Page 32 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“Next time,” he said. “You’ll find release when I’m inside you.”

Linnet’s head jerked back, but his eyes had already drifted shut. She stared at him in confusion, mulling over his words from earlier. “You can’t mean for me to sleep naked every night, surely?” she asked drowsily before tucking her head back into his chest.

“I do,” he answered. “And you will.”

Very, very strange, thought Linnet.

XI

Linnet woke early the next morning but had no chance to disentangle herself from Mason, as he was firmly wrapped around her this time. Instead, she lay pondering over his puzzling words the previous night. She hadn’t even been talking about Chilton Jauncey except to answer the questions he brought up, she thought indignantly. If she had told him what Enid said she could have understood it, but she hadn’t breathed a word of Lady Sybilla’s matchmaking schemes! She was warm as toast with her big sleeping husband hugging her close and before overlong, she drifted back off to sleep. When next she woke, it was a little after eight o’clock and she was alone in the bed. She knew Mason and Oswald were visiting with more of the tenants today and meant to make another full day of it, so she didn’t tarry long over breakfast and made haste to dress herself in a yellow gown with no train and puffed, rather than long draped, sleeves. If she was going into town with Lady Enid she did not want to be trailing in the muddy streets. She added her purse to the braided leather belt she wore low over her hips, and after a moment’s hesitation, a wimple and veil. She wasn’t sure how much she would need for her new footwear, so she asked advice from Nan the maid, who told her only to take a few coins, for full payment would be settled on receipt of the goods. She selected her plainest black slippers and hoped they would hold up to outdoor wear for at least one morning and then sent Cuthbert to find her a cloak she could use. She really needed to commission some outdoor wear from a tailor, she thought, adding that to her list, mentally. When her page reappeared with a serviceable dark-brown cloak for her to wear, she found he had donned his own cape in readiness to accompany her, his eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of a trip into town. As she fastened the cloak, she passed him two coins of his own to spend.

“On a new whistle, or perhaps a bun,” she suggested.

“I hear horses!” he cried, dancing over to the window. “’Tis Lady Enid. And two other men!” he added with interest.

Linnet frowned and joined him at the window. “But who are they?” she wondered aloud. One looked like it might be a footman but the other was definitely a nobleman in his scarlet hose. “Oh dear, I wonder if ’tis Sir Chilton Jauncey?” she wondered aloud. When she informed Mason of the trip the night before she had mentioned only Enid as company, not Enid’s brother-in-law. With trepidation, she remembered his strange words about her not visiting Jauncey Hall which now belonged to an unmarried man. Oh well, she thought with a shrug. She would not be visiting Jauncey Hall. Only going into town.

She held her hand out to Cuthbert. “Come,” she said cheerfully. “We shall soon find out!”

It turned out she had been quite correct in her surmising. Enid sent her an apologetic look as she approached their comfortably upholstered wagon. “Right sorry I am, Linnet,” she said hastily. “But my mother-in-law insisted that Chilton accompany us today.”

Linnet’s eyes flew to Chilton, who was eyeing her with open curiosity. He gave her a quick smile.

“Apologies for intruding on your adventure today,” he said smoothly. “I find it much simpler to simply fall in with my mother’s plans. Resistance is usually futile.”

Chilton was short and rather slim with a well-trimmed triangular beard and a neat little moustache. His appearance was immaculate and he hopped down from the wagon to give her the most elegant bow she had ever received.

She smiled at him and curtsied in return. “I am very happy to meet you, sir.”

“Lady Linnet,” he murmured and helped her up into the wagon. “And who is this fine young sprig?” Cuthbert hopped up behind her, scorning any offer of help.

“I am milady’s page,” said Cuthbert loftily. “In case her ladyship needs protection.”

Sir Chilton laughed. “Very wise. That is the selfsame reason I have bought Lawton,” he said, tipping his head towards his burly footman. “You never know when you may need some muscle.” Linnet glanced at Lawton who indeed looked much bigger and stronger than his master.

Linnet settled herself beside Enid, who pressed her hand and mouthed “sorry” with a wince. “Chilton is actually excellent company,” she murmured in a low voice. “It’s not his fault that Lady Jauncey foisted him on us.”

“I have no objection,” said Linnet politely. “I only hope that you will not be bored with the list of wares I must commission today, Sir Chilton.”

“Unlikely,” responded Chilton cheerfully. “I am very fond of buying wares. What are our purchases to be today?” He tucked his short, ruched cape around himself. Although the sky was blue there was a definite chill in the morning air.

“I have need of new sturdy shoes,” said Linnet. “And some warm outdoor clothes as I have none.”

“Ah. We must visit Hatton to order the shoes,” he recommended. “An excellent shoemaker. He has three sons, all well apprenticed in the trade. And perhaps we should visit Linneman for the lengths of material. He has some very fine fabrics in stock.”

“I have plenty of fabric,” said Linnet, remembering the chests stuffed full of the finest wares. “Rather I need to commission a tailor. Is there one in town?”

“There are several,” said Chilton agreeably. “But only two that are acceptable for such fine work. Allow me to direct you to Mr. Postner off the high street. His work is really exceptional.”

“Chilton is rather a connoisseur,” said Enid drily. “Clothes are his particular expertise.”

He gave a modest bow while seated. “I am not ashamed to admit it,” he said, running a critical eye over Linnet’s cloak. “If you will permit me to say, my dear Lady Linnet. That cloak is a monstrosity.”

Cuthbert sat up straight with an annoyed exclamation. “I borrowed that myself,” he said indignantly.

“Borrowed from whom?” asked Sir Chilton with interest.

“Mrs. Perkins, the housekeeper.”