7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Konrad
“ P up, I appreciate your generosity, but we are not giving the captive the biggest pastry.”
Eloise glances down to where she’s setting up the rations Cook gave her for Valda, her, and me. “Says the one who exchanged silver for flowers!”
Which was a foolish trade, considering how much I’m struggling to provide for Eloise until this job pays off. But that flower girl couldn’t have been any older than my pup, and I hated the thought of her going hungry.
Sighing, Eloise holds up her pastry. “You were right to give that girl a denarius. Just like I’m right to give Lady Valda my pastry. Hospitality is one of the seven Tenants of the kinfolk way, after all. And I feel bad after helping trick her . . .”
I scowl as I scratch my neck. I’m not sure why it feels so itchy this morning. “Don’t feel bad— that’s my job. Also, Lady Valda fed her dinner to the birds.”
“What?!” Eloise’s jaw drops, and she quickly swaps the doughy pastry on Valda’s platter, giving her the smallest one.
I grab my portion and eat it before I can be tempted to be generous again .
“Well, I’m going back to the crow’s nest.” Eloise slips her own breakfast into her tunic pocket. “Bye!”
If stealth and agility weren’t two of the other seven Kinfolk Tenants, I would say something.
Sighing, I take Valda’s platter and make my way to her door. I do my best to ignore the soreness from sleeping on the floor.
If only any of my fellow Guild members would have taken this job with me, I could have a reputable crew. But only a fool would take on Baron Schwerin, and they all know it.
But I have nothing left to lose, so who cares if I court folly?
I undo the bolt and carefully open Valda’s door, ready if she bolts again.
She’s not in her bed, and I quickly scan the room, her scent still strong.
“Over here.”
I step into the room and finally find her in the farthest corner— and nearly drop her platter before she can even try to knock it out of my hands.
Valda is standing in a puddle of her coral dress, her chemise on full display.
Instinct has me looking away. Then I remember the door is open and quickly close it. Except, now I’m behind a closed door, unchaperoned with a barely dressed woman—
“I’m sorry,” Valda says, her voice drawing closer. “Am I making you uncomfortable? I just wanted to change into something fresh . . .”
“Not uncomfortable at all.” I choke out the words in the least convincing way possible. Then I quickly set the platter on the table before I can drop it.
“That’s excellent news.” She’s upon me now, and I turn to face her instinctively because she is a hostile. Even if it suddenly feels like nothing has changed since that night at the inn. “Because I need some assistance undoing my corset. ”
I can’t even see her corset, which means it must be beneath her chemise. Which further means I will not be assisting her with it.
My hands clamp onto her shoulders to keep her from moving any closer to me. It definitely isn’t an excuse to touch her, but by the glint in her eyes, she thinks it is. There is a confident smirk to her lips, like she’s winning some kind of twisted game.
That game is playing me like a fool, which she is doing a superb job of right now. It’s like she knew I accidentally dreamed of her last night, her pretty face flitting between childhood memories.
I need to get back into control now, or I won’t be the captor here.
“I am not your lady’s maid,” I say with a bit more growl than necessary. “I will not be helping you d-dress or undress.” I stutter slightly and move quickly past it. “If you wish to change, there’s an old outfit of mine in the chest if you think that would be more comfortable, but that is all the assistance you will be getting from me.”
Soon, though, there will be coin enough to have far more garments to choose from. I’ll be able to provide Eloise with gowns of the same caliber as Valda’s.
Valda’s eyes flash, and I can tell she’s not happy with my grim pronouncement. But her lips still hold their vixen tilt, and then one of her gloved hands is on my chest, slowly climbing toward my shoulder.
I know this tale— I need no bard to sing it to me, because I’ve lived it before— two nights ago. Before, I was the villain in her story, and she invited me to be her hero. She gave me a kiss as a promise of reward.
It didn’t work then, and it certainly won’t work now, with her fingers curling behind my neck and drawing my lips down to hers .
I’m sure it would have been easier to fight if I’d never tasted her before. But the moment Valda’s lips left mine that night, there was a part of me deep down that needed them back. And now I’m kissing her as passionately as I wish I had then, already dreading the next time our mouths will be separated. Because that’s when the regret sets in.
I already live and breathe regret. Best to hide from it as long as possible.
Dancing Valda away from the door, I press her against the wall. Then I pull back, hesitating for a moment. Does she regret this?
Valda’s fingers tangle into my hair and drag my mouth back to hers.
My hands plant themselves on her waist, and there is far little cloth between me and the warmth of her body. But that can be future Konrad’s problem.
She parts her mouth from mine, kissing across my jawline to my ear.
“We could run away together,” she whispers.
I tense, confused. “Run away? Together ? What in the Three Heavens are you talking about?” And why haven’t you tried to dart from my arms and out the door yet like a proper captive? “I’m the villain of your story. You shouldn’t want anything to do with me except vengeance.”
“I do want vengeance. I want you on your knees begging for my forgiveness and my kiss.” Valda doesn’t turn to face me, preferring to hang by my ear, one finger still playing with my hair that is no longer held back by its band. “I should warn you that I’m very good at getting what I want. And I’ll make you like it.”
Despite the lull of her words, I’m shaking my head. “I want my own vengeance . . . ”
Valda’s fingers wrap around my neck. “Against my father? I understand that. He is not . . . the kindest of men.”
Grunting, I try to recoil. The distance I succeed in earning between us is minimal. “Your father is more than just unkind. He’s the reason my family is dead!”
She grasps my face and tilts it to finally face her. There are layers to the darkness in her eyes. Sorrow, determination, regret, and . . . desire. “Then take his family from him. You don’t want a ransom— you want revenge .” Her fingers drop from my hair to press against my chest, just over my heartbeat. “So run away with me.”
What would it be like to have a woman like Valda by my side? I’m not foolish enough to think there is any love between us since we’ve known each other barely two days and she was my captive one of them. But it could become love. It could be a partnership of equals. I could not be alone again.
I close my eyes as Valda’s hand other caresses my face, her silk-covered fingers playing with my beard. And I make myself remember.
I’m not alone. And adding one more person to my company for me to provide for— one with as expensive tastes as a Baroness such as Valda— would not help our financial situation. And Eloise deserves a dress.
“I-I can’t.” Gently gripping Vadla’s wrists, I push them away as I step back.
When I open my eyes, there is shock and a flash of rage in Valda’s gaze before she quickly covers it with a more sensuous pout than before. “Are you sure? We could be so good together . . .” She steps toward me, her hips swaying in a way I was not meant to ignore.
My Guild master’s words echo in my head, and I can practically see him shaking his head in disappointment. “ The job must always be impersonal. The moment emotions get involved, you’re through.”
“I’m quite sure.” I clear my throat. “You see, it’s not just about the vengeance . . .” I back toward the door, gripping the handle. “It’s about the money, too.”
With that, I swing the door shut and put the bolt in place just as the handle rattles. “You have the worst code of chivalry I have ever come across!”
“You certainly have a way with the ladies, Captain.”
Turning, I find one of the Klepper twins scowling at me.
“Yes, well . . .” I rake a slightly shaking hand through my tangled locks. “It’s my animal magnetism. Women love a noble rogue.”
“I’ll run you through with a stake, you heartless monster!” Valda shrieks at the other side.
Klepper glances between the door and me. “I see.”
“Was there a reason you came by? Or was it just to chaperone? Which is completely understandable. She is a bit overeager—”
The door rattles, and I take a sliding step away from it.
Klepper crosses his arms. “The pigeon has returned.”