Hellion by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

the bathwater to a more comfortable degree. A larger fireplace on the opposite wall from the tub warmed the room. There was a table with towels, and other accoutrements for bathing. When the bath’s drain was uncovered, Alette told them, it emptied into a sluice that ran into the latrine’s sluice, thus keeping it clean.
    Father Bernard said he would bathe when the others were done.
    Alette brought Hugh and Rolf to the bathing chamber, asking, “Which of you will go first?”
    “I will defer to my guest,” Hugh said, bowing to Rolf.
    “Nay, my lord, no longer a guest, but Langston’s steward,” came the polite reply. “I must defer to my lord.” Then he, too, bowed.
    Hugh laughed. “I’ll argue no further with you, Rolf. I long for that bath.” He began to strip off his garments, handing the individual articles of clothing to the pleasant-faced older woman who attended the lady Alette.
    “This is Ida, my serving woman,” the keep’s mistress told him. “Get in now, my lord, while the water is hot.”
    “Does not Isabelle help with the bathing of guests, lady?” Hugh asked.
    “I thought her too young for such duties,” Alette answered.
    “She must learn,” Hugh said. “Have Ida fetch the girl so she may help you. I will send her away when Rolf bathes.” He climbed into the water and sat down upon the bathing stool.
    “Fetch my daughter,” Alette told her serving woman quietly.
    On her return, Ida reported, “She says she will not come.”
    Hugh looked to Rolf. “Bring my lady,” was all he said.
    They heard the screech of outrage even before the door to the bathing chamber was kicked open to allow the steward entry with his captive. Isabelle was thrown carelessly over Rolf’s shoulder, and she was kicking wildly, beating upon his back with clenched fists. When he set her upon her feet, she furiously hit him as hard as she could.
    “ How dare you lay hands on me, you oaf! ” she screamed. Grinning, he blocked her second blow.
    “I asked him to bring you, ma Belle douce ,” Hugh said. “As my wife, you will be expected to bathe honored guests. Your mother tells me you have no experience in this art. It is time that you learned. There is a sea sponge on the table. Take it up, and after you have dipped it in the liquid soap, scrub my shoulders.”
    “ I will not! ” she spat.
    “Your touch must be gentle, but firm, ma Belle,” he told her calmly, ignoring her open defiance.
    Isabelle crossed her arms over her chest, staring mutinously at the back of his head. “Have you no ears to hear, Saxon? I will not bathe you . It is a ridiculous custom, and besides, as long as she lives, my mother is the lady of this keep, not I.”
    “Madame, you will wash me,” he said, his tone hardening.
    “You cannot make me,” she returned smugly.
    “Belle,” her mother besought her, “the lady of the keep is the lord’s wife. Once you have wed Hugh Fauconier, I must retire to the background, my daughter, and you must take up these duties, not I.”
    “When I am my lord’s wife I shall,” Isabelle said, “but not a moment before then, madame. Of course, such a union is yet in doubt.”
    “ Ma Belle douce is shy,” Hugh said with false sweetness. “It pleases me that she be so demure and retiring. It but adds to her charm. You will watch your mother, ma Belle, and learn from her. I shall not require you to bathe me until we are man and wife.”
    “Go to the devil!” Isabelle snapped at him. “I will not remain here to see you pampered like some overweening infant.” She whirled about, but Rolf blocked her way, smiling blandly.
    “You have heard the lord’s instructions, lady,” he said.
    “ The lord’s instructions ?” The girl looked at him, outraged, and then kicked him as hard as she could in the shin.
    “Owwwww!” Rolf yelped, hopping about as Isabelle pushed past him and was gone out the door.
    “Ahhh, lady,” Ida said, a disapproving look upon her face, “the girl should have