Mystique by Amanda Quick

were the expenses involved in maintaining Alice and her brother. Admittedly Benedict was not a great problem, but Alice, I regret to say, is rather costly to keep.”
    “I am prepared to offer a chest of pepper and one of good ginger as a betrothal gift.”
    “She is always demanding money for her books and her collection of stones and other useless bits—” Ralfbroke off, dumbfounded, as Hugh’s words sank in. “A chest of pepper and one of ginger?”
    “Aye.”
    “Sir, I do not know what to say.”
    “Say that you will accept the bride gift so that I may have done with this matter. It grows late.”
    “You
wish to give
me
a dowry for Alice?”
    “Tis customary, is it not?”
    “Not when the bride goes to her lord with nothing in hand but the clothes on her back,” Ralf retorted. “You do understand that she brings no land with her, sir.”
    “I have lands of my own.”
    “Aye, well, so long as you comprehend the situation.” Ralf’s expression was one of bewilderment. “In truth, sir, I expected you to demand a large dowry from me in return for taking her off my hands.”
    “I am prepared to take Alice as she is.” Hugh allowed an edge of impatience to underline his words. “Do we have a bargain?”
    “Aye,” Ralf said quickly. “Most definitely. Alice is yours for the pepper and ginger.”
    “Summon your village priest to witness the betrothal vows. I wish to be on my way as soon as possible.”
    “I shall see to the matter at once.” Ralf started to heave his bulk out of his chair. He hesitated midway out of his seat. “Ah, your pardon, Sir Hugh, but there is just one more small point I should like to have made plain before we proceed with this betrothal.”
    “What is it?”
    Ralf licked his lips. He glanced around the chamber as though to make certain that none of the servants could overhear. Then he lowered his voice. “Will you be wanting your chests of pepper and ginger returned to you in the event that you decide not to proceed with the wedding?”
    “Nay. The pepper and ginger are yours to keep, regardless of the outcome of our bargain.”
    “I have your oath on that, too?”
    “Aye. You have the oath of Hugh the Relentless.”
    Ralf grinned in relief and rubbed his plump hands together. “Well, then, let us get on with the thing. No pointin delaying, is there? I shall send a servant for the priest at once.”
    He turned and bustled off, more cheerful than he had been at any time since Hugh’s arrival.
    A movement in the doorway caught Hugh’s attention.
    Dunstan, his face set in grim lines, strode into the hall. He came to a halt in front of the table where Hugh sat. His eyes were dark with disgust.
    “We have a problem, my lord.”
    Hugh eyed him thoughtfully. “From your expression, ‘twould appear we are on the eve of the crack of doom. What is the matter, Dunstan? Are we under siege?”
    Dunstan ignored the comment. “A few minutes ago Lady Alice summoned two of the men to her chambers to carry her belongings to the baggage wagons.”
    “Excellent. I am pleased that she is not one to dawdle over her packing.”
    “I don’t believe that you will be quite so pleased with her when you learn just what it is she expects to contribute to the baggage train, sir.”
    “Well? Don’t keep me in suspense, Dunstan. What has she packed that annoys you so?”
    “Stones, my lord.” Dunstan’s jaw tightened. “Two chests of them. And not only are we to carry a sufficient quantity of stones to build a garden wall, but she has made it plain we must also take another chest full of books, parchment, pens, and ink.”
    “I see.”
    “And a fourth packed with strange alchemical apparatus.” Dunstan’s face was mottled with outrage. “Then there is the matter of her clothes, shoes, and personal belongings.”
    “Lady Alice has a large number of tunics and robes?” Hugh asked, mildly surprised.
    “Nay, but what she does have apparently requires an additional chest. My lord, you