Page 56 of Lord of Misrule

“God’s eyes, Tolin, stop it,” ground out Rook. “You’re going to hurt him.”

“If Daegel is going to be a knight someday, then he needs to be able to stand up for himself,” said Tolin.

“I can and I will.” Daegel pushed out of Tolin’s grip. “I’ll meet you on the practice field and bring your sword. Because even if I’m not a knight yet, no one is going to treat me the way you just did, my lovesick brother.”

Kit had sneaked back to her little room off the kitchen early this morning, and thankfully before her son or any of the servants had awoken. She’d spent a wonderful night in Tolin’s arms making love with him in his bed. But she couldn’t let that happen again. She could see it all so clearly now. It was a mistake. She never should have gone to his room in the first place. Nothing could ever become of their little tryst, just like her sister had warned her. As hard as she tried, Kit couldn’t think of anything but Tolin. She also couldn’t push from her mind her infatuations of someday being his wife. What on earth was the matter with her?

Kit felt feelings for Tolin that she had never felt, not even with Crispin. Could she be falling in love with him? If so, did he feel the same way about her? Somehow she doubted that was the case here. To him, their lovemaking was probably nothing but another night with a wench to warm his bed, although it meant the world to her.

Unable to go back to sleep, she had made her way to the kitchen super early, using all her newfound energy to make herbed bread as well as Tolin’s favorite tarts. Unfortunately, Tolin hadn’t come to the great hall for the morning meal to break the fast. That made her realize that what they’d shared last night wasn’t as important to him as it was to her. If so, he would have wanted to be here to see her.

“You never told me what happened last night,” said Brenna, holding on to the table in the kitchen, slowly lowering her body atop a stool. Her pregnancy was really tiring her out lately. Kit was sure the baby would be arriving any day now.

“There’s nothing to tell.” Kit busied herself stacking up the dishes from her baking. Thankfully, Parker had found a few new friends to play with at the castle, and was spending time with them now instead of just with Tolin’s dog.

“What did he want to talk about?” asked Brenna, brushing flour dust from the table into a pile using her hand.

“Nothing.” Kit shrugged.

“I see,” said her sister looking to the floor as Kit leaned over the table to get more dishes. “And did that nothing have anything to do with the fact you are not wearing hose this morning?”

“What?” Kit stood up straight, terrified that Brenna had discovered her secret. By her sister’s smile, Kit realized she couldn’t keep lying to her. Neither did she want to. After all, it would be nice to have another woman to talk to about her relationship with Tolin. “All right, so you know.”

“How was it?” Brenna scanned the room and leaned over closer to Kit. “Was he any good in bed?” she whispered.

Kit scanned the room as well. When she was certain no one had heard, she leaned forward and gave her sister her answer. “It was beyond wonderful!” Just saying the words aloud made her heart flutter. “Brenna, he did things to me that no other man ever has. He made me feel things that I never felt before, not even with Parker’s father.” Kit was so excited about this that she felt giddy.

“Tell me more,” said Brenna with wide eyes. “I want to know every detail about what Tolin did to you.”

“Me too,” came a woman’s voice, causing both Kit and Brenna to turn in surprise. Raven stood in the kitchen, having walked up without them knowing it.

“Lady Raven,” said Kit, with a small curtsey. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“You can watch your feelings when you’re around my brother,” said Raven.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” said Kit.

“I’m sure you do.” Raven let out a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, I like you a lot, I really do.”

“We like you, too, my lady,” said Kit.

“Then take some advice. Stop seeing Tolin.”

“What?” Kit blinked, not sure she understood. “But I thought you were promoting me being with your brother.”

“I was. At first,” Raven told her. “But I just came from the practice field where I spoke with Tolin’s squire.”

“The practice field?” asked Kit. “Was Tolin there?”

“Aye, he was there. Fighting his brothers in anger.”

“Why would he do that?” asked Brenna.

“Probably because they found out Kit and Tolin spent the night together and were giving him a hard time about it.”

Kit frowned and let out a deep sigh. “So Jarvis knew and told you.”

“Nay, he didn’t,” said Raven. “But you just did.”