The Spitfire by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

the matter of Lady Arabella Grey and Greyfaire Keep.

Chapter Two

    Sir Jasper Keane could not remember when he had ever been so content in his entire life. A man could go soft living so comfortably, he thought, as he gazed with a pleased eye about the little hall at Greyfaire Keep. It was a pleasant place, with four windows that held real glass to keep out the winter winds which, even now, blew about the small castle. The stone floors were swept daily, their rushes and sweet herbs totally replaced, for Lady Rowena was an excellent housekeeper and could not abide evil odors. There were two fireplaces in the hall, and neither smoked. Consequently, the hall was relatively warm and cozy.
    Before him upon the burnished oak table of the highboard was a polished pewter plate with a hollowed-out trencher of freshly baked bread. A silent servant ladled hot oat porridge into the trencher, while another set a second plate with bread, a wedge of cheese, and a slice of ham by his side, and a third filled his goblet with brown ale. Jasper Keane began to eat with good appetite, smiling as he discovered sweet chunks of dried apple in the cereal, for he had mentioned in passing to Lady Rowena that he did not care for the bland oat dish that was served daily each morning. It took but a word to Row, and she would immediately endeavor to correct the problem.
    Sir Jasper Keane had been at Greyfaire Keep for five months now. He had been extremely pleased by what he had found upon his arrival. Everything was in good order, and FitzWalter, the keep’s captain, had immediately deferred to him, readily accepting him as Greyfaire’s new lord. Consequently, it would not be necessary to replace him or demote him, which relieved Sir Jasper. He did not intend to remain upon the border forever, and when he went off, he would have two needs, to know that his home was in capable hands, and to have Seger, his own captain, by his side, for Seger was invaluable to him.
    His little bride-to-be was an amusing, if somewhat outspoken girl, but there was time enough to correct her behavior. If he had one complaint, it was the fact that he had had to curb his behavior in order that these two females who held his future in their hands not take offense. He had refrained from using the keep’s women servants to service his needs, instead roaming the border for his amusement while the weather had remained clement. For the last few weeks, however, the weather had been foul, and he had been forced to remain within his walls.
    His loins ached for a woman. He wondered if he might, now that several months had passed, seduce Rowena. That she desired him he had absolutely no doubt, although she struggled mightily to conceal her longing. He had no doubt that he was responsible for the increasingly long hours she spent in the keep’s chapel upon her knees, but he knew she had not confided her sinsto Father Anselm, their resident priest, for the cleric’s kindly manner toward Jasper Keane had not changed since their first meeting. Sweet Row, he had heard the king call her. Was she indeed sweet?
    Jasper Keane’s eyes narrowed in contemplation. He imagined Rowena, whom he now knew to be four years his junior, naked. She had fine, full breasts and a still slender waist, he could see. She was small of stature, which he liked in a woman, and he did not imagine her legs would be long. Were her thighs soft and rounded? Her Venus mont pink and silky-skinned? Would her bottom be plump? He hoped so, for nothing irritated him more than a woman with skinny shanks. A woman with a fat rump displayed well the marks of his palm upon her fair flesh.
    Rowena Neville Grey had a pretty face. He liked her round and trusting light blue eyes. He particularly liked her full and pouting lips. It was a voluptuous mouth which he did not doubt would be skilled at kissing. Did she have other skills at which her lips were equally as deft? If she did not, he would soon teach her. The thought of that