Wages of Sin Read Free Page B

matter of moments to sidle down the servants’ staircase and out through the kitchens.
    Lifting her skirts free of the dung in the courtyard she fled towards the stables, hoping against hope that her stepfather’s orders had not yet reached the outdoor servants. If they had her bid for freedom would end right here, and she would be escorted ignominiously back to her chamber. She crossed her fingers as she approached the young groom.
    â€˜Goodmorrow again, Robin,’ she smiled - and breathed a sigh of relief as he looked up from brushing Alex with nothing more than an appreciative grin.
    â€˜Goodmorrow, mistress,’ he nodded, patting Alex’s smooth flanks. ‘He’s been watered and fed. Haven’t you, lad?’ He smiled as the horse tossed its head and whinnied in agreement. ‘I was just going to put him back in his stable.’
    â€˜No,’ ordered Jane imperiously. ‘Saddle him. I would ride again.’ She paused, running her eyes over the handsome young groom. Yes, Robin would do. Robin would do very nicely. She smiled at him. ‘And saddle Geraint, too. I wish you to accompany me.’
    For a moment the guileless brown eyes clouded, then they cleared again. Robin shrugged. Jane smiled with satisfaction. She was the daughter of the house, and the servants knew her orders were to be obeyed as much as those of the master.
    Whistling, Robin went off to do as he was told.
    As he saddled the horses Jane stood, glancing over her shoulder and tapping her foot, impatient to be off before they noticed she was missing and raised the hue and cry. In the distance she could still hear her stepfather’s hectoring voice and she relaxed a little and turned her attention back to Robin. The homespun jerkin failed to disguise the breadth of his shoulders and she admired his long muscular legs and taut buttocks in the threadbare hose as he bent to buckle the girth. Unruly brown hair tumbled over his brow and he swept it back with a tanned forearm as he turned to face her.
    â€˜There, mistress,’ he said. ‘Ready.’ He looked at her enquiringly. ‘Shall I lead Alex to the mounting block?’
    â€˜No need,’ said Jane, smiling coquettishly. ‘If you would be so kind?’
    He bent and she placed her foot in his linked hands and leapt lightly on to Alex’s back, allowing her skirts to fall back to reveal a neatly turned ankle. A flush stained his cheekbones and she suppressed a grin. He swung himself on to Geraint and followed her as she turned Alex’s head and walked him sedately towards the gate of the courtyard. It wouldn’t do to be caught at the last moment.
    As soon as they were clear she bent forward and kicked Alex’s flanks, urging him forward. With a snort he took off, thundering across the greensward, his hooves digging into the smooth turf. Robin gave a startled exclamation and followed suit as Geraint pounded after his stablemate.
    Laughing with excitement Jane led them a merry dance along the bridle-path, ducking her head to avoid the whipping branches that threatened to tangle in her flying hair. Finally she pulled Alex to a halt and waited for Robin to catch up.
    â€˜A fair ride, Robin,’ she smiled. ‘And a pretty morning.’
    â€˜Aye, mistress,’ he grinned, admiring her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. ‘But we’d best not tarry too long. I’ve work to do and the master’s quick to complain if it’s not done swiftly enough.’
    â€˜A plague upon the master,’ pouted Jane. ‘You must wait upon the mistress for a change - and ‘tis my desire to take the spring air. I will walk a little.’ She gazed at him imperiously. ‘And you will accompany me.’
    â€˜As you wish, mistress,’ he agreed, swinging down from Geraint and tethering him to a nearby tree. Jane sat waiting until he walked across and stood beside Alex, then dismounted, sliding down into his