Page 21 of Obeying the Orc
A tense silence stretched between us, but I finally surrendered to the kindness I glimpsed lurking in his gaze.
What did it matter if I told the truth?
It wasn’t as if I had actually seduced Mr. Foxthorne.
I drew in a deep, steadying breath and tried my best to hold Knot’s gaze. “He came into my bedroom and tried to have his way with me. I fought back and his wife appeared in the doorway when he was on top of me, when he was very close to…” I felt my face crumple, and Knot gathered me up in his huge muscular arms. He rocked me and murmured soothing words until I found my voice again. “He told his wife I tried to seduce him, and she kicked me out. And judging from the looks I got walking through town earlier today, I suspect she’s spread all sorts of nasty rumors about me. She always did like her gossip. So, you see, I am ruined in more than one way. I have no business becoming anyone’s wife in Faircross.”
“We’ll move away then, Natalee. Wherever you wish to go.”
Why was he being so nice to me?
Wasn’t this what I’d wanted, though? To find a husband, and quickly?
But it felt so very wrong, given his past. I wasn’t priest wife material. Priest’s wives were usually of impeccable character, their reputations white as fresh fallen snow. Sooner or later, he would regret his decision to marry me. I couldn’t allow him to make that mistake, not when he could have a very bright future here in Faircross. The need for a messenger of the gods here was strong. I didn’t want to be responsible for him leaving a town that clearly needed him.
“I don’t wish to marry you, Knot. I’m sorry.” The lie tasted bitter.
“I don’t believe you.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. His masculine scent enticed me, making me want to latch onto him and never let go. I felt safe in his arms. All the noise from the tavern seemed muted in his presence, as well as the worries that ran persistently through my head.
He held me for what felt like hours. In fact, I drifted to sleep in his embrace, only awaking briefly when he crawled out of bed and tucked the covers around me. “You won’t be working anymore this evening. Stay in bed and get some sleep. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, sweet Natalee. Tomorrow.”
I drifted back to sleep and dreamed that I lived in a cabin on the mountain. The sun was shining over the green landscape, the day hot, as I walked barefoot to a nearby stream to dip my feet in the water. Knot came out of the woods and set down his mining tools, then ran to scoop me up in his arms. He kissed my cheeks, and then my mouth, claiming me with a roughness that prompted heat to gather between my thighs.
In the morning, I awoke to find Madame Sage staring down at me. “Are you well, dear? You never came downstairs after your big spender left, after he and I had a rather odd conversation. I had Floura peek in on you, but she said you were fast asleep.”
I sat up, only to realize I was still completely naked. I flushed and reached for the covers, pulling them up to my neck.
Madame Sage laughed, a musical sound that rivaled that of the songbirds that were gaily chirping outside the window. “I own a brothel, sweetie. Those aren’t the first tits I’ve seen.”
“I-I’m fine. What conversation are you talking about? What did Knot say to you?”
“He said he planned to return early this evening to visit you again. He said to make sure you were ready for him and didn’t take any other customers first.” Madame Sage’s smile widened. “You must have made quite an impression on the male. He offered to pay fifty gold pieces for another night with you. In fact, he didn’t just reserve you for tonight, but the night after as well, and so on. He says he wants you all to himself for as long as you work here.”
I sighed. “Well, he did sort of ask me to marry him.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, but I said no.”
“Would you like Trevonn to toss him out on his ass if he shows his face around here again? Fifty gold pieces or not, you don’t have to see him if you don’t wish to.” Madame Sage gave me a sympathetic look.
I didn’t know what to say. My pride urged me to refuse another night with Knot. But another fifty gold pieces put me much closer to affording the trip back home. Guilt fell on my shoulders the next moment, and I found it difficult to breathe. I hated that I was thinking about the money. What was wrong with me? But I also wanted to see Knot again, to spend time with him, no matter how vehemently I’d refused his marriage proposal—never mind that we couldn’t have a future together. Oh, what a mess I’d found myself in.
“Julianne? Natalee, dear?”
“I’ll see him again. I-I want to see him again. Even though I don’t.” I laughed. “Does that sound confusing or what?”
“Do you have feelings for the orc?”
I gnawed on my bottom lip. “I’m not sure. I suppose I do, but I can’t stay here in Faircross forever, and I can’t ask him to leave either. A lot of people in town want him to become the priest here. He couldn’t do that if he married me. Ruination is contagious, right?”
Madame Sage gave my shoulder a squeeze and moved to the door. “The mayor married a siren. So did the sheriff. The blacksmith, too. Surely, you must have heard?”
“Well, yes, I know about that. But a priest… could you imagine?” Utterly scandalous! It would be the talk of the entire island.
