Page 74 of Lord of Misrule

“It’s a beautiful day for sleeping as well,” he grunted.

“I brought food,” she said, finally getting him to look directly at her.

“Food? Where?” That took his interest. The man was probably very hungry.

“It’s in the basket in the back. I’d better get it before the dogs eat it.” She got off his lap and sat next to him. When she tried to reach for the basket, his long arm shot out and he got to it first.

“Get away, you mangy hounds,” Tolin said, swishing the barking, jumping dogs away. “You ate my food yesterday and will not get it again today.” He put the basket on his lap and opened the lid. “God’s teeth, you are wonderful, Kit.” His eyes lit up when he saw the roasted chicken and apple fritters.

Just that small endearment, calling her wonderful, made her heart soar. This was the first step in repairing the damage that had been done between them.

“Mmm, that smells good. What is it?” Jarvis looked over in curiosity.

“It’s nothing.” Tolin slammed down the lid. “Don’t think you’re getting any when you had the nerve to eat the last honeyed seed cake right in front of me last night. Jarvis, why don’t you give me the reins. You can go in back with the boy to help keep the dogs from becoming too wild.”

“I’d rather stay up here and have some of whatever it is in that basket.” Jarvis looked over with hungry eyes. “All I managed to get this morning was a piece of dried salted beef that I brought with me but haven’t had a chance to eat yet.” He patted his pocket to show where it was.

“Jarvis, the dogs want to play with you,” came Parker’s voice from the back.

“There you go. The Lord of Misrule has spoken.” Tolin nodded at his squire and raised a brow.

“Fine,” grumbled Jarvis handing Tolin the reins. He flipped his body over the back of the wagon and immediately disappeared in a sea of dogs licking his face and sniffing his pocket. “Heeeelp,” he squeaked out.

“Do you think he’ll be all right?” Kit looked over her shoulder in concern.

Tolin chuckled. “Not with that beef in his pocket and all those dogs, but it’s his problem, not ours.” Tolin opened the basket, pulled out a leg of chicken, and held it in one hand while he gripped the reins with the other. “I love you,” he said, sinking his teeth into the meat.

Kit’s heart jumped. Was he speaking to her or the chicken leg? She was sure he’d only said the words meaning he was thankful that she brought food. Still, it was nice to hear it even if he meant naught else by it.

“Tolin, I’m sorry about having slept in your bed last night while you had to sleep on the floor.”

“I don’t mind you in my bed.” He looked over from the corner of his eyes. “As long as I’m in it with you.”

Kit looked down to her hands and felt the blush rise to her cheeks. So he was still attracted to her after all. That was good to know.

“You’re not shaking,” he noticed.

“Nay. I’m dressed properly for the cold weather.”

“That’s not what I mean. It seems you tend to tremble when you are close to me.” He tossed the chicken bone over the side of the cart. Three dogs jumped out after it and Parker shouted for them to return. “Damn,” he said. “I guess that wasn’t a good idea.”

“Do you think we should go back to get the dogs?” Kit looked back over her shoulder.

“Nay, they’ll follow the wagon. After all, now that they know we have food they won’t stray far.”

“I didn’t bring that much food.” She opened the basket and looked inside. “But mayhap we can share it with the hounds.”

“Over my dead body. What else do you have in there?” Tolin reached down into the basket at the same time as she. Their hands ended up touching. Kit went to pull hers away, but before she could, his fingers closed around her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. When he didn’t release it, she looked up to see him staring back at her. That look of want had returned to his eyes. This time it wasn’t just lust, it was something more, although she couldn’t explain what. Admiration perhaps? Or mayhap a longing to break down the walls between them? She hoped for the latter.

“I’m concerned about you, Kit.” His voice was deep and serious. “Where will you go? How will you live? You don’t deserve the hand that life has dealt you.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, flashing a smile, not sure if she really believed it. She tried her hardest to be strong. “We will rebuild our bakery and our home. Eventually.”

“It is going to happen sooner than you think,” he said, leaving her feeling confused.

“What do you mean?”

“I left orders for some of my men to start rebuilding your bakery, starting today.”