Read The Saxon Bride (The Norman Conquest Series) for Free Online Page B

mead. Dipping her shoulder so her tunic fell open, she gave him an eyeful.
    "Ruth." Finally getting her attention, Rowena shot the serving girl a look of disapproval. "I think you are needed in the kitchen. Send someone else to see to our needs."
    Ruth tossed her red hair over her shoulder in a huff as she sashayed away. Rowena would need to address this behavior. It was unbecoming. If it meant replacing Ruth entirely, so be it. She'd have to find work elsewhere. Having already found her once in a compromising situation was bad enough. Rowena should have gotten rid of her then. She'd only kept her on at her mother's appeal.
    The memory of Ruth up against the wall, her skirts bunched up at her waist, and the grunting soldier having at her, flashed in Rowena's mind. She'd wondered at Ruth's expression. Her eyes had been closed and she appeared to be quite enjoying herself. Yet it looked so brutish. Heat spread quickly up Rowena's face as she remembered her own response to her husband's intimate touch. Would it be like that for her? Would she enjoy her husband like Ruth seemed to enjoy every man?
    Glancing at John, Rowena was relieved to see he paid no heed to the girl's behavior . He did not watch her as she walked away, and he didn't seem to notice her blatant invitation. Yes, Ruth definitely had to go.
    The meal was eaten with the new apple wine Rowena had chosen. The assortment of breads, meats and pies was plentiful. The mead and cider flowed without restraint. All seemed relaxed, happy even. At the tables grouped with eight and ten people each, there was an easy exchange as they talked amongst themselves and the noise level rose as the amount of drink increased. The Normans, however, sat off by themselves and spoke more quietly. They were soldiers after all. Rowena tried to squelch her uneasiness at this realization.
    Wondering if John noticed the subdued behavior of his men, she was startled to find his gaze running over her body. Her own breath quickened. It felt as if he were actually touching her. The memory of his touch had left a lasting impression. He wet his lips before taking his goblet to his mouth, opening it right before the cold metal touched his lips. The movement along his throat as he drank mesmerized her. She found herself wanting to put her lips there, to taste him. She looked away. She could never be so bold.
    Her response to his looks was quite disconcerting. She cleared her throat."H ow do you find your manor after your long absence, my lord?"
    John eyebrows shot up. She hadn't meant to find fault...or maybe she did.
    "I was taken aback to find you do not care for the stores and such. Is there a reason you refuse to act as is your right as my wife?"
    Her mouth opened slightly a t the lie. "My lord, I have been given no such leave. Your king replaced me as chatelaine on his first visit here."
    John searched her face before correcting her. "Our king."
    "Yes." Rowena dropped her gaze. A slip of the tongue.
    "You would accept this position then?"
    She looked up but hesitated, not wanting to overstep her bounds. "It would give me great pleasure to be in charge of the running of the castle."
    " Then run it you shall."
    Rowena nibbled at her lip to hide her smile. Since the Normans had come, no one obeyed her unless they wanted to. The king had never come to meet with her but instead with those he had put in charge of her. Now John was giving her back her rightful place. Things were progressing better than she had hoped.
    The young girl, Sarah, had replaced Ruth and was in front of the table offering a basket of almond -stuffed dates dripping with honey. Rowena returned her genuine smile. She was a lovely child. Serving the lord and lady was a big responsibility.
    Offering the sweets to the new lord, Sarah's face fell as he declined with a shake of his hand.
    "Oh, yes, please." Rowena hurriedly accepted the sweet. Sarah beamed in appreciation and moved on to the next table.
    Rowena put the treat to her mouth