The Prisoner Bride by Susan Spencer Paul

Author:Susan Spencer Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“This is heaven,” Glenys murmured contentedly, sliding farther down into the warm, scented bathwater. “Or as close as one might get to it on earth.”

“S’truth,” Lady Eunice, the mistress of Hammersgate, agreed, testing a bucket of rinse water with a careful finger before nodding to her maid that it was all right. “When my husband and I first married,” she continued, settling back into the comfortable, heavily cushioned chair in which she sat, “this was the first boon I asked of him. A private bathing chamber for myself and the other castle ladies. He thought it most foolish, but soon gave way. Now I think he is a bit jealous, realizing how greatly we enjoy our privacy here. Will you have more wine, Glenys? And you, Dina?”

“Please,” Glenys replied, watching as one of the maids refilled the crystal goblet that was set upon a low table beside the large, wooden tub. The rich red wine glowed like living rubies, illuminated by both firelight and the numerous candles that filled the luxurious room.

Glenys had never seen anything like this private bathing chamber of Lady Eunice’s. It was located on the second floor of Castle Hammersgate’s far western tower, where several tall, diamond-paned windows allowed the late afternoon sun to fill the room with warmth and light. In one corner, surrounded by wooden buckets, was a special pump that magically delivered water from a hidden well below. The chamber’s two large hearths had been specially built in order to heat great cauldrons of water over a direct flame and keep that same water warm in a separate waiting area.

The chamber itself was splendidly decorated in red and gold, draped with silk curtains at each tall window and carpeted—except for those places where four large wooden tubs resided—with soft Italian carpets. There were large, cushioned chairs such as the one Lady Eunice was now sitting in placed in comfortable groups before the chamber’s hearths, perfect for small gatherings to relax and converse in. On one side of the room was a small closet where several warm robes were hung for anyone to use, and beautifully crafted screens to provide privacy while dressing.

There were several cupboards in the room, though Glenys had yet seen the contents of only two. One contained Lady Eunice’s private stock of fine wines, along with fresh goblets, both crystal and pewter. Another contained various delightfully scented lotions, oils and soaps. When Lady Eunice had escorted Glenys and Dina to this wonderful private chamber, the very first thing she’d done was ask each of them to choose the scent that pleased them most. Glenys had decided at once upon a mixture smelling of roses, while Dina had fingered a bottle of lilac oil with obvious delight. Now the two fragrances mingled in the chamber to create an even more lovely, relaxing scent. Surrounded by such comfort as she’d begun to think she’d never know again, Glenys sighed and leaned back against the towel that had been set beneath her freshly washed hair.

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