Page 37 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

Linnet’s eyes grew wide.

“I can read,” he forestalled her. “I just haven’t overmuch.”

“Except on manuals of strategy and warfare,” put in his brother who had appeared at the doorway.

“Oswald!”

He smiled at Linnet’s greeting. “Mason eats them up like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I need to swap them for books on agriculture and estate management,” Mason said, glowering at his brother. For some reason, he didn’t want Linnet thinking he was overly bloodthirsty.

“Mayhap you should supplement the instructional reading with some lighter material, Brother?” Oswald suggested. “Such as Sir Maurency’s tales of chivalry and romance.” Mason had opened his mouth to firmly refuse the offer, when his brother turned to Linnet. “If Mason is not so inclined, I would myself be very keen to read your illustrated manuscript Linnet.”

Linnet turned even pinker if possible. “Oh, but . . . ” She stared at her feet. “No one except my father ever read them . . . ” she admitted timidly. “My handiwork doesn’t really do justice to the subject matter . . . ”

“I’ll read it,” cut in Mason swiftly, shooting a glare at his brother. “Put the completed pages by my bedside and I will study them at my leisure.”

“Very well,” nodded Linnet. “But only if you find yourself so inclined.”

Mason opened his mouth to reply, but Cuthbert’s gentle snoring suddenly broke off and he sat up wiping his eyes. “I never done it!” he objected spiritedly. Then he blinked and looked around. “Oh,” he said calmly. “Just a dream.”

Little villain has a guilty conscience thought Mason grimly.

“Sleeping on the job, little man,” joked Oswald, ruffling his hair.

“Cuthbert and I have had a very busy day,” said Linnet proudly. “I visited my first shoemaker’s establishment, commissioned a tailor for the first time . . . ”

“And went in an inn, don’t forget,” interjected Cuthbert helpfully.

Linnet’s fixed smile wavered a little. “And visited my first inn,” she agreed hurriedly.

“A day of firsts,” chimed in Oswald agreeably, though he looked a bit shocked.

“An inn?” Mason said heavily.

“Shall we all make our way towards the great hall?” suggested Linnet breathlessly. “I think it must be supper time indeed.”

“Which inn?” he asked quietly.

“Um, I believe ’twas called The Bear.”

“The Bear and Staff,” Cuthbert corrected her.

“Just a small place in town,” she said, twisting her hands in her skirts.

“Why, ’tis the biggest inn in Upper Derring,” protested Cuthbert.

Mason felt the strangest flicker of anger and alarm. “What possessed you to go to an inn, Linnet?” he asked sharply. “Two unprotected females.”

“Oh but . . . ” she gulped. “Well, you will scarcely believe it, but Enid’s brother-in-law was kind enough to offer to join us and so we weren’t unaccompanied at all you see.”

“And I was there,” pointed out Cuthbert. “And Sir Chilton’s man, Lawton.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “Sir Chilton?” Now the alarm was fading but the anger was definitely kindling to a flame. “He accompanied you today?”

Oswald cleared his throat warningly, and Mason glanced up to find two servants stood agog in the doorway.

“Supper awaits you in the Hall, milords, milady,” the stouter one announced hurriedly, and the two bowed and backed out of the room with obvious reluctance.