Several maids carried seven or eight barrels of hot water, and the steaming barrels flowed in, and when they lowered the barrels, they saluted Isabel one by one. Then, two more young valets entered the room carrying a large wooden barrel that seemed to have not been used for a long time, and bowed to her after gently lowering it. After that, the maids poured all the hot water into the large wooden barrel, leaving a young maid to serve her before exiting the room with the empty wooden barrel.

The butler was about to salute and leave the room when Isabel stopped him, "Mark, that's what your lord told you?" Want me to be your lord's wife? ”

With his hands on his lower abdomen, the butler standing by the door pondered for a moment and shook his head slightly, "The lord didn't say that. However, I am sure that the lord loves you very much. ”

Isabel, who was sitting in her seat, glanced at the hot water in the large wooden barrel that was still steaming, and when she was anxious to take off her riding boots, the young maid walked over quickly and smiled softly, "Miss, I'll take it off for you." ”

"Well, okay." Isabel was worried that if she said one more word, the hot water would get cold for another minute, so she hurriedly nodded reservedly at the butler, "I know, Mark, you go." ”

"Yes, miss." The butler nodded and gently closed the door as he turned to leave.

The waistband of the two riding boots on Isabelle's feet is very long, and if the valgus is extended, the height of the boot waist will cover 2/3 of the thighs. It took a long time for the young maid to take off such a pair of riding boots.

"Let me do it." Isabel smiled at the young maid and took off her other riding boot herself. The young maid standing on the side stared at her curiously, "Miss, I remember that you haven't been to Houghton Manor for a long time. ”

"Smack—" A riding boot was pulled off Isabelle's feet and thrown on the ground, Isabel looked up at the maid, "yes, I haven't been here for about three years." Do you remember who I am? ”

The young maid tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Mr. Layton said, you are the eldest daughter of Lord Walton of Kirklington, Yorkshire, and a female companion whom the lord loves. ”

"Really? However, your lord is married, and he is married to the daughter of an earl. Isabel stood up, undressing, leggings, and stockings on her hands and feet.

"I know about the lord's marriage. However, the lord married his daughter for the title of Lord of Essex and the land, and it is you who the lord really loves. The young maid took Isabelle's clothes off and said whatever she wanted.

Isabel, who had been completely stripped off, did not say anything more, but raised one leg and stood into the large wooden barrel, and immediately sat down. As soon as she sat down, an expression of enjoyment filled her entire face, "God, this feeling is so comfortable." ”

———————————

After a night's stay at Houghton Manor, at 7 o'clock in the morning of the next Saturday, Isabel stood in front of the line in full gear, glanced at everyone's faces and walked up to little Beard, "Is the treasure chest ready?" Did anything happen last night? ”

Little Beard shook his head, "Your Excellency, nothing happened, I'll take you to see the treasure chest." ”

Carrying two treasure chests full of pounds on the road, Isabel fears that thieves who specialize in robbing passing travelers will jump out of the road at any moment. After checking the seal of the treasure chest again before coming to the pack horse, he set off again with the team.

After leaving Northamptonshire and entering Hertfordshire via Buckinghamshire, Isabel led the group to the west of the town of Watford. To the west of the town of Watford there is a very large primeval forest, and a straight road leads to the deepest part of the forest. At the end of the road stands the estate of Miss Mary Tudor, the eldest daughter of Henry VIII.

When the party reached the entrance to the path outside the forest, Isabel pulled out the sealed letter barrel from her saddlebag and handed it to the Flag Guard, "Baldwin, deliver this letter to Miss Mary Tudor's estate, at the end of this path. ”

"Yes, Your Excellency." Baldwin took the letter and stuffed it into his saddlebag, and galloped on the only road in and out of the manor, armed with a spear flag.

Who would have thought that Isabel, who was already planning to lead the party away, received a message from Baldwin, "Miss Mary said that she has allowed you to enter the manor with her attendants, and that she will be waiting for you in the parlor." ”

"Probably out of aristocratic courtesy." Isabel, who was a little surprised, muttered a few words to herself, and led the team to ride into the forest path.

As the group rode slowly on a quiet forest path that exuded a natural freshness, Isabel couldn't help but raise her head and look up at the summer sky. A ray of sunlight shining through the shade of the trees among the lush foliage is a bit dazzling, but it looks very crystal beautiful.

A few soft, distant birdsong came from time to time from the trees on either side of the path, and occasionally from the bushes between the trees on either side came a rustling sound, and it seemed that two hares could still see their long ears.

The flag bearer who was walking in front of the team turned his head from Fast and said in a good mood, "Your Excellency, it would be great if Miss Mary Tudor allowed us to hunt a few hares to eat. ”

Looking at the endless verdant primeval forests on both sides of the road, as well as the overlapping branches and small shadows of the sun, Isabelle, who felt extremely relaxed, shook her head, "Fast, don't you think this place is beautiful?" ”

Little Beard, who was riding beside him, also had a pleasant smile on his face, and his body swayed slightly as the horse moved, and he turned his head to look at Isabel, "Your Excellency, I understand why Miss Mary Tudor lives here. ”

"There's a joy and serenity that fills your whole body with indescribable joy, isn't it?" Isabel loved the feeling, and even her voice became soft.

"Yes, Your Excellency. I don't think I can find the right words to describe this place. Little Beard narrowed his eyes and raised his head to feel the sun.

"It seems that the environment here is indeed suitable for Mary, who has been physically and mentally harmed, and it is a place where people can forget everything." Isabel glanced at little Beard, who was extremely relaxed, and looked up like him......

The team slowly passed through the fence gates between the walls and came to a stop on a lawn in front of the house. At this time, a well-dressed middle-aged manservant waiting outside the manor gate led several young manservants to greet him, bowed and looked at Isabel with a smile, "Are you Miss Isabelle, the eldest daughter of Lord Walton of Kirklington?" ”

Isabel sat upright on her horse and nodded slightly, "Yes, I am Miss Isabel." ”