The Black Lyon

a slight smile, not sure yet if he deserved forgiveness.
    “You must see the humor, when we saw you leading, as if he were a lamb, this animal that has hurt several men.”
    She leaned forward and stroked the animal’s velvety neck. “I have ever had success with the taming of great black animals. Come, Loriage, let us show these old men how fast youth can travel.”
    They arrived at the castle gates at the same time, the speed of Loriage more than the heavier Frisian’s, but Ranulf’s dexterity and knowledge of his horse greater.
    He swung her to the ground. “Do not ride so fast that you injure my babe,” he warned her.
    She could not help smiling at him, pleased that he spoke of their child. He took her hand.
    “Come and let us see what the sea has given us, or did you forget why I went bathing this morn? And then I am for sleep.” His eyes raked her. “Or other activities beneath the sheets.”
    She squeezed his hand. “I am glad you are here and not…” Her eyes misted.
    “You would miss me?”
    “Never!”
    He grinned and threw back his shoulders, looking ahead to the house. “You lie always.”

Chapter Twelve
    T hey forgot the girl Ranulf had dragged from the sea.
    “My lady,” Kate said as she met them. “We have put her in a spare bedchamber. Should we move her to the servants’ rooms?”
    Lyonene was puzzled for a moment, then remembered. “I will change my wet garments and then see to her myself.”
    “You cannot tend the girl. You have had no sleep for many hours. Send her to Jewel Tower.”
    “Have you no interest in this child who near cost you your life?”
    He shrugged. “Nay, I have interest in only one matter at the moment.”
    She moved from his grasp.
    He yawned and stepped into the soft bed. He was asleep before she finished dressing. She gave one last, longing gaze to his still form before she left the room.
    The woman lay asleep on the wide bed; Lyonene saw instantly that she was no girl in spite of her slight form. She was pretty in a timid way, with pale blond hair and pale brows and lashes. There were sunken places beneath her high cheekbones and little color in her rather thin lips.
    “She sleeps now, my lady, but I have given her some hot broth. She is very thin, almost like a boy. A shipwreck could not make the meat all leave one’s bones, could it?”
    Lyonene laughed. “Nay, it could not. It is fashionable to be slim. Mayhaps the lady comes from a land where the fashion is carried too far. See that someone is with her always. I go now and sleep. Tell William to keep the castle quiet.”
    She removed her clothes and slipped in beside Ranulf. He moved closer to her and sighed in his sleep. Content, she also slept.
    The last rays of the sun were fading when they woke, the warmth of the bed making them drowsy and languid. As Lyonene made to rise, Ranulf pulled her back to him.
    “You have escaped me once this day and you will not do so again. I will reward the one who saved me from an early death.”
    His lips were on her neck, savoring the shape and texture of her smooth skin, as she murmured, “I am glad Hugo did not rescue you, for he would not enjoy your rewards half as much as I.”
    Ranulf silenced her words with his lips. A loud knocking at the door interrupted them. Ranulf loudly cursed the knocker and returned his attentions to his wife. The noise continued.
    Angrily, Ranulf flung himself from the bed; only Lyonene’s voice made him don the loincloth before opening the door. Kate stood there, craning her neck to see her mistress.
    “I do not mean to disturb you, my lord, but it is the woman you found.”
    “What woman?” He scowled at the already frightened girl.
    Lyonene donned her robe and stepped before Ranulf, giving him a look of rebuke. “What of the woman, Kate? Is she not recovered as you thought?”
    “Oh, yes, my lady. She has more than recovered. She is sitting in her bed and demanding to see his lordship.”
    “Demanding?” Ranulf stepped forward. “I near die dragging the worthless piece from the sea and now she makes more demands of me? She should say prayers of thanks for me and her delivery from the sea.”
    Lyonene tried to stop him as he pushed past her to stride angrily to the bedchamber. She was close behind him.
    “Now, woman, what is this you demand of me?” His voice was quiet and heavy with sarcasm.
    Lyonene looked at the woman’s pale-blue eyes and saw them widen at the sight of the near-nude Ranulf. The eyes were