The woman pushed against Sean with her body, flattening her humongous breasts against him when he tried to go past. He dipped toward her head, his mouth close to her ear, to say something to her. Pain shot through Thomasina’s jaw.
The owner came back down and looked toward the redhead who kept Sean distracted. Thomasina wondered if Sean realized what was happening. It seemed an obvious ploy. With an eye on Sean, the owner motioned behind to someone up the stairs. A tall man in a hooded cloak followed behind. He refused to be hurried. With a jutting chin and his nose in the air, he followed the nervous man. When she realized they were heading toward her, Thomasina jerked back into the trees.
“My apologies, my lord. I didn’t expect the warrior back tonight.” The owner spoke in hushed tones. “Does he upset any plans?”
“No. We’ll be meeting anon.” The hooded man said more but Thomasina didn’t catch it as they walked the length of the building toward the road.
The two men stopped just short of the front corner of the inn. Facing each other, their voices now carried to her.
“I hope you and Lady Abigail found the accommodations—”
“Enough!” The man’s commanding tone silenced the innkeeper. “Keep to the plan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Be certain to have the irons hot for our return. We’ll see these usurpers get what they deserve.”
The hooded man pulled his cloak tight around his face and stepped into the street, heading off to the right.
A woman with long, black hair came down the stairs at the same time, stopping just within the entryway. She tilted her head back and glanced around the room. She had full, red lips and a fair complexion that complemented her dark her. She was beautiful. She scurried toward Thomasina, glanced both ways once outside, then moved along the path in the opposite direction of the men before veering into the woods. The sweet aroma of flowers drifted to Thomasina and lingered after she’d passed.
The owner came through the front door. He smoothed his hair, planted a broad smile on his face, then walked toward Sean. He directed Sean to the stairs, said something, then laughed. The redhead went off toward the men at the table. Sean went up the stairs without glancing toward Thomasina.
Her breathing sped up. She swallowed against her fear and came out of the protective trees to approach the building. The men in the room were well into their cups. She recognized the signs. Loud voices and random bursts of laughter. Her skin crawled. Certainly they would not notice a lad coming through the back door. Sean’s words came back to her about their needs and how even a lad that looked like a girl would suffice. Bile rose in her throat.
She watched the goings-on from just outside the door. Some type of contest with three men seated and the rest circling them. The redhead made her presence known by squeezing herself between the men standing around. An occasional call for more mead was the only time any of them looked up from the action. The owner waited just inside to Thomasina’s right, where the libations were kept behind the trestle table.
“Yes. Yes. I’m coming.” The owner moved toward the circle of men.
Thomasina took a deep breath and held it. She made her way toward the stairs which suddenly seemed a great distance away.
“Hey. Stop!” It was a man’s angry voice.
She froze. Laughter erupted behind her. She swallowed down the saliva flooding her mouth and turned to face the man. No one looked her way.
“You whoring Norman! What do you think? You can cheat us?”
“Don’t slander me so! I’m no Norman.”
Clearing the entrance to the stairs, she ducked inside and fell against the wall. She panted like she’d run a great race.
“Up here!” Sean stood at the top stair. An opening behind allowed light to reveal a small area where stores were kept. Sacks were stacked four high beside him.
She climbed the steps two at a time and collapsed on the floor in the tiny room.
He reached down to take her elbow and help her up. “Easy, lass. Ye’ve made it. Ye’re safe.”
She couldn’t speak. Who did she think she was going off on her own to get her brother? She didn’t have courage. She was a milksop! Tears rimmed her eyes and the room blurred.
His blue eyes widened with concern. “Easy now. Ye’re shaking!”
“I’m sorry. I’m—”
Loud voices carried up the stairs as if someone had moved much closer. Sean shifted to quickly close the rough-hewn door. He leaned his forehead against it and listened. Satisfied, he turned toward her with a smile.
“Hell of a gathering going on down there.” His smile dropped. He rubbed the back of his neck.
The room was barely big enough for a normal sized man to stand in. Sean hunched forward as he moved to the far side where the thatched ceiling pitched even lower. He turned toward her, the water skin she recognized from last night in his hand.
