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.Ascanio had guessed, and taken over the more personal duties.That had helped, but thelast two weeks had still been difficult.She suspected that the next few would be impossible.His arms fell.He looked over his shoulder.His fiery gaze met hers, and she felt her color instantly rise.He stepped to the cot, unembarrassed by his nakedness, but then they both knew she had seen him thusoften enough.He sat and pulled the blanket around his hips. You said that I will move to the keeptoday.Now, I hope.I am done with this death house. She brought over the garments that she carried, and tried to look like someone who had just arrived. These were my father s.There are more in a trunk in the chamber you will use. She moved a pail ofwarm water from the hearth to the cot. After you wash and dress, I will take you there. She fetched a clean rag.His fingers closed on hers as he took it, gently imprisoning her hand. Aren t yougoing to do it? I m not sure I can spare the strength. His expression appeared innocent, but his eyessparkled. You appeared strong enough to me just now. I was enjoying the sensation of the warmth.Such commonplace things are like new to me. She understood what he meant, but her instant comprehension annoyed her.She did not want remindersthat they had shared this experience.She did not want the empathy born of his illness to continue. If youneed help washing, I will send for Ascanio.It is his duty. The lights in his eyes turned mischievous. It has been recently, but was not always. He could not know that for certain.He had been unconscious when she tended him thus.Or so it hadseemed.It horrified her that he might have been aware of all of it. ABC Amber Text Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abctxt.htmlShe pulled her hand away.He was teasing her, and toying with the silly way he could fluster her.He keptacting as if they shared a special familiarity.They did, but he had survived, not died, and it was time toput that behind them.Fortunately, once he moved to the keep he would be distracted by more appealing women and couldtest his resurrected powers on them. Either do for yourself, or wait for Ascanio. He grinned, pulled the pail closer, and cast aside the blanket.She turned on her heel to leave him to it.At the entry she glanced back.Morvan sat, wiping one outstretched arm.Water glistened off its tautmuscles.His eyes burned with contentment and triumph as he felt and watched the rag s progress.She understood, too completely.He was reveling in being alive.Surviving the plague humbled most people.Morvan Fitzwaryn looked as if he thought it meant he couldconquer the world.He let the warm rivulets drip, relishing the meandering sensations.He took his time, and tasted it fullywhile he could.This sharp awareness of the little things would not last, he knew.Already it had begun topass.Old things had been made new.Smells and touches.The beauty of a flame s dance.The confusion of awoman unsettled by a man s gaze.That would pass too, if Anna had her way.For the last few days she had been almost officious in herdealings with him.But her curt instructions could not hide her discomfort, and her impassive expressioncould not mask the reactions that he sensed more than saw.Inside the dutiful lady of the manor was onevery uneasy girl.When he stepped out of this shelter today, she would be waiting.She would escort him back to theworld of the living.And she would expect him to pretend that nothing had passed between them.It would not happen that way.He could not undo things, any more than she could be a stranger withAscanio after her own fight to live.He finished washing and pulled over the garments.They were lordly enough, but old-fashioned.Hedragged an undertunic on, and a long cotte, and reached for the hose.Light split through the shadows, then disappeared.He turned to the entry, expecting to find Ascanio.Instead a different blond-haired man walked over, grinning.It was John, the other knight in his troop. I see that God has blessed you, Morvan.It is being said that the lady s prayers brought the angels here. Since two others perished on that other cot, John, I do not think the angels came. Still, you appear hale and fit for one who almost died. Morvan continued dressing, while waiting for John to explain why he had come.They were not friends,and John would have not mourned his passing.John moved the chair closer and sprawled in it. Her lordship says we can leave in three days. The men will be glad for it.I will not be fit for travel yet, however, and will follow later. ABC Amber Text Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abctxt.html I have been thinking it might be better to stay here too.For all of us. Morvan did not reply.He finished with the hose and pulled on his boots.John glanced to the entry and pitched his voice as low as possible. I have been speaking with theservants.There are two poorly defended outlying fiefs.The land goes east for miles. Morvan gazed at the young knight and waited for the rest.John smiled slyly. There is no lord and a weak defense.We are inside already, and getting weaponsshould not be hard with guards as green as this.Fortunes have been made thus, and there is enough forus all. How many are with you? Enough. With me dead, perhaps, but not now, unless I approve it.Most will not stand against me, which is whyyou are here. John shrugged a grudging acknowledgment of that. You describe thievery, and a violation of the lady shospitality and help. She will not be harmed, I swear. Put this idea out of your head.Anna de Leon is under my protection.If you try this, my sword will bewaiting.If you do anything to put her in danger, I will kill you. John s face twisted in annoyance.He rose. You are ever the fool.If you want that giantess, I wouldgladly let you have her.You could be the lord here, and truly protect her.Think about what I have said.Fortune led us here, and offered this gift.It is all ours for the taking. He strode out, muttering a curse.Morvan rose and threw a short cloak around his shoulders.John had spoken so boldly because the twoof them had one essential thing in common.They were both landless.Marrying property was unlikely.They could either buy it with war booty or take it through force.He crossed the shelter and stepped outside.The light blinded him and the crisp air shocked his skin.Headjusted to the raw reality, and surveyed the yard and keep, and thought of the forests and farmsbeyond.Despite his attempts to keep it away, John s temptation worked on his mind.Vague considerationscrystallized into an inner debate.Right here, within reach, was the answer to fifteen years of prayers.With an estate like this as his base, he could plan to regain his family s honor.He could get Harclowback, and restore the nobility of the Fitzwaryn name.He could undo what fate had wrought so brutally allthose years ago.He had not needed John to point out the possibilities.He had been aware of them since he d first riddenin the gate and learned the situation here.Servants were bringing fresh water to the camps edges.Anna was lending her strength to the chore,taking the pails and delivering them to the individual men
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