Dance of Desire (26 page)

Sidestepping a hound and a pool of ale, Fane wove toward the hearth. He smiled. One advantage to Winton's bright red tunic. Fane could always find the steward, even in the dark.

Winton lay on his side, squeezed up against a buxom maidservant, his chin resting on the crown of her tangled brown hair. His face held an expression of utter bliss.

God's teeth. Even the old steward had enjoyed carnal pleasure last eve.

Fane nudged Winton with the toe of his boot, a little harder than intended.

The steward groaned. "Not again,
sweetum
." He waved a feeble hand. "Three times in one night —"

"Winton."

The steward's eyes flew open. "Milord?" He pushed the young woman aside, sat bolt upright on his pallet, then yanked at his creased tunic. "Lord Linford, you woke early." He ran his hands over his balding head. "After your nuptials last eve, I did not think —"

Fane bit back a rush of irritation. "Lady Linford wishes to bathe. Rouse the servants. Make sure she has all she needs."

Winton nodded profusely. The maidservant beside him stirred and shoved hair out of her eyes. As she turned sleepily to reach for Winton, her gaze met Fane's.

She scrambled to her knees. "Milord!" She winced, clutching her brow as though enduring a fierce headache.

As the woman fumbled with her gaping bodice, Fane glanced across the hall. The first blush of dawn tinged the sky beyond the high, horn-covered windows. Today was his first day as a husband. His first day married to Rexana. He would not waste a single moment. Today, he would make her his.

He turned away. "Winton, see that our guests break their fast and leave. I want the hall and bailey cleared by midday."

"I will see it done. Personally. First, I will arrange the lady's bath."

"Good." Fane took two steps, then spun back. He curled his fingers against a pressing surge of emotion. "Lady Rexana may do as she pleases in my household.

She is to be shown all the courtesies and granted all the privileges due to her as my wife." Fane held Winton's gaze. "She is not, however, allowed to visit the dungeon."

"As you command, milord."

"If she wants to see her brother," Fane muttered, "she must come to me."

Rexana was leaning out of the
solar's
open window, peering up at the lightening sky, when a knock rattled the door.

She jumped and fell back against the stone embrasure. Pressing a hand to her throat, she laughed at her skittishness. How foolish to startle. Fane would not return until after she had bathed and dressed.

She hurried across the chamber to open the doors. Three servants stood in the passage. A middle-aged woman with graying hair and arms as thick as trees stepped forward. Barely visible behind her, the other two maidservants looked scarce older than girls. They clutched towels and stood with downcast eyes.

"Me name is Tansy, milady." The older woman tipped her head to the girls. "Nelda. Celeste. We were sent
ta
help
ya
with
yer
bath."

Rexana motioned them inside. Tansy plodded around behind the screen, pulled out the tub, and set it near the fire.

She clicked her tongue. " 'Is lordship skipped his bath this morn? '
Tis
the first time since 'e came
ta
Tangston."

Rexana wet her lips. "I believe he will bathe later, when I am done."

Tansy grinned, revealing the gap between her front teeth. "Mayhap this day, 'e will ask me to scrub his back again. Scarred or no, 'tis a fine bit o' male flesh."

Annoyance skittered through Rexana. This woman bathed Fane? Touched his skin? How often?

"I did not realize he had help with his daily bath." She could not school the tartness from her voice.

Tansy's wrinkled face flushed. "I do not wash '
im
every day. Only when 'e asks me. '
Tis
usually the morns when '
e's
tired. Did I tell ye I was in charge of helping Tangston's previous lord with his baths, afore the king sent '
im
off to another keep?" Her bosom swelled with pride. "I do me job well. Sheriff Linford said."

Inwardly, Rexana groaned. She could not brush aside an image of Fane sprawled in the tub, with Tansy's soapy hands sliding over him. Jealously flared. How ridiculous. Mayhap the bath was not such a sound idea, after all.

