Serilda chuckled. “I ne’er claimed I waited alone.”
“Is that why you didn’t tell me sooner? Because of your stupid woman’s jealousy?” Stuart walked to her table and leaned his palms on the wood. “I have already told you, if I was allowed to marry you I would have, but then we would be poor. Where would we live? In a cottage while you sold your poisons?”
“I did send you word,” Serilda shot back in irritation. “It was I who told you of the proposed marriage.”
“But you were to make sure it never happened. You knew well what I would have wanted. If I couldn’t make it back in time, you were supposed to take care of him.”
“Have you seen him? He is as healthy as they come. He ne’er has need of my services. Mayhap if he needed a soothing ointment fer his muscles or a sleeping potion I could have done something. But I could not poison his food without killing everyone in the manor.” Serilda waved a dismissing hand. “Besides, who was to know the betrothal announcement would come so quickly? And the wedding so soon after that?”
“You were supposed to make sure Lord Strathfeld died from his wounds.” He pounded the table. “Della would have never allowed the marriage if not for her father!”
“You didn’t get back in time, m’lord. Mayhap she isn’t as taken with you as you think. Five years is a long time in the heart of a woman,” Serilda defended, bitterness touching her words. A solid mask fell over her dark beauty. “Don’t blame me.”
“How could I have gotten here on time? I only found out about it a sennight ago.”
“It’s not my fault.” Serilda scooped up the powder with her little fingernail and tasted it. Lowering her voice, she said thoughtfully, “Almost ready.”
“You were to stop Lord Strathfeld from making the betrothal announcement.” Stuart rubbed his wet hair in frustration. “You were supposed to kill him!”
“Yea, and I did, too. Have you seen him up and about of late?” Calmly, Serilda lifted her hand and held out a fistful of grainy powder. Motioning her fist to a goblet at the end of the table, she commanded, “Mix it in that ale there.”
Stuart took the goblet and held it under her hand. The grains fell silently into the liquid as her finger’s loosened. Eagerly, he watched her stir the concoction with her long nail. He licked his lips in anticipation.
“Now, drink it,” she ordered, turning back to her grinding stone and licking her wet finger slowly while watching him.
Stuart did as she commanded, drinking the mixture in several gulps. He wiped his mouth on his arm. Setting down the goblet, he moved to her small bed.
“Now, we can talk.” Serilda smiled as she set down the grinding stone. She dipped her finger into the bitter powder only to place the herb into her mouth, swallowing it with her spit. Turning to him, she unfastened her simple dress. “Soon, you will not be so aggravated.”
Stuart watched her as he sat on the bed. He licked his lips, jealous and aroused by the idea that she had taken other lovers. “How many have you taken since I was last here?”
“Men or women?”
He groaned, his shaft so hard it felt as if it might break.
“I seem to remember watching you get yer pleasure elsewhere.” Serilda let her dress fall from her shoulders. “Would you like me to drug a maid for you, my lord?”
He didn’t answer.
“How did you do it?” Stuart fell on his back in her bed, calmed drastically by the drink. “How did you kill him?”
“Lord Strathfeld was wounded at Martin. I made sure the wound ne’er healed and when he did not die fast enough, I rubbed poison into it.” Serilda came to him on the bed. “He would not have lasted much longer. I just helped him along.”
“You didn’t do it soon enough.” He grabbed her, pulling himself up so he could press his face between her plentiful breasts.
Serilda rubbed his short, dark hair, scratching her fingernails into his head. “It’s true, but you said she would ne’er marry the barbarian. Mayhap it’s you who misjudged her.”
“He took her maidenhead,” he whined. “It was to be mine.”
“Nay, I took it from her.” She shot him a naughty grin as she lifted two fingers to show him her shortened nails. “He ordered her ‘checked’. Methinks he feared she carried yer babe.”
Stuart laughed. His arms tingled with the potion she had given him.
“I have a present fer you, which might make you feel better.” Serilda let go of him and opened a small trunk by the bed. She picked out a bundle and handed it to him.