“I am well aware of what they did. She has accepted the punishment for her entire family, and I don’t wish you to harass her about it.”
“Her brother promised her to me. If she were the submissive sister she ought to be — “
“Not only do I never want to see you touching my servant again, I don’t want you to go near her, and I had better not catch you trying to intimidate her. Have I made myself clear?”
“Perfectly, my lord. Forgive my weakness for the girl. I swear it will never be a problem again.” The bailiff’s gaze turned to the floor, but Ranulf caught the defiance in Tom’s eyes.
“You may go, unless you have aught else to say to me.” Ranulf fought the urge to dismiss him outright. The sight of him touching Annabel, and her cringing, was still branded on his mind.
“No, my lord.” He bowed, replaced his hat on his head, and left.
Ranulf reflected over what the bailiff had said about the girl, that she was not to be trusted. He realized his bailiff was a louse. But that wasn’t the only reason he didn’t believe what the bailiff said. After seeing her eagerness to read the Bible, her confession that she had actually desired to read it for many years, and the sincerity in her face, Ranulf couldn’t help but think he had misjudged her.
He groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was think well of this girl, but she seemed ever before him. It seemed to be his lot in life to see her, hear her — and save her — everywhere he went. She was on his mind much more than was wise or comfortable.
But eventually this maiden would show her share of faults — maybe more than her share. Then he would cease to think of her at all.
Lord le Wyse seemed his usual morose self during the evening meal, scowling as much as usual. Some Bible reading would surely soothe him. Annabel fervently hoped he would suggest it. Please, God.
Beatrice was serving the ale tonight, and she was extremely attentive to Lord le Wyse. She refilled his tankard so many times that he finally looked up at her and said, “Thank you, but that is enough.” Annabel would have trembled at the look he gave Beatrice, but she seemed rather encouraged than discouraged by it and smiled down at him as if he had just bestowed a great compliment.
“Yes, my lord. Is there anything I can do for you? Can I get you anything, anything at all? It would be my pleasure.” She continued beaming at him, but he didn’t even glance her way.
“No, thank you. You may sit down.” Without looking at her, he waved his hand to shoo her.
Poor Beatrice.
Bailiff Tom glanced at Annabel a few times throughout the meal, an angry look pursing his thin lips, but at least he didn’t stare at her. She could only imagine what Lord le Wyse had said to him. That thought and the bailiff’s final glance caused her to check the position of her knife.
After the servants began to leave the table and she and Eustacia began setting the hall to rights, Lord le Wyse caught Annabel’s eye. He motioned with his hand for her to come to him.
She ceased her cleaning and hurried to her lord, dropping a curtsy.
He didn’t speak right away. In fact, he looked thoughtful, but Annabel waited, holding her breath to see what he would say. Would he blame her for the bailiff’s actions? Did he think what the priest thought, that all women were a snare? Could he believe what Bailiff Tom had said about her, that she was not to be trusted?
Lord le Wyse’s face was turned toward the fire, which illuminated his high cheekbones and his brown eye but not his hidden thoughts. His hair fell thick over his forehead, and Annabel couldn’t help noticing his beard was neatly trimmed. He looked fiercely masculine, with his firm jaw and chin.
Something about the way he turned and gazed at her made her heart beat faster. Finally, he said, “I desire reading. Will you read to me?”
“Yes, of course, my lord.” She tried not to seem too eager, but inside her heart smiled with joy.
His features relaxed in response, but the placid look was gone so quickly, she wondered if she’d imagined it.
Several servants were still milling about the room as she sat beside the fireplace in expectation. She hoped he didn’t think she was eager because she wanted to spend time with him. Another man looking at her with romantic intentions — it was the last thing she wanted. She evened out her expression before glancing up at him.
He disappeared behind the screen then returned with the Holy Writ. When she opened it and began reading, a few people stood nearby and listened, but after a few minutes they had all filed out and left. Mistress Eustacia was in the corner with her sewing, as she had been the night before. Annabel assumed she would stay there for propriety’s sake, to make sure Lord le Wyse and Annabel weren’t left alone together, which would stir up gossip.