Chapter Three #2
Peter looked at Christin in horror, touching her sleeve and even her skirts. Alexander was absolutely correct; she was soaked.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded. “You are going to catch your death.”
Christin looked at him, at the others, contritely. “It is nothing of concern, truly,” she said. “I am sitting by the fire. I will dry out.”
Peter didn’t believe that for a moment. “You are going to get sick and Mother will blame me. You really should have told me, Cissy.”
He started to get up so he could tend to her, but Alexander shoved him down by the shoulder.
“Sit and finish your meal,” he said. “I am finished already. I will see to our martyr.”
With that, he crooked a finger at Christin, motioning for her to come with him.
She was on her feet in an instant, grabbing her satchel and her wet cloak as she followed Alexander from the alcove and into the common room beyond.
She trailed behind the man as he moved through the inn, towards the stairs that led to the upper floors, snapping orders to the serving wenches as he went.
He ordered a bath and more food to be taken up to the lady’s chamber.
Although Christin wasn’t one to let men that she didn’t know take charge of her, Alexander was different. It wasn’t as if she had any choice; he was leading and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
But it was more than that.
She’d been in awe of the man from the moment she met him and, if she was being perfectly honest with herself, she was flattered that he would take the time to assist her.
He made her heart flutter, just a little, and speaking to the man made her feel the least bit jittery.
Completely out of character for the normally confident young woman who had never met a man yet who intimidated or interested her.
But Alexander de Sherrington had… and did.
Even as she walked behind him, she found herself looking at the sheer size of the man.
He was tall, though she’d seen taller, but the width of his shoulders and the size of his arms had her attention.
There was enormous physical power there.
She wasn’t even really listening to what he was saying.
All she could think of was the fact that she was walking with Alexander de Sherrington.
Sherry.
Aye, she was starstruck.
She could admit it.
Alexander took the stairs to the second floor and Christin followed closely behind.
Once they got to the landing, there was a smaller staircase that led to the third floor, a staircase that seemed to lean slightly, and they took that one to the top floor.
Once there, Alexander took her to the smaller chamber that overlooked the stable yard.
There was already a fire in the hearth because the room was rented for the night and the servants had prepared the chamber.
There was even a warming pan for the bed propped up against the hearth.
Alexander entered the room and lit the taper that was on the small table next to the hearth, bringing more light into the space.
The warm glow made it feel safe and cozy as the storm raged outside.
“You should be comfortable here,” he said, looking around the chamber. “They are bringing you a hot bath and wine. Is there anything else you need?”
He was being quite attentive and Christin wasn’t sure why. “If there is, I can send for it,” she said. “Truly, you needn’t have gone through so much trouble. I am sorry to have taken you away from my brother and your friends.”
“It was no trouble,” he said, his gaze finally falling on her. He gestured to her clothing. “You had better get out of those wet things immediately.”
“I will, thank you,” she said. “I am ashamed to have been such a bother. You may go if you wish. I can take care of myself.”
“Are you trying to rid yourself of me?”
She looked stricken. “Nay,” she said. “’Tis simply that I feel as if I have been trouble to you from the outset. I do not wish to be any further inconvenience.”
He cocked his head. “Outset? Explain.”
She gestured in a general southerly direction.
“At Ramsbury,” she said. “And then in London. Truly, my lord, I am very sorry if I offended you by dispatching your opponent at The Pox. It’s just that you had wine in your eyes and I could see that…
well, I thought that he had you at a disadvantage.
Just for the moment, of course. I only wished to help. ”
Those dark eyes took on a glimmer. Looking behind him, he noted a chair and planted his big body on it. With the door open, and Christin still standing in the doorway, there was nothing improper about him remaining, at least for the moment.
“Firstly, there will be no more of this nonsense with a formal address,” he told her in a rumbling tone, though not unfriendly. “My friends call me Sherry. Since you have killed on my behalf, I will grant you that privilege. It is the least I can do.”
Christin’s pale cheeks flushed in the dim light. “Thank you, my… I mean, thank you,” she said. “I am honored that you would consider me a friend. Well, not a friend. A comrade. Oh… not a comrade, either. God’s Bones… I don’t know what I am, but thank you, anyway.”
