A Warrior's Heart (Shields) by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online

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    “Please, Jayna.   Mina will never forgive me if you leave now.”
    “If you’re sure,” she said hesitantly.
    Hugh nodded, all the while wondering if he’d made the greatest mistake of his life.   He walked out of the chamber and into the hallway, but still he couldn’t get his instincts to tell him if he had done wrong or right.  
    He found Mina still before the hearth in the great hall, her expression one of contemplation.   She hurried to him as soon as she saw him.
    “Well?”
    He shrugged.   “I couldn’t tell one way or another, my love.   There’s a storm brewing to the west, a nasty one at that.   I couldn’t let her leave and be out in it.”
    “And if she’s part of the evil?”
    “I’ll have Gabriel keep watch over her.   If she’s an innocent, well...we’ll have to make sure we get her out in time.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Jayna smiled as Hugh left her chamber.   She had expected him to ask more questions, but the longer he stayed the more she realized he was the type of man where actions spoke louder than words.   She would have to be careful because she knew he would be watching her.
    She yawned and decided it was a good time to test the bathing chambers Mina had spoken of.   Jayna walked out of her room and turned toward the stairs.   Just before she reached the stairs she encountered one of the servants.
    “Can you take me to the bathing chamber?” she asked.
    The girl, several years younger than her, smiled and bobbed her dark head.   “This way, milady.”
    Jayna knew she should correct her, but it felt good to be noticed for what she really was – a lady.   She followed the young girl down several flights of stairs and down hallways until she found herself standing outside a large open chamber.
    “There are cloths to wash with as well as to dry off,” the girl explained.   “No one is inside, milady, and the water is hot.”
    Jayna nodded her thanks as she pushed open the material and stepped through them.   Her eyes grew round as she looked at the sheer size of the wooden tub.   Two, possibly three, grown men could easily fit inside it.
    The water beckoned her, and God help her, Jayna couldn’t wait to climb inside.   She couldn’t remember the last time she had taken a hot bath.   Usually she only had enough water to wash her face, though there had been times she had bathed in any streams or ponds she had come across.
    Once her old gown and underclothes were off, she dipped her toe into the water.   A sigh escaped her as chills raced across her skin and the steam from the water molded her hair to her face.
    She slipped into the water, surprised to find how deep the tub was.   She leaned back against the sides as the heat flowed over her, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth and relaxation.
    How long she sat in the water she had no idea.   She must have dozed because when she opened her eyes she felt disoriented for a moment.   The water had begun to chill so she hurriedly washed her hair and body, then hopped out of the tub to dry off and put back on her clothes.
    It was one of the many times she wished she had another gown, but it was easier to move around without lugging a bag around with clothes.   At least that’s what she kept telling herself.
    She leaned forward and flipped her hair over to wring out the water as best she could.   Then, she wrapped the cloth around her as she reached for her gown.   Except it wasn’t there.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” Mina said as she walked into the chamber.   “I had your gown taken to be washed.   Elle is more your size, so she loaned you one of her gowns until yours is clean.”
    Jayna swallowed.   “Thank you.   That is too kind.”
    Mina waved away her words.   “Nonsense.   Let me know if you need anything else.”
    She could only stare at the gown in her hand.   It was exquisite.   Not quite blue, but not quite green.   It wasn’t just the gown that Mina had given her, but