Page 38 of The Consolation Prize

“Ah gods, Una,” he groaned. “Next time, my love. I swear it.”

Next time, what? she wondered as he thrust to his completion and once again, collapsed on top of her with a harsh bellow.

6

When Armand woke the next morning, he felt drowsy and happy. This feeling diminished slightly when he found himself alone in the bed, but a sound at the door heralded Una’s arrival with hot water and a cheerful smile. She was dressed in a gown he had not seen before of deep blue with a red underrobe that showed through at the sleeves and neckline, her auburn hair neatly braided and pinned.

“Good morning,” he said clearing his throat. “How long have you been about?”

“An hour or so,” she said setting the steaming jug down on the table. “Here’s clean cloths for you,” she said setting them down next to the basin.

He frowned. “Why are you fetching and carrying?” He could see their bags had been brought up. “I hope you did not cart those up the stairs.”

Una followed his gaze to where the saddlebags were piled up. “I did not want you to be disturbed, you were sleeping so soundly,” she admitted and colored faintly.

He took that as confirmation that she had indeed carried their things upstairs, and he felt a faint stab of something close to guilt. Then again, it wasn’t his fault she always rose so damn early! He rolled onto his side.

“That gown becomes you,” he said. “But I prefer your hair down.”

Una gazed at him as though unsure how to respond. “Thank you,” she said after a moment’s pause.

“If you say Sir Armand, I warn you I will drag you back in this bed,” he said thickly.

“I wasn’t going to,” she said reproachfully, her blush deepening.

A shame, he thought, as the idea had definite merit. He sighed. He would have to climb out of bed, he supposed and face the never-ending list of tasks that would be needed to set the house to rights. The idea was not an appealing one. He eyed Una as she opened a large trunk and placed something inside it. The little patter of feet told him her ever-present little dog was still at her heels.

“What is Otho up to?” he asked grudgingly, rubbing his eyes.

“Patching the stables, so the roof does not leak on our poor horses in the event of rain,” she responded promptly. “He has carried all of your sacks from The Merry Traveler inside and put them in the attic. There is a room there that locks and seems to have been used as some sort of stronghold previously.” She lifted something from the belt of her waist to show him, and he was amused to see she already carried a bunch of keys to the house. No doubt they were much safer in her clutches than those of that incompetent girl. “Shall I give you the key to it now?”

He waved a hand. “Leave it on the side.” He could not be bothered with it now and it was hardly urgent in any case. He was still plump in the pocket from his winnings on May Day. “What of that appalling girl?” he asked irritably. “Is she still on the premises or have you thrown her out on her ear?”

Una looked startled. “Rose? Indeed, I have not. Otho kept her up until all hours last night and the poor girl is exhausted this morning.”

Armand, who had been taking a sip of water, choked. “Did he, by gods. I would not have thought he had it in him.”

Una gazed at him a moment, before continuing painstakingly. “Not only did he make her scour every pot and pan in the place, but he also had her scrub the kitchen from top to bottom before he would let her retire. By all accounts, she is not used to scullery work at all.”

Armand set his cup down with a thud. “And what is she used to, pray?” he demanded with sudden irritation. “Does anyone know? I have been sending coins back here to cover the expenses of a housekeeper. Admittedly, the payments have been irregular, but I would like to know how they have been spent, if she has not done any of the work this past twelve months!”

His outburst surprised him, more than it did his wife. Gods, he already sounded like an irate householder, he thought. Maybe he would wind up as petty and penny-pinching as his brother Henry!

“Otho has already discovered three of those purses on shelves or in cupboards,” Una said apologetically. They are practically full. From what I can make out, Rose’s only expense has been a loaf of bread and the odd sack of grain from the village. She has been remiss in her duties, it is true,” Una continued soothingly. “But she has barely touched the money and—”

“What of that fancy gown she was swanning around in?” Armand interrupted cuttingly. “That would have cost a pretty penny and is hardly the garb of a servant.”

“No, but you see her previous position was as a sort of pet to a rich merchant’s widow. She indulged her, buying her pretty gowns, and teaching her genteel occupations like needlework and music. Poor Rose has not received any instruction—”

“Poor Rose!” Armand burst out indignantly, flinging back the covers and climbing from the bed. He was not sure why he was so annoyed, for usually he could not be bothered with household matters at all. If anything, he should be more concerned about checking on his new treasure trove, but for some reason, his priorities seemed all over the place this morn.

He strode across the room for the jug and basin, noticing Una looked hurriedly away at his nudity. This fact alone went some way to restoring a measure of his good humor. So, she was not so immune to him as she pretended, looking all polite and meek-faced this morning after their oh-so-satisfying tryst of the previous night.

That was why he was out of sorts, he realized suddenly. She was acting as if that whole encounter had not happened! Also, why was she not jumping at the chance to get this Rose off the scene? he wondered aggrieved. It was an insult to his potent masculinity that she was not jealously guarding her property!

“I find you very remiss this morning, wife,” he said, lathering the soap flakes between his hand and sloshing the water about as he washed his face and neck.

“Remiss?” Una closed the cabinet doors and looked at him inquiringly.