“I suppose we should be alittlecircumspect,” she said with a note of real regret, “at least until we have Merrick’s permission. I don’t want everyone watching us.”
“They’re watching us right now. They’vebeenwatching us ever since you arrived. We seem to make a very fascinating couple.”
“We may not be able to keep our desire to marry a secret much longer anyway,” Bea conceded, finding it too difficult to ignore or prevent his clandestine caresses. “Maloren was awake and waiting when I returned to our chamber. I had to tell her about us.”
Ranulf rolled his eyes and, rather to her dismay, took his roving hand away. “Poor little Lady Bea. Is that why she’s not here, either? She fell into a fit at your bad news and is lying in bed, one hand to her forehead, moaning and cursing me and my red hair?”
Bea laughed and shook her head. “She’s accepted the inevitable and still wants to tend our children, even if they have red hair.”
Ranulf looked genuinely shocked. “No!”
“Yes, it’s true,” Bea said pertly, and with a virtuous expression. “Maloren believes that with my help, we can help them overcome their naturally sinful natures.”
“Be careful how you tease me, Bea,” he warned, “or I’m liable to forget my position as castellan and kiss you here and now.”
“And cause a scandal?” she replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Oh, surely not!”
Her voice dropped to such a sultry whisper, he very nearly did forget he was the castellan when she said, “I would prefer to wait until we can be alone.”
“God’s blood, Bea,” he pleaded quietly. “Have mercy, or I’ll have to pick you up and carry you to my bed.”
“Have mercy onme, my lord,” she returned. “Surely you know there’s nowhere I’d rather be.” She rose. “Unfortunately, I have more mundane duties that require my attention.”
“As do I,” he replied, likewise standing. “And I’d better be about them.”
“Until later then, my lord.”
He made a deep and formal bow. “Until later, Lady Beatrice.”
WHENRANULF REACHEDthe courtyard, he was surprised to see Kiernan standing near the stables, finishing what appeared to be the heel of a loaf of bread. Spotting Ranulf heading toward him, the young knight tossed what remained aside, causing several gulls to swoop down from the battlements to fight over the crust.
“Good morning, Kiernan,” Ranulf said, barely managing not to smile, or laugh, or ask him about Celeste. “We missed you at mass.”
Kiernan blushed. “I overslept.”
I’ll wager you did, Ranulf thought.
The young man straightened his shoulders and his expression grew determined. “I’ve decided there’s no need to rush back to Tregellas, after all,” he said. “I fear I’ve wronged both you andLady Beatrice by implying there was any need for haste. And she may require more time to pack her belongings.”
Ranulf’s brows rose and it was a struggle not to grin. “Indeed? I’m delighted to hear you don’t think me a lascivious lecher.”
Kiernan’s cheeks reddened still more. “I hope you’ll allow me to stay until Lady Beatrice is ready to return to Tregellas.”
Ranulf politely inclined his head. “Of course. But there’s your lack of baggage to consider.”
Kiernan waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll send one of my men to the village to purchase what I require.”
“Then I see no reason you shouldn’t stay.”
Kiernan let out his breath, blushing again, as if embarrassed by his relief. “Yes, well, since I am to stay, I was hoping you’d allow me to ride out with you today. I’ve heard something of the troubles here, and I’d be glad to help in any way I can while I’m here. I have very keen eyesight.”
“Do you, indeed? Well, well. I’d be delighted to have you come with us,” Ranulf said. In truth, another pair of eyes couldn’t hurt when it came to spotting anything amiss or out of the ordinary along the coast.
Together they walked to where Titan waited in a particularly frisky mood. Or perhaps he was empathizing with his master’s good humor.
Either way, man and horse were soon leading the patrol out of the gates and toward the shore. They left a small force at the castle, under the command of the sergeant-at-arms. Gareth, the garrison commander, had been born and raised in Penterwell, so Ranulf wanted him in the patrol, too.
It was a mild spring day, with a clear blue sky, and just enough of a breeze to ruffle Ranulf’s hair.
