The Conqueror (Hot Knights) by Mary Gillgannon

chance that her brothers would think of some plan to retake Oxbury and free her from this nightmare
    “How will you make certain I do not escape?” she asked.
    “One of my men will guard you.”
    “And at night? Will you continue to lock me in?”
    His green eyes glittered. “At night I will sleep beside you and guard you myself.”
    * * *
    Edeva walked out in the yard, taking deep breaths. Though the odors of dung and garbage tainted the fresh autumn air, she refused to let it ruin her mood. At last, she was free of that stuffy, stultifying chamber. For a few moments, she meant to enjoy the sheer pleasure of being outside.
    She longed to climb the gatetower and look out at the valley, to drink in the colors of the turning forest and the sparkle of the river. But she feared that the man guarding her would complain to his commander that she sought to escape.
    She turned to look at her gaoler, boldly facing him down. It was the same young solder who had brought her food and drink. He flushed under her gaze, but did not look away. Mayhaps he had learned that she did not really bite. Certainly, he took his duty seriously, trailing her like a devoted puppy. She worried a little what he would do when she needed to use the jakes.
    “What’s your name?” she asked him in Norman French.
    He looked startled.
    “Your name,” she repeated. “If you are to spend your every waking moment with me, I would know what to call you.”
    “’Tis Rob,” he said. “Rob of Lascalles.”
    “I am Edeva.”
    “Edeva,” he repeated. “Where did you learn our language? None of the others understand us.”
    “My father brought a woman from Flanders to teach me sewing. She spoke the Norman tongue and considered it much superior to Saxon. She would speak naught else with me, so I was forced to learn your speech.”
    “That is good. Now you can help us deal with the other Saxons.”
    Edeva’s ire immediately rose. “I have agreed to see that Oxbury continues as a prosperous, efficient manor, but I will aid you Normans in naught else. You are still my enemies!”
    The young soldier stiffened and Edeva felt a stir of satisfaction. She would not be unkind to him, but she would not allow him to grow easy either.
    A moment later, Edeva considered the foolishness of her prideful words. Why did she inflame his suspicions? ’Twould it not be wiser to lull him into complacency?
    “Where are the kitchen wenches?” she asked him. “The weaving women?”
    He shrugged. “I know not. Some of them might still be abed. The men...” His face flushed.
    “Have them all brought out to me,” Edeva ordered. “Tell them to make themselves presentable. Their mistress commands them.”
    Rob glanced at her, then toward the manor outbuildings. She could see he was torn. Would he do her bidding even if it meant allowing her out of his sight?
    “I will remain here,” she said. “I give you my word.”
    It took some time, but eventually, all the women straggled out into the yard. A few had managed to braid their hair, but the majority looked disheveled and filthy. Some, the younger, prettier ones—had dark circles under their-eyes and a strained look to their faces.
    Observing their listless expressions, some of Edeva’s irritation faded. ’Twas clear they had been well-used by the men. By now most of them had discovered that being a servant in her household was less demanding than whoring for Normans. She would not chastise them. How could they do otherwise than they had?
    “Many things have been neglected these past days,” she said. `Neither you nor I have been free to pursue our duties. But that will change now. Our first task will be to restore the hall to its former tidiness. When we have finished with that, I will assign you other work. There is much to do before winter,” she warned, “and we are sore behind.”
    “But what about... them?” A slight, curly-haired girl spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. Several women glanced