Lindsey, Johanna - Prisoner Of My Desire

by Prisoner Of My Desire (lit)

thoughtful tone, just before his hand reached for her breast.

  Rowena jumped back so quickly, her action took her into the stairwell, where she

  lost her footing. Warrick grabbed for her, but it happened too fast and he could

  not catch her in time. She did not scream. She felt an instant of relief to have

  her misery ended in this way, before regret filled her mind. But this feeling,

  too, was too brief to provoke a scream, for she fell no more than two steps,

  right onto the manservant corning up behind her with another tray of food.

  Both trays hit the stone steps with a clatter as the man reached out to keep

  himself from falling. It was fortunate he did not grab her, however, or she

  might have experienced a painful wrenching, for Warrick hauled her off the man

  about as quickly as she had crashed into him. Nor did he release her at the top

  of the stairs until he had shaken her hard at least twice.

  ?Never try to avoid my touch again, wench, or worse will happen to you than a

  tumble down the stairs. Now clean up the mess you caused, and you will do so

  quickly, because I will not eat until you fill my trencher yourselfand I am

  hungry.?

  In other words, she could expect his anger to mount with each passing minute

  that he had to wait while she cleaned the stairs? ?Twas no wonder her hands were

  trembling before she finished.

  Chapter 20

  Rowena was furious over the anxiety Warrick had caused her, for when she finally

  got back to the hall with a new tray of food, it was to find him picking on what

  was already available on the table, and so deep in discussion with his steward

  that he likely had not given her another thought. But he did still insist she

  fill his trencher, merely pointing to what foods he wanted. And he also insisted

  she remain there to refill his tankard with ale, though a young page stood

  behind his chair with a pitcher of the brew to do just that. And all the while

  she had to keep her eyes on him.

  Rowena was furious about that, too. She did not like to look at him and see his

  every nuance of expression, to know exactly when his thoughts turned to her. But

  she knew this was just another form of revenge, his forcing her to watch his

  cruel visage, just as serving him at table was. Both were calculated to drive

  home the fact that she was still at his utter mercy, and he still had none.

  When he was almost finished with his meal, he beckoned her forward with a wave

  of his hand without even looking to see if she noticed. She would have been in

  trouble if she had not, and knew then that he was also testing her to see how

  well she obeyed him, though he obviously expected full compliance. That, too,

  made her furious, that he was so arrogantly sure she would do everything she was

  told to do. Did no one ever defy him? Did no one ever deliberately provoke his

  anger? A stupid thought, since even when he was not frowning, he was frightening.

  And no matter how angry he made her, she did not have the nerve to tempt a

  beating or other added punishmentnot yet.

  ?I require a bath this eve,? he told her when he sensed her presence at his side.

  He still did not look up at her.

  ?Go and see to it.?

  Rowena closed her eyes briefly in regret that she would not be granted a

  reprieve from that after all. She heard one of the daughters giggle, then a

  stern admonishment from the lady tutor, and felt herself blushing. Everyone

  there would have had to be blind not to notice how Warrick?s attention returned

  to her throughout the meal. And anytime a lord singled out one of his female

  servants for his notice, she was almost guaranteed to end up in his bedor so

  they would all think. That was not the rule in her case, for she had already

  suffered that unpleasant experience.

  But they did not know that she was being punished, rather than favored.

  She left the hall quickly, just to get away from those cold silver eyes. She

  found Mary in the kitchen having dinner with her husband, and was reminded that

  she had not eaten yet herself. But when was she supposed to have time to eat,

  with all the duties that had been given to her? Obviously not todaybut then,

  today was an exception, with three days? cleaning to do, and she had started

  lateand he could not want a bath every night.

  Mary merely explained how Rowena was to see to her present chore herself, while

  she continued to stuff succulent pieces of roasted partridge in her mouth, and

  Rowena?s belly rumbled in complaint at being allowed only the scent of food. She

  learned she was not expected to carry in the large tub that was stored in the

  small antechamber outside the solar, where Warrick?s squires slept, for in the

  summer he bathed in there. Nor did she have to lug in the many buckets of water,

  and was shown which menservants had that duty so she would be able to command

  them herself next time. She was told where to find the bath cloths and soap that

  were only for the lord?s use. She was warned the lord liked his bath very warm,

  but not very hot, and that the temperature would be her responsibility, and was

  worth a slap if she got it wrong. Another worry she could have done without but

  should have expected, for most knights reacted violently to the smallest

  discomfort, and woe betide whoever was closest to them when they did.

  It was maddening to have to cross the length of that hall again just to reach

  the solar. But Warrick seemed not to notice her this time. And although she

  glanced at him every few steps she took, to comply with his unreasonable order

  to watch him always, she could not be expected to stare at him as she walked and

  not run into something. Could she?

