was yielding. He had not forced her, either. Though he had not asked permission to kiss her. What kind of man was he to take but not pursue an advantage? What kind of woman was she to allow this man to distract her? Much more of this and she would be praying for the earl to return just to avoid the storm of confusion Talon inspired. If the earl came back, would he accept her as his countess? Did she want him to? Would she gain justice for her family, regain the home she’d lost? Or would she lose her life and any chance of love, like every other Countess of Hawksedge?
Disgusted with her circling thoughts and her inability to resolve the issues, Larkin poured a bucket of hot water into the tub before the solar’s blazing fire. Then to keep the heat in, she adjusted a tall wooden screen around three sides of the tub.
She was done laboring for the day. And she was done with carrying the stink of cleaning the keep on her person. She would teach Sir High and Mighty Talon Quereste that he could not show her kindness one moment, kiss her senseless the next, and then ignore her completely, even though his notice was the last thing she should want. She was not a plaything for nobles or yeoman. Thanks to a few black eyes and bloody lips given by her sharp elbows and ready fists, the village men knew to leave her be. Sir Talon would know it too. She simply hadn’t figured out how to teach him that very necessary lesson yet. Just as she hadn’t yet taught her mind to erase the memory of his touch, his kiss. But she would. She’d figure it all out while she bathed.
She placed a stool next to the tub and set a clean tunic, drying cloth, and her lavender-and-pansy-infused soap on the seat. She tested the water. Perfect. Then she stripped off her work-soiled clothing and the splint she felt she no longer needed.
’Twas a risk, deciding to bathe in the solar. But all of the keep’s other rooms were either too public, too cold, or too dirty to suit her. Besides, not moments ago, she’d heard Talon in the bailey shouting at the guards and knights who practiced their battle skills. She had plenty of time to scrub herself clean before he returned.
She stepped into the tub with a small splash. Ahh. The heated water lapped at her sore muscles and eased the ache in the small of her back. She picked up the soap and submerged her hands.
“Aieeh!”
The water pricked at the many tiny cuts dirty rushes had made on her palms. Leaving the soap afloat, she lifted her hands. She turned her palms upward, gasping. How had she acquired so many cuts and blisters?
While she’d lived at the abbey, Mother Clement had tolerantly given her work befitting a lady.” Since she’d shown a talent for such tasks, Larkin had never been forced to acquire the calluses and chaffing common women suffered on their hands. She’d even had a precious pair of gloves to protect her hands when she drove the cart. “’Tis what comes of working like a peasant,” she remarked to herself. Would a peasant’s life be her fate?
Since she had little choice, she bit her lip against the stinging in her hands, but she could feel tears pooling in her eyes. Good thing she’d asked Alice to bring salve and bandages when she could spare a moment.
Washing her hair with her injured hands would be the worst part, so she set about doing that to get it done the sooner.
With her clean tresses hanging over the edge of the tub, Larkin dozed, soaking out the rest of her aches. She heard the door open. Soon she’d be warm and dry. Perhaps she could persuade Alice to provide some supper. Then she would find a place to sleep where Sir Kiss Me Quick Talon couldn’t disturb her rest.
Metal clanked on the floor just as the door opened again.
“Ah, Alice. My thanks for your thoughtfulness.” Talon’s dark rumble startled Larkin upright and water splashed out of the tub.
Alice coughed.
Larkin crossed her arms over her breasts. What is he doing here? How do I escape? She had to
Disgusted with her circling thoughts and her inability to resolve the issues, Larkin poured a bucket of hot water into the tub before the solar’s blazing fire. Then to keep the heat in, she adjusted a tall wooden screen around three sides of the tub.
She was done laboring for the day. And she was done with carrying the stink of cleaning the keep on her person. She would teach Sir High and Mighty Talon Quereste that he could not show her kindness one moment, kiss her senseless the next, and then ignore her completely, even though his notice was the last thing she should want. She was not a plaything for nobles or yeoman. Thanks to a few black eyes and bloody lips given by her sharp elbows and ready fists, the village men knew to leave her be. Sir Talon would know it too. She simply hadn’t figured out how to teach him that very necessary lesson yet. Just as she hadn’t yet taught her mind to erase the memory of his touch, his kiss. But she would. She’d figure it all out while she bathed.
She placed a stool next to the tub and set a clean tunic, drying cloth, and her lavender-and-pansy-infused soap on the seat. She tested the water. Perfect. Then she stripped off her work-soiled clothing and the splint she felt she no longer needed.
’Twas a risk, deciding to bathe in the solar. But all of the keep’s other rooms were either too public, too cold, or too dirty to suit her. Besides, not moments ago, she’d heard Talon in the bailey shouting at the guards and knights who practiced their battle skills. She had plenty of time to scrub herself clean before he returned.
She stepped into the tub with a small splash. Ahh. The heated water lapped at her sore muscles and eased the ache in the small of her back. She picked up the soap and submerged her hands.
“Aieeh!”
The water pricked at the many tiny cuts dirty rushes had made on her palms. Leaving the soap afloat, she lifted her hands. She turned her palms upward, gasping. How had she acquired so many cuts and blisters?
While she’d lived at the abbey, Mother Clement had tolerantly given her work befitting a lady.” Since she’d shown a talent for such tasks, Larkin had never been forced to acquire the calluses and chaffing common women suffered on their hands. She’d even had a precious pair of gloves to protect her hands when she drove the cart. “’Tis what comes of working like a peasant,” she remarked to herself. Would a peasant’s life be her fate?
Since she had little choice, she bit her lip against the stinging in her hands, but she could feel tears pooling in her eyes. Good thing she’d asked Alice to bring salve and bandages when she could spare a moment.
Washing her hair with her injured hands would be the worst part, so she set about doing that to get it done the sooner.
With her clean tresses hanging over the edge of the tub, Larkin dozed, soaking out the rest of her aches. She heard the door open. Soon she’d be warm and dry. Perhaps she could persuade Alice to provide some supper. Then she would find a place to sleep where Sir Kiss Me Quick Talon couldn’t disturb her rest.
Metal clanked on the floor just as the door opened again.
“Ah, Alice. My thanks for your thoughtfulness.” Talon’s dark rumble startled Larkin upright and water splashed out of the tub.
Alice coughed.
Larkin crossed her arms over her breasts. What is he doing here? How do I escape? She had to
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