Another knock shook the doors. Tansy's eyes brightened. "The water." Her shoes slapped on the floorboards and she yanked open the doors. Boys staggered in with filled, steaming buckets. "Be quick now. We do not want '
er
ladyship
ta
catch a chill, especially the day after the
weddin
.' 'Is lordship wants '
er
good and hale
fer
a few sennights, at least." Tansy winked.

The young girls glanced at the mussed bed, then smothered giggles behind their hands.

Rexana's eyes narrowed. Were the servants privy to information of which she was unaware? Why was she, the lady of the keep, not told? "Why the next few sennights?"

Tansy smiled. "Why,
ta
get ye with child, milady."

Rexana gasped. "With child!"

The boys, emptying their buckets into the tub, glanced up and scurried away. More young men appeared with water. As she stared at the water's glinting surface, a tremor shot through her.

Of course Fane wanted a child. An heir of noble blood. A son. He wanted to secure his claim to his lands and keep, as quickly as possible.

Foolish, giddy joy unfurled within her at the thought of bearing a babe. She snuffed the thought. No wonder Fane was so determined to couple with her. She must work harder than ever to resist him, to ensure she did not receive his seed.

She would never win an annulment if she carried his babe within her womb.

Shuffled footsteps approached. Tansy patted her arm. In a motherly tone, she said, "Do not fret, milady. I pray I do not speak out of station, but there are many women at Tangston who have birthed strong and '
ealthy
sons. I myself '
ave
lived through three husbands and eight
squawlin
' babes. I will gladly help ye with questions and the like."

Rexana drew a shaky breath. "I . . . ah . . . Thank you."

With a sharp cluck, Tansy sent the boys scampering into the corridor. She ordered Nelda to shut the doors, then caught Rexana's hand. "Let us wash ye clean and ready ye for the day."

Protest bubbled in Rexana's throat. The spicy tang of Fane's soap surrounded the tub as though the essence had seeped into the wood, a reminder she was about to partake in one of his private rituals. Yet, as she approached the steaming water, need blossomed within her. She loved leisurely soaks. She always felt refreshed afterward, as though she had revitalized her spirit. Since her parents' deaths, there had been few moments to savor a bath.

She allowed Tansy to whisk off the shift and help her into the tub.

"No bruises," Nelda whispered.

"No marks at all," Celeste said, sounding astonished.

Rexana looked at the girls, who quickly lowered their gazes. Frowning, she sluiced water over her arms and throat. "Bruises? Marks? Whatever do you mean?"

Tansy grunted and knelt beside the tub. When the girls did not answer, she snapped, "Tell her ladyship. What nonsense do ye chatter?"

Nelda fingered a washcloth. Her cheeks stained pink. "His barbaric lust —"

Rexana's shock quickly transformed to sadness and regret. The maids had expected to see that Fane had mistreated her. She stared at the ends of her hair, dripping water like tears. How could these women think aught else? They knew only hurtful gossip. They did not know he had spared her virginity last eve, or of the gentleness he had shown through his kisses.

Tansy's palm slapped the water. "Ye have upset her ladyship. Ye will get a
whippin
', if ye are not careful."

Nelda's shoulders shook. "I am sorry, but others said —"

Tansy wagged the soap in the air as though it were part of her fleshy hand. "I have known all kinds o' men in me two score and four years. While the sheriff may look fierce, I vow 'e has a gallant heart." Shaking her head, she plunged the soap into the tub. "Look at '
er
ladyship. Does she not look hale? She had color in '
er
cheeks, until ye spoke so."

"Milady," Nelda whispered, "I apologize."

The maidservant's quivered words poked at Rexana. She might only be married to Fane for a brief while, until her brother was free, but she would not allow her relationship with Fane to be stained by rumor and falsehood.

She raised her chin and held Nelda's gaze. "We will not speak of this matter any more. You will also tell the others — whoever they may be — that the sheriff has shown me only courtesy and respect. Do you understand?"

"A - Aye, milady."

Tansy snatched the washcloth from Nelda. As water sloshed over Rexana's back, followed by the slightly abrasive cloth, she closed her eyes. Soap glided over her back. With a sigh, she leaned into Tansy's skilled scrub.