Page 79 of Ruthless, But for Her

“We went to the village market,” Ashton said finally.

“I see.”

Cassia finished her meal, hoping Margot had forgotten her presence.

“We were preparing to remain at the Boar for a sennight and would have done so if not for the knight who came asking after our horses.”

“He is a man fully grown, Margot,” Sorren said. “And none among us is better at calculating risk.”

“Typically, aye,” she agreed.

The conversation turned to the watch along the bluff, and how many nights it would take before the men grew careless. Ryker returned and, with him, a lighter mood. But Cassia could not shake the thought of Margot's question about her ribbon.

She touched it at the end of her plait and understood something plainly.

Margot didn't need to be told what had happened between them. She already knew.

CHAPTER 45

Ashton

“Ifind myself tired, wishing for a proper bath,” Cassia whispered as Ryker and Sorren argued amongst themselves.

He hadn't wanted to exclude her, but Ashton should have realized the day had been draining for her. She was unused to riding that hard for two straight days.

When he looked up, Margot was watching them. She knew.

Of course she did. Margot had been reading what passed between men and women most of her life. It kept her and her girls safe. It filled her coffers besides.

“Could you⁠—”

“Of course,” Margot said before he even finished. And that was the duality of her in one meeting. Kindly aware of everything, but at times too controlling, and at others, the mother all three of them wished they had. Understanding what they needed before it was even said.

“It will be too late for a hot bath, but on the morrow—” he said.

Margot stood. “I will see it done tonight.” And then, she turned to Cassia. “You've been through much and deserve that little comfort. It is no trouble.”

It was a lot of trouble, filling a tub with hot water, but Margot would give the serving girls extra coin for it. He would offer it to her, but Margot would refuse.

He knew all of this as well as he knew himself.

“It would please me to help in some way,” Cassia said, reaching for the tray. But Margot waved her off. “There is no need, I assure you. Come with me.”

With Sorren and Ryker looking on, he and Cassia exchanged a glance, and her hand fell away from the tray. She followed Margot, and in that moment, he altered the plan.

Until he could confirm what still waited for them beyond these walls, they would not stay here.

Margot would be displeased.

“Do what you will,” Ryker said the moment they left the room, “but do not fool yourself about what's happening.”

Sorren sighed heavily, filled his mug with the pitcher Ryker had brought back, and sat back as if he were about to watch a hanging.

“Explain,” was all Ashton said.

“I haven't seen you this protective. Since...ever. And it isn't only since you came back from the Wild Boar. I also see the way she looks at you.”

Sorren appeared pleased, more than anything, likely because he was not the target of Ryker's needling.