Page 66 of A Knight’s Vengeance

Rage devoured the torment inside her. “You are despicable.”

“And you play with fire, damsel. If I so desired, I could take what you just offered me. Here. Now.”

Elizabeth shook with fury. And fear. He did not make an idle threat. From the fierce set of his jaw, the rock-hard glare of his eyes, he had spoken true.

Would he do as he said?

“I never intended to tempt you,” she countered, with far more boldness than she felt. “I came here because you summoned me, remember? I did not choose this gown, or the fragrance Elena put in my bath. Nor do I have the slightest desire to lie with you.”

“Nay?”

She sniffed, a sound of acute disdain. “I would rather clean the keep’s garderobes than offer myself to you.”

“Is that so?” A wicked gleam lit Geoffrey’s eyes before his teeth slashed white in the darkness. Did he imagine her tackling the smelly task that even the lowest servants despised?

“’Tis so,” she said.

“Such a convincing rejection.”

She crossed her arms. “’Tis the truth.”

“Careful, damsel, or you might get your wish.”

“You would have me clean garderobes?” Elizabeth shot him a withering look. “I think not.”

“And I think you tread a perilous path,” Geoffrey growled. He whirled away from her and marched toward the solar doors. His boots thundered on the wooden floor. “Go back to your chamber, before I decide I preferred your earlier offer.”

Elizabeth ground her teeth. “I was not⁠—”

Geoffrey yanked open the door with such force, it banged against the wall. “Out, damsel. Before I do something we will both regret.”

CHAPTER 12

“Up ye get, milady.”

Elizabeth opened a bleary eye to see two guards standing beside her bed. One shoved a candle near her face and leered down at her.

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she sat up. “What do you want? Why do you intrude upon my slumber?”

“Our lord requests ye,” said the heavyset guard who appeared enthralled by her dishabille. His gaze wandered over her night shift, and she promptly tucked the bedding under her armpits to curtail his ogling.

“He summons me now?” Elizabeth shoved hair out of her face and peered past the men to the window. The faintest glow of dawn was visible beyond the shutters’ slits. With a groan, she collapsed back on the bed in a tangle of blankets.

“Ye best come with us, milady,” said the other sentry. He nudged his comrade and snickered behind his hand. She glared at the stocky lout, wondering what he found so amusing about her predicament, and in answer he thrust a stumpy finger at the green wool. “Ye are to get dressed.”

“Not with you standing there. Await me outside,” she said in a firm voice. “I will knock on the door when I am clothed.”

The heavyset oaf scowled and opened his mouth, then shrugged and did as she asked.

Elizabeth rose from the bed and shook out the green wool. After her confrontation with Geoffrey last evening, had he decided she no longer needed a maidservant to help her dress? Wretched rogue. Shivering in the draft from the window, she stripped off her shift and donned the plain linen chemise. By some miracle, Elena walked into the chamber at the very moment Elizabeth attempted the ties of the bliaut. The maid set down the meager breakfast of bread, blackberries, and ale, and hurried to Elizabeth’s side.

“Why am I summoned? Does he wish me to begin mending the saddle trapping?” she asked as Elena fastened the garment.

“I do not know, milady.”

“Your hands are shaking.”

The maid held Elizabeth’s gaze, then looked down at the floor. “Milord is in a strange mood this morning.” Elena urged Elizabeth to the wooden stool near the hearth and, when she sat, began to braid her tresses.