The Dark Knight: de Burghs, Book 7 by Deborah Simmons

Author:Deborah Simmons
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780373295586
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-07-31T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

M istress Sexton had something on her mind, and Reynold had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it. He could tell by the set of her chin and the glint of her blue eyes that it was probably not pleasant. In fact, she looked like someone who was heading to the gallows.

And since she hadn’t spoken more than a few words since yesterday, Reynold didn’t need a genius like his brother Geoff to guess that she wasn’t too happy about what had happened, although she seemed to enjoy it at the time. Or had she? After a long, restless night, Reynold had begun to wonder what was real about their encounter and how much he had imagined.

She had certainly chosen her time well. The hall was empty, but for the two of them, so at least they would not be overheard. Mistress Sexton was a born leader and knew better than to chastise her minions in front of each other. Reynold, his jaw tight, would bear this humiliation in private.

‘I would speak with you, my lord,’ she said, stopping to stand before him, hands clasped together.

‘Yes.’ Reynold steeled himself against what was coming, the prodding of his old wound, suddenly fresh. But rather than wait for her attack, he launched his defence, hoping to have done with it quickly. ‘If this is about the kiss, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.’

Mistress Sexton made a strangled noise, and Reynold saw her face go pale and then flush. Was the memory too distasteful for discussion? Reynold turned on his heel and walked towards the windows, muttering a curse under his breath. Wasn’t this why he had left Campion, to avoid such entanglements? And yet here he was halfway across the country and worse off than he had been at home.

‘I release you from your vow.’

Reynold whirled at her words. ‘What?’ She looked so uncomfortable that he might have spoken more gently, but for the fact that she was telling him to go, to leave Grim’s End behind. Would she rather face the dragon than his attentions?

‘I realise now that I asked too much of you,’ she said, and Reynold noticed that she could not meet his eyes. ‘I cannot ask you to risk your life for me, for us.’

Reynold’s lips curled in contempt. She had been perfectly content with the arrangement until yesterday. Did she think he would ask for more in exchange for his service? As far as he was concerned, nothing had changed, except for his own brief lapse in judgement.

‘I’m afraid that my vows cannot be discarded so easily,’ Reynold said. ‘What happened to your concerns for the people of this area, your claim that the worm must be vanquished so that everyone can live without fear? Surely you do not want the beast to triumph?’

‘No,’ she answered. ‘But neither do I want you to be hurt.’

Reynold snorted. ‘Have you so little faith in me, mistress? I am no coward.’

‘Tis too dangerous!’ she said, ignoring his question.

Reynold caught and held her gaze.

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