Read Online The Tempest by Charlotte Hawkins - Free Book Online Page B

mind with.”
    Any physical response, any warmth she’d started to feel was glazed over with a frost, turned cold by his discourteous reply. She sighed, stung by his words. And yet, when he was being his typical boorish self, at least conversing with him was not so difficult. Still keeping her eyes averted from him, her tone was cold.
    “Just when I think you capable of civility, you give another stick of the knife. I should cease any attempts of kindness on my part.”
His response sounded odd, almost as if he were offended.
    “I am capable of civility. But such a weakness is not suited to a Master at Arms. What would you have me do when I arrest criminals, or collect taxes from delinquent villagers? Shake their hands and ask them to share in a cup of tea?”
    he shrugged. “I care not what you do when you go about your duties to the Sheriff. It is of little consequence to me. But when you are in this house, you might make less of an attempt to bite the hand that feeds you.”
    He scoffed, giving a sort of laugh. “You speak of how I give you a ‘stick of the knife’ as you like to call it. But I dare say you are not so innocent. You wound me in much the same way when it pleases you.”
    “It does not please me, my lord. It is merely done in self-defense.”
    His words became dark, serious.
    “You are fortunate I do not correct you properly for such wickedness.”
    She knew his words should have caused her concern. But as used to his temper as she’d become, she knew it was but an empty threat. If he truly meant to hurt her, he would have managed it some way by now. Other than the pot that had crashed near her head, and the few times he had gripped her arm, he hadn’t carried out any real physical violence against her. And somehow, she sensed he was even less capable of it now. She thought to test her assumption. Feeling a bit bolder now, she turned and rose to her feet, folding her arms as she stood before him.
    “What would you do, Sir Guy? Pursue me on one foot, and then beat me about the head with a crutch?”
    He tried to look away, but she caught the little smirk of amusement that came to his mouth. She couldn’t contain her own smile, even when he turned his eyes back to look at her, and the smirk was gone.
    “A good beating would serve you well. You are a hard-headed woman, Cassia.”
    She shrugged, turning back to the fire. “So you have said before.”
    Somehow, the mood in the room had taken a very comfortable turn. He seemed to be, if it was possible, quite amiable. What had brought about such a change, she couldn’t say. But she chose not to question it. It was quite possible that it would not last very long. So she chose to enjoy the rare moment of calm between them.
    Taking up the kettle that had been warming by the fire, she poured some of the contents into two mugs. Taking one for herself, she came to his side and held one out for him to take. He looked up, eyeing her suspiciously.
    “What is it? More of your poison?”
    At first she didn’t answer, keeping her arm extended with the mug she offered to him. After a moment he took it, and as she sat down in the chair nearby she glanced at him. She saw that he was about to sip from the cup. And trying to hide a slight smirk, she blurted out quickly…
    “Eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, tongue of dog.”
    She saw how he made a face and started to put the cup aside, but she just laughed as he gave her an odd look.
    “It was only a jest, my lord. It is hot cider, stewed from dried apples. And I promise there is no potion mixed in it. I made it only for the enjoyment of the drink.”
    His look was skeptical. She saw how he tested the smell of the brew before sipping it. But then he took a drink, and his face relaxed as he realized there was indeed no trick.
    “The taste is not unpleasant,” he said.
    She smiled. “I am pleased that you enjoy it.”
    A quietness fell over the room. And for a few moments, it was a comfortable silence as