He stroked her hair and they stayed like that for a very long while, until she heard the clock in the hall downstairs chime the hour. Then she went to the pull and rang for fresh water.
Chapter 10
Jane was a quick study and appeared to trust him absolutely. He’d not sprung anything overly shocking on her after they turned in, but she never batted an eye when he rolled her over, hoisted her hips from the bed and mounted her from behind. Actually, she batted both eyes quite a lot before she cried out and her soft, curvaceous body quivered beneath his hands.
Afterward, she said it was most enlightening, and she’d like to try it again tomorrow, to make certain she liked it, if he didn’t mind.
He assured her he did not mind before he tucked her close to him and began to drift off to sleep. Tomorrow, he supposed he would have her maid remove her to the bedroom next door. Having her in the same room, sleeping all the night through with her, was unwise at best, dangerous at worst. Hester had taken it upon herself to put them both in the same room, despite his instructions to the contrary. Though to be fair, he didn’t exactly recall that he’d been very specific in his letter to her.
It was no matter. Tonight, she would stay here, beside him, curled up like a purring cat at his side. Tomorrow night, she’d be in her own bed, receive him there, and he would return to his bed and sleep alone.
She kissed his shoulder and murmured a soft goodnight before relaxing completely, her sweet body molding against his.
Late in the night, he awoke to find her gone from his bed. Momentary panic eased when he spied her next to the window. He got out of bed and prowled toward her, naked. “Are you all right, Jane?”
“I’m quite all right, but I fear Grendel may be in for a shock.”
He peered out into the night, but could see nothing. “I don’t follow. What do you mean?”
“Listen carefully.” She pushed open the sash and he heard a steady pounding, accompanied by sharp whinnies. “I believe she’s gone into season and Pendragon is knocking at the edge of her stall.”
Michael listened carefully and frowned. “I believe you’re right.” Where was the blasted stable master? Any of the grooms? He turned and went for his breeches. “I’ll go and see what I can do, but if he’s got to her, it’s too late. He’ll bite or kick anyone who comes near.”
“I hope he hasn’t injured himself.”
He slid into his shirt and reached for his boots. “How old is Grendel?”
“Four years.”
“Old enough, I suppose.” He rose from the edge of the bed and went to the fire, tossing in a spade of coal and poking it about until it caught fire. There was a chill in the air, and she was barely covered by her gown. “If it’s too late, I’ll have to set them out to pasture and let it run its course for however many days she stays in season. I’ve other mounts in the stable, so we won’t miss our ride in the morning.” He moved next to her again. “I’m sorry, Jane. I’d not want my horse to harm yours.”
“I doubt he will do so, Blixford. If anything, she’s liable to kick Pendragon. She can be difficult. And she’s not fond of him, you know.”
He reached out and stroked her soft hair. “No, but then horses don’t require affection to mate.” Dropping his hand, he turned and left the room.
Outside, it was very close to cold, and he regretted not donning his coat, but the sound of the stallion’s hooves beating against the wall drove him onward, despite the temperature. Good Lord, he was determined, wasn’t he?
He found the stable master and the grooms standing at the far end of the block, wide eyed and frightened. Two of the suspended lanterns were lit, one halfway down and the other at the far end, where the men were congregated. “Hiyo, Benjamin, what goes on here?” he called, moving closer to Pendragon’s stall.
“Your Grace, it be your stallion, busting the boards to get to Her Grace’s mare. I tried to intervene, but he’s in a devil of a rage and like as not to kill any one of us if we go near. I thought to move Grendel, hoping ‘at would calm him a bit if she were not so close, but she’d have none o’ that. Fair took a chunk out’n my arm, she did.” He held it up and pointed to his torn sleeve. “All she got was my shirt, but I’ve a mind not to try again, lest she not miss next time.”
Michael stopped and looked into the stall, impressed by the stallion’s efforts. He’d repeatedly kicked so hard, he’d actually broken some of the boards. Moving on, he looked into Grendel’s stall. She fretfully turned in circles, whinnying occasionally, as if egging him on. Every so often, she stopped, spread her legs and urinated, sending Pendragon into fits, his hooves pummeling the boards in a frenzy.