Free Touch of Gold: (Rumpelstiltskin) (Tangled Tales Series Book 4) by Elizabeth Rose

a way out of here now.”
    “Do not keep talking about escaping in front of the handmaid,” said Kin, looking over the top of her head into the room. “And God’s eyes, put those sheets back on the bed or someone is going to think we’ve had a romp. I assure you, the baron won’t take kindly to anyone trying to bed his betrothed.”
    “A romp?” she asked loudly, then lowered her voice. “A romp? Is that all you can think of at a time like this? For your information, I was going to tie sheets together and lower myself out the window.”
    “And then what?” he asked, looking very amused. “Swim the moat after you outrun the guards and get past the spikes with the heads?”
    “Don’t remind me about that,” she said, rubbing her throat as she spoke. “And where is my father?”
    “He’s the only one I don’t have to worry about,” said Kin. “He’s in the great hall enjoying his last hours by indulging in a drink or two.”
    “A drink? No! You’ve got to stop him. My father tends to tell more lies when he’s drunk, and I think we’re in enough trouble as it is.”
    “My lady, I’ll make up the bed for you,” came Ruth’s voice as she started to put the sheets back on the pallet.
    “Why did you bring her up here?” spat Olivia, narrowing her eyes and gritting her teeth. “It’s only going to make it harder for me to escape if I’ve got her hanging on my elbow.”
    “My thoughts exactly,” he said with a smile. “She’ll keep you out of trouble while I decide how to handle the baron. Now I warn you, don’t do anything foolish. I’ll handle this.”
    “For how much?” she asked, fingering the pearls around her neck. His eyes followed her hand down to her cleavage, and she saw him wet his lips with his tongue.
    “One thing at a time. I’ll come to you when I have more information. Now, I’ll tell the baron you are feeling ill and won’t be able to join us for the meal.”
    “Ill? I’m starving. Or have you forgotten I haven’t eaten yet today?”
    “I remember. I’ll send my squire up with food and drink later. In the meantime, stay in your room and don’t let anyone enter.”
    “What about her?” Olivia turned and looked over her shoulder at the handmaid. The girl had made the bed and was now fluffing the goose-down pillows.
    “Since you are so messy, I think you should take a lesson from her in how to manage a household. After all, once you’re married to the baron, you’ll be the lady of the castle and expected to handle these types of things.”
    “Go away!” she said, slamming the door in his face, able to hear him chuckling as he headed down the corridor.
     
    * * *
     
    After ten tankards of ale, Kin was finally able to convince the baron to wait until tomorrow before he had Olivia spin wool into gold. With the meal finished, all Kin wanted was to sleep off the drunken stupor he’d gotten himself into in the process of trying to get the baron drunk.
    Kin spotted his squire coming across the great hall and met him halfway.
    “Did you manage to convince the baron to wait until tomorrow with his plans?” asked Quaid.
    “Aye,” Kin answered, feeling unsteady on his feet. “However, it took ten tankards of ale to do it. Egads, for a small man, the baron can drink anyone under a table.”
    “Speaking of that, I’m keeping an eye on the miller as you suggested,” Quaid announced. “He’s drunk as usual and sleeping it off under the far table by the hearth.”
    “Good,” said Kin. “At least we know he won’t be telling any more stupid lies or trying to escape. I only hope the girl is as accommodating. Did you bring her food and ale as I instructed?”
    “I did my lord,” said Quaid, holding out his hand to keep Kin from falling over. “And I had a pallet brought into her chamber for you, just as you’ve instructed.”
    “It’s not for me, you fool! It is for her handmaid. I wanted the handmaid to stay with Olivia at all times, so she doesn’t try to