He grunted unhappily, waving a hand in the general direction of the common room. “That lot?” he said. “Nice lasses, all of them, but not women I’d boast about.”
“You have my sympathy, then.”
He snorted, his eyes twinkling at her in the firelight. “Can I tell ye something?”
“What is it?”
“I like ye better when ye’re not throwing a fist intae my eye.”
“And I like you better when you’re not spanking me.”
“Oh, lass,” he said, shaking his head in disapproval. “Ye deserved it.”
“Did I?”
He pointed to his left eye and the bruising around it. “Do ye think women are going tae follow me around now after what ye’ve done?” he said, feigning outrage. “Ye’ve marred my face.”
Astria couldn’t help the grin now. There was no chance of stifling it. “I’ve given you character.”
His eyebrows flew up. “Is that what ye call it?” he said. “I thought ye called it a bruise.”
“If anyone asks, tell them you were fighting against twenty men and barely made it out alive.”
He grinned again. “I will,” he said. “Because I surely wouldna tell them the truth.”
Astria had to look away, struggling against a smile. “Poor man.”
“Are ye sorry ye did it?”
“Should I be?”
He chuckled, shaking his head at her. “Ye’re a stubborn one, lass.”
Before Astria could reply, Margit appeared. The door swung open and she stepped in with an armful of clothing. She was also carrying a small, well-worn satchel and a few other things, and she bustled over to the bed and dropped it all.
“There,” she said, brushing stray locks of hair out of her face. “I went through my daughter’s trunk and I believe the lady can use all of this.”
Payne was on his feet, surveying the haul. “What did ye bring?”
Margit began going through it. “Two shifts,” she said, holding up the white, woolen garments. “These are good ones, too. I paid good money for them in Exeter. And there are three surcoats that are serviceable. Probably too big for her, still, but that cannot be helped at the moment. There are also two pairs of shoes and two pairs of hose. I’ve also pulled out ribbons and another comb and a few other things she might find useful.”
By this time, Astria was on her feet too, looking at everything with interest. Timidly, she fingered one of the shifts.
“Very fine,” she said. “Are you certain you want to give these to me? You should sell them.”
Margit looked at her. “Do you have any money?”
“I do,” Payne said, digging for the purse on his belt. “I’ll pay ye for them, Margit.”
But Margit waved him off. “Not to worry,” she said. “I’m just glad they’ll be getting some use. I think I have a few more things for her. Do you want to look at them?”
Payne shrugged. “Mayhap tomorrow,” he said. Then he pulled the woman over near the door to try to have a private conversation with her. “I must go about some business, but I canna leave the lady unattended. Would ye be willing tae sit with her while I’m gone?”
Margit appeared confused. “Sit with her?” she repeated. “Why?”
“Because I fear she’ll try tae escape if she’s not watched.”
Margit’s brow furrowed as her gaze moved to the lady over near the bed. “She’s not well, Payne,” she said seriously. “She may try to escape, but I doubt she’ll go very far.”
