***
"Come, Gillian."
Once again, she was pulled along by her husband, who stopped not once when he entered the castle. Gillian barely had time to look around the richly decorated hall before she was hauled up the stairs. Servants were everywhere, coming in and out of various chambers. Several eyed them curiously as they passed, though all did bow in deference to her husband's position.
Royce finally stopped outside an open doorway. Two maids inside scurried out before he entered, pulling Gillian along with him. He released his grip on her arm once the door closed. She'd likely bear bruises on the morrow. Did the man not know his own strength?
The chamber was large, and before the hearth a large tub waited, filled with steaming water. How she longed to get in and soak away the aches from her journey, yet the urge to lay across the large and inviting bed was also strong. The choice between sleep or bath was a difficult one. She would wait to see what her husband decided first.
A knock interrupted her thoughts. She opened the door. Royce's squire, Duncan, stood outside, his eyes wide as he shifted nervously from foot to foot.
"I am here to help my lord." The boy lowered his eyes and stepped into the room. Royce motioned him over and sat upon the stool. In minutes, her husband's armor had been shed. All the while, his scrutiny of her remained intense. When Duncan reached for Royce's tunic, her husband stilled the boy's actions.
"That is enough. See to my armor."
Duncan nodded and gathered up the heavy mail. Staggering under the weight, he left the room. Once more, Gillian was alone with her husband. And his anger.
"My lord, I would..."
"Stay away from de Lacey." He did not look at her while he spoke. Instead, he began to strip his clothes away,leaving them in a pile on the floor. He stepped into the tub while she gaped at him. Did he think she had gone with de Lacey apurpose?
"Do you accuse me? I saw the woman you flirted with. And all I did was free myself of that odious man's grip."
"Are you jealous, Wildcat?"
Was that a pleased smile she glimpsed before he turned away? Damn him, she would not stand for this.
"Jealous? Nay. Yet you accuse me of seeking out another when you do exactly that!"
"I did not seek her out. She is a friend, betrothed to the king's nephew. I knew her ere I wed you. You did not know de Lacey. Did you?"
"Of course not. How could you think I would go willingly with that simpering fool?"
"Many of the court ladies speak highly of his talents. Few are imperious to them. I will not have my wife's name bandied about in castle gossip."
"Who is this man you despise so much?" she asked.
"None of your concern. He is sneaky and greedy and would take all I have were I to give him a chance. He seeks to unman me at every opportunity. Seducing my wife would ensure my humiliation."
Gillian's anger prevented her from finding humor at his laughable notion.
"Do you think so little of me, my lord?"
"Nay, Gillian. You are just a woman, and cannot understand what a man like him will do to gain his goal. He is ruthless. Keep yourself away from him. Come, wife, and wash me."
Gillian went to stand behind him. Her husband's low opinion stung. That he could so casually order her about after insulting her rankled. Her determination to make him understand he wrongly directed his anger at her was matched only by her desire to let the fool think what he wanted.
Spotting the bucket of unheated water beside the tub, she knew just how to cool her temper. Spurred on by themischievous need to show him how she hated his insulting assumptions of her, she picked up the bucket. Royce had leaned his head back. His eyes were closed and he was oblivious to her movements. She tipped the bucket, spilling the cold water on his head.
His roar of outrage gave her immense pleasure. He jumped to his feet, sputtering. She backed away. His furious glare scorched her, yet she struggled to contain her laughter. She turned and ran for the door, intending to leave him alone with his insufferable arrogance. She had just grasped the handle when his arm snaked around her waist, hauling her off her feet and against his wet chest. God's blood, if she had only been faster!
"You try my patience endlessly."
His low, even voice made her tremble with conflicting emotions. The urge to laugh remained strong, but fiery heat tempered the humor. No matter how wonderful his mouth felt pressed against her ear, she struggled to hold onto both her anger and humor. Yet, despite his callous treatment, her traitorous body still responded to his every word or touch.
"Nothing else seems to cool your foolish anger! You still insult me at every turn! I won't stand for it anymore. Do you truly think I would cuckold you with that...that awful man?"
She shuddered at the very idea and twisted in his grasp, in an effort to face him. He squeezed her tighter and she stilled.
