Page 19 of The Herald's Heart
“Nay, sir, please,” Alice pleaded. “Let me help you. ’Twould take time for me to find someone, and yer bath would indeed be chilled then.”
“’Tis not a task for you, Alice.”
“I want to, Sir Talon. I’m so very grateful that ye proved the keep is not haunted. Ye’ve saved us all from the earl’s anger. Please.”
“Since it means so much to you.”
Larkin moved to the end of the screen nearest the open door and peered around the edge. Thank the Lord for Alice’s quick wits.
Seated on the bed, Talon had lifted one muscled leg. Alice bent over his foot, both hands wrapped around his muddy boot.
Larkin bit her lip. Because of her own desire for a bath, Alice served Talon as a squire. Still, she could hardly charge to Alice’s relief draped in sodden cloth.
The second boot fell to the floor.
“Thank you once more, Alice. Now, you’d better go before I offend your modesty.” Talon stood, turned his back to the cook, and began to lower his braes.
“’Tis nothing I’ve not seen afore, sir.” She cackled and moved toward the screen. “But ye’d better let me check the water. I fear I may have left the soap in the tub, and yer bath may be murky by now. Ye’ll want clean water brought.” Her gaze caught Larkin’s, and she made shooing motions with her hands.
Larkin ducked farther behind the screen.
“A bit of soap in the water won’t bother me, Alice. Now leave, before I embarrass us both.”
Alice turned as she reached the screen. “Aye, Sir Talon.”
Larkin scurried to the opposite end of the wooden barrier.
“I’ll be going now, sir.” The cook stepped toward the door. Then put a hand to her back. “Ooh.”
“Alice, what is the matter?” Concern tinged Talon’s deep tone.
“’Tis nothing, Sir Talon. Just me back.”
“Nonsense, you are in pain.”
Larkin heard a skidding footfall, and Alice gasped again. Quick steps told her that Talon had moved to Alice’s side. Was she truly hurt? Larkin peeked beyond the screen.
His bare shoulders and back blocked her view of Alice. A skimpy breechclout knotted about his hips did little to block her view of his lower torso and nothing to shield work-hardened thighs and strong calves from her sight.
“Here, let me help you.” He sounded genuinely concerned.
He placed an arm around the cook’s waist, and together they shuffled toward the door Alice had left open.
“Cleve!” Talon bellowed.
Taking a deep breath, Larkin scampered to the huge bed and hid in the folds of the velvet drapes.
“Ah, Cleve, escort Mistress Alice downstairs. She’s hurt her back. Make certain she’s comfortable, and ask someone in the kitchen to prepare a posset. Alice, you are to drink every drop.”
Larkin watched through a thin gap between the velvet and the bedpost, as Cleve took Alice from Talon.
“Nay, Sir Talon. Truly, ’twas only a twinge. ’Tis gone now. I’ll tend yer bath for ye.”
“You’ll do no such thing. If you injure yourself further, who will keep the pot boys out of trouble? I insist that you rest.”
“But ...”
“Now.” The steel beneath the silky empathy was unmistakable.
