“You are leaving?”
“I need to organize a few things and then I shall return. But if you need me, send someone and I shall come. Lock the door behind me now. You are in no danger with me and my men close by, but I would still have you show caution, Duchess.”
“Of course.”
Daniel waited outside the door until he had heard the key turn in the lock and then he made for the stables.
Eva let the maid in with her meal a little while later and ate in solitude, wondering when she had grown to dislike her own company, seeing as she had endured so much of it in her lifetime. She had enjoyed spending time with Daniel in the carriage and was coming to realize she could easily become enamored with her husband. He was gentle and coaxing with her, happy to answer questions, but he was comfortable with silence, too. Eva had never been the chatty type and it seemed neither was her husband. She blushed remembering how he had kissed her fingers. Was it wrong to enjoy such things? Surely not if he enjoyed them too.
As the evening progressed, the mumble of male voices grew louder through the floorboards and she realized her room was directly above the taproom. Her brothers and father had always been loud when they drank - loud and violent.
She bathed in the water set out for her and changed into her nightdress when it grew dark and then, with little else to do, she climbed into the bed. Blowing out the candle, she settled beneath the covers and waited for Daniel to return.
The door to her room swung wide suddenly and slammed into the wall and she realized she had not locked it after the maid had left with her tray.
“I hear there be a lady in here!”
Pulling aside the covers, Eva quickly got out of bed. “Get out of my room at once!”
The man stumbled forward and she could smell ale on his breath as he drew nearer. “Hello, sweeting, come and give me a kiss.”
Eva lunged for the pitcher she knew was on the dresser. “Leave this room now or I will hurt you.”
“I like a tousle, lovely - the rougher, the better.”
He moved closer and Eva realized she was cornered. She threw the pitcher as hard as she could. He stumbled backwards as it hit his chest, cursing as water covered his front. Seizing the moment, she ran for the door but he was quicker and grabbed her.
“Daniel!”
The man tried to kiss her but Eva swung her fist at his head.
“Bitch!”
He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled it hard, the pain made her eyes water but it was not enough to stop her. She brought up her knee and rammed it into his groin. He groaned, falling backwards. Eva ran as he released her, out the door and down the hall straight into Daniel’s arms as he arrived at the top of the stairs. He caught her, pulling her close.
“What’s wrong? I heard you scream.”
“A man - there is a man in my room.”
He tensed, his arms tightening as he lifted her off her feet briefly before releasing her and pushing her behind him.
“I kicked him…there, so he may still be on the floor.”
Eva tucked in behind Daniel’s back as they walked back to their room.
“Stay here,” he told her when they reached the open door. She watched him enter and then followed. She did not want the man to surprise Daniel and hurt him. If she could reach the nightstand, she could light the candle.
“Get up!” Daniel dragged the moaning man to his feet.
“That bitch - she kicked me in the pecker!”
“You just cursed at a duchess. What’s more, she’s my duchess.”
Eva could hear the rage in Daniel’s voice as she slipped into the room.
“I told you to wait outside!”
“I don’t want to stand in the hallway, your Grace, awaiting the next man who comes along,” Eva said.