  She assumed not, for she was not called to account for watching her own step,

  and once in the antechamber outside the solarshe came face to face with Celia.

  She knew exactly who the young woman was by her vivid beauty, and by the pure

  hatred blazing from her green eyes. She wore both her bliaut and her chemise cut

  low to show off her ample breasts, and her wild mane of copper curls gave her an

  untamed sensuality that any man would find challenging. The yellowing teeth were

  barely noticeable, but the overwhelming scent of roses was almost gagging. The

  woman was obviously under the mistaken impression, as were a great many nobles,

  that sweet perfumes could mask uncleanliness.

  Celia did not mince words, but went right to the attack.

  ?I know yeyou were in the dungeon. What did you do to get out of that punishment

  and be so favored? Did you spread your legs for him? Did you get on your knees

  and?

  ?Take your filthy mouth and get out, Celia!?

  Green eyes flared incredulously.

  ?Yeyou dare speak so to me? Me?!?

  Just what Rowena needed, a fight over a man she despised. It was almost

  laughable. And to be thought favored? To be envied her hateful duties? God?s

  mercy, what next? But the arrogant attitude of the woman was annoying, reminding

  Rowena of what Mary Blouet had said of her. Celia had obviously let her position

  as the lord?s favorite go to her head, giving her a haughty condescension that

  was inappropriate in a servant. And she was just a servant, no matter that she

  was trying to better her speech
so as not to sound like one. But so are you?for

  now, Rowena reminded herself. So what right do you have to take exception at

  another servant?s audacity?

  That realization, unfortunately, did not keep the sarcasm from her tone when she

  answered.

  ?I believe I can speak to you as I please, Celia. Am I not the one presently

  favored??

  That got her a slap that was wholly unanticipated, and a vicious rejoinder.

  ?Not for long, bitch. Remember that when he gets tired of yer pale, skinny body,

  for I will be making ye sorry then that ye thought to take my place.?

  Rowena was too stunned to say a word as Celia flounced out the door. She had

  never been slapped before, never in her life, and ?twas definitely not pleasant.

  But she supposed that was one other thing she would have to get used to here,

  for what recourse did she have, particularly if the abuse came from Mistress

  Blouet, who had the care and discipline of her, or Warrick himself? But from

  another servant? Nay, she did not have to take thatonly from that particular

  servant, she still had no recourse. She could just imagine Warrick?s reaction if

  she tried to slap his ?favor.

  He? back. And Celia knew that. Twas why she got away with her appalling behavior.

  The menservants began arriving with the water. Rowena went to fetch the bath

  cloths and soap from the appropriate chest in the solar. But she brought an

  extra washing cloth to dip in the cold water and place on her cheek. It relieved

  some of the heat, and the red mark was partially faded by the time Warrick

  sauntered in.

  He looked first at the tub with steam slowly rising from it. It had taken every

  bucket of hot water to warm all the cold that had been dumped in when she was

  not watching, leaving her only cold water to rinse him with. She had been about

  to order more hot when he arrived, but his presence put the thought right out of

  her mind, especially when his eyes glanced at her and narrowed on her cheek.

  He came right to her then and lifted her chin.

  ?Who hit you?? he demanded.

  ?No one.?

  ?You lie, wench. What did you do to cause Mistress Blouet displeasure with you

  already??

  Why did he immediately assume she had to be at fault? She ought to tell him the

  truth, except the slap was no more than she deserved for slipping down to Celia?s

  level. But she knew full well he would do naught if he knew ?twas his precious

  Celia, and for some reason that hurt more than the slap had.

  So she lied, and found it quite satisfying to do so in this particular instance.

  ?I merely tripped, because I could not watch my step in the hall for being

  ordered to watch you.?

  And he had not been observing her to know better.

  His scowl, for once, did not frighten her.

  ?Stupid, wench. Must you be taught common sense along with your duties??

  ?If I am allowed to watch where I walk when you are present, you must tell me so.

  I do not wish to disobey you.?

  ?Do you not?? he growled at her meek answer and let go of her.

  ?Then we will see just how well you wish to obey. Undress me.?

  She had expected that, but color still flooded into her face, so both cheeks

  were now equally red. And he just stood there towering over her with his hands

  relaxed at his sides. He was not going to help at all. She hated this, hated

  getting anywhere near him, but he knew that. This was just another part of his

  revenge, after all, treating her no better than a serfnay, more like his

  personal slave.

  She made quick work of disrobing him, not even trying to conceal her resentment.

  That humorless smile she hated came to his lips, so she avoided looking at his

  face. But that left only his body to look atwhich she had never found fault with

  and still did not.

  He did not even bend down so she could remove his tunic, forcing her to get

  closer to him to shove it up his chest and shoulders, then pull upward instead

  of down. She gasped as her breasts accidentally brushed against his chest, then

  gasped again as her nipples immediately tingled into hardness. She yanked so

  hard then that she fell back several steps when the tunic finally came off in

  her hands.

