Page 37 of Bold Angel
“Mind that tongue of yours, wench.” Without a care for his nakedness, Ral strode toward the bed to snatch up a white linen towel. He smiled wolfishly. “’Tis not nearly as sweet as your kisses.”
Her face went hot with color. Cursing him vilely beneath her breath, Caryn turned her back on him and climbed out of the water, her sodden skirts raining a second small ocean upon the floor.
“’Tis Lynette you should be kissing, not me,” she reminded him tartly. “’Tis certain she awaits you even as we speak.”
Ral fixed her with a cool gray stare. “I’m grateful for your timely reminder. I thank thee, my ladywife.”
Caryn ignored him as he finished getting dressed and left the room, but her heart throbbed dully, and Caryn feared she knew the cause.
***
Determined to enjoy the day Ral had promised, Caryn awoke before dawn and made her way out to the stables. The air was brisk but the sky shown with stars; the day should prove to be a warm one.
As noiselessly as she could, she pushed open the stable door and crossed the packed earthen floor, breathing the scent of horses, hay, and leather. She passed several groups of sleeping men and finally found the one she sought. Rousing Etienne from his lumpy fern mattress, she nudged his shoulder and quietly called his name.
“God’s wounds, woman!” He gripped his woolen blanket, drawing it up to cover his bony chest as he searched the darkness to see who the vexing femalewas. “Beg pardon, my lady.” He straightened, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Is aught amiss? ’Tis practically the middle of the night.”
“All is well. ’Tis only that I am in need of your assistance.”
The young squire eyed her warily. “You do not think to again run away?”
“Don’t be a goose.” Kneeling on a pile of straw beside him, Caryn relayed Lord Ral’s orders that she should join him today as his page.
Etienne scratched the scalp beneath his sleep-rumpled hair. “By the faith, he must have been angry to demand such a thing of his lady wife.”
Caryn smiled. “’Tis not so bad. ’Twill be a fine adventure, I think. What have you that I might borrow to wear?”
“This is not another of your tricks?”
“’Tis the lord’s command. I swear it.”
He nodded. “There is aught I own that would fit you, but there is a page named Osbern who is about your same size. Give me a moment to dress and seek him out. I will see you get the items you need.”
Etienne returned not long after, finding her near the stable door, stroking the muzzle of a little sorrel mare. He handed her a bundle of clothes.
“I thank thee, Etienne. I am certain your lord will be pleased.” With a grateful smile, she left him, eager to reach her chamber and make ready for the day ahead.
Avoiding the sleeping men and servants in the hall, she returned to her room, changed into her borrowed clothing, and soon stood near the brazier dressed in tight black chausses and a faded gray tunic that ended several inches above the knee.
Her husband arrived not long after, entering as he usually did, without a knock and taking the room by storm. He strode past her without a word, walking to theside of the bed, jerking back the velvet hangings, leaning over the bed to rouse her.
“My lord?”
He turned at the sound of her voice yet still did not see her. Not until she stepped into the light of a flickering candle she had set upon the table near the door.
Ral made a hissing sound as he sucked in air past his teeth. “By all that’s holy!”
“I am ready, my lord.”
He stared at her in silence, his hard gaze running from the top of her head to the toes of her soft leather boots.
“I have dressed as your page, my lord.”
“So I see.…” He took a step in her direction then stopped. “I came to… to tell you the penance you paid last eve was enough.” ’Twas the first time she had ever heard him falter.
“Oh no, my lord. You were more than just in your sentence. ’Tis only fair I serve as you commanded. If there is aught I might do before we leave, it would more than please me to do it.”
He settled his hands at his hips as he watched her, his face looking taut and strained. Ral leaned forward. “If you believe for one moment that I will allow you to leave this room wearing those clothes—”
