In the corner of the Hall a juggler tossed batons of fire through the air, catching and throwing them effortlessly. She watched, mesmerised, until her attention was caught by the conversation happening next to her.
‘There he is again,’ hissed a woman. ‘What I wouldn’t give for an evening with that.’
‘I’d take a whole night. Look at the way his muscles move under his clothes. I hear he knows exactly how to please a woman. I imagine it would be hard and fast.’ The two women giggled.
Linota looked in the direction the women were staring. She was unsurprised when she saw it was Erik Ward who had caught their attention. The man was standing just inside the entrance to the Hall, rubbing his large hands together vigorously, as if he’d been outside for some time. But hadn’t she seen him watching the puppet show not that long ago? His tall, muscular frame was hard to miss as he towered over nearly everyone else in the Hall.
She’d felt his heavy gaze upon her more than once, but whenever she’d looked back at him he was frowning. She’d tried to dismiss it, but she couldn’t help the strange flare of awareness that shot through her every time she realised his eyes were on her.
She tugged at her tight braid and wished she’d had the confidence to tell her sister she wanted to wear something looser.
‘He’s coming over,’ said one of the women behind her.
Linota turned her attention back to the jugglers rather than watch Erik approach. She didn’t want him to know how fascinated she was about the way he moved. With his thick, muscular body he should be cumbersome, but he carried himself with the grace of a cat stalking its prey. While other women, including her older sister, Katherine, sighed about Erik’s liege, the Earl of Borwyn, Linota had watched his steward. Unlike Borwyn, Erik existed on the fringes, always watching, always an outsider. She’d never spoken to the man, but she had a feeling he was a bit like her, waiting for life to start happening, biding his time until he could break free.
‘Mistress Leofric.’ Linota jumped when a man standing next to her addressed her directly. She’d been so busy thinking about Erik Ward that she hadn’t seen anyone approach. ‘It is very good to see you and your sister out of your chambers. A beautiful little thing like you shouldn’t be hidden in the dark.’
The hairs on the back of Linota’s neck stood to attention at being called a ‘thing’, but Katherine had ingrained in her the need to be polite to everyone they met. The taint of treason had hung around their family like an unwanted stench for so long. Today their brother had married into the influential Ogmore family. The wedding and the celebration was the first time she and Katherine had left their chamber for this long in years. It was liberating and exciting, but Linota knew that it could all be over in an instant if she made the wrong move.
So she turned to smile politely at the speaker and then wished she hadn’t. The man’s thick lips were wet and there were flecks of food in his long beard. His gaze ran over her body and she shuddered.
Involuntarily, she stepped backwards and hit a wall. A wall that hadn’t been there a moment ago. She glanced upwards and realised she’d hit the solid muscle of Erik Ward’s chest.
‘Leave the lady alone, Mabon.’ Erik’s deep voice rumbled through her.
Mabon paled and didn’t wait to be told twice. He scuttled away, not even saying good evening as he departed quickly.
‘Thank you kindly, sir.’ She stepped away from him and turned to look up at him. Her gaze met his piercing blue eyes and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.
‘It was no bother,’ he said, his eyes twinkling in the dim light of the room. ‘Mabon is a foolish little toad. I enjoyed putting him in his place.’ His lips curved into a half-smile and Linota couldn’t help but smile back.
‘I’m Erik Ward.’
‘I know.’
He raised an eyebrow and heat spread across her cheeks. She didn’t want him to think she had noticed him particularly, although she had. He was hard to miss. Most other men in the room were polished, but Erik was a little rough around the edges with his hair ruffled and worn long to his shoulders.
‘The Earl of Borwyn has caused quite a stir by coming to Ogmore,’ she floundered. ‘Even though I’ve been sequestered in my rooms it is hard to miss the excitement of his arrival along with his entourage.’
Erik’s lips quirked. ‘Thank you for putting me in my place.’
Linota felt herself become even hotter. She was not experienced with talking to men. Was this a flirtation? From the way those women were talking, Erik was experienced in a way she was not. Not one of the men who had approached this evening had caused her stomach to turn over in the way it was doing now. She was hooked on Erik’s piercing gaze and couldn’t turn her head away.
‘Um... I’m Linota Leofric,’ she said.
‘I know.’
She giggled; she couldn’t help herself. Erik Ward had a reputation of being the Earl of Borwyn’s muscle, the one who fought the Earl’s battles, and with his broad shoulders she didn’t doubt that the rumours were true. But now that she was talking to him she could see the tell-tale humour in his gaze which suggested there was more to him than just mindless thuggery.
‘Are you going to ask how I know?’ he asked.
She shrugged. ‘Everyone knows who I am. I’m the younger daughter of the infamous John Leofric, traitor to the Crown. One of the two daughters who hardly ever come out of their chambers
