Free A Witch's Tale by Karolyn Cairns Page A

the screen. “Please hurry.”
    “Are you done with the soap?”
    She stood up from the tub and grabbed a
toweling sheet. After wrapping it around herself, she grabbed the bar of soap
and handed it around the panel. His large hand took the soap from her. Her
fingers felt burned by the touch of his. She drew back quickly, disturbed by
thoughts of him nude beyond the changing screen.
    She used her time to dress. The lavender gown
was beautiful and fit her to perfection. Madeline smoothed the gown over her
hips, pleased that Sir Gaston had insisted. The gown was the finest thing she’d
ever worn and she felt giddy of it. The richness of the silver thread
embroidered into the sleeves made her want to exclaim in delight.
    She combed her hair and plaited it, weaving
silver ribbon into her hair. She just tied off the long braid that hung to her
waist when she heard him get out of the tub. She tried the slippers she found
in the chest. She chuckled to see they nearly fit, if but a bit too big. Lord
Lyon had small feet, that much was obvious.
    The thought of the nobleman cavorting about
in women’s clothes made her almost burst out giggling. She waited for Gavin as
she heard him dress. He came around the screen and handed her the rag and soap
and borrowed her comb.
    Watching him rip through his long raven
tresses, she soon interrupted and offered to comb his hair. He sat at the edge
of the tub and handed her the comb. She painstakingly combed it free of
tangles. His gaze caught and held hers. She was assailed with the longings
again, mesmerized by his green-eyed stare.
    “You have a gentle touch, Madeline,” he told
her, his lips curving appreciatively.
    “You have no patience, Sir Gavin,” she said
and tore her gaze free of his. “What you need is a haircut, Sir Knight.”
    “Aye, me and all the men,” he agreed as he
stood up, towering over her and eyeing her appreciatively, his gaze filled with
pleasure to see her new gown. “That color is more than cheerful. It is joyous
on you.”
    She blushed at his complimentary words and
looked away. “Sir Gaston picked it out. I’m glad you approve.”
    “You look lovely in it, Madeline,” he told
her with a warm smile. “Now wasn’t it worth it to come here for the pleasure of
a real bath?”
    “I cannot deny it was worth it, but I have no
desire to meet those who frequent such a place at the door,” she countered with
an arched brow. “May we leave now?”
    “In a hurry, are you?”
    “Sir Gavin, I am about to run. Does that not
sum up my eagerness to get out of here?” she asked in annoyance. He laughed
heartily as he grabbed her bundle from her, guiding her out of the bathing
chamber.
    ****
    They arrived back to find his men well into
their cups. Gavin joined them at the fireside. Gaston had a guitar and soon
their rousing singing brought her out of the tent to sit with them, chuckling
at their antics. Two of the knights were dancing together, making them laugh
loudly.
    She was disturbed to feel Gavin’s eyes upon
her, caressing her much changed appearance. The other knights flirted with her shamelessly
too. For a time she could forget she was a condemned witch and not the fine
lady they treated her.
    Gavin came near and handed her a cup of wine.
She hesitated and he grinned.
    “A witch is allowed to drink spirits when not
conjuring them, Madeline,” he urged and smiled. “Let us not let the men’s
efforts be for naught.”
    She smiled as she accepted the wine,
surprised he knew his men stole all they now enjoyed. “How did you know?”
    “Lord Lyon would appear to be without a skirt
this night,” he drawled and she giggled.
    “They meant only to see to your comfort,” she
said and smiled. “They love you.”
    Gavin smiled indulgently as he viewed his
men’s drunken revelry. “They were raised with me from the time of their birth.”
    Madeline frowned. “Who were all their
parents?”
    Gavin shrugged and his expression tightened
in obvious sympathy.