Page 106 of Bold Angel
“You did not desire her?”
“Nay, ’twas not exactly that. I could have bedded her, ’twould not have been a hardship. But after that…” He sighed and glanced away. “’Tis hard to explain, but… in the weeks since your marriage… I have watched you and your lady. I have seen your eyes when you look at her. I have seen the way she looks at you. ’Tis the way I wish to look at a woman.”
Ral’s brows drew together in a frown. Odo’s reminder of his feelings for Caryn brought a tight sensation to his chest. “This time ’tis you who plays the fool.”
“Your feelings for her then have changed since I left the castle?”
“Nay, but ’tis far too soon to judge how it will all turn out.” Across the hall, Ral caught a glimpse of his little wife’s auburn-haired head as she stood in the passage. She was speaking to Ambra, laughing at something the slender girl said. Just the sound of her voice made a hunger sweep over him and a heaviness tug low in his belly.
He shifted uncomfortably, tiny lines creasing his brow. He didn’t like these feelings Caryn stirred. He didn’t like the possessiveness he felt toward her, or hispowerful raging jealousy. He didn’t like the times he felt confused and out of control.
His settled his gaze on Odo. “’Tis best to be practical, as you once said. To wed for heirs and keep your feelings at a distance.” There were times he wished he had done so. Now it was too late.
Odo eyed him strangely. He pulled the string on the cloak he still wore and drew it off his shoulders. “I will look further,” he said at last. “I am in no hurry. But there is a matter we must discuss that cannot wait.”
Ral turned to a serving maid who crossed the hall. “Bring wine, bread, and cheese to the solar.” He spoke to Odo. “Come. We will talk there.”
As they walked toward the stairs, Caryn appeared through the doorway and hurried in their direction. Wisps of her flame-dark hair had escaped from her heavy braid, her face was flushed from the work she’d been doing, and her breasts rose tantalizingly beneath her simple brown tunic. Ral’s groin began to grow heavy.
“Odo—” she said. “I did not know you had returned.”
“Aye, my lady.”
“Where is your bride?” Caryn turned to survey the hall. “I am eager to meet her.”
“Odo remains unmarried,” Ral said. “’Tis a long story, Cara. He can tell you about it later.”
Caryn nodded. “How went your search in the village?” she said to Ral. “Have you uncovered the truth of the murder?”
Ral sighed. “Nay, ’twould seem Tosig’s story is correct. Gareth was stealing from the dead man and he did his best to escape.”
“That does not make him guilty of the murder.”
“Nay, and now that the villeins know he is the man they call the Griffin, they seem less certain of his guilt.Many are grateful I continue the search. Some have even agreed to help me.”
Caryn smiled. “I know you will find out the truth. That is all anyone can ask.”
Odo’s expression looked grim. “This murder of which you speak… ’tis possible the guilty man is one of those who rides with the Ferret. ’Tis what I wished to tell you, Ral. The whoreson is returned.”
Ral swore an oath beneath his breath. “I vow I am not surprised. ’Twas only a matter of time till he rebuilt his band, and aye, if he is returned, then ’tis all too possible the traveler was killed by one of his murderous men.” He urged Odo toward the stairs. “Come, my friend. You can give me the news of your journey and tell me whatever else you know of the Ferret.”
They climbed the stairs to the solar and settled themselves comfortably in tall carved wooden chairs. A serving maid brought wine and cheese while Odo spoke of the raid against the king’s tax collector, of Francois de Balmain’s grave wound, and the loss of King William’s tariffs.
“De Balmain has been collecting revenue for weeks,” Ral said. “He must have been carrying a small fortune in silver and gold.”
“How do you suppose they discovered his route and the date of his travels? Surely ’twas a secret well guarded.”
Ral clenched a fist on the arm of his chair. “For coin enough, there are ways to discover most anything.”
“I suppose that is true.”
“Aye, and you may be certain ’twill work as well for us as it did for the Ferret.”
Odo frowned. “I do not see what you mean.”
“I mean that for money enough, someone will be willing to tell us what it is we need to know. We will soon find out where the whoreson is camped and when we do, he is a dead man.”
Odo smiled with grim satisfaction. “I am glad I am returned. I would not want to miss the brigand’s comeuppance.”
