Free A Witch's Tale by Karolyn Cairns Page B

“They were the product of Elizabeth’s ladies liaisons with
her courtiers. Some of them know who their parents were; some do not. They hope
to put such mysteries to rest here. It’s the first time they’ve been here since
they were left in my father’s care.”
    Madeline felt sad to think these five
handsome, engaging men were once infants, cast off at Rivenhahl to hide their
noble parent’s shame. She was touched to know they sought their fathers here,
eager to impress the men who sired them.
    Gaston’s ditty grew louder and more lewd. She
cringed and laughed at the man. Gavin smiled and leaned near her ear, his
breath making shivers of pleasure run down her neck.
    “You should always smile like that,
Madeline,” he whispered and the look of desire in his eyes made a stab of
longing form in her middle. She thought he would have kissed her then. She was
disappointed when he straightened and went back to watching his carousing men.
    Her yawns alerted him later. He rose from her
side; his hand out to her. She trembled as he pulled her to her feet. The
moment she dreaded and looked forward to arrived at last. They would retire.
Sir Gavin would take his reward of her. It would clear up the mystery of what
to expect. Her confusion was obvious when he saw her to their tent, parting the
flap for her to enter and stood aside. She eyed him at the entrance with a
questioning look.
    “Continue to look at me that way and we will
rush to seek my reward this night, Madeline,” he said quietly, his heated eyes
ravishing her where she stood.
    Madeline was left to question his intentions
as he pulled back the flap and returned to the fire with his men. She removed
her gown and folded it away, confused by his behavior. She also felt
disappointment, she realized with dismay.
    Madeline wanted Sir Gavin to rush in to seek
his reward, she admitted, coloring slightly in discomfort. From the moment he
saved her she was beset with such incredible feelings she forgot her own purposes.
    She was a witch, not some common wench to
whet the man’s appetites. Why then did she linger awake now in wait, hoping he
would come to her? She sighed in disgust and pulled back the fur blankets on the
bed. She slid in wearing only her shift and sighed with delight, finding the
bed heavenly to the ground.
    Madeline was soon fast asleep, the day’s long
end finally taking hold, her sleep blessedly dreamless. She didn’t rouse when
she was gently pushed backward to the wall of the tent, or feel a dip in the
bed as her companion joined her in the late evening hours. The tender kiss he
placed upon her forehead was neither felt nor acknowledged. The weary knight
pulled her into his powerful arms, bringing her sighing in contentment against
his hard chest.

~****~Chapter
Six~****~
    Tonight is the night
    When dead leaves fly
    Like witches on switches
    Across the sky,
    When elf and sprite
    Flit through the night
    On a moony sheen.
    ~By Harry Behn
     
    Madeline felt wondrously rested when she
awoke. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw she was alone in the bed. She sat up
and looked about, frowning to see more added luxury showed up in the night. She
shook her head and frowned at the men’s daring.
    A larger chest sat at the end of the bed now.
She got up and inspected it, delighted to find it filled with linens, pots,
pans, and other household items. A stack of crates and boxes sat in the corner.
They were filled with food items. She frowned to think the knights pilfered
among these nobles, worrying they would be caught.
    She peeked out the flap of the tent and saw
the campsite was deserted, the fire dying in the dawn’s glow. She dressed
hurriedly and fed the fire, before returning to inspect the crates for what she
would feed six hulking knights to break the fast.
    Madeline was delighted to find fresh eggs,
cheese, and blood sausages within. She took a large cast iron pan and before
long had a tasty porridge made. She was breaking bread for them when they