AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A knock sounded on the door, and at Mélisande’s call to enter, young Kate peeked in. “My lady?”
Alessandro grinned as he flung the coverlet over himself just before her curious gaze landed on him. The servants would get no report on the size of his shaft this night.
Mélisande’s thoughts had apparently just jumped to the same conclusion, for her cheeks reddened. She looked as though she wanted to dive beneath the bedcovers and hide. “I’d like hot water brought up as quickly as possible, enough to wash with,” she requested, her tone brisk.
“Right away, my lady,” the girl answered, her gaze dropping to the floor respectfully. “Is that all, ma’am?”
“I’m a bit starved,” Alessandro added, marking the rumbling of his stomach. He’d worked up quite an appetite.
“Some food, as well, then,” Mélisande ordered. “Tell cook to send whatever is available.”
With a quick bob, Kate departed.
Mélisande sank back onto the bed with a groan of mortification.
Laughing, Alessandro pulled her against him, and together they waited, enjoying the crackling of the fire and the warmth of each other’s companionship.
When the maid returned, she was followed by an army of servants. Two footmen began to remove the now cold water from the first tub and pitch it out of a nearby window. When it was empty, they refilled it from buckets of steaming water passed hand to hand up the stairs.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Mélisande emerged from beneath the coverlet, stripped, and stepped into the water.
She washed far too quickly, in Alessandro’s opinion. Some women looked better gowned and bejeweled, but Mélisande needed no such ornamentation. After admiring her nakedness for a moment, he brought her a drying sheet and then washed himself as well. By the time they were both dry and wrapped in robes, another knock sounded.
Young Kate was back with food. Mountains of it. When her mistress remarked upon the speed of service, she laughed. “We began heating water as soon as his lordship arrived, ma’am, and cook started preparing the food this afternoon.”
Together, they feasted on the roast capon with herbed potatoes, freshly baked bread, and a chocolate trifle. When they were done, footmen came and removed the dishes.
The clock on the mantelpiece chimed, drawing Alessandro’s attention. It was already past three. “You should prepare for your journey home,” he advised.
Mélisande tried not to show her disappointment. “I should like it very much if you called tomorrow.”
“Unfortunately, I have an audience with your king tomorrow morning,” he answered with a frown.
“I understand,” she said with deliberate insouciance. Of course I can’t expect to see him every day. It’s not as if we’re really engaged, after all. “I shall probably want to rest anyway.” She began brushing her hair.
“I imagine you will,” he replied with a naughty smile.
Unable to help herself, she grinned.
“If there is time, I will call afterward,” he told her, “but I know not how long it will take to accomplish my task.” He rose and retrieved his jacket from beside the hearth and frowned at the water-stained cuffs. When he was done dressing himself, he helped her with swift, sure hands.
He’s done this a thousand times, Mélisande thought as he finished tying the last ribbon.
“Your carriage must leave first. I will then follow at a safe distance,” Alessandro said as they neared the bottom of the stair.
“You needn’t worry for my safety,” Mélisande assured him, pleased at his concern. “My driver is armed, and I’ve a pair of loaded pistols with me in the event he is unable to deter an attack. I shall be quite safe. It would be more suspicious if our conveyances were seen traveling the same road at this hour.”
“Very well, but I shall at least remain here until your driver returns,” he persisted. “If he is not back within the hour, I shall follow his route and come looking for you myself.” His tone brooked no argument. “You may count yourself fortunate that I don’t insist upon escorting you home. I know the dangers associated with being seen together, but the dangers of London at night are far greater.”
Nodding assent, she moved to the door, but he caught her arm and spun her about before she could exit. Despite the warmth that uncurled in her belly at his touch, a flash of irritation struck at his handling her so in front of the servants.
But instead of the kiss she anticipated, he merely caressed her cheek once before twitching her veil down over her face. His eyes twinkled at her even through the lace. The devil knew she’d expected him to kiss her!
“You must be more careful, amora,” said Alessandro, laughter in his voice. “We wouldn’t want anyone discovering our nocturnal activities.”
Mélisande swallowed her disappointment. “Until our next meeting, then,” she said, inclining her head. She turned and stepped into the night without a backward glance, leaving behind the cocoon of warmth and light. When the carriage door closed, she ventured a peep through the curtains. Alessandro still stood there, a dark silhouette in the doorway. His hand lifted in farewell, though it was impossible for him to have known she was looking. She smiled in the darkness and watched until the carriage turned the corner.
Regarding herself in the mirror, Mélisande knew her body looked as it ever had. There were no outwa
