An Honorable Rogue by Carol Townend Read Free Book Online Page B

meaning.'
    Rozenn found herself shifting away from Ivona, towards the Countess. 'Don't, Mama." she muttered, at a loss to know why she felt compelled to rush to Ben's defence. She had never been able to fathom it, but in recent years Ivona seemed to hold Ben in dislike. 'It's not his fault everyone adores him.'
    Her stepmother sniffed and picking up a hank of primrose-coloured wool, began winding it into a ball. 'It's his fault he acts on their adulation, though,' Ivona went on in an undertone. 'Particularly with the young women. Benedict Silvester has had more lovers than the whole of the garrison put together.'
    Not trusting herself to comment, especially after what she had witnessed in the stables only that morning, Rozenn turned to the Countess to help her pick out some more thread.
    The love song was finishing, which was a blessing because, oddly, it felt as though Ben had been directing it at her.
    'Rozenn, dear?' Countess Muriel gave her a strange look, a look that said she'd already addressed her and Rozenn had missed what had been said.
    'Comptesse?'
    'You really ought to move back into the keep. I hear there were disturbances last night. It's not safe for a young woman to live alone in the town.'
    Rozenn stiffened. Not this again. Ever since Per's death, both the Countess and Ivona had been asking for her return. But, like Ben, Rozenn had no particular liking for sleeping in common. She had enjoyed the privacy her marriage with Per had given her; it was rare and precious and she was not about to give it up. And, in any case, it would not be for much longer.
    'With respect, Comptesse, Hauteville is perfectly safe.' Countess Muriel looked down her nose at her in the way she always did when she was displeased. 'Why is it, Rozenn, that when you answer me with one of your "with respects" I have the suspicion that you do not respect my views in the least?'
    A choke, swiftly smothered, came from the fireplace and, a heartbeat later, Ben struck up another tune.
    Ivona leaned forwards, surreptitiously digging Rozenn in the ribs. 'Comptesse Muriel, Rozenn has ever been independent, she did not mean any disrespect.'
    'No, indeed." Rozenn murmured agreement. 'But I must say that Ivona is correct. I do enjoy living in the town. I have friends there, Comptesse, and I would miss them if I moved back to the keep.'
    'You have friends here." Countess Muriel said softly. Rozenn caught her breath. 'I know, but--' 'Friends who are, I think, your best patrons...' The Countess's insistence was unnerving. Thoughts racing, Rozenn concealed a sigh. She had hoped a simple refusal would suffice, forgetting how Countess Muriel liked to get her way. But if the Countess knew that she intended leaving, perhaps even she would not be so insistent. Rozenn glanced at the ladies clustered round the great canvas. This was not the time to break the news, either to her mother or to the Countess, not when they were surrounded by a roomful of women.
    'Yes, Comptesse,' Rozenn said. 'I am grateful for that, but--"
    'Friends whom you may be loathe to lose, Rozenn."
    Rozenn swallowed. The warning was clear. This might not be the moment to discuss her proposal and Adam's summons, but she was not about to be bullied. 'Indeed, Comptesse, but--'
    'Your husband left debts, I understand. Have you cleared them?'
    Rozenn relaxed; here she was on firmer ground. 'Almost. One more day at market should see the tallies set straight.'
    'Good.' Countess Muriel smiled. 'Then you can concentrate on your sewing--a much better occupation for a young woman than hustling at a market stall. Besides..." another smile, this one directed at Ivona '...I should not like to see Quimperle's best seamstress arraigned at my husband's court for debt.'
    Wishing the Countess would focus on someone else, Rozenn squirmed on her stool. A ripple of notes drew all eyes as Ben finished the song with a flourish. Rozenn blinked. Surely he'd missed a couple of verses?
    'Excuse me, Comptesse,' he said.