“Then we must not make you wait any longer. Come, and you shall share a trencher with me.”
Christ’s toes, did he have to? She was honoring him, buthedid not see it so. To sit next to her and have to observe all the courtly rules, to feed her the best portions, cut her meat, make sure her cup was never empty, to in effect do all he could to please her? When a man was hungry he ought to be able to eat his meal in peace, but how could he with ladies present demanding you serve and amuse them?
Ranulf closed his eyes with a groan, then snapped them open again to watch her as she returned to the dais, once again assuming he would follow. His eyes fixed on her narrow hips, swaying gently as she walked, or more likely glided away. How oldwasshe? Fifteen? Sixteen? She could not be much more than that, not as tiny as she was. But he had to allow she did have breasts. Two small mounds, but noticeable despite several layers of clothing.
Sitting across from her, he had gotten a good look at her at last whilst she avoided his eyes due to the nature of her apology. There was nothing childlike about her face. It was small but clearly defined, the face of a woman. Slanting brows were nearly hidden beneath a fringe of thick bangs. Almond-shaped eyes, a narrow, straight nose, a wide mouth with full lower lip, and a small chin completed the picture. It was not a beautiful face in the ordinary sense, but certainly interesting with that lush lower lip and unblemished skin, a creamy white softness that almost demanded touching. But what was unusual and striking about her was the combination of those light, light blue eyes with hair as black as pitch, brows just as black, thick lashes blacker still. Not beautiful, but by no means ugly.
She did not attract him, however, not in the least. It was the strong, robust wenches who caught his eye, women capable of withstanding a rough tumble, which was all he was interested in. Small, delicate women scared the hell out of him, and if they were ladies, he liked them even lessbecausethey were ladies. And this particular lady he liked least of all for thinking a few paltry words of apology could appease the insult she had dealt him. Now she had added teasing to the list of grievances he had against her. He might have to put up with such annoyance from Walter, but not from her.
Noticing Walter grinning at him brought Ranulf to his feet. He might as well get this over with, the sooner he could then make plans for their leaving.
A horn sounded, calling the castlefolk to the trestle tables set up below the dais. Ranulf could scarce believe the small number of soldiers who trudged in, some wounded. A demesne this size and so obviously rich could support a garrison of several hundred, so where were the men needed to protect it? He itched to know the answer, but it would have to wait.
He had decided not to question the lady here, where he must guard his temper. She annoyed him too easily with her commanding air, and the less he must talk to her, the better. When he had her away from Clydon would be soon enough to demand answers. She would not be so haughty then.
So he let Walter do what came natural and monopolize the table talk with his jocular humor, even if some of it was at Ranulf’s expense. At least Walter kept Lady Reina amused, which kept her attention diverted, and Ranulf did not have to suffer her direct gaze more than once or twice. And after the meal was over, he was able to escape entirely with the excuse of dispatching most of his men, which she did not object to in the least, for his greater force obviously made her nervous, and rightly so. That he could simply take her with that greater force and be done with it was not an option he allowed himself. That would only lead to the unnecessary killing of her people, which stealth would prevent.
Chapter Nine
“What did you find out, Walter?”
“Her chamber is in the north tower, but can only be reached by that stairwell in the east tower you mounted with her this morn.”
Ranulf turned away from the narrow arrow-slit window where he had been observing the activity in the inner bailey. “Aye, I do recall seeing a long passageway running directly through the wall, as in the gallery over the hall. Did your source mention what else is up there?”
“The lord’s chamber and the women’s quarters, where her ladies and their maids sleep.”
“Then there can be no mistakes, and no noise to disturb the women. Is that our supply cart I noticed in front of one of those storehouses?”
“Aye,” Searle replied to this. “Eric got Rothwell’s men back to camp as you ordered and sent one back with the cart. It has already been loaded with the grain Walter was able to purchase.”
“Not enough to fill it, I hope.”
“Nay, there will be room enough for the lady.”
Ranulf nodded before looking toward Kenric and Lanzo. “Have you decided which of you will ride with her?”
“Lanzo will,” Kenric answered, “since he is smaller and will take up less room in the cart.”
“An inch smaller,” Lanzo grumbled, “which is hardly any—”
“Skinnier, then.” Kenric grinned.
Walter chuckled, watching this byplay. “So Kenric decided that Lanzo decided to volunteer? Buck up, Lanzo. Yours will be the most important task. You must see to it the lady does not rock the cart, nor make the slightest noise to alert the guards ere we pass through the outer gate. What think you, Ranulf? Can he do it? He is not much bigger than she is.”
“A whole inch bigger,” Kenric snickered.
“Can you, Lanzo?” Ranulf asked the boy directly and in all seriousness. “Because if you cannot, and the lady makes her presence known to her sentries, we will have to fight our way out of the keep. Know you how many lives will be forfeit if it comes to that?”
“I will do it,” Lanzo said firmly and with eagerness now, then tossed Kenric a superior look before asking, “But what is my reason for being in the cart?”
“You should not draw notice, but if you do, you are ill, so ill you could not sit your horse.”
“A few moans and puking sounds will help to convince anyone, and serve to cover any sounds the lady might make as well,” Walter added. “And our men will surround the cart, though not in an obvious way. They have all been warned to prevent anyone from drawing too near.”
“Any more questions?” Ranulf queried. Met with silence, he concluded, “Then we will begin at midnight. Kenric and I will collect the lady. Searle, do you wait outside under the short bridge on the stairs. While Walter distracts the guard in the forebuilding, I will pass the lady to you, so be ready as soon as the door opens. You must secure her in the cart and wait with her there until Lanzo comes to take your place. Be sure you are well hidden when the gates open to admit Eric. His message that our camp has been attacked by outlaws is all the excuse we need to depart. I will have the steward roused to escort us out so there is no delay.”
“And what if he wants to wake the lady?” Walter asked.
