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He winked when you dismounted, cuffed your shoulder to send you on in. "Down the hall to the left," he said, "Hurry, you aren't the first this morning!"
You hurried then, not even bothering to take in the great tapestries on the wall, most of them depicting Reachmen slaying Dornish warriors.
The smell guided you as much as anything else, the aroma of baking bread and pastries took you on a left turn and down a short flight of stairs.
You choked back a nervous lump and ignored the fluttering in your belly. It was foolish to think Linette, a girl of ten and five, would save her favour for a bastard squire when doubtless she had annointed knights come to call on her. But you didn't run from fear or doubt. You shouldered through into the noisy kitchen.
And were greeted by the sight of a tall strong blonde woman, the image of her daughter, standing with hands on hips overseeing the scullery maids with a knight's cool authority. If Linette was pretty, this woman was beautiful even past forty. She had her golden locks covered by a scarf, pulled back from a face that was at once both fine and strong, like the dancing stone sculptures outside. Bright blue eyes and cheeks with a natural rose bloom upon them, with a womanly body hidden beneath humble kitchen clothes, her apron failing to hide her figure but instead some how flattering it.
You had thought Lady Marisa the most beautiful woman in the Reach. This kitchen maid of Highgarden was at least her match.
A woman who had bespelled a knight to forswear marriage and live in sin, the so called 'Unwed Ned' of House Vyrwell.
"Another one?" her voice was as crisp and hard as the clink of the plates in the wash basin, "Mother give me strength and Maiden spare my daughter. LINETTE! YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE! Lazy girl. And what's your name then?"
"E-Edric," you managed, "Edric Flowers."
She looked you over. "You've a better look than the last two at least, even if its a Dornish look. Though I suppose the Dornish are our friends now. LINETTE, COME GET THIS EDRIC OUT OF MY KITCHEN!"
You heard then a sudden burst of running, that slowed only at the doorstep, and Linette walked out dressed much as her mother, in white apron and head scarf.
"Edric!" Linette said, pink in her cheeks, "What brings you to the kitchen?"
"What do you think?" her mother said, "You put out a stink like a cat in heat, and I have wrangle the tomcats come sniffing around."
"Mother!" Linette said, blushing greatly. "Come, Edric, let's speak elsewhere."
She took your arm and took you out of the thoroughfare of the kitchen. Her hands were soft and warm. She smelled of soap and oils, her cheeks bright as if she were recently from a bath. As she walked you out her hand slid over yours and she smiled. How dark your skin was next to her own.
"Did you want something?" she asked.
