Page 151 of Historical Hotties
“Will it just be you and I?”
He shook his head. “Nay. I am taking Burle and Stanton with me and about twenty men at arms.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Just for me?”
“Just for you.”
Giddy with the thought of spending the day with him, not to mention that her hosts were purchasing finery for her, she was in a splendid mood as he escorted her back to the kitchens. Quite carefully, she explained to the cook what must be done and left the woman to wrangle her magic with the new recipe. With orders to gather an escort, Burle went along his way as Creed took Carington back to the keep to collect her cloak.
As they were preparing to mount the steps to the keep, a few children came running past them, howling in terror. One child, a little girl of no more than four years, fell on the ground and bloodied her knee. Carington naturally felt sorry for the child and was preparing to help her stand when Gilbert and Edward suddenly appeared, small swords in hand. The boys pounced on the little girl before Carington could get to her.
“I have you now, wench!” Gilbert grabbed the child by the hair. “To the vault with you!”
Horrified, Carington made a dash for the child before Creed could stop her. With the little girl in one hand, she shoved Gilbert away.
“Gilbert d’Umfraville, ye’re a monster to hurt this child,” she scolded severely. “Go away and leave her alone, ye little devil, before I take a stick to ye.”
Gilbert’s mouth popped open in outrage. Then he thrust his sword at her, barely missing her torso.
“I’ll teach you to interfere, you brazen wench,” he cried.
Creed was suddenly between them, removing Carington and the weeping child without laying a hand on Gilbert. One had to be very careful with Richard’s sons.
“Master Gilbert,” his voice was low. “Honorable men do not use weapons against women, and particularly not Lady Carington. She is a guest of your father’s and you will not harm or harass her in any way. Another offense and your mother shall be informed.”
The threat of Lady Anne’s wrath was perhaps the only thing that intimidated Gilbert. But being the spoiled child that he was, he was not easily swayed. He pursed his lips, glaring at Carington and the sobbing girl. He pointed the sword at them.
“Don’t you interfere anymore,” he threatened Carington. “This is my castle. I will do as I please.”
Carington would not let a spoiled boy frighten her. “If I see another wrong doing, ye’ll come away with a blistered backside.”
“I will kill you first!”
“Make yer move, ye arrogant little fiend. I dare ye!”
It was turning into a shouting match between a grown lady and a horrible little boy. Creed put his hands out, one to turn Carington back towards the keep and the other to gently but firmly turn Gilbert around in the direction he had come. He ended up shoving him into Edward, who was huddled behind his brother in mute support.
“Go, both of you,” he ordered quietly. “I will hear no more of this. Master Gilbert, I would suggest you leave those children alone. You have been warned against beating them before.”
“But they are my vassals. I may do with them as I please.”
“Good lords do not harass their vassals. They protect them.”
Gilbert stuck his tongue out at Creed. Carington caught the gesture and she snapped, rushing at him with the intent of whacking him within an inch of his life. Creed was fast and grabbed her before she could fully execute her plan, but she still managed to get a handful of Gilbert’s hair and she yanked hard. The boy screamed.
“How do ye like that?” she snarled as Creed hoisted her up and began to carry her away. “That is what ye did to that little girl. It hurts, doesn’t it? Ye little beast, I’ll…!
Creed slapped a hand over her mouth before she could issue the rest of her threat. He carried her into the keep, only setting her down when they reached the steps. By then, she knew she probably should not have become so angry and she did not fight him as he firmly directed her up the stairs. . He did not scold her; he did not have to. He knew that she was fully aware of the wrongness of her actions, even though the lad had deserved worse. By the time they reached her shared chamber, she was properly, if not reluctantly, contrite.
She would not look him in the eye as he paused at the door. “I shall retrieve my cloak,” she said, looking at anything but him. “Please give me a moment.”
She started to open the door but he stopped her. Cupping her chin in one enormous hand, he forced her to look at him.
“Cari,” his voice was a purr, a rumble that shook her to the core. “No foul moods today. I would see a smile when you return.”
She blinked at him with those great emerald eyes. “Are ye going to tell Lord Richard what I did?”
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. “Nay.”
