The Kadin - Bertrice Small [182]
Ruth for all her innocence had recognized the look in Lord Hay’s eye the evening before. Awaking before her mother, she dressed quickly, and silently she slipped up the stairs to her mistress’s bedchamber. Hearing nothing she gently opened the door and peeked inside. Janet lay curled on her side sleeping peacefully. Lord Hay slept sprawled on his stomach. Softly closing the door Ruth went downstairs to the kitchens. It was still early, and few people were stirring.
Ruth helped herself to a large joint of cold meat, freshly baked bread a large honeycomb, and a pitcher of ale. Placing it all on a tray, she hurried upstairs again. She was extremely relieved to have passed no one, and therefore not had to explain the large meal she carried Her relief turned to horror when she reached Janet’s bedroom and found Dumb Jock, the castle’s slavey, lugging buckets of water into the room
“Don’t drop that tray, girl, or I’ll slap ye!”
“Mother, I—”
“You thought I would be shocked so yon meant to keep it from me. Lord child! I knew she would take a lover sooner or later. We’re no longer in the harem, and she needs a man. She has been lonely without one. Dont slop, Jock lad! Don’t look so worried, daughter. Jock will nae tell on her. She’s the first that’s been kind to him. At the sound of her voice, his whole face lights up. What a pity he canna speak. Take that tray into them now and get the wine from my lady’s cupboard.”
The fresh tub steamed before the newly kindled fire as Ruth set her tray down upon a table. She had added the crystal wine decanter and two goblets from Janet’s own service.
“Come here, Ruth,” said Lord Hay.
Shyly, eyes lowered, she approached the bed. The master of Graybaven sat up, and reaching out dropped two gold pieces down the girl’s bodice. Hands to her chest, Ruth blushed.
“Colin!” Janet’s voice was amused, and mildly reprimanding. “Please dinna tease my Ruth.”
Colin’s eyes twinkled, and he replied, “I thought she might help scrub my back, binny. Would ye, Ruth?”
Ruth looked terrified and gratefully fled at Janet’s dismissal.
“Colly! She’s a virgin and gently raised.”
“She’ll nae be a virgin long the way Red Hugh looks at her.” He turned back to Janet and enfolded her in an embrace. “You are warm, and soft, and,” he sniffed appreciatively, “you smell delicious.”
“I bathed before I slept”
“Bathe wi’ me now.”
“I have no need to bathe again.”
“Ye will, soon enough.” Laughing he kissed her hungrily, his kisses becoming deeper and sweeter.
“Pig,” she murmured weakly at him, her own body beginning to move in rhythm with his.
Minutes later he grinned down at her, and said, “Ye’ll need a bath now, sweetheart”
She laughed in spite of herself, got up, and climbing into the tub she asked him, “Dont ye ever take no for an answer?”
“No,” he replied, joining her.
Marian had thoughtfully provided a fresh, hard cake of soap that smelled like wildflowers, and Janet lathered herself liberally. Handing the soap to Lord Hay, she rinsed and climbed out of the tub. Drying off, she walked to the garderobe and emerged a few minutes later wearing a pale pink silk caftan and soft kid slippers. He had already toweled himself dry and was drawing on his trunk hose as she moved across the room and sat down at the table.
“Wine, or ale, m’lord?”
“Ale.” He sat down across from her.
Filling a goblet with ale and a plate high