Free My Lady Faye by Sarah Hegger Page B

thankful streak of wisdom stopped him from offering her his lap. She was already too close for comfort. And the Lord only knew what the good tavern folk would make of a priest with a postulant cuddled in his arms. A pretend priest with no tonsure. Fuel for confession on his return to the Abbey.
    A woman giggled to his left. Clothes rustled, more giggling and whispering. A sigh, a man’s voice and an unmistakable grunt. The Lord had a perverse sense of humor at times. The corner of his eye twitched as his blood stirred in response to the rutting couple. Desire. Nay, he could not risk that with Faye right here. Priests did not rut. However much they wanted to.
    Faye leant forward and gasped. “Gregory.” She tugged at his sleeve. “That couple…they are…Gregory!” Her face flamed as she stared, wide-eyed past him.
    The grunting increased, interspersed with soft feminine moans.
    Enough. He leapt to his feet and tugged Faye with him. A woman murmured in her sleep as he hauled Faye through the inn.
    She tripped, her gaze still locked on the fornicating couple.
    Gregory righted her and placed her in front of him. With a shove, he got her moving toward the door.
    “Gregory.” She gawked as she spun toward him. “They were—”
    “Aye.” He didn’t need to hear it. His face burned, but his shaft reacted in a predictable and disgraceful manner. He marched Faye away from the door. “We will sleep beneath the cart.”
    “I—”
    “These are common folk, my lady.” He used her title as deliberate reminder to his traitorous flesh that she was not to be considered in that manner. “They do not have the luxury of walls or doors.”
    “Good Lord.” She choked and a small giggle escaped her.
    He was behaving like the worst sort of prude. Father Piety was an apt name for him. Most priests understood the needs of their flock and turned a blind eye.
    “Consider my eyes opened.” She hugged her arms around her chest and grinned in delight.
    He pulled on her arm. An answering smile spread across his face. “Come on.”
    * * * *
    Faye followed Gregory through the cool quiet to where their cart was pulled up inside the trees. It looked like any of the other carts and she wouldn’t have known one from the other. Trees blocked the moonlight and all she could make out were the darker shapes of the penned beasts. “Why are we outside?”
    Gregory tugged the sacking from the back of the cart. “We will sleep here.”
    “Outside.” She didn’t fancy that. The trees towered huge and gloomy all about her.
    He disappeared beneath the cart and rustled around. “It is for the best.”
    “I would much rather sleep inside.” The floor may be hard, but at least it was beneath a roof. There were creatures in the dark. Small noises came from the trees.
    “We cannot sleep inside.” Gregory reappeared and stood. “It is not suitable for you.”
    “Neither is sleeping outside.” Anything could happen to her out here.
    “My lady.” He stopped in front of her, so large, it blocked her view of the trees. “You should not be exposed to what happens in there.”
    Faye laughed. “I’m no sheltered maiden, Gregory. I can tolerate a bit of—”
    “You sleep there.” He jabbed his finger at the cart. “I will sleep out here.”
    An owl hooted and she jumped.
    “If you are making me sleep outside, you will sleep with me beneath the cart.” Close enough to grab if something furry with large teeth came out of the trees.
    “Faye.” He dropped his chin to his chest. “It is not proper. I will sleep close enough to hear if anything is amiss.”
    “Nay.” She glared at the shadowy shapes of the leaves against the gloom. “None of this is proper, and I am afeared to sleep alone.”
    He gestured to the ground. “I will be right here.”
    “It would be better if you were closer.”
    “Nay.” He drew himself up to his full height and folded his arms.
    Faye wanted to kick him. Gregory being stubborn. “I shall not be able to