Nicholas clenched his jaw and reminded himself of this man’s influence and wealth. “That she is a pretty, weak and foolish girl whose head could be easily turned. I have no desire to have such a potentially troublesome maidservant in my household.”
Lord Chesleigh relaxed. “Ah, I see. Very wise, my lord, very wise.”
Nicholas didn’t think the man meant that for a moment. He was probably the sort of nobleman who’d been brought up to believe that maidservants were his by right, there to satisfy him whenever and however he required.
Robert hurried up to the high table. “My lord?”
“We wish to have dancing, Robert. Inform the musicians.”
“At once, my lord.”
He turned to go, but Nicholas couldn’t resist the urge to call him back. “I see the Scots thane isn’t in the hall.”
“No, my lord. It’s my understanding he went to the village and hasn’t yet returned.”
Lord Chesleigh gave a sly chuckle. “No doubt to partake of the twin temptations of the tavern.”
At that very moment, Sir George drunkenly raised his goblet and called out for more wine. Robert gave a barely perceptible shrug, then hurried off to fetch the musicians they’d hired until Lammas.
“It would seem, my lord,” Nicholas remarked, “that the same temptations are shared by many men, wherever they are born and bred.”
“Lady Eloise’s poor mother was forever at her prayers,” Lord Chesleigh replied, nodding at Sir George. “Married to such a sot, she must have had plenty of cause to pray for patience, help and guidance.”
“All of us should pray for those things.”
Lord Chesleigh clearly hadn’t expected that answer. “Yes, well, naturally…although it’s obvious God has other rewards to bestow,” he finished with a gesture that encompassed the hall.
Still mindful of the man’s place at court, Nicholas didn’t tell him that if God saw fit to reward him, it wasn’t simply because he prayed. He’d earned it, through hard work and sacrifice and in the spilling of blood, both his and other men’s.
Fortunately, before he said something he’d regret, Lady Joscelind returned. She’d dabbed a bit more perfume on herself, and taken off the silver circlet and pale blue scarf she’d worn at dinner. Her shining blond braids hung down past her waist and were bound with silver casings.
“I wanted to be cooler for the dancing,” she explained in answer to his unspoken question, and with a charming smile as he dutifully led her out to join the other nobles forming a circle for a round dance.
Sir George was barely able to stop swaying as he waited beside his daughter. The Earl of Eglinburg looked as if he had indigestion, while his daughter seemed dwarfed by Sir Jamesof Keswick. Quite unnoticed by her kinsman D’Anglevoix, Lady Lavinia smiled coyly at Audric.
That was an interesting development, Nicholas thought as the tabor player began a jaunty rhythm. Maybe he wouldn’t have to worry about finding a diplomatic way to tell Lady Lavinia and D’Anglevoix that she wouldn’t be his choice.
“I’m so delighted you agreed to the dancing, my lord,” Lady Joscelind said softly as she stepped from left to right in front of him.
As she moved, Nicholas could appreciate why Lord Chesleigh had suggested this activity. His daughter was an accomplished dancer, it seemed, both elegant and graceful.
“Anything I can do to accommodate you, my lady, is my pleasure,” he replied.
She raised her eyes for an instant, then lowered them again as if looking at him directly was both a bold and irresistible impulse, and one of which she was ashamed.
He was sure that was very effective on green lads and young knights, but he was neither, and he’d seen such a coy gesture many times before, from all sorts of women, so it had little effect on him.
They turned, raised the hands that were closest to one another and, their palms together, walked down the hall in time to the music before turning and making a few more steps in place.
Lady Riona wasn’t coy, nor did she pretend to be, and he’d always preferred bold women. Still, as he’d said to Henry before his brother left, these were different circumstances, and in spite of the desire Riona aroused in him, he should never have suggested going to his solar. He still couldn’t understand how he’d been so weak and foolish as to give in to the temptation to kiss her.
Yes, he could. Only she, of all the other women he’d ever met, made him forget everything else when he was with her. Only she inspired that incredible, undeniable passion that made him put the need to kiss her above anything else. Unfortunately, only she, of all the women who’d come here to try to become his bride, was completely unsuitable.
“Have I offended you, my lord?” Lady Joscelind asked, her alabaster brow furrowed with worry.
“No.”
“Then you are preoccupied with serious matters?”
