It infuriated her more to see that for some reason he was now amused. Though he did not go so far as to actually grin, she saw it was an effort not to.
“Very well, my lord,” she gritted out. “The subject was your father, I believe? May I tell him you will join us presently?”
That got his frown back, she was glad to see. “That would be a lie, lady. You invited him. You eat with him.”
“As you wish.” She descended several steps ere she tossed back at him, “Your presence is not needful for me to appease my curiosity.”
“Reina, come back here!”
She continued down the stairs. “I will have food sent up to you, my lord.”
“Reina!”
She did not answer again, hurrying now, only half certain this time that he would not follow. She had no urge to giggle, but could not deny a good deal of satisfaction in thwarting him a second time. She would pay for it later, she knew, for he was not likely to forget his promised chastisement now, but she would worry about that later.
Chapter Thirty-eight
Between directing the servants to begin the meal and attending Dame Hilary’s minor crisis caused by Sir Searle’s insistence that he was well enough to leave his chamber, Reina had not yet returned to Ranulf’s father ere Ranulf came charging down the stairs, still in the process of fastening his belt. She had not expected this in response to her last defiance, and for a moment had the urge to run, thinking his rage was so great he had come to punish her now. But he came to nearly a skidding halt when he saw her by Searle’s chamber, alone, and must have realized she had not yet spoken again to his father. His gaze then searched for the man and found him by the hearth in conversation with several of Reina’s ladies.
Reina bit her lip, watching him grapple with indecision and other painful emotions she could not even guess at. He did not move, just stood there staring at his sire, making her realize how insensitive she had been to taunt him on this of all subjects. Verily, she deserved a thrashing. She did not know what it was like to hate one’s own father, but it could not be an easy feeling, going against the grain.
And then she saw Ranulf stiffen, and knew that his father must have finally noticed him. Sure enough, she looked and saw the older man stand up and start toward Ranulf. His expression was one of pleasure, immense pleasure. Ranulf’s was suddenly inscrutable. Yet his body was still stiff. Not a single muscle moved.
Reina held her breath even as she moved toward them to intercede. She could only hope her presence would prevent an angry confrontation, but she could not be sure. The two men seemed unaware of anyone else in the room, both for different reasons. But every eye in the room was on them, watching in fascination two men of such extraordinary size, and so identical. Mayhap this was why Ranulf did not say what he would have said were they alone.
Ranulf suffered a hearty embrace but did not return it. His father did not notice, or if he did, it did not dampen his mood.
“By the rood, I am glad to see you settled, Ranulf, and settled so well.”
“Indeed? Did you think I would remain a mercenary all my life?”
“Not at all. I knew you had more ambition than that. How could you not have when you are so like me? What delights me is that you have surpassed even my expectations for you, and much sooner than I could have hoped. How did you manage such a feat?”
“The lady was smitten by me and would have no one else.” Reina’s gasp clarified that piece of sarcasm for what it was. Ranulf smiled at her mockingly. “Do you have a problem with that summation, lady?”
“It matters not how it came to pass that you are now Lord of Clydon,” the father quickly amended. “You still have my congratulations.”
“So you are happy for me?” Ranulf replied coldly. “Is that what you want me to believe?”
The older man hesitated, unable to ignore Ranulf’s hostile reception any longer. “You doubt me?”
“Give me one reason why I should not.”
“I can do that,” Reina interjected, annoyed that he was being so churlish. “Because he is your father. ’Tis reason enough for him to want only your good.”
“Lady, you got me down here with your sly machinations, and that is mischief enough from you. Get you gone now. This does not concern you.”
“Whatever concerns you concerns me,” she retorted. “And I will not be ordered from my own hall, Ranulf. You want me gone, you will have to drag me out of here. But I warn you, do you make a scene like that before my people, you will regret it much longer than I regret taunting you.”
An apology and a threat all in one? Ranulf’s scowl darkened for a moment, then smoothed out. After another moment he was chuckling, and there was nothing of derision in it.
“You congratulate me, Lord Hugh? Mayhap you should offer sympathy instead.”
That he was teasing was not in doubt, so Reina did not feeltoochagrined by that remark. And his father was amused, too, which was a good sign considering Ranulf’s attitude thus far. Lord Hugh? She should have realized, being married to a Fitz Hugh, that this would be his name.
“My lords, might I suggest you continue this reunion at table? Dinner has been delayed long enough due to some people’s laziness.”
Ranulf did not mistake that dig, and replied in kind. “Is that what you call lust these days, lady?”
