The Temptress by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Publisher: 0
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

ESMERUADE SIGHED IN CONTENTMENT AS SHE SLIPPED into a hot bath in Airdfinnan's solar, sore after a day and a half of hard riding. Combined with her journey to the King of the Isles, she had been more than four days without a leisurely bath. She had lied to the knights and said that her sister was in service at Airdfinnan, so as to not reveal her identity.

That Bayard had guarded her jealously when they made camp the previous night encouraged her mightily.

There had been a tense moment at the gates of Airdfinnan, when her stern brother-in-law met the party of knights. Esmeraude knew that Angus recog-nized her immediately, though he said naught until the knights had shared their tale.

A thousand details of hospitality had ensued, for the horses had to be brushed and sheltered. More ale had to be poured and more meat sent to the kitchens. Baths were summoned for the knights and Esmeraude knew that they assumed that she and Celie bathed last in the dirty water. Bayard and Esmeraude were separated and she wondered how he would continue his suit now.

She could not wait to find out.

Instead of the last water, Esmeraude lay in a lovely bath fragrant with rose petals, by her sister's own dictate. Celie had washed quickly and left for the kitchens, intending to lend assistance, at least by her explanation. Esmeraude knew that her maid went to seek gossip, and no doubt to revel in the glory of bringing new tales from Ceinn-beithe.

Tales of Esmeraude. 'Twas of no import, for Esmeraude meant to make her identity clear when she went to the board this evening. For the moment, she savored the luxury of the hot water. She dozed and might not have noted the opening of the door behind her if a cool draft had not caught her across her shoulders.

"So I am in service to the lord am I?" Jacqueline demanded cheerfully from behind Esmeraude's tub. "Is that what they say of marriage these days?"

"Close the door! 'Tis cold" Esmeraude cried and her sister laughed as she did so.

"Did you tell them all that I labor upon my back for the man's favor?"

Esmeraude giggled and huddled beneath the water. "I left the matter to their interpretation."

"There is a matter I shall not pursue!" Jacqueline's footsteps grew louder as she approached. "I cannot imagine what brings you to our gates, Esmeraude. I was certain the chatelain spoke wrongly, for you should be occupied with the men summoned by Maman to compete for your hand."

"I wished to talk to you, Jacqueline."

"Because you must wed some man or join the cloister? Did you come to me to discover the truth of that life?"

Esmeraude grimaced though her sister's tone was merry. Jacqueline had intended to join the good sisters of Inveresbeinn until Angus had won her heart. " 'Twill be a man for me, upon that you can rely. And indeed 'tis for that reason that I come to your gates—" She turned to appeal to her sister, then halted in astonishment.

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