His knowing grin was annoying, but after a moment she returned it, conceding, “So Eric told me, also that you did fight Lionel.”
“And?” he prompted.
“Very well, so there was no contest and I had no reason to worry,” she said grudgingly. “But I told you a woman does not need good reason.”
“That you worried at all, lady, is what intrigues me.”
“Think you I want to go through the trouble of choosing another husband?” she retorted.
“Then you are pleased with your present husband?”
“Satisfied.”
He gave a rumble of laughter. “A word of many meanings, that.”
Reina gritted her teeth. “You have strayed from the subject, my lord. Eric did not say what you intend doing with Lady Louise.”
He came forward to sit on his side of the bed. For a moment she stared at his broad back, and the strength indicated there gave her a pleasurable shiver that sent her thoughts straying from the subject as well. Then he leaned back on one elbow placed next to her hip, and she was surprised by how serious his expression had become.
“The widow will remain confined in her chamber until Searle is well enough to wed her—that is, if he still wants her after learning of her perfidy.”
Reina stiffened. “Then you did not even consider Sir Arnulph as I asked?”
“Nay, I did not. I have Birkenham in mind for him.”
“But that is too much!” she gasped in amazement.
“Why, if he is as loyal as you say and acceptable to me once I meet him?”
“But—but I thought you would give it to Walter.”
“He does not want it.”
“I know he said that, but surely he was jesting.”
Ranulf smiled. “He was most serious. He knows that I will always have a place for him without weighing his shoulders down with responsibilities, which he does not want. Did I try to do so, he would just as soon go home, where he is welcome and would not be asked to do aught more than fight when he is needed.”
“Then why did you send him to Keigh Manor?”
He shrugged. “To keep the younger two lads from coming to blows over the lady if they both decided they wanted her.”
“And what if he had taken a fancy to Louise?”
“That would have been unlikely, as Walter has already shown a keen interest in one of your ladies here, or had you not noticed?”
“Eadwina is not a lady.”
He chuckled at her indignant snort. “Not her. His interest in her is no more than a necessity. A man must still see to his needs while he is contemplating marriage. Or would you countenance his sneaking into Dame Florette’s bed?”
“I countenance neither action, if you must know. I do not see why a man cannot control his lustiness for a short time. If Walter wants Florette, and I can assure you she would be delighted to have him, why can he not wait until they are wed? You did.” For the second time, she saw her husband’s face flush with color, and concluded, feeling unreasonably hurt, “You did not?”
He heard the catch in her voice and put his hand to her cheek. “Lady, would I have been so impatient to have you after that second wedding ceremony if I was bedding one of your wenches? But I was annoyed enough with you for closing your door to me that I will not deny I thought about it. And if you say thinking about it is just as bad, I will beat you.”
She grinned helplessly, knowing full well he did not mean it, and too relieved to care if he did. “Nay, I would not say that, or else every man alive must be condemned.”
“’Tis good you can be reasonable,” he grunted and sat up again.
He also knew she trusted him not to beat her, but he was not sure if that was good or not. How did you control a wife who did not fear reprisals? If he ever did see the need to punish her, she was like to feel betrayed and never forgive him, and that was not worth any lesson she needed learning. But why he should feel that was so was the question.
