Free The Unconventional Maiden by June Francis Page A

Should she refuseit? She decided that would be churlish; besides, she was hungry. She went over to the door and opened it, intending to thank him politely, accept the food and wish him a good-night and close the door.
    But he was too swift for her and barged right in before she could speak or prevent him from entering the bedchamber. She watched with annoyance as he strode over to the window and placed the tray on the table there. Instantly she remembered the sheet of paper with her scribblings on it and almost ran after him. Obviously he had come to spy on her! She was too late, for already he had picked up the sheet of paper.
    ‘I see you have been writing despite hurting your finger,’ said Gawain, glancing down the page.
    ‘Please, give that to me! You have no right to read it.’
    She tried to take it from him, but he brushed her hand away and carried on deciphering her untidy script. When he came to the end, he lifted his dark head and stared at her.
    ‘Boiling in oil? Stung to death by bees? Do my words and one kiss really merit such a fate?’ There was a quiver of amusement in his voice.
    ‘I was angry,’ she muttered, lowering her gaze and toying with the binding on her finger.
    ‘So was I, but I would not have considered meting out such punishment to you for your rudeness,’ he said idly, his eyes running over the page again.
    ‘No, you simply silenced and threatened me in a manner you thought fit,’ she said indignantly.
    ‘But I did not silence you, did I? You still ran onand judged my relationship with my wife and children without knowing the facts.’ His voice was flat. ‘I should put you on bread and water and take away your writing implements and paper. Then when you feel ready to beg my pardon for your ill manners, I should refuse to accept your apology and send you home with Sam and Jane and leave you to your fate.’
    Beth’s head shot up and there was a sparkle in her eyes. ‘Then send me home. It is what I want, after all. But you won’t, will you? Because if I was left to fend for myself, then I could prove how well I could manage without you. My thoughts were for my eyes only and you should have respected my privacy. Although, you can’t really believe I want you boiled in oil or stung to death by bees.’ She could not resist adding in an undertone, ‘I pity the poor bees who would attempt such an act.’
    ‘If your words are meant to be some sort of apology then you really do need to curb your tongue and learn a few lessons in good manners,’ said Gawain, a glint in his eyes. ‘Explain why you pity the bees?’
    She bit her lower lip. ‘I spoke without thinking. Couldn’t I just beg your pardon?’
    ‘No, you are not getting off so easily!’ Gawain folded his arms across his chest. ‘The thought must have come from somewhere. Explain what you meant, Mistress.’
    ‘It was just a jest.’
    ‘Then why am I not laughing?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘Perhaps you were insinuating that their stings would have difficulty penetrating my hide because I am tough and unfeeling. If so, I would like to know onwhat hypothesis you have come to that conclusion? You scarcely know me.’
    ‘And that is why my father should not have made you my guardian,’ said Beth promptly, a flush on her cheeks. ‘Now I would rather not continue with this conversation, if you please.’
    ‘In that case, all I have to say is that your time would be better spent considering the kind of husband who would suit you so our relationship can be terminated as soon as possible, rather than you waste it writing nonsense.’ He gathered together her writing implements and the sheet of paper containing her scribblings before she could make a move to prevent him.
    ‘No!’ she cried. ‘Please, I beg your pardon! Forgive me and return them to me!’
    He ignored her protests, telling himself that he should never have given in to the impulse to show compassion towards her. What she had written down proved that she