Free Suzanne Robinson by Lady Defiant Page B

of his craving for her had caught him unprepared, and he hadn’t been able to stop himself from approaching her, which had frightened her.
    Once frightened, she had avoided him, and no amount of feigned sickness had brought her back. After three days, he’d grown as randy as his own stallion. As the hours passed and Oriel stayed away, his indignation grew.
    Who was she to ignore him? He had captured the hearts of French, Italian, and English women of high and low degree. He was being grievously insulted—no treated as if he were a leper. Each day that went by saw his frustration and his determination grow until he vowed to himself that no cloistered little spinster would scorn and defy him.
    He’d been so disturbed by Oriel’s rejection he’d almost lost sight of his real task, which was to search out any privy knowledge kept by Thomas Richmond about the vows taken by Anne Boleyn and Henry Percy. This evening he would join the family at table, and there he would begin his prying. He would make himself agreeable to the old man, mayhap by enlisting his aid in pressing suit with Oriel. Thomas had visited him several times, and he’d taken care to win the old man’s regard by praising Oriel. Thomas seemed most fond of the girl, and perchance through her, he could court the uncle’s friendship.
    Meantime, since the evening meal was two hours away, he would spend the time setting lures for the elusive Oriel. Blade slipped his arm out of the black silk sling the apothecary had fashioned for him and rose. He crossed to a window seat and picked up an ivory lute.
    The withdrawing chamber was a small room, the walls of which were faced in mahogany. The gleaming wood had been carved in rectangular panels two hand spans in length. These panels marched up and down the walls except where they were interrupted by a door setin a pointed arch, and by the fireplace, with its white marble chimneypiece. The size of the room, the paneling, and the fire combined to make the chamber warm and welcoming.
    Carrying the lute, Blade returned to his chair near the fire and placed his right hand over the strings. Propping his sore arm on the chair, he plucked a chord, winced, and began tuning. He was twisting an ivory peg when someone pounded at the door. Before he could answer, the chamber was invaded by the three Richmond brothers, followed by Uncle Thomas.
    “How do you this e’en, my lord?” asked Uncle Thomas. He shook his head when Blade offered his chair.
    “Well, I thank you, Sir Thomas.”
    Lord George stalked over to the fire and thrust his hands out toward it.
    “We’ve been hunting those thieves who attacked you,” he said.
    Leslie came to stand behind Blade’s chair and leaned on the back of it. “Yes, but there’s no sign of them since that fellow brought you to us. We’ll have to start afresh tomorrow.”
    “I wouldn’t,” Blade said as he plucked a lute string.
    “Why not, pray you?” asked Robert. He was the tallest of the three and had to duck as he lowered himself into the window seat.
    “Your thief is Jack Midnight, a highwayman of surpassing talent and wit. By now he’s fled the north country altogether.”
    Thomas leaned on his walking stick and surveyed Blade. “Know you this ruffian, my lord? How haps it that you’re so familiar with thieves?”
    “We’ve met before, near Blackheath, and he spared me for old times’ sake.”
    “A most garrulous and merciful outlaw, this Jack Midnight,” said Thomas, “that he would spare your life and those of your men when he hasn’t spared others.”
    “As I said, we’re old acquaintances.”
    “Curious company you keep,” Robert said.
    Leslie moved to stand beside Blade. “Ah, thievery. I’ve often thought rampaging about and stealing from rich fools like our George would suit me.”
    George scowled at his youngest brother, but it was Robert who responded. “You surprise me not, given your laziness and aversion to all honest labor. But I warrant even