Eudora shook her head. “I call it wonderful if they truly have feelings for each other,” she shoved the old man in the arm. “Come on now, we have got work to do.”
Oleg took one final glance at the figure of the father and son as they reached the bottom of the hill and disappeared into the trees. He wasn’t sure about the new master at all; nay, he was still quite frightened of him. At least he could anticipate Sir Guy and know his moods, but this Dark Knight was too mysterious and dark to fathom. The fear of the unknown was great.
Remington and Dane were in the lake when Gaston and Trenton arrived. Dane was nearly naked, splashing about as Remington stood in the water up to her knees, her dress hiked up around her thighs. Gaston set the baskets down, his eyes drawn to her shapely legs, familiar desire filling his veins.
Trenton just stood by his father, eyeing the lake and its occupants wearily. Gaston undid a couple of stays on his shirt. “Well, take your clothes off and get in there.”
“In there with him?” Trenton asked reluctantly. “What if he tries to drown me?”
“Trenton, I can guarantee you that Dane will not try to drown you,” Gaston said, waving at Remington as she caught sight of them. “He’s a very reasonable lad and I am sure you two can patch up your differences.”
Trenton wasn’t at all sure, but he obediently removed his shoes and pulled off his tunic and undershirt. Remington approached the two of them, holding her wet skirt off the ground.
“How nice of you to come and join us,” she said with a timid smile, looking at Trenton. “Dane will be happy for another boy to play with.”
Trenton eyed her until Gaston cleared his throat. “Thank you, my lady,” he sputtered.
The boy moved past her and toward the water. Remington’s eyes followed him. “He hates me, does not he?”
“Nay, he does not hate you,” Gaston took a few steps, standing very close to her. “Actually, I think he is a little afraid of Dane. The boy is a scrapper.”
She watched Trenton circle the lake, he and Dane eyeing each other like a couple of dominant cocks. Remington sighed.
“Dane is jealous of him,” she said quietly. “Because he is your son. He was quite enjoying having you all to himself.”
“He better get used to him,” Gaston said. “The boys will be fostering together and I will not be pulling them apart at every turn. They must learn to get along.”
Remington clucked regretfully. “And that is why you brought Trenton down here, of course. They did not get off to a good start,” she said. “Mayhap I should speak with Dane again and….”
He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around for the tree. “Nay, madam, you will leave them to work out their own problems. Unless they are going to kill each other, I say leave them be.”
She let him sit her down and he sat down next to her, stretching out his thick legs with a sigh of satisfaction. “I cannot stay long, but I wanted to be here while the boys got used to one another,” his gaze left the lake and trailed up her bare feet and naked shins. “You are indecent, madam.”
She wiggled her toes and smiled. “And it feels wonderful. Besides, you have seen me a sight more indecent than this,” her smile faded a bit. “How did you explain Dane’s remarks to Trenton?”
“Carefully,” he replied. “Because of Mari-Elle’s indiscretions, he is not entirely shocked, but I downplayed it as much as possible. I do not want him repeating anything to his mother.”
“Why not?” Remington wanted to know.
“Because I do not want you labeled an adulteress,” his eyes lingered on her face. “I care not for myself, of course, but I do not want you gaining an unsavory reputation. Mari-Elle gossips with the best of them, including the fine ladies at court. Were she to find out I was in love with you, then it would spread like wildfire and I would not have you branded a mistress.”
She swallowed hard, her head beginning to spin with the impact of his words. She heard little else after that “in love with you”.I want you for my husband.“Tell me again, Gaston,” she breathed.
He looked puzzled, but from the expression on her face, he could see that something had impacted her greatly. “Say what?”
She was flushed with surprise and excitement. My God, had he really said it? “What you said…tell me again.”
He shook his head. “Honestly, Remi, I do not know what you mean. All I said was that Mari-Elle would brand you a mistress to her courtly friends if she found out I was in love with you.”
She closed her eyes with the thrill of hearing it again, falling back to the grass with a smile as wide as the world. Her arms laid themselves over her forehead and she began to giggle giddily. He looked down at her, grinning.
“What in the world is the matter with you?” he asked.
She peered at him from underneath her crossed arms and giggled again. “Oh, Gaston, yousaidit. I never thought I would hear you say it.”
“You had better tell me what it is I said or I will tickle you until you beg for mercy,” he growled seductively.
She put her arms behind her head, smiling up at him as he looked down at her. “You said you were in love with me.”
