“Julian!” Addington sounded relieved. “Thank goodness. I need your assistance with Lady Lista. She is soaking wet and I was going to find her a change of clothing, but I am needed in the kitchen and mother is nowhere to be found. Will you please take Lady Lista in-hand and see that she has something dry to wear?”
Lista could hardly look at Julian with that embarrassing request, but before she’d averted her gaze, she had noticed a few things about him– he was without his helm or any of his armor this night. He was wearing a buttery-soft leather tunic and breeches, with a belt of weapons around his trim waist. Earlier that day, she’d noticed how utterly muscular and massive the man was but she thought some of it might have been the protection he was wearing.
She was wrong.
All of that bulging muscle was his.
Much to her consternation, he was more handsome than she remembered. He looked as if he’d washed and shaved because he certainly didn’t look like the man she’d seen earlier in the day. The front of his dark blond hair was still draping down the right side of his face, covering his right eye, and he made no move to push it aside as he looked at her.
“I would like to help, but I do not know anything about women’s clothing,” he said. “Mayhap I can help in the kitchen?”
Addington frowned. “A man in the kitchen?” she said as if it were the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard. “Take the lady up to my chamber and let her pick out something dry. We are about the same size. Bring her back to the hall when she is properly dressed.”
Julian didn’t react or respond and Addington didn’t wait for him to either resist or agree. She headed off with the servant, leaving Julian and Lista standing in awkward silence.
“Once again, you are being forced to assist me,” Lista finally said, breaking the stillness between them. “I am terribly sorry. I can simply return to the hall and dry myself by the fire.”
Julian’s left eyebrow lifted. “And risk my sister seeing that you are in the same wet garment?” he said. “Not bloody likely. She’d tell my mother and we would both be in trouble. You’d better come along with me.”
Before Lista could reply, he took her by the elbow and directed her into the keep. His enormous hand on her arm was like a firebrand– powerful, searing. She could feel it through the damp fabric. In fact, she could feel everything about him through that fabric– his size, his heat– everything.
It was enough to make her heart race.
“That is the second time you have expressed fear of your mother’s wrath,” she said as they entered the dimly lit innards. “Clearly, you have a healthy respect for your mother.”
Julian grunted softly in agreement. “You will, too, once you come to know her.”
“I hope I have the opportunity,” Lista said. “Truthfully, this entire day has been rather strange. My mother is not usually so social as to accept an invitation to dine.”
He directed her to a narrow spiral staircase that disappeared into the upper floors. He pointed to the steps and she headed up as he followed.
“Why not?” he asked. “She seemed pleasant enough.”
Lista emerged on another dimly lit floor. “You are kind to say so,” she said. “But you saw how she was today. I do not mean to keep bringing it up, but she is difficult to bear with some people so she and my aunt keep to themselves.”
“And you?”
“I keep with them.”
There was something decidedly lonely in that statement. Julian opened the first door they came to, revealing the lovely chamber beyond. There was a fire burning in the hearth and hides on the floor, making it all quite cozy and warm. Lista was so busy admiring the chamber that she didn’t notice that Julian was looking at her with a good deal of interest.
As if he were trying to figure her out.
“Addie’s wardrobe is over there,” he said, pointing to the enormous cabinet against the wall. “Select something and I shall wait for you in the corridor.”
“Nay,” Lista said quickly, turning to him. “Please do not leave.”
His brow rippled with confusion and perhaps even concern. “I cannot remain, my lady.”
“Leave the door open and you can,” she said. “I do not wish to be alone in this room with your sister’s fine things. She does not truly know me and I do not know her, and I am uncomfortable enough going through her wardrobe. She is far too trusting, so I do not wish for there to ever be any question as to my actions. I would never want to violate that trust, so you will remain as a witness to my actions.”
Julian understood and, in truth, he was impressed that she would be so forthright. Rather than throw him out and rifle through her sister’s things, possibly even stealing something, she was determined to be transparent and honest, as a guest should.
Respect for the woman took root.
“As you wish,” he said.
He planted himself in the doorway, not making any move to go further into the chamber, as Lista lit a big bank of tapers near the bed. As a soft, warm glow filled the room, she went to the old wardrobe and carefully opened the doors. Immediately, piles of clothing fell out, right onto her feet, and a cat jumped out, running onto the bed. Surprised, Lista looked at the clothing, the cat, and then burst into soft laughter.
