“Are you going to arrest me for embarrassing the future Duke of Austria, too?”
“I’m supposed to,” Baron said, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my cheek. “Or else reprimand you severely. Perhaps I’ll yell at you somewhere a lot of people can hear.”
“No, let’s have you publicly humiliate me by putting me in the stocks while the duke leaves. That would be brilliant. Besides, I’ve always wanted to try that.”
Baron stared at me for a moment. “Youwantto try the stocks?”
“Only briefly. For professional reasons.”
He shook his head, but he was smiling again.
I snickered. It was hysterical to be undercover here with Baron. No one else knew we knew each other, so the whole thing felt like a grand joke that he and I were playing on everyone else in the castle. I could only imagine all the gossip that must be flying around the servants’ quarters right now about why Ihad been hauled off for questioning by the terrifying Sheriff of Nottingham.
Baron’s smile softened as he looked at me. “You really do look beautiful today.” This time, there was no teasing in his voice. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and his other hand crept around to the small of my back. “I understand why Leopold was trying so hard.”
I flicked a small piece of dust off his shoulder. “It was all Aalis’s work, not mine. This isn’t even my dress, if you can call it a dress anymore. It is more like shredded rags now.”
His hold on me tightened. “You’re beautiful no matter what you wear. I’m glad you were able to handle Leopold, but any time you need me to, I’ll gladly destroy any man who looks at you wrong.”
“You’re better at seducing me than Leopold in every way,” I told him, and stood on tiptoe so I could kiss him again. After a minute, I broke the embrace and moved toward the door. “I need to go. I’m due to meet James tonight and tomorrow, and I’ll tell all the servants that you threatened me to within an inch of my life and that they’re right to be terrified of you. In the morning, put me in the stocks. That will send Mr. Handsy off with a good impression of your ability to crack down on hardened criminals like me.”
“Wait, didn’t you say you needed money?” Baron reached into his pocket, then frowned and checked his other pocket.
“Not anymore,” I said cheerfully. I held up his coin purse and jingled the contents slightly. Baron stared at it, then looked back at me. I smiled. “You may want to stop getting distracted when beautiful girls kiss you.”
I winked and slipped out the door.
BARON
Ilocked Laurel into the pillory outside the castle gates the next morning, just as the Austrians were due to leave. Laurel had suggested the public stocks in the village, where she would have had things thrown at her and been mocked, but I put my foot down. No one was going to treat Laurel like that, not if I could help it. Instead, there was a one-man pillory off to the side of the castle’s entrance. It was discreet enough that most people would never know she had been there, but also right along the path the Duke and his son would take as they left.
When Leopold came to the end of the drawbridge, I stopped him and his entourage. He looked dreadful. He had cleaned the blood off his face, but both his eyes were swollen, puffy, and bruised purple and black. He had a fat lip and his nose was now slightly crooked. He would never be quite so handsome again.
I issued Leopold a formal apology and showed him how his offender was being punished. Leopold smiled smugly, dismounted, and walked toward us. It gave me immense satisfaction to see him limp with every other step. Laurel’s head and hands protruded through the holes on the near side of the frame and hung down in shame.
Leopold pulled Laurel’s hair back to get a good look at her face. Laurel kept her eyes downcast. He glanced back at his father, as though seeking confirmation that this was indeed the girl he had spent the entire previous day with. His father gave a small nod, and Leopold cuffed her sharply across the head. Laurel cried out piteously and I clenched my fists to prevent myself from punching Leopold into next week.
“She’ll be whipped?” Leopold asked, the relish evident in every syllable.
“Naturally,” I answered. Leopold’s leering grin widened, and he returned his focus to Laurel. He hit her again, even harder this time. Once more, Laurel cried out. My hands began to shake and I was an instant away from stepping between Leopold and Laurel when the duke spoke up.
“Remember Leo, you’re a gentleman,” he said mildly from behind me. “Whatever thiswoman—” he spat the word, “did to you, we’re above it. You need not sink toherlevel. The sheriff will attend to her punishment.”
Leopold looked reluctant to leave now that Laurel was confined and at his mercy. I saw his fingers twitch, as though they were just itching to strike her again. I would kill him if he did. “My lord, please know that this matter is a top priority. I plead with you to accept our utmost apologies for the actions of one rogue servant girl. I assure you that she will be severely punished, and her position here has already been terminated.”
“Good, good,” Leopold said nastily. “When will the whipping be?” It could not have been more plain that he was willing, even eager, to watch it happen.
“In two days,” I said.
Leopold’s shoulders sagged. “Two days?”he asked incredulously. “So long! I can’t wait that long.”
“I like to starve offenders before whipping them,” I said casually. I spoke with the same vicious spite I had heard in myfather’s voice hundreds of times and though the words tasted foul, I let them continue anyway. “I want this girl to spend the next two days and nights waiting. Every time she feels the pangs of hunger, she’ll know that they’re nothing compared to what’s coming.”
Leopold nodded thoughtfully.
“Remember: the best punishment is one of the mind,” I said, then lowered my voice conspiratorially. Leopold leaned closer to listen. “Injuries heal. But fear lasts for a lifetime.”
Leopold looked at me with new appreciation, as though I had just revealed myself to be a man of excellent taste. I inclined my head. Leopold returned the action and finally, he and his entourage were gone. The instant he was out of earshot, I bent down to ask Laurel, “Are you all right?”
