“Quiet. Too much talk will scare the game.”
“So Linnet has kicked you out of her bed, has she?” Owen said with a wide grin.
“That is none of your business,” Jamie snapped. “But while we are talking of women, I have a warning to give you.”
Owen made a face. “Come, Jamie, I already swore to you I did not touch one of your pretty sisters.”
“Not with my father at home, or the birds would be pecking at your swollen body in the marshes below our castle wall.” Jamie laughed, his mood finally lifting.
“My body pecked by birds is a humorous notion, is it?” Owen leaned between their horses to punch Jamie’s arm. “I am not so foolish as to risk William FitzAlan’s ire.”
“You should fear my mother no less. I warn you, she keeps her dagger sharp and is not afraid to use it.”
“ ’Tis lucky, then, that I’ve no interest in deflowering virgins.” Giving Jamie a broad wink, Owen said, “I like a woman who knows what she’s about, if you know what I mean.”
Indeed, Jamie did.
Owen’s remark about his sisters had diverted Jamie from what he meant to say. “The woman I must warn you about is Her Highness, Queen Katherine.”
“Has she suggested she is not pleased with my work in some way?” Owen asked, playing innocent.
“ ’Tis more that she seems a bit too pleased.”
Owen’s hand went to the hilt of his sword. “What are you accusing me of, Rayburn?”
“I accuse you of nothing,” Jamie said, ignoring the gesture. “But where the queen is concerned, perception alone could get you hanged.”
“ ’Tis bad enough I let you persuade me to come out in a gale for sport,” Owen said, shaking the water off his hat. “But I must put up with another lecture?”
“I am telling you, Owen, they may punish the queen by putting her away in an abbey, but as for you”—Jamie turned to point his finger at his companion—“Gloucester and Beaufort would be quarreling over who had the better right to stick your head on a pike on London Bridge.”
“Let us go back,” Owen said, turning his horse. “A man can only take so much abuse and keep his sense of humor.”
“Fine.” Jamie guided his horse around a tree stump to reach higher ground for the return ride.
“Come, Jamie, who would believe the queen would have me anyway?” Owen complained. “I am her lowly clerk of the wardrobe—and a Welshman besides.”
“Linnet says anyone who sees the way the queen looks at you will suspect you’ve shared her bed.”
“Linnet says this; Linnet says that,” Owen said, sounding cheerful again. “Tell me, why have you not found another woman to take your mind off that one?”
“Not another word about Linnet.”
“I was speaking about other women,” Owen said. “There are others about, you know. Dozens of them, right here at Windsor.”
Why had he not found another woman? Of course, he had thought about doing so. His cock was up so often, he could not help but think of finding a better way to relieve it than with his hand.
In sooth, it would be an easy matter to acquire an occasional bedmate. More than one pretty woman had signaled an interest. But with Linnet here, he simply could not see them. All other women were lost in her shine.
It was hard going for their horses slogging through the wet underbrush, but the rain diminished on their return. Just as they neared the castle gate, the sun broke through the clouds.
“I believe I see the very lady you did not wish to speak about.”
Jamie barely heard Owen. His attention was fixed on Linnet, who stood outside the gate, the wind flapping her cloak, watching their approach.
“What has happened?” Jamie asked her as soon as he dismounted. “Is something amiss?”
“All is well at the castle,” Linnet answered. “I was anxious to see you.”
