Free Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor Page B

her a bit of it. “It smells wonderful,” she said, taking a small piece and placing it in her mouth.
    And coated in honey butter, it tasted even better.
    Swallowing the bread, she watched Simon as he looked around the hall.
    â€œWhy is it you think your brother won’t be pleased?” she asked.
    â€œHe would rather have this place fall in upon his ears than see it—” He broke himself off as if catching his words. “Did I say that aloud?”
    â€œAye, you did.”
    Simon quirked his head. “Then Draven is right, I should better counsel my tongue.”
    â€œI say you should counsel it less,” she teased. “For I would like to know.”
    â€œAnd I would like to keep my tongue in my head. Should Draven catch me spilling out his thoughts, like as not, I shall find it quickly removed.”
    She could well understand his wish not to make his brother angry. From what she had seen, Draven could indeed cause much damage to someone should anger possess him.
    â€œNow, milady,” Simon said with a curt bow. “If you’ll excuse me, I should like to get this armor off for it chafes in places I cannot mention in mixed company.”
    Unsure of what she should say, she watched as Simon made his way through the bustling scrubbing maids and workmen.
    â€œThis is a strange place, lady,” Alys said when they were again alone.
    â€œIt is indeed.” Emily shared her bread with her maid. “Why do you think Lord Draven refuses to have a table?”
    â€œI cannot imagine. Perhaps for the same reason you are breaking bread with your maid?”
    Emily smiled gently. “You are more family than servant, you know that.”
    â€œAye, but don’t you think Lord Simon thought it strange that you sit here with me?”
    She nodded. “No doubt he found my habit as strange as I find Lord Draven’s. But I doubt Lord Draven thinks of servants as family. From what I have seen, he keeps his own company.”
    Nay, there was much more to His Lordship. Things she couldn’t even begin to fathom.
    â€œYou know, milady,” Alys said, drawing her attention. “Lord Draven has given you a perfect opportunity to seek him out.”
    â€œI was just thinking that,” Emily said as she pushed her trencher aside. “After all, the least I could do is thank him for his efforts.”
    â€œA kiss should do as a nice thank-you.”
    â€œAlys,” she scolded. “I could never be so…so…so forward.”
    Alys laughed so hard, she choked on her bread.
    Emily patted her on the back. “You’re not amusing.”
    â€œNay, milady, but your comment certainly was,” she said as she coughed to clear her throat. “I’ve seldom known you not to be forward.”
    Emily bit her lip impishly. “I know. ’Tis a terrible thing I am told.”
    â€œTerrible or not, if milady wishes to catch the raven, she must lay the trap, and no one ever laid a successful trap by being timid with the lure.” Alys stood up and pulled at Emily’s kirtle to lower the neckline.
    â€œAlys!” Emily said insistently, trying to tug it back into place.
    â€œOh, ’tis just a little,” she said, smoothing Emily’s veil and pulling one curly tendril of hair free of the linen to drape on the right side of her face.
    Alys tilted her head to study Emily’s face, then squinted. “Nay.” She shook her head. “Too nunnish for our intents.”
    Reaching up, Alys unpinned the veil from her head, placed the pins in her mouth, then fluffed and smoothed Emily’s hair with her hands.
    Again, Alys studied her for several seconds before she nodded and removed the pins from her mouth. “There now. Pretty as an angel. But remember, ’tis not angelic thoughts you should be having.”
    Emily rolled her eyes.
    Alys pinched a bit of color into Emily’s cheeks. “Moisten your lips and be