Page 15 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“It was nothing. You weren’t all that heavy,” she hurried to assure him.

He cleared his throat. “All the same, you should wake me next time.”

She blinked at him. “Um. Very well, Husband.”

“Mason,” he corrected her swiftly.

He was still eyeing her oddly, she thought nervously. She patted her hair and then noticed her shift was hanging off one shoulder as though she were a slattern. She hurriedly dragged it back up, then with awful clarity she realized what he was looking at: the sight of all her ghastly freckles in the light of day. She swallowed nervously, drawing up her knees and tugging the neckline of her shift higher. There was no hiding the fact she was so horribly afflicted. She glanced back up, expecting to see an expression of distaste on his face, but instead he looked quickly away, a strangely guilty expression passing over his face. He moved off the bed stiffly, keeping his back to her and made for the ewer and basin of water for a brief wash.

With wide eyes she surveyed his impressive form while she had the chance. His wide tanned shoulders tapered down his lean torso to muscular buttocks and heavy thighs. His legs were long and athletic. Even his calves looked strong, she thought admiringly.

“Linnet,” he said in a strangled voice. “I’m trying to be considerate here. Unless you want to be flat on your back again, I suggest you get up and dressed.”

Linnet’s jaw dropped. Was he really still so tired? She felt a sympathetic pang. It was doubtless after all that campaigning in the North. He must be bone-deep exhausted, poor man. She shuffled to the edge of the mattress, throwing her legs over the edge. She was half-inclined to offer to let him sleep away a few more hours resting against her bosom. That would be the truly charitable thing to do. She knew for a fact she would just lie there awake, though feeling tingly and peculiar. It was a strange sensation, being pressed against another body all night. And then there was the awareness of the physical act they had performed together yesterday. She blushed hotly and slid off the mattress until her bare feet hit the floor. She wasn’t anxious to repeat that anytime soon. She still felt tender betwixt her legs, but it had sealed their marriage bargain and mayhap, if she was lucky, it wouldn’t need to be repeated too many times before she could produce his heir. She would have to try and speak to Mother Ames, the wise woman who lived in one of the cottages on the estate, for advice. She sometimes came up to the castle for a visit, as she was grandmother to Linnet’s page.

Linnet frowned, waiting for Mason to finish his ablutions. Usually a maidservant entered her bedchamber promptly every morning with warm water, but it did not seem any servant would venture in on them this morning, and she needed a change of clothing and fresh linens. The servants were probably afeared of intruding on their new lord. In that case, she would have to summon one herself. She made her way resolutely over to the door, intending to poke her head out and call for someone.

“Where are you going, Linnet?” asked Mason, looking back over his shoulder. His tone was abrupt.

“I was just going to call for someone for clean water and clothes . . . ”

“You’re not dressed,” he pointed out. “Remain here. I will summon a maid.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to point out that had been her intention, but the look in his eye stopped her. Could Mason be outraged by the idea of a male servant seeing her only partly dressed? She blushed at him thinking her immodest. But perhaps he didn’t want everyone to see her shameful spots. “Very well,” she uttered miserably.

He looked up sharply at that. “Don’t sulk. I’ll fetch someone now.” He strode over to the door, flung it open and bellowed for assistance. She gaped at him. No one had ever accused her of sulking before! There was the sound of feet thudding against the floorboards beyond, and she heard male voices in the corridor. There was a murmuring and then the sound of someone running off in search of a maid, no doubt.

Linnet quickly busied herself finger combing her hair. Mason gave her a wary glance before approaching his pile of clothing and starting to dress. A swift knock on the door was followed by Gertrude, the maid from the previous day, barging in.

Linnet pressed her lips together as the sturdy maid crossed the room, her gaze lingering on Mason’s bare back as he tugged his tunic over his head. Gertrude had an appreciative gleam in her eye that made Linnet feel quite out of temper.

“You must tarry a moment after you knock at the door Gertrude,” she heard herself say with an unaccustomed edge to her voice. “As you can see, my husband is not yet ready to admit you.”

Gertrude looked for a moment as if she would burst out laughing, but she managed to school her expressions swiftly and bobbed a curtsy. “Your pardon milady,” she said forthrightly. “I’ve not been learned for above stairs work.”

With a sinking sensation Linnet noticed Gertrude had her copper, silk houppelande gown over her arm. It was a dress she always worried clashed vilely with her dreadful hair. “Very well, Gertrude,” she said with dignity. “I appreciate you are not accustomed to the role.” She wondered distractedly how many of the household servants would have left with her aunt and uncle. Gertrude laid the dress on the bed along with a fresh underdress, a pair of red stockings, and striped tie garters.

“A girl is coming now with some fresh water for your wash,” she said even as a soft tap was heard at the door.

“Come in,” said Mason, who was now fully clothed and strapping on his belt.

The same nervous-looking girl from the day before sidled in with a large jug. She averted her panic-stricken eyes from Mason as she hurried over to Linnet and busied about pouring water and soaking a small linen cloth for her to use.

“I will see you presently in the great hall for breakfast, Linnet,” Mason said over his shoulder as he exited the room.

The great hall? Why, I’ve never taken a meal in the great hall before, she thought with surprise. Aloud she observed, “How swiftly men rise in the morning,” and was astonished when both maids dissolved into fits of giggles.

VII

Linnet found her way to the great hall half an hour later without much obstacle. She paused at the threshold and spotted Mason, seated on the dais at the head table with his older brother, Oswald. They were tucking into what looked like plates of bread and fish with ale. Linnet grimaced. She hoped the kitchen would send up her usual breakfast of toasted bread and honey. She was in luck. Even as she seated herself opposite the two brothers, a plate was placed before her along with a cup of fresh milk. Oswald had sprung to his feet at her approach, but Mason merely nodded to her as her own page Cuthbert tucked her chair in behind her.

“Good morning,” she said, smiling at her brother-in-law. He hastened to seat himself again, asking politely after her health.

“I am very well, thank you sir. I trust you slept well?”

“Extremely, thank you. You are very hospitable, your Ladyship.”

“We are sister and brother now,” she reminded him. “I hope you will call me Linnet.”