Page 28 of The Robber Knight's Love
It wouldn't happen again. She was his enemy.He had to remember that.
A Pot Full ofDevil
Reuben was so deep in thought that, at first, hedidn't notice when Ayla spoke to him. Only when the girl tapped himon the shoulder did he realize it.
“Hello, are you listening to me?”
He looked up at her, for some reason annoyed.“Not really, no.”
She scowled. “You know, I am tempted to giveyou your compensation right now.”
That made him grin. “You promised yoursteward not to harm me until he gets back,” he reminded her.
“I'm sure he wouldn't mind. I don't knowwhether you've noticed, Reuben, but he doesn't exactly likeyou.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” he asked, hisvoice dripping with sarcasm.
“Ha!” She laughed a short, humorless laugh.Again, why was there no real amusement in her laughter? Wassomething troubling her?
“What's his problem with me?” Reuben asked todistract himself.
Ayla sighed. “He doesn't like what he saw inthe clearing where we found you. You know, what those robbers did?If it really was robbers. Whoever attacked the mercenaries must bequite vicious.”
A grim smile tugged at the edges of Reuben'smouth.That I am, he thought tohimself.Oh yes, that I am. And she must neverknow.
“He's an overprotective fool, really,” thegirl continued. “He seems to feel that keeping everything andeveryone that has been in that clearing at arm’s length is the bestthing to do.”
Overprotective,perhaps, Reuben thought.But nofool. I will have to watch out for that old man.
Another knock came from the door—much moretimid than before. Obviously, it wasn't Burchard. Reuben opened hismouth, but before he could say a word, Ayla called, “Come in,Dilli!” and gave him a superior smile.
That annoying little minx!
The screaming servant girl from earlierentered, carrying a bowl of water. Her hands were shaking so badlythat little waves appeared on the surface of the water. She lookedas if she would like nothing better than to run away again.
“Come here, Dilli,” Ayla ordered, “and putthe bowl on the table.”
“Y-yes, Milady,” Dilly stammered.
She did as her lady had ordered, thencurtsied hurriedly and almost ran out of the room.
“What is the matter with her?” Reuben wantedto know.
“You tell me,” Ayla said. “Earlier today, Isent her to look in on you. Five minutes later, she came runningback screaming'MiladyMiladywalkingaroundheisthreearrowsthreearrowsthree!Soakedinbloodheisthedevilwehavethewalkingdeadinourcastle!' and thenran off again.”
“I see.” Reuben felt her hands leaving hisback.
A moment later, he heard the sound of thebowl being moved from the table to the floor, and Ayla's gentleministrations began again.
“Mind explaining what that means, mastermerchant?”
He shrugged. “How should I know? She's just asilly serving girl.”
Ayla pressed an accusing finger into hisback. “She may be a serving girl, but she's certainly not silly!And if I were you, I would be a bit more careful with remarks likethat while you're under my roof!”
Reuben cursed himself. He should have guessedthe girl would be a peasant-lover on top of everything else! Whyshould life be easy on him for a change by giving her an iota ofsense and pride of rank?
“Of course, Milady,” he said.
