Page 54 of Peregrine's Call
“Another spot to keep his spoils that his own lord won’t see,” Robin said, her eyes bright. “I’ll bet anything it is Estmar leading the raids. And if they go on another raid soon…”
“…the castle will have far fewer guards that night.” Letting them escape with a much better chance for survival.
“Those must be the nights Irene goes to Pierce unasked! We can get everything ready and put the final part of our plan into place when we’re certain a raid will occur.”
“We could let her show up in Pierce’s room, and then restrain her…somehow.” Tav didn’t like the idea of hurting the woman, even if she was part of Estmar’s raids.
“Or I could say that Pierce asked for my company instead. Folk around the castle already know he’s asked me to his room once. They’ll believe it.”
“You can’t risk your reputation—” Tav started to say.
“There’s not much risk,” Robin said bluntly, “since no one knows who to tell. Nor will the common folk particularly care about spreading rumors surrounding a lady they can’t name.”
“I can’t let you do that, Robin. And anyway, you’ll probably be needed elsewhere. We’re going to need all three of us to carry the supplies.”
Robin looked to the keep, her gaze on the exact spot where Pierce’s personal chamber was. “I have an idea.”
Tav knew he wasn’t going to like it.
After hammering out the details of Robin’s plan—which Octavian objected to but couldn’t counter with anything better—both of them spent the next few days subtly watching Estmar and the men around him, waiting for a sign that another raid was imminent. Meanwhile, Pierce played up his role as the moody lord. He only spoke to Tav in very public areas, to allay any suspicions. However, Pierce frequently found reasons to spend time with Robin, flirting with her shamelessly, using the situation to his advantage.
Worse, Robin not just tolerated Pierce, she actually seemed to enjoy being with the man. Tav told himself that she was playing a part, but it didn’t help. He was jealous. He’d never been jealous of any man, and now he had to sit back and watch as Pierce toyed with a woman Tav couldn’t get out of his mind.
He couldn’t get out of this place fast enough.
On the fourth day, Robin found him in the castle courtyard in the early morning. She was bundled against the cold, wearing a thick velvet cloak, though her head was uncovered.
“It’s happening tonight,” she murmured, skipping all pleasantries.
“How do you know?”
“Irene told me that I was to refuse any invitation from Pierce this evening. She was adamant that she was going to entertain him all night, no matter what. And that must mean a raid is planned.”
“What will Pierce do, now that his preferred companion won’t be available?”
Robin shook her head. “Who cares? If I have to lose another game of chess, I’m going to toss the board into the fire.”
“That’s what you do with him? Play chess?”
“He adores it. And he adores winning at it even more. And I’m terrible. But I told him if he tried anything else, or even laid a finger on me, I’d slice the smirk off his face.”
Tav repressed a laugh. “There’s the Robin I know.”
“I’m always the Robin you know.”
Her words weren’t meant to be suggestive, but the way they fell between them led Tav to remember exactly how well he’d got to know Robin the other night, how he’d touched her until she unraveled in the most innocent and sensuous way possible, and he couldn’t think of anything else.
Robin must have been thinking the same thing, because her gaze was locked on him, and the desire in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Tav…” she began to say.
We can leave, he thought.Right now. Forget everything we’re supposed to be doing here, and just leave together. We can go anywhere we decide to go.
That was what he wanted. He was certain she wanted it too, in the moment. And it was the most enticing idea he’d had in years.
But he made promises, and he had to deal with the matter at hand.
“How will you deal with Irene?” he asked, dragging his mind away from the memory of Robin turning to silk in his arms.
