Free HealingPassion by Katherine Kingston Page A

with Lady Juliana running the keep?”
    “Indeed. The lady is quite adept at it. She’s much better at
organizing affairs and keeping them running smoothly than my Lord Groswick was.
And she has a way with people as well.”
    “What will happen when Lord Groswick returns?” Thomas asked
him.
    The man froze as he turned to look at something outside. His
face paled and his eyes widened. He took two deep harsh breaths before he
responded. “Do you think it likely he’ll return, my lord? You said he never met
the Prince and no one has heard from him.”
    “I think all here are hoping he will not. But you know the
king will grant the lordship to someone else of his choosing once he’s
convinced Lord Groswick is dead.”
    “Aye, I know. Is that all, my lord?”
    “Nay, are you this insolent when dealing with Lady Juliana?”
    The man turned whiter, then a tide of red crept up under his
skin. “Nay, my lord. I beg your pardon. I meant no offense. ‘Tis just that I
worry for Lady Juliana. I fear your inquiries can only cause her pain and make
her situation worse. Please, my lord, if you have any compassion for her, leave
here now and ask no more questions.”
    “And what would you suggest I tell the king?”
    “Tell him Lord Groswick has disappeared and you have no idea
where he has gone.”
    “Right now, that is, in fact, all I know to be true,” Sir
Thomas admitted.

Chapter Six
     
    Juliana seemed more apprehensive than usual at dinner that
evening. The smile she gave to those around her as she made her way to the
table on the dais looked forced and faded too quickly. Her hand even shook a
bit when she picked up her cup.
    “My lady, are you nervous?” he asked.
    She turned a surprised look on him. “Why do you think that,
my lord?”
    He nodded to the drops of red wine splashed on the white
table cloth. “Your hand is less than steady.”
    She sighed and set the cup back down. A small drop of red
wine clung to a corner of her mouth. He wanted to kiss it off, but contented
himself with wiping his finger across it, collecting the moisture. As she
watched, eyes wide and yearning, he brought the finger to his mouth and licked
the droplet of wine off it.
    “I suppose I’m not quite… Aye, I’m somewhat tense.”
    “Is it the bath I promised you?” He spoke low so that only
she could hear his words. He loved the way the rose pink blush colored her
cheeks. “Juliana, if you truly don’t wish it, I’ll not force it on you. I’ll
never force anything on you you don’t want. And if we go ahead, and I do
anything you don’t like, you’ve but to say the word and I’ll stop. Do you trust
me that far?”
    She looked up at him and nodded. Her hesitance suggested the
decision to trust was not an easy one for her. What had Lord Groswick done to
her to make her this way? Still, his heart expanded at that sign of confidence
in him.
    Dinner took too long. Far too long. Though he enjoyed the
food, the wine, and the conversation, he wanted it over long before it was.
    And then afterward, he had to wait for her to arrive. The
tub was set up and servants hauled buckets of water to fill it as he got back
to his quarters after the meal. He sent Ralf and Bertram off again. Ralf had
the cheek to give him a crooked grin and a wink as he left, and ducked a
feigned blow.
    “Have a good evening, my lord,” Ralf wished him as he left.
“Do not swim too deep.” It was a tease, but there was also a hint of warning
there. Thomas didn’t make the mistake of disregarding it completely.
    “I’ll swim no deeper than I may. I have no plans to drown
here.”
    The boy nodded and left.
    Juliana entered a few minutes later, unescorted. She looked
around with guilty hesitance.
    “We’re private here,” he said. “My men will not interrupt.
Would you have me bar the door so none may enter, or would you feel more secure
were I to leave it unbarred that you may run away from me more quickly?”
    Her smile was small and nervous still.