trial and judgment — not the outcome Matthias had wanted, but the best Tristan had been able to secure.

"Did you get any sleep?" Lisette asked with a sly smile.

"A bit," Tristan replied. "This morning, Jillian asked Miri to order me to stay!"

Lisette laughed. "Of course she did! And yet, here you are."

"As I said, nothing will deter me from our mission, and my loyalty to Matthias is absolute and paramount."

"As is mine," Lisette declared. "We'll arrive in Telford relatively early. Perhaps we should ride further?"

"There really isn't a good place to stay between Telford and Wickham," Tristan replied. "We'd probably have to camp, given the one inn along the way is ... disreputable. As we aren't expected until dusk tomorrow, we should stop at Telford to get a good night's sleep."

"Which I am sure you need!" Lisette declared mirthfully.

"Perhaps," Tristan agreed.

"Would you be willing to answer a question to satisfy my curiosity?"

"I would. What would you like to know?"

"Why do you prefer maidens? I would think a girl with some experience would be a more interesting partner. For the most part, you deflower the maiden and are never with her again, or at most once more. I was the exception."

"The chase is thrilling," Tristan replied, "and the conquest satisfying. You know I don't wish to be tied down, so that is part of why I typically only bed them once or twice. As for others, the chase is often altogether too easy to be satisfying."