  He laughed at her glowering expressionat least she hoped that was all he laughed

  at. He could not know the reaction her body had just had to his, could he? And

  how could that happen at all when she despised him? It made no sense to her.

  She did not want to approach him again. There were his chausses and boots yet to

  be got rid of, but she could not do it, not that. Her breasts were tingling

  again with just the thought. God?s mercy, what was wrong with her?

  He waited patiently, but when she made no move toward him, he said ?Finish.?

  She slowly shook her head, watching as one of his brows rose in question.

  ?You would prefer to be chained to my bed again??

  She leaped forward, nearly colliding with him in her rush. She heard his laugh

  and gritted her teeth. So he would hold that over her head now, too, would he?

  He was utterly despicable, beyond ?On your knees, I think.?

  She dropped to her knees without even thinking about this new order, and was

  faced with the thick bulge beneath his chausses. Color came hot into her cheeks

  again, and her fingers trembled now as she reached up to untie his laces to free

  that vengeful weapon of his.

  ? Tis quite satisfying, seeing you in that humbled positionlike a pet at my feet,?

  he continued in a casual tone.

  ?Mayhap I will have you serve me at table just so.?

  In front of everyone?

  ?Please.?

  The word was torn from her with a groan.

  His hand came to the top of her headjust as if she were no more than a pet dog

  panting for attention at his feetand pushed back until she was looking up at him.

  ?Will you hesitate again in your duty??

  ?Nay, I will not.?

  He said no more, leaving her in an agony of doubt that her answer had satisfied

  him. She was on her knees now because she had dared refuse to finish, a

  punishment swift and humiliating. Was that not enough?

  She pulled the braies and chausses down his legs, but avoided looking at what

  sprang forth by bending over to see to his boots. When she finished, he still

  just stood there, so she stared at his bare feet, a defiance, but not an exact

  disobedience, for were his feet not part of him?

  ?Verily do you test my patience,? he said I when she continued to just stare at

  his feet. I But he did not press the issue this time, and I she watched his feet

  move away and then dis�� appear into the tub. She sighed in relief. But she fl

  was forgetting what else ?attending him at his ?f bath? signified. He reminded

  her.

  ?What do you wait for now, wench? Come and wash my back and hair.?

  ?Twas part of ?attending? him. She knew that. And at least he was not insisting

  she wash all of him. But she did not want to get close to his naked body again,

  when just the thought of it was making her feel warm and mushy inside, which in

  turn sparked her temper.

  She fetched the washing cloth, soaked and soaped it, but before she touched him

  with it, she demanded ?Why does your wife not tend
to this??

  ?I have no wife.?

  ?But you have two daughters.?

  ?And I had two wives, both long dead. Yet I would have had another? He suddenly

  grabbed her bliaut to pull her close and growled ?I was to meet her, but I was

  otherwise detained, so she rode on and is now missing. Know you where I was,

  wench, that I could not meet my bride as intended?? She was afraid to answer. He

  did not wait for her to.

  ?I was chained to a bed for your pleasure.?

  God?s mercy, he had this, too, to blame her for?

  ?Not my pleasure,? she whispered.

  He let go of her with a slight shove.

  ?Best you pray Lady Isabella is found and not dead.?

  Another dire warning with unknown consequences. She wondered if the lady was not

  lost, but had taken the opportunity to flee a marriage to this man. Rowena

  certainly would have if given half a chance.

  The subject had angered him. She could feel it in the tautness of his back as

  she quickly scrubbed it now. So she was not truly surprised, when she handed him

  the cloth to finish, that he did not take it. She had earned another punishment

  for getting him riled.

  ?I find I have overtaxed myself this day, so you may wash me, wencheverywhere.

  And best you remove your clothes to do it so they do not get wet.?

  Damn him to perdition. Why did he have to take revenge for the tiniest little

  things? He was the devil?s spawn, to be this cruel.

  But Rowena did as instructed, whipping off her chemise and bliaut together,

  ripping several laces in her haste. Then she immediately slipped the sleeveless

  bliaut back on before he noticed that she was, in fact, defying him again in

  solving the problem of getting wet in her own way.

  And when she came around to kneel by his side and began soaping his chest, and

  he saw what she had done, it did surprise him. She held her breath, wondering if

  she would now have her first slap from him. But when he did naught, she finally

  glanced at his faceand found him smiling, a genuine smile that restored his

  handsomeness. Her own expression mirrored her amazement, and that caused him to

  burst into laughter.

  Rowena sat back on her heels, chagrined. The last thing she cared to do was

  amuse the monster. But she was not getting anything that she wanted today.

  When he was merely smiling again, he said ?Come, finish ere the water grows cold.?