A while later I had finished. It was fully dark now but that hadn’t been a problem, I had put several globes of magical light around the shop. I wanted to start on Penny’s chain shirt but she hadn’t brought it back so I went looking for her.
I found her in the house, sitting by the fire. “Where’s your chain shirt?” I asked with a fuzzy expression. You would think I’d have more sense, but I’ve been practicing my stupid.
“Do you know what time it is?” she asked.
What a silly question, I thought, any fool can see that it’s dark. “It’s nighttime,” I replied.
“Mort it’s almost midnight, and you still haven’t eaten. Did you even eat lunch?” She was giving me her best worried expression, but I wasn’t fooled. That’s just how they get you to lower your guard. Then I remembered what I had planned to do.
“Oh! You’re right; I’ve got to get ready. Where’s Dorian? I’ll have to eat while we walk I guess.” My eyes were a bit bleary, probably from lack of food.
Penny got up and taking me by the hand she led me to the table, coaxing me into sitting down. “You’re not going anywhere tonight. You’re tired and hungry, and probably too dumb to do much good out there right now anyway.”
“No I’m…,” I started to reply but she shoved a roll into my open mouth. I might have complained but it was good so I started chewing without thinking. It was all downhill after that… the roll had a conversation with my stomach and the two of them convinced me that they needed a lot more company down there. I made short work of the cold cuts and the rest of the bread. After I had stuffed myself I felt drowsy.
“Thanks honey, I should listen to you more often.” Penny scowled at me. I had broken the first rule of women. Never compliment them when they’re worried or mad. I didn’t let her start on me though. “Where’s Dorian? He can go with me tonight and I’ll do the work on your chain shirt tomorrow.”
“I already told you, you’re not going out tonight. Dorian can stand guard,” she replied, hands on her hips.
I gave her a long look, “If something happens to someone tonight I’m responsible.”
“You’re already responsible for everyone. Things will happen no matter what you do, but going out there like this will only get you killed. Where will those people be then?” Her features softened as she spoke, “Come to bed, Dorian will watch tonight. He’s already patrolling anyway.”
I should have known... they had already conspired against me. “I won’t be able to sleep,” I said petulantly.
Penny leaned over and kissed me. Not one of the chaste kisses I had been getting recently either, these were the sort of kisses that made a fellow wake up and say ‘hello’… nor was I immune to her charms. “Come to bed now and I’ll make it worth your while,” she whispered softly in my ear.
I had no fight left in me so I surrendered and went to bed. I couldn’t figure out why she was no longer worried about waiting till the wedding, but I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Bad analogy, I wasn’t about to look a... wait never mind, that analogy would have been even more inappropriate. My head was reeling… and the bed seemed incredibly soft after my long day. I decided I really should listen to her more often.
“I’ll be right back, I need to put the food away,” she said, leaving the room. I closed my eyes to wait on her and when she returned a few minutes later I was snoring soundly. “Works every time,” Penny smiled and crawled in beside me. I never even realized I had been cheated till morning came.
Chapter 3
Marcus Lancaster stretched lazily, enjoying the touch of satin on his skin. He looked over at his companion, the Lady Eleanor Strickland. She was a lovely girl, with long blond tresses and golden eyes that nearly matched her hair. Talented as well, he thought quietly to himself.
The night before had been a blur of wine and dancing, which was a common occurrence in the capital of Lothion. Albamarl was a large city and many of the nobility kept residences there, to better keep up with the important social doings around the King’s court.
“Time to be off,” Marc said to himself, rising silently. Dawn was getting close and it wouldn’t do to be caught in the young lady’s bedroom by the morning servants. He quickly donned his clothes and gathered up his scattered belongings. Eleanor didn’t wake; she had had a long night.
A few minutes later he was walking down a narrow lane that ran between the houses in that part of the city. The street proper was on the other side of the houses, this way being used mainly for servants and deliveries. Marc knew his route well; he had already visited a number of noble houses over the past few months. Being the son of a duke had its advantages and he had enjoyed a large number of dalliances with the young ladies of Albamarl. Despite what Mordecai had once thought regarding Penny, Marcus never took advantage of maids or other female staff, he restricted himself to women of noble birth.
It wasn’t that he looked down on the lower class, but he felt intuitively that it was wrong. A woman of low birth could hardly say no to a duke’s son. Such a thing would be an abuse, even if the lasses were willing, and he had no problem finding plenty of prey among girls of his own class anyway.
He started whistling to himself as he walked. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon and it looked to be another beautiful day. I
