“To ill use one of my cousin’s slaves? I think not. And if I were you, Eldred, I would concern myself with what Royce will do, not what Alfred might do.”
“She has injured a man. She must pay for that.”
“My cousin will pay the fine.”
Eldred snarled at that and stalked away to cool off outside. It was left to the other man to help Randwulf away.
Kristen did not relax until they had all left the hall. Then she turned on Alden. The chain lay at ease in her hand now, but it was still in her hand. He looked into her eyes, divining her thoughts.
“Would you really, wench?” His question was soft. “Even after I just aided you?”
“I did not ask for your help.”
“But you needed it.”
She fought a battle inside herself, then finally nodded. “Very well. For that—” She dropped the chain to the floor, indicating she would not attack him with it. “But what you did before—I can never forget.”
Alden sighed. “I know, and I am sorry for it.”
Kristen turned her back on him.
Chapter Twenty-five
When the women began returning to the hall, no one made mention of Kristen’s partial freedom. But then, few had time even to notice, they were kept so busy in preparation for the planned feast. Kristen herself barely had a free moment to think about what had happened. After tucking the long chain through her rope girdle so she wouldn’t drag it noisily about, she had resumed her work.
Not more than an hour later, however, she was embraced again, taken completely by surprise when arms slipped around her from behind to lock about her waist, squeezing gently. She felt a moment’s panic, but it was nothing compared with the chagrin that followed, that they would dare accost her again. This time all the servants were about, as well as Darrelle, who looked on with a curious frown.
“Are you all right?”
Kristen seemed to turn hot and cold at the same time. And then confusion set in. It was Royce who was holding her, Royce, with unmistakable concern in his voice. The very man who had taken such pains to make it appear he did not notice her, who had even pretended to be doing something else when he spoke to her yestereve in this very spot, now held her close for all to see. She could not fathom it.
“Have you lost your senses, milord?”
She twisted around to see if he was besotted with drink. He did not appear to be. He was frowning at her, seeming as confused as she was.
“I ask you a perfectly pertinent question, and you reply with a flippant one. Of course I have not lost my senses. Have you?”
“I am beginning to wonder,” she replied in annoyance. “You seek me out, here and now, when you have never done so before. Do you not realize everyone is watching you?”
Royce looked over her head to scan the hall. His eyes even locked with Darrelle’s for a moment, noting her dismay over his behavior, but not letting it affect him. He looked back at Kristen. His arms remained locked around her.
“I am done with ignoring you for the sake of preventing gossip,” he said simply. “If Eda had not been with you this morn…No one else would have done as she did. ’Tis time they all know what you mean to me. If I could I would put my seal on you. If Alfred’s nobles could read, I would put a sign about your neck. No one else will mistake that you have my protection. If I must show it in actions, so be it.”
She could not believe he was saying this. “Why? I am only another of your slaves.”
“Do not be coy, wench,” he snapped. “You know you are special to me.”
“For a time?”
“For a time.”
If they were alone, she would have pushed him away from her for answering that without the slightest hesitation. But Kristen was too cognizant of the many eyes on them. It would not do to show such impertinence to a man considered to be her “lord”—not for her sake, but for his. Though why she should consider his pride she did not know.
Stiffly she said, “I am sure you have much to do, milord, as do I.”
He recognized the dismissal, but ignored it, though he did drop his hands from her. “I swear I will never understand you. Any other woman would have cried and screamed to me of the indignities visited on her and demanded retribution. You do not even mention the assault. You even accuse me of being daft for asking if you are all right.”
Kristen started to smile, but helplessly, it turned into a laugh instead. “Is that what this is about? What happened this morn?”
