Page 76 of The Darkland

“Then he told you about… me?” she asked.

Lily grinned. “Even if he had not, fighting Spencer to the death would have told me everything I needed to know,” she replied, her blue eyes twinkling. “He is very fond of you, is he not?”

Mara flushed furiously, fighting off a grin. “I believe we are both very fond of each other.”

Lily laughed softly at Mara’s embarrassment. As the maids wandered away, she moved in close.

“I also know that you have been sleeping in his chamber,” she whispered, watching Mara’s uncertain expression. “My ladies have told me such things. They are terrible gossips.”

Mara cheeks flushed a dull red. “I notice you did not bring them with you.”

Lily shook her head, a dismissive gesture. “They are jealous of you,” she said. “I have told them to stay away from you and if I hear them whispering any more gossip, I will slap them all silly. They are amusing companions but at times they can be very petty.”

Mara was pleased by the woman’s defense of her. “Thank you, my lady,” she said sincerely. “But… but they have not told anyone else?”

“Never,” Lily insisted. “Have no fear; my father does not know. He also does not know that my betrothed and I have also shared the same bed. Wicked, are we not? Well, I do not care a lick. I like being wicked.”

It was a great secret and Mara’s smile hesitantly returned. “I did not look at it that way,” she murmured. “Kirk and I have such feelings for one another… we are in love, my lady. When there is love, I am not sure how sharing the bed of the man you love is wicked.”

Lily giggled. “Itiswicked before the marriage bed,” she said. “Perhaps it even makes me a whore. I do not care, I tell you!”

She said it with such glee that Mara couldn’t help but giggle. “Tell me of your betrothed,” she said, feeling a kindred spirit with Lily now that they had shared their naughty secrets. She’d never known female companionship like this in her life. “Is he strong and handsome?”

Lily half-shrugged, half-nodded as she began to fuss with the collar of Mara’s dress. “He is quite handsome and strong,” she replied. “His name is Sir Thomas de Ryce and his brother is very close to King Henry. Thomas is Welsh and his family is very powerful. It will be a wonderful marriage, I am sure.”

She said it as if she was trying to convince herself. Mara watched the woman’s face as she fingered the surcoat. “Do you love him?”

Lily met her gaze. “I am quite fond of him,” she said softly. “He is kind and generous. He will make a good husband.”

Mara nodded faintly, silently accepting the explanation although she didn’t believe the woman. She spoke without much enthusiasm.

“Then perhaps we can convince Thomas and Kirk to take us to Rome,” she said. “Kirk has spoken of taking me to Ireland but I would much rather go to Italy.”

The twinkle returned to Lily’s eyes but before she could speak, the chamber door opened and Kirk stood in the doorway. As the women turned to him, he surveyed the chaotic state of the room with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

“What goes on here?” he asked.

Lily, ever-chatty and right with wording, moved in his direction. “Lady Mara is doing me a great favor,” she insisted. “When my mother passed away, she left a great many fine garments that I have had to store. Mara has agreed to take them off my hands. Does she not look marvelous?”

Lily pointed proudly to Mara, who was still standing in the middle of the chamber where she had left her, arms up as the maids finished with the sleeves of the too-long gown. Kirk lifted an appraising eyebrow as he sauntered in her direction, inspecting her closely.

“She does indeed,” he said with appreciation. “She looks beautiful.”

Mara, who had been watching Kirk with some trepidation when he first entered the room, grinned when he gave his approval. With a still-upraised arm, she pointed to the bed.

“Look at all of the garments,” she said eagerly. “Lady Lily has had them all this time with no one to give them to. Are they not lovely?”

Kirk glanced over at the pile of clothing on the bed. “Indeed,” he said, but his gaze returned to her in the exquisite blue silk. His eyes were warm on her. “Do you like them, love?”

Mara nodded excitedly. “I love them all,” she said. “Lady Lily was very kind to think of me.”

“Indeed she was,” Kirk said, turning to look at Lily. “My lady, you are most generous. We thank you.”

Lily smiled broadly as she went to Kirk and looped a hand through his elbow. “Marry her soon, Kirk. I like her very much. In fact, you are going to escort her to Rome when my husband and I go. Mara and I will travel very well together and I forbid you to deny her the journey, do you hear?”

Kirk fought off a grin. “You sound much like Mara when you say it that way.”

“What way?”