Bone of Contention Read Free Page B

in, Ella, do. This is Father Etienne.”
    The look of smiling welcome disappeared from the girl’s face and she stiffened slightly. Then she dropped a curtsey and said, “Father,” in a frightened voice.
    Magdalene slipped an arm around her waist and drew her into the room. “There’s no need to fear Father Etienne,” she assured Ella. “He is William’s clerk and has come on business.”
    “Oh.” The smile returned to Ella’s lips and her eyes sparkled. She was startlingly lovely. “Lord William’s man,” she said, happily. “He will not lecture me and threaten me with being eternally damned.” Then the smile dimmed. “But you said he was here on business. Does that mean he cannot come and play with me?”
    Father Etienne’s lips twitched. “I’m afraid I cannot do that, pretty Ella. My calling forbids.”
    “Oh, but—” Ella began, but before Magdalene could speak or even gesture, there was the sound of another door opening.
    “Do not be so silly,” a rich contralto voice said. “You know it is my pleasure to pleasure you, and it was a pleasure. You’ve taught me something new, which is a miracle. Would you be angry if I…ah…used it again?”
    “Course not.” A male giggle. “That’s why I taught you, because I like it.”
    “But that means you intend to come again.” The rich voice was full of hope and expectation.
    A male laugh, not girlishly high but not a man’s full-chested tone. “M’father said to come and paid. Said it was worth being a little thin on other things. He’s no fool, m’father. He was right, but I’ll lay odds he won’t short me, that he’ll come up with the silver. I’ll be back as soon as I can touch him for the price.”
    The back door opened and closed. Father Etienne looked expectantly toward the opening to the corridor. A moment later he was rewarded by the entrance of a woman of ordinary height—but that was the only thing ordinary about her. Her eyes were as bright and clear as the emerald glass in a church window. Auburn hair, brown but with enough red to give a hot glow, tumbled over back and shoulders to her hips in deep waves. Her skin was very pale, almost the milky white of a true redhead but with a gleaming lustre, and her smile was an invitation to confide.
    “This is Diot,” Magdalene said, patting Ella on her bottom, and telling her to run and tell Dulcie there would be an extra person for the evening meal, “Diot is neither silly, mute, nor blind…”
    As she said the words, Magdalene faltered and a great weight she had not even realized was crushing her dropped off. There would be no need for her to seek among the retired whores or whoremistresses she knew for a substitute. Diot had not been with her long enough for complete trust, but she would be far more trustworthy than anyone not connected to the Old Priory Guesthouse. She was happy here and would not want to do any damage to the business, and overseen by Father Etienne, she would not be able to steal. Not that Magdalene suspected Diot of thieving under ordinary circumstances, but the temptation to keep unexpected revenues for herself would be strong, particularly as she would be doing double duty. She would have to manage her own clients and others… Magdalene pushed the thoughts away. There would be time enough tomorrow to explain to Diot, who did not lack for sense.
    “…and she has the patience of a saint with self-important younglings,” Magdalene went on with only the barest hesitation.
    Diot laughed. “Ah well, it’s easy enough to pretend the old, old ploys are new and that they enthrall me. It tells me what the younglings like and what will not shock them, poor innocents. And at least I do not need to exhaust myself to bring their standing men to attention.”
    “I cannot imagine any man—myself included, although I am forbidden to satisfy the impulse—being slow to rise to your invitation,” Father Etienne said, grinning.
    Diot’s brows lifted questioningly