By the time she was finished, he was grinning at her with those big, white teeth set against the black beard. “You are a female associate,” he said. “There is only one other female I will allow to call me Sherry. You know Susanna de Dere, of course. She is the only other one. I like the woman.”
“So do I.”
“And she likes you,” Alexander said. He settled back in the chair, folding his enormous arms over his chest as he gave her an appraising look. “Tell me about yourself, Lady Christin de Lohr. I know your father well, and your uncle, but I have only heard about you.”
“What have you heard?”
His smile broadened. “That you are flawless in whatever you do, a true de Lohr to the bone. Had you been born a man, you would have been a magnificent knight.”
A smile creased her lips. “That is the greatest compliment anyone could have paid me. Thank you.”
“It is true, or so I have been told. But from what I have seen in the short time we have been associated, I believe the rumors.”
The servants picked that moment to bring in the big, copper tub and all of the accompaniments, including buckets of hot water, a stool, and drying linens. Christin was forced to move out of their way, which put her next to Alexander. He pulled out a chair for her as the hot bath was prepared.
“You may as well sit,” he said, watching her perch on the edge of the chair in her wet clothing. “You have not answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Tell me about yourself.”
Christin set her satchel on the table. “There is not much to tell,” she said. “My life has been unremarkable. I fostered at Thunderbey Castle.”
“That is East Anglia.”
“Correct,” she said. “Dashiell du Reims’ father is the Earl of East Anglia. They are cousins to the House of de Lohr, you know. My grandmother was the sister to Dashiell’s grandfather, Tevin du Reims.”
Alexander nodded. “I remember hearing that,” he said. “So you fostered at Thunderbey. Did you enjoy it?”
She nodded. “It was my home for about five years. I loved it there.”
“Did they teach you the common female pursuits, or were you out in the yard with the men learning to fight with swords because you are a de Lohr?”
He meant it as a joke and she grinned, displaying her father’s curvy smile. “They would not let me learn to fight with a sword.”
“Did you try?”
“What do you think?”
He laughed softly. “I think you tried,” he said, sobering. “Did you learn anything?”
“I learned enough until the earl’s wife forced me to stop.”
“It is their loss. But the skills I’ve witnessed go beyond just a few lessons. Who taught you?”
“My father, mostly.”
“He taught you well.”
“That may be, but he does not know that I use what he taught me.”
Alexander nodded. “I know,” he said quietly. “I was told your father does not know who you truly serve.”
Christin nodded, watching the servants put the last bucket of hot water in the tub.
They were keeping their voices low, and their words cryptic, so those around them wouldn’t hear.
She had learned long ago that men, and women, in the vocation of espionage don’t live long if they speak openly about it.
She’d learned to hide her profession.
“It’s strange, really,” she said. “From the moment I began this journey, I have felt as if I belong here. As if it is what I was always meant to do. I know that sounds odd coming from a woman, but I feel as if I am accomplishing something that few women can claim.”
Alexander could see the contentment in her face as she spoke.
There was something about Christin de Lohr that seemed to transcend normal womanhood.
Certainly, she was beautiful. Absolutely stunning.
But there was steely strength below the surface.
She was no simple lady, content with the role society demanded of her.
Quite the contrary.
He rather liked that.
“That is because you are,” he said as the last servant left the chamber, taking the buckets with him. “It is good that you realize that. It means you will never take it for granted. You will always respect the privilege you have been given.”
Christin nodded, grinning bashfully as she realized he understood exactly what she’d been trying to verbalize. She further realized that she had taken enough of the man’s time.
“Forgive me,” she said. “I must sound foolish. A man like you has better things to do than listen to my ramblings.”
“It’s not often I hear ramblings. Coming from you, it’s not so bad.”
Her grin turned into a giggle and she looked away, absolutely mortified that her cheeks were starting to flame again.
“Well,” she said, “you have been kind, anyway. You did not have to give me your time or your attention. I am sure you would rather be with your friends downstairs.”