Page 70 of The Robber Knight's Love
“And why do you think I wouldn't besuccessful?” he asked, breathless. His mind was stillelsewhere—still experiencing the moment when her lips had touchedhis forehead. Did he dare call it a kiss?
She giggled again. “Reuben,you, swinging a sword? Please! You look strongenough, but you're no fighter. You're too good a merchant.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You think I'm such agood merchant, do you?”
“Well...” She blushed. “You could makemegive you pretty much anythingfor free, just for one of those cheeky smiles of yours.”
This immediately brought said cheeky smile toReuben's face, more radiant than ever before. “Really?Anything?”
“If you're going to ask for honey wine,forget it. You're not getting any.”
That wasn't what had been on Reuben's mind.But it was probably better to let her think so and keep his realwishes to himself—for a while. Unless he was very much mistaken,she was just starting to like him. Definitely not the right momentto provoke her into slapping his face.
KnowThyself
Ayla changed Reuben's cataplasms again and gave himsome more water, then left reluctantly, not able to think ofanother excuse to stay and enjoy his company.
She had just returned to her own room whenshe realized what she had done. Terrified, she slapped her handsover her mouth and sank against the wall, groaning. “Oh God,no!”
Heilswinda, another one of her maids, thoughnot as close a confidante as Dilli, was just folding linen in acorner of the room. Leaving her work immediately, she came hurryingover to support her mistress. “Milady? Are you alright? Are youill?”
“No, it's not that. I... I...”
“What then?”
“What have I done?” Ayla moaned.
Heilswinda's young and kind but simple facewrinkled in confusion. “Well, I don't know. You should know thatbest yourself, shouldn't you?”
“I do!”
“Then what are you asking me for,Milady?”
“I... oh, forget it!”
There was a moment of silence while Aylacontemplated her shame.
“Well, what was it?” Heilswinda asked, facealight with curiosity.
“What was what?”
“What did you do?”
Ayla hesitated. But although she was curious,Heilswinda wasn't one to gossip. And it would be good to confess tosomeone.
“I kissed Reuben,” she admitted,shame-faced.
The curiosity in Heilswinda's face increasedtenfold. “And?” she demanded. “Was he good?”
“Was he... Heilswinda!” Ayla's face turned abrilliant shade of scarlet.
“Sorry, Milady.”
“It wasn't like that. I kissed him on theforehead.”
“Oh.” The maid seemed severely disappointed.And Ayla had to admit, part of her felt the same.
However, she didn't have much time to dwellon this improper feeling. Just then, there came three knocks fromthe closed door, and Isenbard called: “Milady? I need you.Urgently.”
