Chapter Thirty-seven

R eina had to clamp her hand over her mouth to hold in the giggles as she rushed toward the stairs. Ranulf’s expression had been so comical, half surprise, half fury. But she really should not have done that to him. He was certain to get even in kind for her putting him on the spot like that, and it might not even have worked. Just because she had him thinking she meant to make his father welcome did not mean he would put in an appearance to do otherwise. What had she hoped for, anyway? That they would see each other and all would be well? That was not likely to happen, and in truth, she simply did not want to be the one to ask his father to leave. She had been rude enough for one day. Did Ranulf want him gone, he should be the one to tell him.

Reina stopped at the top of the stairwell, for she still had to tell the man something when she returned to the hall without Ranulf. An excuse, a lie, the truth? Which would he believe? If he knew Ranulf as well as he implied, then would he not half expect the reaction she had gotten from him?

She was still frowning over this new problem when a hand clamped down on her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin, not having heard anyone approaching from behind. She saw why she had heard nothing when she swung about. Ranulf stood there barefoot, and bare everywhere else as well. Reina’s mouth dropped open. She would never have dared to goad him as she had if she had not been certain she could escape his wrath by simply slipping out the door; he would not dare to follow her, at least not directly.

“Are you mad?” she demanded, feeling her cheeks heating with the embarrassment that he should be feeling. She imagined ten servants appearing out of nowhere to witness her husband’s total lack of modesty. “Sweet Jesú , you are naked!”

“What I am is far beyond my quota of patience, lady,” he growled in reply. “You have just earned yourself a chastisement long overdue.”

“Will you at least clothe yourself first?”

She regretted that flippancy immediately. If anyone was mad, she was, to tempt his temper further. She expected to be dragged back to their chamber for her “punishment” this instant, or to be pulled across his lap right there on the stairs. She certainly could not blame him after that unwise remark.

But he did neither, fortunately, for he had not forgotten the main reason for his anger. “Just now you will return to the hall, lady, and withdraw your invitation.”

Reina sighed inwardly. Why did he have to be so—so unyielding? Her answer, the only one she could give, was going to make him even more furious, but this time just with her.

“I cannot do that, my lord.”

“Cannot? I did not ask you, woman. That was an order.”

“I know.” She cringed. “And I would like to comply, but how can I? This is no longer just a matter of what is between you and your father. I was wrong to make him welcome without first learning your wishes, but I did it, and as your wife, I speak not only for myself but, in your absence, for you as well. Do you ask me to take back an offer of hospitality, you shame me as well as Clydon. Is that what you are demanding I do?”

He glared at her for a long moment, but finally said, “Feed him, but then I want him gone.”

Bless him, he was not so unyielding after all. “Aye, my lord. And may I tell him—”

“Lady Reina?” Florette’s voice drifted up to them.

Reina gasped, looked down at her husband, and flushed crimson. “Go!” she hissed at him.

“We are not finished,” he replied stubbornly.

“Ranulf, you…are… naked! ”

“So?”

“Lady Reina?” Florette appeared around the bend of the stairs. “Dame Hilary wants to know—”

“Not now,” Reina snapped at the lady as she swung about to spread her skirt wide in front of Ranulf, knowing even as she did it that that was not sufficient to hide his towering frame.

“But—”

“Not now , Florette!”

The woman retreated right quickly then, but whether she had first gotten a good look at them or, more to the point, at Ranulf, Reina could not say. The situation was still exasperating enough to ignite her own temper.

She swung around again to glare up at her husband. “That was the most lackwitted piece of stubbornness I have ever witnessed. Do you want to parade yourself before my ladies, you might as well come below now. Why treat only one? I am certain they would all be thrilled to see you bare-assed naked.”

“Do not change the subject, Reina.”

It infuriated her more to see that for some reason he was now amused. Though he did not go so far as to actually grin, she saw it was an effort not to.

“Very well, my lord,” she gritted out. “The subject was your father, I believe? May I tell him you will join us presently?”

That got his frown back, she was glad to see. “That would be a lie, lady. You invited him. You eat with him.”

“As you wish.” She descended several steps ere she tossed back at him, “Your presence is not needful for me to appease my curiosity.”

“Reina, come back here!”

She continued down the stairs. “I will have food sent up to you, my lord.”

“Reina!”

She did not answer again, hurrying now, only half certain this time that he would not follow. She had no urge to giggle, but could not deny a good deal of satisfaction in thwarting him a second time. She would pay for it later, she knew, for he was not likely to forget his promised chastisement now, but she would worry about that later.