“My lord,” she hissed. “Are you going to allow them to continue to insult me?”
Gaston did not answer as they started in with another one of their roaring “Oh’s.” The “Oh’s” seemed to get louder and he could hear Rory at the head of it.
Oh! Welcome to our humble fortress and keep
Do not let the shit in the bailey stick to your feet
Enjoy your visit, my lady, we pray
Do not let the door hit you in the arse should you
Decide not to stay.
The room went wild with screaming, riotous men voicing their approbation. The four sisters smiled and curtsied swiftly before dashing off the floor and into the kitchens. Gaston watched them go, laughter such as he had never known threatening to spill forth. When he looked at Mari-Elle’s reddened face, he wanted to laugh all the more.
Patrick and Antonius had to excuse themselves; they were too far gone to control their laughter and risked being rude by abruptly leaving. Nicolas had his napkin up in front of his face, shielding him from everyone’s eyes. The mood of the room was still one of hysteria.
“Do not you feel honored, Mother?” Trenton asked, still giggling. “They sang a song to you.”
Mari-Elle’s thin face was taut. “Some song,” she put her napkin down stiffly. “My lord, if you will excuse me, I would like to rest. I find I am not feeling well.”
Gaston gazed impassively at her. “Rest while you will. I will seek you out shortly.”
Angrily, she rose and quit the room. Gaston was thankful that Remington and her sisters were nowhere in sight. He, however, was most interested in seeking out Remington and discovering her reasons for disobeying him, even if she and her sisters had performed brilliantly.
“Arik, take my son in hand,” he rose from his chair. “I have something to attend to.”
“No doubt,” Arik lifted an eyebrow.
Gaston ignored the remark and disappeared into the kitchens.
The nervous servants pointed him in the direction the sisters had taken and he followed swiftly. He wound his way out of the kitchens and came upon a small staircase. Realizing they had retreated to their chambers, he went after them.
Remington was in her room stripping off the coarse garment and girdle, giggling to herself. Dane and Charles were in Charles’ room after quickly informing Remington that Lady Mari-Elle’s room was a minefield. Feeling wicked, but gratified, Remington set about removing the scratchy servant’s garb.
She did not stop to think of consequences because she did not think there would be any. She so terribly feared Guy’s wrath, but somehow, she did not fear Gaston’s. It was difficult to explain, but she knew he would never hurt her, or shame her in any way, no matter what she had done. With him, she felt…. free. Free to be herself. Free of fear. Even if she had been sly and naughty!
The door to her chamber swung open and banged loudly against the wall. Startled, she whirled around to see Gaston looming in the doorjamb. And he did not look pleased.
She suddenly wondered at the wisdom of her actions, but she did not back down. “My lord?” she greeted innocently.
His gaze was hard. He waited a moment before stalking into the room, kicking the door shut behind him. “Would you mind telling me what that was all about?”
She was clad in a peasant’s blouse that hung to the middle of her thighs and nothing else. Her lovely legs, exposed, drew Gaston’s hot gaze. She took a step back as he moved in closer and took a deep breath to bolster her courage.
“We…I wanted to catch a glimpse of your wife, my lord,” she said evenly. “Since she did not know who I was, I saw no harm in serving the nooning meal to satisfy my curiosity.” She looked into his hard face and felt a chill of fear shoot up her spine, and her bravery waned. “Are you terribly angry?”
“Angry that you disobeyed me when I ordered you to stay in your rooms, aye,” he put his hands on his hips. “Angry with your performance downstairs? I should be. It was certainly bold and insolent enough.”
She turned away from him, her head lowered. “And I do apologize for provoking your fury, my lord, but when Oleg told me of the things your wife had done with my…your house, I was quite incensed.”
“Ah, then you lied to me,” he said. “You did not simply want to sate your curiosity, you wanted to exact vengeance.”
She turned to him, half-pouting and half-defiant. “Aye, I did. She does not belong here.”
He looked at her a moment before pacing to the bed, sitting lightly on the edge. He extended his hand to her and pulled her between his thighs. Relieved he wasn’t going to spank her, she ran splayed fingers through his hair, remembering the passion from the night before with great happiness.
“I understand your feelings, Remi, but she is my wife and I alone will deal with her,” he said softly.
