The Warrior by Heather Grothaus

Author:Heather Grothaus [Heather Grothaus]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Fiction, Scotland, Paranormal, Romance, Historical, Highland, Love Stories
ISBN: 9780821780060
Google: zxsXnvmVsbcC
Amazon: 0821780069
Barnesnoble: 0821780069
Goodreads: 511906
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 2005-12-31T14:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Sixteen

Nigel fell back on to the bed with an exhausted sigh of contentment, but he was not so tired that he missed the chance to land a quick slap on the bare buttocks of the young chambermaid who scrambled from his bed.

The girl tossed a dirty look over her shoulder while snatching her clothes from the floor and dressing as quickly as her fumbling limbs would allow. Since Lady Ellora's departure, Nigel's lechery had been given free reign over the girls who worked in the keep. The trysts he had instigated only covertly while his lady was in residence were now brazen abductions, likely to occur at any time. No woman within the keep walls was safe.

"Delightful, wench," Nigel praised. "Come visit me again this eve. Bring a friend."

The girl merely glared at the nude man, eliciting a chuckle from Nigel.

"Oh, do be good now." He smiled, and his eyebrows wiggled suggestively. "If I must seek you out, 'twill only be that much more merry for me." He reached a wiry arm over the side of the bed to grasp the wine jugleft there and lifted it toward the girl in a mock salute. "I do so love a chase."

Nigel's chamber door slammed shut as the girl exited, and his smile grew wider around the mouth of the jug. He swallowed several healthy gulps and swiped his hand across his mouth.

Too easy, though, he thought as he rose from the bed and strolled to the pot in the corner, wine jug in hand, to relieve himself. The servant girls were a pleasant distraction and a temporary balm for his physical needs, but the one he truly yearned for eluded him.

Haith.

Nature's call answered, Nigel crossed the chamber to dress. He set the jug on a small table and began carefully shaking out the garments he'd laid aside before his most recent frolic.

A montage of visions paraded through his mind as he pulled on his chausses: Haith laughing with that cow Soleilbert; Haith sweeping her long, fiery plait over her shoulder, eyes the shade of a perfect autumn sky, snapping and sparkling with anger; Haith sprawled beneath him, crying out in fear.

Ah, yes, that was his most treasured recollection of all

Had she now realized what she'd done in her foolishness? Nigel wondered. That bastard D' Argent had fled with his pitiful following of the most gullible villagers two days ago. Surely by now, Haith had seen Donald and had realized the dreadful mistake she'd made. With Soleilbert at Greanly now, Haith's pitiful little conscience was likely getting the better of her, too.

After all, Nigel mused, her choices are either to betray her sister or to bed a handsome lord and regain her position in Seacrest's hold. He chuckled to himself. Regardless of her lofty ambitions to catch Tristan's eye, Haith would soon learn, as would D'Argent, that a royal decree was like the word of God. William would not relent, Nigel was certain, especially since messengers from Seacrest had departed for London this morn.

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