The Kadin - Bertrice Small [179]
“From the moment I arrived she has been furious wi’ me. She had pictured some poor, beaten and elderly hag who she would begrudgingly feed and house—and she expected plaudits for her Christian generosity! She canna forgive me for being reasonably attractive in my old age, and a rich woman to boot!”
“Yer hardly old, madame. In fact I am seriously contemplating the delights of bedding ye.”
“Sir! I am widowed ten years, and a grandmother.”
“Madame! I see the full breasts of a young woman, a tiny waist that my hands could easily span; and I’ll wager beneath yer skirts are long legs, and soft, round hips. I would explore it all, Janet” He leaned over and kissed her neck. She trembled, for his lips burned her skin, and turning quickly away she began to talk to her brother. Beside her she heard Colin Hay laugh softly.
His admiration and obvious desire embarrassed her. The Turks were a sensual people, but never showed affection publicly. She wasn’t used to the freedom enjoyed here. She blushed to see the men around her openly admiring the women, and even caressing them.
Later an old minstrel sang songs that brought back to her memories of a childhood spent in this very castle. She stood, her back to the hall, gazing into the orange-red flames of a roaring fire and thinking about her life. Suddenly she jumped. Coming up behind her, Colin Hay had clamped his arm tightly around her waist He drew her back against him.
“I want you!” he whispered.
“Let me go,” she hissed at him, “or I shall shout the hall down!”
“I shall come tonight” he said quietly, and loosed her.
Angrily she stomped away to find her brother and bid him good night Adam Leslie and his wife sat on the dais listening to the songs.
“I bid ye good night Adam, and ye also, Anne.”
“So early, my dear,” said Adam.
“Adam,” said Lady Anne sweetly, “let yer sister go. At her age she needs her sleep.”
“But I go not to sleep, Anne. I go to bathe. For the last half hour yer servants hae been lugging water up to my tower. Ye might try it sometime. Not only does it soften the skin and keep it young looking, but it also banishes bad odors.” The lady Janet’s honeyed voice fooled no one.
Ruth appeared from the shadows to escort her mistress to her apartment. “Ye look like a thundercloud, madame.”
Janet whirled on her. “Of course I look like a thundercloud! I hae spent a lovely evening fending off my sister-in-law’s shrewish tongue and Lord Hay’s indecent proposals!”
Ruth began to giggle. “My lady is more than a match for Lady Anne. As to Lord Hay, all the men are lusty here. It is very different from our old home.”
A little smile touched Janet’s lips. “You like it, don’t ye Ruth? Ye are happy?”
“Oh yes, madame. I do, and I am!”
By now they had arrived at Janet’s tower apartment, and passing through the anteroom they climbed the last flight of stairs to the bedroom where Marian waited, dozing in a chair. The fire in the hearth burned high and hot, for Janet, with a complete disregard for her sister-in-law Anne’s sparing ways, had insisted on plenty of wood. Before the hearth stood a large, steaming, round oak tub.
“Let yer mother sleep, Ruth. Help me to undress and then take her to her bed.”
The younger woman helped Janet to disrobe and assisted her into the tub. Carefully Ruth brushed the green gown and placed it along with the rest of her mistress’s clothing and jewels in the garderobe off the bedroom. Gently she laid a sheer, black silk nightgown and robe at the foot of the bed.
“Marian,” called Janet quietly. The older woman woke. “Go to bed, my friend. Ruth, help yer mother to her bed and then come back to help me.”
Alone, Janet luxuriated in the warmth of the bath, the creamy, sweet-scented soap, and the quiet of the night She was having a proper Turkish bath put into her own house, but until then, this great, tall wooden tub would do her. Suddenly she felt a draft as the door to her bedroom opened. Lord Hay walked into the room.
“Good evening, my dear, Is yer tub big enough