Lord Of Danger by Stuart, Anne (free ebook reader for android txt) 📗

of them are pleasant, and all of them are too far reaching.”

“I’m not afraid!” Thomas said.

“You’re willing to take an herbal remedy that will make you cold and hurtful and without conscience toward all you meet? It can’t be refined into dislike for one person, I’m afraid. Or would you prefer a simple surgery? I’ve seen it done, even assisted in the process, and you’d most likely survive. I could remove your testicles and then no woman would have anything to fear from you.”

Sir Thomas turned a lovely greenish shade. “I… er…”

“Or you could simply continue as you have been, praying for deliverance from the distraction of womankind. Their sights and their scents, their soft sighs and gentle movements. You’ve resisted so far, surely you can continue to be strong?”

“I hadn’t counted on Lady Claire,” he muttered.

“She is a temptation, isn’t she?” Simon said softly. “But I have faith in you, Sir Thomas. You’ll find it in your heart to resist her siren’s lures.”

The look Thomas cast at Simon was full of anguish. “It isn’t her fault,” he said. “It’s mine. And I can resist lust. I can resist lures.”

“Then what is it you cannot resist?”

“Love,” he said flatly.

Simon didn’t laugh. “If it’s that bad, Sir Thomas, then maybe you’d be better off caponed.”

Sir Thomas turned on his heel and stalked toward the door in a righteous rage. He paused at the last minute, unable to stop himself.

“Promise me one thing, wizard,” he said.

“If it is within my power,” Simon said lightly.

“Don’t give any love philtres to Lady Claire.”

“Are you afraid of her succumbing to Lord Richard?” he asked softly. “Or to you?”

Sir Thomas was at the far end of his tether, and if Simon were to push him much further he would regret it But Simon was always one to push things. “Do anything to hurt the lady,” Thomas said grimly, “and you’ll be the one who’s caponed.”

It was irresistible. “Ah, but Sir Thomas. Who’s to say I’m not already?”

The castle was alive with rumors. Lady Hedwiga had returned and refused to give audience to her husband’s bastard sisters. Richard the Fair had retired to his own solar with enough wine to drown an army. And Brother Jerome was running all over the castle looking greatly troubled.

But that was nothing compared to the more delicious rumors that currently flourished. Sir Thomas was far too noble to indulge in idle gossip, but the courtyard of Summersedge Keep was a busy place so close to the evening meal, and at least three servants had been listening quite avidly. Within the hour it was public knowledge that Sir Thomas du Rhaymer had been bewitched, that Lady Claire had seduced the poor knight, and that Lord Richard’s mysterious advisor was lacking a vital portion of his anatomy. The kitchen workers hadn’t had as much fun since Christmastide.

It took longer for the word to reach the two sisters, since neither of them went down to eat They stayed alone in the solar, window shutters flung wide to let in the cold, cleansing autumn air and rid the place of Richard’s foul presence. It wasn’t until Madlen arrived back, her plain face alight with mystery and pleasure, that they first heard.

Madlen was a woman possessed of a kindly heart and a very small amount of tact. While Lady Claire was in the garderobe, she informed Lady Alys of the rumors concerning Sir Thomas and Lady Claire. Enough time had passed, along with Richard’s careful intervention, that it was now believed that Lord Richard had come upon the two of them, rutting in Lady Claire’s solar.

No one quite believed it, of course. Lord Richard would scarcely bear the scars of a woman’s hand on his face, and Sir Thomas would not be alive if it were the truth. But it made a lovely story on a quiet night.

But Richard’s pet monster was always more interesting, and Madlen couldn’t bear to wait until she was alone with Claire. The other women would be arriving soon, and would spoil her delight in passing on such shocking information.

Alys stood at the window, staring out over the castle below, remembering Simon’s words. He’d watched her the night before, seen her pacing in front of the windows. She peered into the darkness, trying to orient herself. Which tower was his? Which lighted window belonged to the Wizard of Summersedge Keep? Would he be watching again tonight? If she went to him, would he kiss her again?

A wild, foolish fancy, and she pulled away, only to see Madlen busy whispering in Claire’s ear as she brushed her long, silky hair. Claire’s expression was one of utter horror, until she noticed her sister’s curious attention. She muttered something sharp and dismissive to the servant, taking the brush from her hand and continuing to attend to her own hair.

“You may go, Madlen,” Claire said with unaccustomed dignity. “We have no further need of you tonight.”

Madlen looked toward Alys uncertainly, but Alys simply nodded. Claire was more than able to unlace her sister’s cumbersome gown, and Alys was suddenly, mortally tired.

“And we shall have no need of any other of the women attending us tonight,” Claire added sharply.

“Yes, my lady.” Madlen curtseyed, but there was no denying the real pout on her plain face.

Alys waited until the servant was gone, her footsteps dying away in the distance. She waited long minutes while Claire brushed her hair, her face averted, her back turned.

She waited until Claire looked up, a determinedly cheerful expression plastered firmly on her pretty face. “I’ll brush your hair for you, Alys, if you wish. I’m sorry I sent Madlen away but she was so rough tonight she was giving me a headache.”

“I don’t mind,” Alys said pleasantly. “As long as you tell me what it was you were whispering about. It must be something quite awful.”

“Nothing.”

“Lying is a sin, Claire,” she said gently.

“So is being kissed by your half-brother,” she shot back.

“His sin, not yours, Claire. What did Madlen tell you?