Itwas a clever idea and would probably have gained her at least one night'srespite, but Eada found that she could not agree to it. What troubled her wasthat her refusal was not fully born of a distaste for using May in such a way.She simply loathed the thought of Drogo bedding down with the comely brunette.Although she dreaded the idea of being no more than the man's leman, she did notwant another woman to take her place.
"No,May. I wish I could say I refuse your gallant offer all for your sake, but Ifear do not." She looked at the small box she had earlier had May set onthe table by her bed, then reached out to cautiously touch Old Edith's gift."I also refuse because, although I do not wish to be used by any man, I donot wish this man to use another. The woman who gave me this told me that Drogowas the mate I have waited for, and even though I tried to fight that truth, Ifear she was right." She smiled at May. "I also think that your verylarge protector would not like it either."
"No,I do not think so either. M'lady, what is in that chest? If it holds valuablethings, mayhap I should hide it away."
"Ido not know what rests inside. Strange, but I feel most wary of looking. OldEdith told me it held the truth, but I think I am too weary of her truths toface another at this time." Eada snuggled down beneath the covers. "Ibelieve I will go to sleep now. Let that big fool find only a limp body at hisside. And who can say? Mayhap I have made his head throb so badly it will killhis lusts."
Six
"Drogo,are you all right?" Tancred asked, but his laughter tainted his obviousconcern.
Ashe slowly sat up, Drogo rubbed his aching head and smiled ruefully at hislaughing friends. "I shall have to break her of that little habit. Youwere right, Serle; she does understand French."
"Andspeaks it," Serle replied as Drogo stood up and brushed himself off.
"Mostcolorfully. What is that?" Drogo tensed when he heard a soft scratching atthe heavy oak door then relaxed when it was followed by barking. "Eada'sdogs. They left us at the door when we returned here. I am glad that they aresafe. Someone could have easily thought them dangerous and slain thebeasts." Ivo returned to the hall just as Drogo opened the door, and thetwo wolfhounds trotted in. "Here, my big friend, this should pleaseyou."
Drogosmiled at the delight that shone in Ivo's face. The man had wept like a smallchild over the pets he had been forced to leave behind in France. As allanimals did, the dogs went to Ivo without hesitation. Drogo bolted the heavydoor and returned to his seat at the table.
"Whydo you linger in the hall with us?" Tancred asked in surprise as Drogopoured himself some wine. "I would have thought you would be eager to seekyour bed—your nicely full and warm bed."
"Ibelieve it will be a most chilled bed for me tonight," Drogo said.
"Oh,yes. Perhaps. Howbeit, I think she is clever enough to have guessed by now thatyou only played a game."
"Thatknowledge will not really soothe her temper."
"No,mayhap not." Tancred laughed and shook his head. "She has a strangemanner of attack for a woman."
"Yes,although I prefer it to scratching nails and biting. I think she must have hadan unusual childhood. Although I have fought the idea, I grow more certain thatshe followed us from just beyond the village to that old woman's cottage.Throughout the journey there, Faramond acted as if he scented dogs."
"Andyou, too, felt as if someone followed us, Tancred," Unwin said.
"Idid," agreed Tancred, but he shook his head. "The girl would have hadto trot or run all the way and stay out of sight."
"Thedogs were panting," Serle murmured.
"Theonly way you can be certain is to ask her," Garnier said.
"True,"agreed Drogo. "Howbeit, tonight I think what little she might have to sayto me is not something I truly wish to hear." He grinned when his friendslaughed. "I may come to regret that she can speak French."
"Mayhapyou should make sure that she has no weapons," Unwin suggested, theexpression on his face one of grave concern.
"Thereis no need," said Serle.
"Yousound most certain of that, old friend." Drogo frowned in curiosity.
"Iam. That girl will never strike out so unless her very life isthreatened." He reached across the table and picked up a small dagger nextto Eada's plate. "This is more than an eating knife. She had it on her andhas probably had it on her the whole time she has been with us. Tell me, Drogo,why it does not now rest in your flesh."
Drogotook the dagger and studied the ornately carved handle. "This is nopeasant's knife."
"Neitheris this the home of a poor man."
"No.He may not be a lord, but he has a full purse."
"Hergown was no peasant's shift, either."
"Serle,I have seen all this for myself."
