It had been a trying day already. He’d found one of his guardsmen dead, and a good deal of coin stolen from his stores. He hadn’t slept much last night due to Leah’s deceptions; he’d gone to bed hard as a stone and been unable to sleep.
He’d even knocked at Leah’s door last night to try and talk to her, but when she didn’t answer his temper got the better of him again. He imagined her locked in the arms of her secret lover, and went to bed furious.
Seeing her in the great hall just made it worse. He remembered the way she’d looked yesterday on his bed, all soft and warm under his hands. He remembered the pleased, surprised look of pleasure on her face when he touched the inside of her creamy thigh. Hell, he was getting hard just thinking about it.
And he remembered the look of hurt that flashed across her expressive face when he’d told her to beg.
He was right.
She was just a whore who was trying to capture her new master… so why did he feel like such a knave?
He turned to Lady Matilda, whose smug face was beginning to grate on his nerves, and sighed. His future was looking grim indeed.
Women’s feelings , he thought with annoyance. Distracting him from the real problems in his keep. The traitor in their midst was still at large. Someone was still on Baron Rutledge’s side, stealing for him. Attacking his men.
And all he could think about were a pair of green eyes in a sad face.
Hell.
#
Father Andrew led her to the chapel and pulled out a couple of stools for them to sit on while they talked. Her legs flared with pain when she bent her knees, but she smoothed her skirts and feigned a smile when he sat down next to her.
Leah nodded uncomfortably.
He smiled, but the smile did not reach his warm brown eyes. “I wanted to talk to you today… in regards to a few things. Did you finish the sewing I left for you? The townsfolk will be quite pleased to have the clothing back and whole again. The poor need so much.”
Well, shoot. She’d completely forgotten about that. Leah winced and shook her head, an apologetic frown on her face. She gestured, trying to indicate that she’d get it done as soon as possible.
“I see.” Father Andrew looked disappointed. “Well, if you will give it back to me, I’ll find if one of the other castle women has time. I just thought…” Leah touched his hand and shook her head. She made a sewing motion with her hands –
she’d get on that basket and finish it tonight.
“Thank you, Leah. It means a lot to me that you’d do this.” She nodded, feeling like a jerk. She’d been so wrapped up in her own problems that she’d completely forgotten about the charity work she’d promised to do.
“I find myself… concerned about the state of the castle.” He leaned forward and clasped her hands in his own, a grave look on his face. “I have heard whispers and rumors that all is not well within. I know you cannot speak, but I wonder if perhaps others say things near you and discount the fact that you cannot talk. Tell me, have you heard the people speak of a rebellion against Lord Royce’s rule? Do they want the old Baron back?” Leah’s eyes widened. Royce was in danger? She shook her head at the priest mutely, wishing she knew more about the subject. She hadn’t heard a thing, which relieved her and worried her at the same time.
“I see,” Father Andrew said, releasing her hands and leaning back, a thoughtful look on his face. “The reason why I bring this up, Leah… the arrow you took in your arm. It was not the only incident.”
It wasn’t?
“I have heard… some of Lord Royce’s men have been attacked. Funds have been stolen from him. Livestock has been killed. Someone is waging a silent war on him in the name of Baron Rutledge, and I fear for Royce’s safety. I think you should stay away from him for the next few days, Lady Leah. Let him be distracted by Lady Matilda and her money, and keep yourself safe. I fear for your safety and do
He’d even knocked at Leah’s door last night to try and talk to her, but when she didn’t answer his temper got the better of him again. He imagined her locked in the arms of her secret lover, and went to bed furious.
Seeing her in the great hall just made it worse. He remembered the way she’d looked yesterday on his bed, all soft and warm under his hands. He remembered the pleased, surprised look of pleasure on her face when he touched the inside of her creamy thigh. Hell, he was getting hard just thinking about it.
And he remembered the look of hurt that flashed across her expressive face when he’d told her to beg.
He was right.
She was just a whore who was trying to capture her new master… so why did he feel like such a knave?
He turned to Lady Matilda, whose smug face was beginning to grate on his nerves, and sighed. His future was looking grim indeed.
Women’s feelings , he thought with annoyance. Distracting him from the real problems in his keep. The traitor in their midst was still at large. Someone was still on Baron Rutledge’s side, stealing for him. Attacking his men.
And all he could think about were a pair of green eyes in a sad face.
Hell.
#
Father Andrew led her to the chapel and pulled out a couple of stools for them to sit on while they talked. Her legs flared with pain when she bent her knees, but she smoothed her skirts and feigned a smile when he sat down next to her.
Leah nodded uncomfortably.
He smiled, but the smile did not reach his warm brown eyes. “I wanted to talk to you today… in regards to a few things. Did you finish the sewing I left for you? The townsfolk will be quite pleased to have the clothing back and whole again. The poor need so much.”
Well, shoot. She’d completely forgotten about that. Leah winced and shook her head, an apologetic frown on her face. She gestured, trying to indicate that she’d get it done as soon as possible.
“I see.” Father Andrew looked disappointed. “Well, if you will give it back to me, I’ll find if one of the other castle women has time. I just thought…” Leah touched his hand and shook her head. She made a sewing motion with her hands –
she’d get on that basket and finish it tonight.
“Thank you, Leah. It means a lot to me that you’d do this.” She nodded, feeling like a jerk. She’d been so wrapped up in her own problems that she’d completely forgotten about the charity work she’d promised to do.
“I find myself… concerned about the state of the castle.” He leaned forward and clasped her hands in his own, a grave look on his face. “I have heard whispers and rumors that all is not well within. I know you cannot speak, but I wonder if perhaps others say things near you and discount the fact that you cannot talk. Tell me, have you heard the people speak of a rebellion against Lord Royce’s rule? Do they want the old Baron back?” Leah’s eyes widened. Royce was in danger? She shook her head at the priest mutely, wishing she knew more about the subject. She hadn’t heard a thing, which relieved her and worried her at the same time.
“I see,” Father Andrew said, releasing her hands and leaning back, a thoughtful look on his face. “The reason why I bring this up, Leah… the arrow you took in your arm. It was not the only incident.”
It wasn’t?
“I have heard… some of Lord Royce’s men have been attacked. Funds have been stolen from him. Livestock has been killed. Someone is waging a silent war on him in the name of Baron Rutledge, and I fear for Royce’s safety. I think you should stay away from him for the next few days, Lady Leah. Let him be distracted by Lady Matilda and her money, and keep yourself safe. I fear for your safety and do
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