Stuart, Elizabeth by Bride of the Lion

you a Montagne? Well, there's those of us not
fancying to jump any longer at the word of a Montagne. I for one'll be waitin'
t'see what our new lord says first."
    "If
I say move, you'd best do it and quickly!" Jocelyn replied. "Take
Margaret's place at the table. Now. Before I have that insolent tongue cut from
your mouth."
    The
girl was still smiling, a superior, knowing smile. "I doubt our new lord
would be likin' that. He seemed to have quite a fancy for it a few hours ago.
But a lady like you..." Alys smiled again. "...I doubt you'd even
know what I mean."
    Several
of the people nearby had stopped work to listen. A cold, impotent fury swept
Jocelyn, but she kept her face expressionless, her voice perfectly flat.
"Sluts have their place in the scheme of things, Alys, but even sluts have
to eat. I'd suggest you get busy or you might find yourself hungry come winter.
Take Margaret's place. No, on second thought, change with Felice."
    She
turned and caught the other woman's surprised gaze. "Felice, you get up to
the keep and get some sleep. You've been out here all night, and I know your
back's been ailing. Alys won't have any trouble stripping and cleaning those
entrails. No doubt she's good with her hands, even in the dark. She might as
well use them to benefit us all for a change."
    Laughter
swept the group. A few ribald comments were offered. It was obvious the
sentiment was weighted heavily in Jocelyn's favor. Alys hesitated uncertainly,
then took the knife Felice held out.
    Jocelyn
began walking away, jumped when a deep voice sounded unexpectedly from the
shadows. "A masterful defense and flanking attack, madam. Your strategy
was inspired."
    Jocelyn
turned. Robert de Langley stepped out of the darkness, his wide male grin like
a match set to oil. It was too much. "You'll find it easier to manage your
servants," she snapped, "if you restrain yourself from bestowing your
favors among their ranks and spend your coins with bought whores!"
    De
Langley's smile didn't waver. "Let's see, last night you as much as
accused me of rape. Tonight you're berating me for bestowing my favors. Which
is it, madam? I should certainly like to know how you view the
matter."
    Jocelyn
drew in a steadying breath. The conversation was insane and improper. "I
suppose only you and the girl know for sure, but I tell you this, sir. Alys is
a difficult enough creature to manage without your encouragement. She's one of
the kitchen servants, yet the bailiff here allowed her to shirk her work so
long as she—"
    She
broke off, met the amusement in his eyes and finished coolly, "So long as
she pleased him. Obviously she expects to see old routines continued."
    Robert
de Langley moved toward her. "I do assure you, madam, I'll have no
difficulty managing Alys. None at all. Nor will she find old routines
continued. I didn't interrupt just now, because you were handling the wench.
Let me know if she offers further insolence. I'll have that backside she's so
proud of laid bare and flayed with a lash. Perhaps I should anyway. If she's
given you trouble before—"
    "No,
don't!" Jocelyn was taken aback by his callousness. "Would that
really be fair, sir? You've given the girl reason to think you favor her."
    "I
gave her no reason to think that whatsoever. I took the very talented Alys for
one of those bought whores you seem to know something about." De Langley
smiled again, a knowing smile, a smile that made Jocelyn's insides shift and
tighten, that made something hot and uncomfortable uncurl in the pit of her
stomach.
    "And
not that it's any of your business, madam, but since you do seem so interested,
I assure you Alys received good coin of the realm for her services. I favor no
woman."
    Jocelyn
was far from cowed. In fact she was furious, although she didn't know why.
"And does your wife consider that a curse, sir, or a blessing?"
    At
her words something changed in his eyes, in the hard line of his mouth, the set
and tension of his face. And in a heartbeat