Domning, Denise by Winter's Heat Page B

will house the carts, and the men can use the shed"—he pointed to a lean-to—"while your lady may have the use of his home."
    Rannulf interrupted, "At what price?"
    "Do you not think it wise to ask me if I intend to stay in this place before you open your purse and waste precious coins?" she asked sharply. "How far are we now from Graistan?"
    Her husband shot her a calculating look. "Perhaps four hours if you travel without the cart."
    "Then I intend to be on my way." She resettled her gloves between her fingers and straightened her wimple. "If you will not see to my needs, I shall have to attend to them myself. Besides, I have had the opportunity to visit places such as this. At night the beasts of the fields share these quarters with their masters. The warmth might be welcome in winter, but the stench is enough to make breathing impossible. Temric, do you ride with me?" For the briefest instant, Rowena would have sworn that she had astonished the man, but, if she had, his face immediately fell into his usual closed expression.
    Rannulf turned angrily toward her. "Do you think to shame me in front of my own men? If so, then you have sadly misjudged them and their loyalty to me. Spare me your venom and your claws."
    "My dear lord husband," she snapped, "I refuse to stay in a filthy hovel when in hours' time I could be where I can bathe, eat, sleep, and breathe in comfort."
    For a moment, it appeared that he had more to say, then his mouth shut into a hard and narrow line. "As you wish." He turned to his master-at-arms. "If my lady wishes to ride, let her ride."
    "As you say, my lord, but let the lady know that there is no place to stop between here and Graistan more suitable than this for one such as herself. Also, let her know that the ride is not an easy one."
    She smiled archly. Convent life, if lived true to the principles of the Roman Church, taught inner strength and stamina. Oh, there were those to whom a nunnery offered softness and shelter, but she had not been one of that ilk. "You may tell your master-at-arms that he will have no burden on his hands."
    Temric nodded curtly, no longer giving service to the customary protocol and now speaking directly to his lady. "Then, give me a moment, my lady, to see to the carts. My lord, it appears that it will cost you only two pence to store the carts and feed the oxen and their drivers. For another two pence, he and his sons will assist in bringing them to Graistan on the morrow if we leave men to guard them on their way."
    "Then, let it be so." Rannulf nodded.
    Temric dug the coins from the purse he wore at his waist and tossed it to the man, then unfastened the purse and threw it to his lord. At his command, four men sent their horses through the gate. The peasant called his sons from the hut to help the drivers guide the oxen and carts into the compound.
    Rannulf stuffed the leather pouch into his glove's cuff. "Gilliam knows what I need and, by all rights, it should be ready and awaiting your arrival. Take your ease for a day if you wish. There will be supplies enough with Ashby's company to see to all our men." He laughed, and Temric nearly smiled as they shared some private jest, then her husband turned to her.
    "Tell Gilliam that I said you are to do as you wish with the servants and that they are to obey you as they would me. No, do not say that." He held up a hand and briefly closed his eyes. "Say to him that you are to be obeyed in all things as his mother would have been obeyed. Temric"—he glanced around—"bear witness to any who question that I have said so."
    For a moment, there was silence between them while he stared off into the forest. When he turned back to her, he shrugged and said, "Your lands are too well matched with mine, I could not allow them to slip into another's hands. You will not be alone at Graistan. Gilliam will see to it that you are well treated."
    Was this an apology? It was better to assume it was. She cleared her throat, then finally