Page 66 of Lord of Misrule

“Of course, I have feelings for Kit. More so than any woman I’ve ever met,” he told Raven.

“Well, you have an odd way of showing it.”

He frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“The gossip going around the castle is that you felt sorry for her and that is the only reason you bedded her. Because she deserved a little pleasure in her humdrum, horrible life. How could you do such a thing and then brag about it afterwards? No wonder the poor girl left. I would too, if I were her.” Her baby started crying and she bounced it in her arms.

“That’s why she left?” he said, not knowing this. “God’s teeth. She must think I am some kind of ogre.”

“Well, aren’t you?”

“Nay. I only said those things to my brothers and Jarvis because they were making me feel like a loser. I swear, they’re not true.”

“Then mayhap you should try telling that to Kit.”

“My lady, my lord, come quickly.” Jarvis ran up to the door breathing heavily. “She’s writhing in pain and screaming and I don’t know what to do.”

“Jarvis, slow down,” growled Tolin. “Now what the hell are you talking about?”

“It’s the baker’s sister. She is having her baby,” Jarvis blurted out.

“Brenna’s in labor?” Raven’s head popped up. “The midwife needs to be summoned immediately. Have you done that?” asked Raven.

“Well, nay,” said Jarvis with a shrug. “I just came to find the two of you.”

“I’ll get the midwife. Jarvis, go to the stables and tell Oliver that his wife is in labor.” Raven shoved her baby into Tolin’s hands again.

“Wait. Why are you giving me Sparrow?” asked Tolin.

“Because you are not in your right mind so we’ll handle this. You just watch your niece.” She left the room. Jarvis looked over at Tolin and shrugged.

“I’m the one not in my right mind and yet she gives her baby to me?” mumbled Tolin. “Explain that one.”

“Now Lady Raven’s got you playing nursemaid.” Jarvis grinned.

Tolin looked down to the baby in his arms. The little girl looked up at him and smiled. “You are kind of cute,” he said, tapping the baby on the nose. The little girl grabbed his finger and started sucking on it. Unfortunately, this only made him think of Kit and the intimate night they’d spent together. It rattled him in every way possible. He needed to talk to Kit and this time explain to her how he really felt about her. “Take the baby,” he said, pushing the child into Jarvis’ hands.

“Me?” asked Jarvis. “Nay, I have to tell Oliver about his wife.” He gave the baby back.

“I’m your lord, and you will do as I order. I’ll find Oliver.” Sparrow went back the other way again. “Now get the child to the nursemaid and then tell Raven that I have gone to town to bring back Brenna’s sister.”

“You’re going to get Kit?” asked Jarvis, awkwardly holding the child. “I thought she refused to come back with you. How are you going to change her mind?”

“Don’t be addled,” he said. “The girl’s sister is having a baby. She’ll want to be here.”

“Oh, aye. I suppose that will work.” The baby wailed and Jarvis made a face, trying to jostle the baby to make her stop crying. “I’ll never understand why anyone would want one of these,” he mumbled, leaving the room.

“I do,” said Tolin under his breath, knowing exactly what he was going to tell Kit and hoping she would forgive him for being such an ass.

Kit was in the bakery cleaning up the mess when she heard the sound of hoofbeats stopping in front of her store. Willis and some of the men from town were trying to repair some of the walls. They had only a few boards and some hammers and nails. Vivian was still sweeping up the mess with Kit.

“Kit, isn’t that Lord Tolin?” asked Vivian.

Kit looked over and stretched her neck to see. Sure enough, he was there again, probably devising some plan to get her to return to the castle.

“I don’t care,” she said, not bothering to look at him as he entered the door-less store.

“Kit, come quickly,” he called out.