Forwhat felt like hours, Eada and May heated water, added it to the tub, andscrubbed backs. When Ivo returned, he was quick to come to their aid; but thenhe, too, succumbed to the temptation of a hot bath in a tub that was big enoughto hold a man of his great stature. By the time all the men were clean andtheir clothes scrubbed, Eada was exhausted. She slumped on the rough bench inthe corner of the room and smiled faintly at May, who was washing out the tub.
"Nowit is your turn, mistress," May said.
"Youmust be heartily sick of fetching water." Eada desperately wanted a bath,but was reluctant to ask May to do any more work.
"Notso sick of it that I cannot do it for you. And if I might use the water whenyou are done, I should like to bathe as well." When Eada nodded, Maypicked up the bowl of ill-smelling lotion Eada had smeared on Serle and askedsoftly, "Does this work?"
"Itdoes. Let me fetch you some clean clothes, and then I will help you rub it intoyour hair."
Afterher bath, Eada felt in a more charitable mood. She sat with May near thekitchen fire. They took turns brushing each other's hair as it dried andwatched Ivo prepare the evening meal. It had taken a lot of cajoling to get Mayto wear one of Averil's gowns, but Eada could easily see how pleased the girlwas. She just hoped she would be allowed to sit quietly with May and not haveto deal with Drogo for a while. There had been no time to think since she hadbeen captured, and she sorely needed to do some hard, clear thinking.
Drogofrowned and glanced around as Ivo set the roasted lamb on the table. "Hasthat woman finished her bath yet?"
"Yes,"Ivo replied. "She is done. She and May are drying their hair."
"Well,tell her that she is to come here and eat with us."
"Er,Drogo?" Tancred said as Ivo strode away. "Are you certain the girl isone who will know how to dine at a high table?"
"Morecertain with each moment," Drogo replied. "In truth, I begin to thinkthis is her home."
"Whatmakes you think so?"
"Sheknows where everything is and she took clothes for herself as if it were herright. I will not be surprised if those clothes fit her perfectly."
"Sheis too young to hold such a house," Serle said. "There must be othersin her family."
"Iam certain there are," agreed Drogo. "Somehow they fled withouther." He looked toward the kitchen and murmured, "I also begin tothink that you are right about her understanding French, the question now is—howcan I be certain of it unless she tells me so? There is a puzzle."
WhenIvo returned to the kitchen only to stand and stare at her, Eada realized hewas trying to think of how to tell her something. She was just deciding thatshe would not play the game of not understanding French for too long, at leastnot with him, when he picked her up, tucking her under one big arm like a sack.He strode out to the hall, set her down on the bench next to Drogo, and pusheda wooden plate in front of her.
"Eat,"Ivo ordered as he filled a wooden goblet with wine.
"Ivo,"Drogo said, his deep voice choked with laughter. "I told you to tell herto come, not to fetch her here."
"Ido not speak Saxon." Ivo shrugged and returned to the kitchen.
Eadabriefly wished she had four goblets of wine within reach so that she could pourone over the head of each guffawing male. Instead, she decided to ignore themand helped herself to some of the lamb, bread, and carrots. Her snubbing of themen lasted only until a fifth man suddenly appeared in the doorway that led tothe sleeping quarters. Eada wondered crossly just how many Normans had invadedher home.
"Garnier,"Drogo called out in welcome. "Have you recovered then? I can see that youhave bathed."
Ashe smoothed his hand over the clean grey tunic he wore, Garnier approached thetable and smiled sheepishly. "Ivo and some female scrubbed me while I layabed as weak as a babe." He nodded toward Eada, a question lighting hisdark hazel eyes. "It was not that one, for I would remember."
"Itwas Ivo's woman, May," replied Drogo, and then he patted Eada on the head."I found this pretty little piece myself."
Beneathhis hand, Drogo felt Eada tense, and he wondered if he had found the way toforce her to reveal her knowledge of French. She had already revealed that shehad a temper and an ample amount of pride. If he goaded her hard enough, shewould break. As he invited Garnier to join them, Drogo decided he would keepprodding her temper and pride until she lost control. It would be enjoyable toreturn a few of the insults he knew she had hurled at his head, and if shetruly did not understand French, no harm would be done.
"Sheis most fair," Garnier agreed as he sat down across the table from Drogo."I had not realized that Saxons could breed such beauty."
"Hairlike warm, sweet honey," Drogo said, stroking her hair. When she hissedand slapped his hand away, he added, "And a temper like soured wine."
"Whatis her name?"
"Nowthat you ask, Garnier, I realize that I have not yet discovered it." Helooked at Eada, saw the anger glittering in her eyes, and felt certain that hisplan was working. "What is your name?" Pointing to each man, startingwith himself, he said, "Drogo, Garnier, Unwin, Tancred, Serle-and youare?"
"Eada,"she replied, struggling and failing to keep all her anger out of her voice.
"Eada,hmmm?" He frowned and shook his head as he pushed his empty plate asideand sipped his wine. "One of those strange Saxon names. Saxons do not knowhow to properly name their women." He sighed and saw by the suddenwidening of Serle's eyes that the older man had guessed his game. "I supposeone can expect no better from such a harsh tongue."
