“What—” She coughed. “What are ye about?”
The big man didn’t even glance at her. His knuckles were white where he clenched the rein. “Ye’re to be seen and not heard. Put a lock on it.”
Thomasina, the woman, dropped her jaw ready to let lose a tirade but Tommy, the lad, slammed it shut. “Yea, sir.”
Sean stumbled slightly. She thought he was going to turn towards her but then he squared his broad shoulders. She had the sneaking suspicion he stopped himself from glancing back at her. No. That was silly.
They continued away from the houses but Thomasina decided she would listen to his order. For now. Nestled within the shelter of the trees, Sean halted the horse and secured his sword at his belt. He faced her with a stern visage. One of those ye’re-not-going-to-like-what-I-have-to-say looks. He crossed his arms. A rock settled in her stomach. This was not going to be good.
Sean paused. “Ye stink.”
She frowned then tried to sniff without being obvious to see if she could smell anything.His scentwas the only thing she could pick up.
His cheek twitched. “I will not be kicked out of the only establishment here that will provide food because my companion offends the others with his odor.”
He reached toward the bag that hung beside Thomasina’s leg. When he brushed her knee, he jerked his hand away. She shifted her leg further back to give him access. He glanced at the widened juncture of her legs then up at her face. His eyes were dark. His lips parted.
“I have some things in my bag ye might be able to use to… prepare yerself to be in a room full of otherbrutishmen. Be quick about it.”
Sean strode away, stiff backed. She jumped off the horse landing squarely on her feet then smiled. If a lad can learn how to get off a horse without help, so could she. She reached into the bag. A rolled up piece of vellum. A leine. A tunic. A strip of leather. A small hatchet. A swath of course material. She glanced over the horse’s back to where Sean had gone but saw nothing. The material would suit for binding herself. Yanking her top off, she quickly worked the material around her, pulling it tight before tucking it under itself. She ran her hands over her chest. Smooth. Perfect.
A rustling grew closer and she pulled the tunic over her head, being certain to tuck her long, auburn braid inside. Sean’s scent wafted up to her. Her eyes drifted closed. It set her heart to racing. Not all together unpleasant. Earthy. It seemed decadent to be surrounded by his aroma.
“I dinna promise ye’d have all day to do it.”
She jumped at his voice, her eyes flying open.
Sean searched her face before running his glance over her clothing. She’d swear he paused at her breasts, glancing left then right. No. It must be her imagination. Then he sniffed, moving closer even. He nodded. “Might want to roll the sleeves up. ’Tis quite a bit too large.”
He rummaged inside the bag and tossed her the strip of leather. “Ye can use that to tie up the waist.”
She belted the leather with a knot. Sean removed a smaller sack that had been hidden along the saddle and withdrew a single coin. His eyes remained on her as he hung the pouch behind his scabbard at his belt. He grabbed the horse’s lead and they walked toward the largest of the thatch-covered buildings. A group of swarthy men gathered outside the entrance. Sea men. Sean tipped his head in acknowledgment, secured the horse, then shoved Thomasina none too gently ahead of him.
“Sit there and dunna get up.” He pointed to the table tucked in the far corner of the room.
Thomasina dropped onto the bench that faced away from the door, biting her lip to keep from responding. With narrowed eyes, she watched the arrogant man swagger to the front trestle beside the fire. An open door beyond revealed the larger, cooking fire out back being seen to by an older couple. The man noticed Sean and came inside.
The small room had several tables with benches. The area was darkening fast with sunset. A single lighted lamp hung at the door. It must be more important to see who came and went than what the food looked like. The fire cast strange shadows about the room and the others present. Six men in all. She faced ahead of her, sitting in near total darkness. When she glanced back at Sean, he and the other man were gone.
Her stomach clenched. She searched the area again. More men were gathering outside. Their laughter carried and she recognized the signs of overindulgence. They were all drunk. She ducked low, hunching forward, trying to avoid being noticed. A serving lass brought her a wooden mug of cider then lit the iron lamp above her.
“Th—” Thomasina cleared her throat. “Thank ye.”
The girl came in closer then frowned. “Is there anything else you’d like?”
Thomasina drew back at her angry tone. “Nae.”
“Good!” The redhead glanced around then lowered her voice. “I don’t expect any trouble from you. Do you hear?”
Thomasina had no idea what she was talking about. “Yea. Nae trouble.”
“This is my place.” She spoke in a raspy tone as she pointed to her chest with her thumb. She leaned forward, her gown opening up for a clear view of her feminine assets. “If I see you so much as bat your eyes at any of these men, you won’t make it to wherever ’tis you’re going. Understand?”
Thomasina did not. She nodded her head. “Nae trouble.”
The lass smirked before walking away to light the lamp opposite. The men across the room followed her with their eyes. The heavier one rubbed at his gray-whiskered chin.
“The wares are good enough I’m thinking.”
