“Do not be vulgar. Theo.”
“Well, did you?”
“Nay, I did not,” she gritted out.
He pulled her hair until her head bent back far enough so she could see him looking down at her. “Who are you wroth with, then, if not the giant?”
“Theo—”
“Tell, or I will go down and whisper in his ear that you are eagerly awaiting him—in bed.”
“Do, and you take your life in your hands,” she snapped, yanking her head back down.
That hint was sufficient and he said no more. But the ensuing silence only made Reina’s nerves more raw. She decided he might as well know half of it.
“You had the right man, Theo, but the wrong reason. I thought I had Ranulf’s agreement that he would give Louise de Burgh to Sir Arnulph in marriage. But at supper, he told not only Searle and Eric but Walter, too, to ride over and make the widow’s acquaintance.”
“So?”
“So I know now he means to give her to one of them, when I as much as had his promise just this afternoon that Arnulph could have her.”
“He does not strike me as a man who would break promises lightly, Reina.”
“He did not exactly promise,” she said grudgingly. “But he knew I wanted the match, and he said he would consider Arnulph.”
“Considering is not a firm decision, not by any means. It seems to me he is only preparing ahead does he decide against Sir Arnulph.”
“You do not understand, Theo. He owes me his concurrence on this.”
“How so?”
“Never mind how so, he just does,” Reina said impatiently. “And Arnulph is the best man to place there. He has given us excellent service. He has proved himself most capable of such responsibility. He is deserving of a reward. And besides all that, he knows the lady and likes her, too. They are well suited.”
“Ah, but what does she feel about it? Mayhap she would appreciate having more than one man to choose from.”
“Since when is that a matter of importance, especially when the lady is so young?”
“Need I remind you that you were not much older than Lady de Burgh when you very logically and rationally chose John de Lascelles and Richard de Arcourt as the men you would prefer to marry of all those you had to pick from? And not only that, you changed your mind at the last moment.”
“Which proves that even at ten years and seven, a woman is an idiot if she thinks she knows what is best for herself,” Reina said, her tone disgruntled.
“Now, now, you know the giant is still the best choice, even if you are having your first discord with him. You cannot expect him to agree with you always, Reina, any more than your…father…would…”
Reina glanced up as Theo’s words trailed off into silence. Ranulf had entered without a sound and stood staring at them, his expression growing darker by the second. Lanzo stood just behind him, revealing a neck red with embarrassment as he gazed up at the ceiling.
Theo cleared his throat to get Reina’s attention, and when that did not work, nudged her shoulder. Only then did she realize what was causing the reaction of the two at the door. Her bedrobe had slid open down her front to expose one breast and a goodly portion of navel.
With a gasp she yanked her robe closed, then glared furiously at her husband. That this should happen once was bad enough. Twice was just too much.
“A little warning ere you enter would not be amiss, my lord,” she bit out caustically. “’Tis called knocking.”
“At my own door? I think not.”
“If you are alone, it makes no difference, but you are not alone.”
“Neither are you, lady, and I will know the reason forthatright quickly.”
Too late she saw that he was not just scowling as was his usual wont. He was seething with anger, the cords of his neck taut with it, his violet eyes blazing with it. And those eyes were riveted on Theodric, not on her. But Reina was angry herself, and not just at being embarrassed again.
