Page 62 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Then I will protect your secret.”

While Serena would keep a careful watch on the woman, shewould give her the chance to change. How could she do less when her own hearthad changed from wanting to flee the Normans to wanting to wed one?

Before they finished, Maggie rushed in to check on herdaughter. Assured Cassie was doing well, she kissed her daughter’s forehead andhurried out to see to the returning men.

Serena rose from Cassie’s bedside. “I must speak to SirMaurin.”

“I will sit vigil through the night,” Aethel volunteered.

* * *

“Can I believe her?” Renaud asked Geoff as they ate theevening meal. He had watched Serena ascend the stairs, knowing she went to tendher handmaiden, and he had wondered then if she was back to stay.

“Only time will tell,” said Geoff. “Her tale was plausible.If Morcar and his brother seek vengeance on William, what better way to exactit than to rob one of his knights of his bride, as Edwin claims he was robbedof the king’s daughter?”

“A foolish thing for Edwin and Morcar to do if it happenedas she says,” replied Renaud, still angry at having to track his bride throughthe woods.

Maugris, who sat with them, leaned in to whisper. “Men behavefoolishly when it comes to beautiful women.” He sat back, his wizened facecrinkling in a smile.

“Indeed they do,” said Geoff with a chuckle, “especially ifthey can cook.”

“The both of you too easily excuse a man’s folly that nearlydeprived me of my bride,” said Renaud impatiently. “And now I have themercenary to contend with again.”

“Aye,” agreed Maugris. “That one is worthy of yourvengeance.”

Renaud still seethed at the knowledge the mercenary had beena part of stealing Serena. The bard had posed no obstacle to Sir Hugue’s evilintent. Would Serena have been the mercenary’s next victim had he not run atthe sound of their horses?

He had mixed feelings about Serena’s sincerity. She seemedfirm in her conviction to wed him yet he knew from William’s court thatbetrayal could come from one who feigned loyalty.

He had been eager to bed her when she was a mere servantwith dull brown hair and dressed in an ill-fitting tunic. Stripped of herdisguise, she was beautiful beyond compare. Standing in the woods in her greentunic, her violet eyes blazing and her red lips beckoning, he had fought theurge to take her into his arms and crush those lips beneath his. Had his mennot been with him, he might have done so. Yet he had also been tempted to shakeher for he had been maddened by the possibility she had lied once again.

Mathieu came to his side and whispered a message thatbrought a smile to his face. Turning from his companions, Renaud said, “If youwill forgive me, I’ve a mind to be alone with my lady.”

Leaving Geoff and Maugris with startled faces, his gazedrifted up to his chamber.

* * *

Serena sank into the steaming bath letting the water bringrelief to her aching muscles. The fight for Cassie’s life, which had onlybegun, had taken much from her. She loved the girl like a sister and thethought she could lose her weighed heavy on her mind.

Since Cassie was sleeping in Serena’s bed, Maggie hadarranged for Serena’s bath to be placed in the lord’s chamber. Seeing hiswarrior things strewn about she was instantly uncomfortable and wondered ifMathieu’s assurance that she would be left alone could be counted upon. Therewas no guard at the door.

Thoughts of the knight who slept here plagued her. She knewhe was angry even after her explanation. During their brief exchange of wordson the way back to Talisand, his steel gray eyes, as threatening as the bladesecured at his waist, portended ill. Might he still believe she left Talisandof her own accord? She had no desire to fight with him now, not when she hadfinally accepted the truth of her feelings. She had wanted to explain all thatwas in her heart, but the presence of his men and the concern for Cassie hadkept those thoughts locked within her.

By now, Sir Hugue would have made it back to Mercia, assumingCassie’s blade had not stopped him. If Morcar knew she was again in the handsof the Red Wolf, mayhap he would not pursue her. He had said he would soonleave for York. Was Steinar already there? She remembered the city, southeastof Talisand, only a short distance from Stamford Bridge where Eawyn’s husbandUlrich had fallen.

Picking up the rose scented soap, Serena scrubbed her bodyand hair. Once the soap was rinsed from her hair, she wrung the water from it,reached for the drying cloth and rose from her bath, wiping the water from herwet skin.

The door opened with no warning knock.

Serena gasped and pulled the cloth over her breasts andbelly, keenly aware her legs were bare for anyone to see.

The Red Wolf stepped into the chamber, his piercing graygaze sliding over her body and coming to rest where her breasts strainedagainst the thin cloth. She could feel the heat of her blush as she looked tosee the drying cloth clinging to her wet skin.

Without saying a word, he turned to the side and took offhis belt. Then, with a grunt, he pulled his mail over his head and struggledout of his tunic. She would have offered to help had she not been so scantilyclad. Had she not been so shy of his disrobing before her.

When his tunic slid to the floor, she nervously asked, “Whatdo you intend, my lord?”

“I should think that was obvious, my lady. I am claiming mybride.”