The Last de Burgh by Simmons Deborah

Author:Simmons, Deborah
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Emery leaned her head back and sighed with enjoyment, though she had already spent too much time in the bath. But it had been so long since she’d had a proper tub, or the firewood necessary to heat such an amount of water, that she lingered. The fine soap felt smooth against her skin, and her hair, deliciously clean, hung outside the rim.

Emery eyed her hat with distaste and wished that she could wash it, as well. For a moment, she longed to let her locks fall free. As much freedom as her guise gave her, there were some advantages to dressing as a woman—and being a woman. Her thoughts immediately drifted to Lord de Burgh, and she shivered, despite the warmth of the bath.

Would he follow her here? Emery flushed at the notion of the great knight stepping into this water after her departure. Or would he insist upon replenishment or replacement? Either way, he was likely to occupy this tub, and suddenly, Emery found it difficult to think of little else.

Her breath caught as she remembered when he had been naked to the waist, his strong body gleaming golden in the firelight, his braies hanging low on his hips, past the flat stomach so different from her own. His skin had glistened with moisture, his big hands gliding over the slick surface with a sureness that made her swallow stiffly.

She tried to imagine the rest of him, long, muscular legs, hard from days in the saddle, and the bare feet she had glimpsed. But soon her heart was pounding so wildly that she feared it might burst from her chest. Indeed, it seemed so loud that she sat up to listen, only to realise someone was knocking on the door.

Heat swamped her as she envisioned Lord de Burgh outside, eager for his turn to wash—or be washed. Rumour had it that in some castles, ladies bathed important visitors like Lord de Burgh and Emery felt the keen bite of jealousy. Even though she could not do such a thing, she did not want anyone else to, either.

Leaving the tub, Emery wrapped herself in a sheet of linen and stepped forwards, only to stop and wrap her hair in another, though that would do little to disguise her gender. Still, she was glad of her efforts when a female voice answered her query. Unbolting the door to peer out, she saw a young serving girl waiting.

‘Mistress Montbard?’ the girl said. ‘I’ve some clothes for you.’

Emery was too stunned to answer, fear making her pulse race. Had she heard the girl aright?

‘Lord de Burgh sent me, mistress.’

Emery could do nothing except admit the girl, who bustled past her, arms piled high, to spread her burdens out upon the bed. Blinking in astonishment, Emery approached the array like someone in a dream, for here were no tunic and braies, no castoffs from a page or squire. Laid before her was a surfeit of kirtles in brilliant blues and yellows and crimsons, fine silks and delicate linens, and fur-trimmed mantles.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.