She could not have said anything to embarrass the giant more. If it were possible, his face would have gone up in flames, it burned so red.
Reina felt better already, until she tried to rise by herself and could manage no more than getting to her hands and knees.Jesú, she had to get this armor off her back—immediately. Nothing had ever made her so graceless and bone-weary, and the minute it was off, it was going straight into the fire.
Two hands slipped under her arms, and she became weightless again for a second as she was lifted and then set on her feet. Directly at eye level now was the giant’s chest. Reina refused to look any higher until she stepped back several feet so she would not have to crane her neck. And then she felt her own surprise.
That face had been a golden blur before, but now she saw each feature clearly. Golden brows, straight and thick, and far darker than the light golden hair, of a length to set on those immense shoulders. A well-shaped nose between broad cheekbones covered with sun-kissed skin. Firm lips over a square-cut jaw shaded with dark bronze stubble. It was a face harsh in its masculinity, yet even so, incredibly handsome. And he had violet eyes, piercing, narrowing now as she stared. Violet! Imagine that.
Ranulf could feel his anger returning, and centering solely on the lady, if lady she really was. He had thought her a man, albeit a little one, but a man nonetheless, and who would not think so with her shapeless mail hauberk that fell to her knees, mailed chausses on her legs, a mail coif clinging to her head, leaving only a small oval of her face visible. Even her brows and chin were covered by the coif, and there was dried blood on her sleeves and hands.
She might not be wearing a sword or any other weapon, but she in no way appeared to be a woman—except her voice was soft and melodic, but heard too late to keep him from making a fool of himself. He did not even have the appeasement of seeing her react to him as most females did. She might have been surprised, but for no more than a second. Her large blue eyes, as pale as the morning sky, held no admiration or fascination as they looked him over. They were direct now, without fear, with just the barest trace of curiosity.
“Thank you,” he heard her say in response to his assistance.
“Nay, I must beg your pardon,” he heard himself answer, when what he wanted to do was rip that coif off her head to see if he could then determine if she was child or woman. He did not like not knowing.
And then she surprised him by taking full blame for his mistake, when she had every right to upbraid him instead. “Nay, my lord, ’tis I who must beg pardon for receiving you like this, and so causing confusion. I had hoped to change first, but Aubert said you were—impatient—to be assured of my safety.”
The dark-haired man beside the golden giant laughed suddenly. “And so you were safe, demoiselle, until you came before my friend here. Allow me to present to you this chagrined fellow who is feeling much the fool, Ranulf Fitz Hugh, and our young friend, Searle of Totnes.”
“And you are?”
“Walter de Breaute, at your service.”
She inclined her head to each of them, though she was waiting for the giant to speak again. But he did not, did no more than glower at Walter de Breaute for making light of his embarrassment.
They might have given their names, but Reina was aware they had not really saidwhothey were. Still, courtesy demanded. “I am Reina de Champeney and I bid you welcome to Clydon. Your arrival was most timely, as I am sure you have realized.”
Walter was quick to forestall her thanks. “How long were you under siege?”
“There was no siege. They attacked with the dawn, after their man who had passed the night with us opened the outer gates to them.”
“And you went out to fight them yourself?”
Now that the giant was heard from again, his contempt unmistakable, Reina could have wished he had kept his mouth shut. “To fight, nay. My man. Sir William, was bedfast, and there was no one else capable of taking charge.”
“You sent for help?”
“There was no time,” Reina answered without thinking, then paled to realize what a fool she was to give him that information before knowing his purpose there.
He might have saved her from one devil, but he could as like as not be another. And she would swear he seemed relieved with her answer, that his lips were not so tightly drawn now, his stance more relaxed.
“Why have you no—”
Reina cut hint off. “You have not said what brings you to Clydon Castle.”
“We come from your lord.”
Reina relaxed at once. That was a strange way to say he was from Guy of Shefford, but then he was a strange man. They no doubt had been asked to deliver another letter from the earl’s castellan on their way past Clydon, since she had not yet answered the last one as to the date of her wedding. Nor could she answer this one, at least not until John de Lascelles arrived next week and she knew whether he would be agreeable to marrying her or not. Lord Richard, whom she would have preferred to wed, was still in Ireland, according to his castellan’s last reply, seeing to his father’s lands there. The man had been unable to tell her when Richard would return. But these were her problems and must await another time.
Since these men were vassals to Shefford, as she was now herself, it was her due to have their help, so she need not feel quite so beholden. But they were indeed welcome, even if they were only Shefford retainers.
“Forgive my abruptness, Sir Ranulf. I must confess I am sore overset by this morning’s happenings. I will answer all of your questions, but allow me, please, to see to your comfort first.” At his reluctant nod, she sighed with relief and turned to Aubert, who was just now dusting off his clothes from his sprawl in the rushes. She was too tired to bother with her own. “Get the servants back to set up the tables for dinner, then send my steward to me for further orders. He will see to Sir Ranulf’s men, so you report to Lady Margaret. I wish to know how Sir William fares. Theo, find Dame Hilary and have her prepare several chambers, with baths for each, and wine. Do not forget the wine. And send Lady Elaine to the wounded. I took care of the most needful, but there is still minor stitching to do, and ’tis time she learned to apply her needle to flesh. Then you may see to me.”
Walter watched her walk away from them and shook his head. “She can barely stand up, let alone get to her chamber, and God’s wounds, did you hear the way she took command, and she such a tiny thing? Mayhap I should help her…” His words trailed off as Ranulf left his side, and his mouth dropped open when be saw Ranulf had left to follow the lady himself.
Ranulf reached her in only three strides and scooped her up in his arms. He heard her gasp but ignored it, continuing on to the stairs she had been heading toward.
“You should not wear armor if you cannot carry its weight,” was all he said.
