Defy Not the Heart by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page A

the boy was obviously special to her in some way. So being, ’twas likely he had her confidence as well as trust, and would know just about all there was to know about her. That he was here must also be at her order, and could only be to gain information from Ranulf for her, though he had yet to ask any questions himself, and had not hesitated to answer all of Ranulf’s inquiries about Clydon.
    Stripped down, Ranulf stepped into the large round tub, the weight of his body as he sat down raising the water up to his chest. He did not notice the way Theo’s eyes watched his every move, glittering with anticipation.
    Theodric was fair drooling, but frightened, too. He had never seen a body so beautiful or so big. Ironhewed strength rippled from every muscle. Arms like that could break bones without even trying. Long, long legs, a tight, exquisitely curved arse, a broad back that went on forever, all golden-skinned and rock-hard. Theo could be killed. He must take the chance. But he did not know how to proceed with one such as this.
    He had removed the knight’s clothes, fingers lingering and touching as much as he dared without offending, but the man had not noticed, had barely even looked at him as he asked questions Theo answered by rote, his thoughts centered on only one thing. He did not usually have to be so obvious. A sultry look was enough, but not apparently for this man, whose interest seemed wholly for Clydon—until now.
    “How old is she, your lady?”
    Theo saw the knight reaching for the washcloth andsoap on the stool by the tub and dived for them himself. “Do let me wash you, my lord.”
    Ranulf shrugged, though he had not expected the boy’s help to extend this far. But Lanzo or Kenric often scrubbed his back for him, so he leaned forward to expose it, yet did not forget his question.
    “Your lady?”
    Theo soaped the cloth, but hesitated in both answering and touching. “Why do you ask?”
    “Because I saw no breasts, no hips, no curves of any kind to help me to even come close in guessing. Is she no more than a child?”
    Theo might have been offended to hear his lady’s breasts and hips and curves mentioned by a stranger—by any man, for that matter—but he grinned instead, though Ranulf did not see it. Reina was not in fact as shapely as most women, but what she had was just right for her size. The trouble was, her size was extremely petite. For anyone not allowed into her chamber where she could be seen unclothed, there was no way to tell that her legs were perfectly formed, that she had the prettiest, most enviable little derrière, a gracefully sloping back as smooth as silk. Her breasts might not be a handful, but, freed of restriction, they were pert and upthrusting, with large nipples that would make a man’s mouth water—most men’s, anyway.
    Theo had to force the smugness from his tone when answering, for he might know all this, but this knight never would. “My lady has not been a child for many years. She might not appear so, but she is a woman full grown.”
    Ranulf was aware his question had not really beenanswered as to age. If the boy would not speak of the lady, he would know it now.
    “If she is so long past childhood, why is she not married?”
    Theo moved the washcloth caressingly over the golden skin. It was difficult to think with that beautiful, thick-muscled back under his hand.
    “She was betrothed, but he died two years past.”
    “But she was betrothed again?”
    Theo frowned, trying to concentrate. This was now a dangerous subject. The man was from Shefford, so he should think Reina was betrothed as Shefford thought she was, when in fact she was not, not yet. So why would he ask about it?
    “Certainly she is betrothed. Did Sir Henry not send you here to inquire of the date for the wedding? Lord Guy’s castellan must come to witness and accept the new Lord of Clydon’s homage to Shefford in the earl’s stead.”
    Ranulf was grateful to have an excuse for being