Page 62 of Anice’s Bargain

James had just enough time to pull back from his wife as the maid opened the door, a smile on her face.

“I’ve got just the gown for ye to wear to—” Ava froze mid-word and bobbed a curtsey. “Mr. Graham, forgive me.” Her bright blue gaze darted between the two, red-lipped and flushed. “Shall I leave ye, my lady?”

“Nay.” Anice put a hand to her chest. “Nay, I must ready for supper and I’d love to see the gown you’ve chosen. I wouldn’t have such consideration go to waste.”

“I hope you’ll be pleased.” Ava glanced down at the ground and twisted her hands together. “I’m afraid I’m none too good at all this, Mistress.”

She had confided to Anice earlier that morning that she missed her place in the kitchens, the task she’d been familiar with.

“I’m sure it will be perfect,” Anice said. “You always pick out such lovely gowns.”

The smile returned to Ava’s face. “By your leave, Mr. Graham.”

James nodded and allowed a door to be placed between himself and his wife. A hollow ache rang out in him at her disappearance. A curious thing, that. He’d only felt it once previously, and to a woman far less deserving, and only a shadow of what he currently was experiencing. This time was so much brighter, more vibrant, powerful. The sensation was entirely undeniable.

Despite his efforts to avoid it, and no matter how many times he’d told himself he would not feel such, it appeared his stubbornness was all in vain. Regardless of how James weighed it, he was keenly aware of the ultimate truth. Somewhere between the bravery to save her family and the unique skills she possessed, in addition to the genuine kindness shown to all, James was falling swiftly in love with his wife.

* * *

It wasthe sound of shouting that drew Anice to the great hall the following day. The people of Carlisle had come to bring their grievances to James, to remedy as only the master of the land could.

Anice recognized the sour-faced man at once, the very source of all the roaring commotion. A nagging voice in the back of her mind insisted she stalk up to him and demand to know what he was carrying on about. Her more logical, however, was simply curious to see how it all might be handled. She summoned Piquette to her side behind a column to allow James to handle his people.

“Tall Tam, ye again.” James’s voice echoed from the stone walls. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I tell you, I’ve come to complain about the baker’s boy.” Tall Tam’s voice growled with rage. “You’re lucky I’ve not killed the bastard yet. But I’ll not hang for a crime he committed.”

“Verra well, I’ll see to ye first today so long as ye’re respectful.”

While the tension did not relax from his shoulders, he nodded in acquiescence. “This is my daughter, Ingrith.”

Anice peered around the column to see a comely blonde-haired woman beside Tall Tam.

“Tell him what happened.” He nudged her and she gave a swift curtsey.

The young woman pursed her lips and shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to say it, Papa.”

“The baker’s boy had his way with my Ingrith.” Tall Tam huffed out an angry exhale. “Now the lass is with child.”

“It was not willingly,” Ingrith protested. Her cheeks went red. “Gilbert forced himself on me. I tried to fight him off, but I…I wasn’t strong enough.” She choked on a sob and the heart-wrenching sound of it echoed around them.

James leaned forward in his seat to peer at the gathered people. “Where is he?”

Tall Tam jerked his thumb to the line behind him. “He’s waiting to air his grievances on me for insisting he marry Ingrith.”

Ingrith erupted into tears and cowered closer to her father. Anice’s heart flinched with the girl’s misery.

A beefy boy with thick forearms and ruddy cheeks stepped forward. “I’ll not marry that slattern. I’m a baker’s son. I can do far better than the likes of her.”

James got to his feet slowly. The hum of errant conversation fell away, and the hall went perfectly silent. Piquette shifted at Anice’s side, uneasy about the sudden quiet.

For her part, Anice’s body tensed with anticipation. Part of her, a very large part, wanted James to take the baker’s son to task and use his beaten body as an example to others. But all her experience as an earl’s daughter knew such punishments were not welcome among the people, especially when the master was newly seated in his power.

James came to stand in front of the young woman, who sniveled her tears into muted snuffles and cast a frightened stare up at him. Her hands settled protectively over her lower stomach. Unwanted though the child may be, maternal instincts were already setting in.

“Ye said the miller’s son took ye by force.” James spoke quietly, in the careful way he did when he’d first met Anice. A gentle contrast to minimize the intimidation of his size.

Ingrith nodded again. “Aye. Gilbert Miller. I tried to fight him off as best I could. It’s how he got that scar on his cheek.”