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lord,” she lowered her voice. “As much as I
appreciate the gesture, I am afraid… that is to say, those repairs were
something we intended to do when we… well, perhaps before winter sometime we
were.…”
    She
was stammering and her cheeks were flushed.  Braxton’s lips curled into a
smile. “You are welcome.”
    She
stopped stammering and stared at him. “What?”
    “I
said that you are welcome.”
    Her
cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. “Of course, it is a most generous
gesture, but we cannot… what I mean is that I do not have the means to
compensate you for this work.”
    His
smile broadened. “Your generous hospitality this night more than compensates me
for the work.”
    She
gazed up at him with eyes that were mesmerizing.  “But you have provided the
entire meal, my lord,” her nervousness was lessening, making way for a tone of
wonderment. “All we are doing is providing the means by which to cook it.”
    “And
you are providing your home and your company, of which I am most
appreciative.”  It occurred to him what had her so rattled; she thought he
would expect payment for the repair and he hastened to assure her that was not
the case. “My lady, you took pity on a host of weary men. Your generosity
outweighs any meager chores we could do for you. In fact, before we leave, I
intend that we should do much more to thank you for your graciousness.”
    She
was astonished.  “But… we would have done the same for any weary traveler.
There is no need to rebuild Erith in order to thank me.”
    He
laughed softly, his teeth straight and white. “By the time my men and I are
finished, you will not recognize this place.”
    “But
why?”
    “I
told you why. Because you are kind and hospitable.”
    Gray
wasn’t sure what more she could say, but one thing was for certain; he was
doing far more than he should. A glance over her shoulder showed that several
of Braxton’s men were taking a look at the rotten portcullis on the inner wall,
gesturing to the working mechanisms and obviously discussing how to remediate
it. She took another look around the bailey and realized that his men were
spread out everywhere, surveying the decay and already making attempts to
repair it. She turned to Braxton, shaking her head slowly.
    “You
do too much, my lord.”
    His
smile faded, the blue-green orbs gaining in intensity. “I am just getting
started.”
    She
gazed into his eyes, wondering why this man should be so kind to her. A great
part of her was deeply touched, yet another part of her, the protective part,
was still very wary.
    “I
do not mean to seem ungrateful, my lord,” she said quietly. “’Tis simply that
guests do not normally work for their hosts to pay for their meal and board.
Some people might take it as an insult.”
    “Do
you?”
    She
lifted her slender shoulders. “Nay. But I am not sure how I can possibly repay
you.”
    His
smile returned. “As I said, a good meal and good company is payment enough. It
is rare in my line of work that we experience pleasantries and such an event is
priceless. We are very glad to do what we can for you to repay such
graciousness.”
    Gray
did not know what more to say.  She should probably stop him, but she couldn’t
seem to muster the will. He seemed thoughtful and sincere; it was hard to
refute him.  He made it sound as if she was the one doing him the favor. 
Braxton’s men were distributed in small groups out all over the fortress,
working on various things – the stable roof, the portcullis on the inner wall,
and there were several up on the outer wall inspecting the crumbling stone. 
She stood there a moment, drinking in the activity, allowing herself to feel
just the slightest bit touched by his actions.  It was an odd, warm feeling
that she’d never before experienced.
    When
she looked back at him, her cheeks were flushed with gratitude.  She was not
accustomed to someone showing her such kindness and, although she should have
still