Lord of Misrule (Below the Salt #8)

Chapter 12

K it stirred the next morning, having been dreaming all night about snuggling up to Tolin under his fur-lined cloak and kissing his sexy lips. With her eyes still closed, she smiled. That is, until she felt something wet on her nose and cheek. She opened her eyes to see King’s face right up against hers, and her arms were around the blasted dog. His tongue shot out to lick her again, but she bolted upright to a sitting position.

The sun had just started to rise. Through a slight opening at the flap of the tent, she could see Tolin outside stoking the fire.

King got up and shook, then trotted out of the tent. Kit stood up, clutching Tolin’s warm cloak in her hands. How did she get this? And how had she gotten back to her tent last night without remembering?

The last thing she remembered was Tolin kissing her. And telling her that she and Parker were free to go home as soon as they returned to the castle. Had she dreamed it all? Looking down to his cloak in her hands she realized that she had not. She must have fallen asleep and Tolin carried her back to her tent and covered her with his cloak.

She brought the garment to her face, inhaling his manly essence, rubbing her cheek against it. All she had wanted all along was to go back home. But now that he’d told her she was free, all she wanted to do was stay. Kit found herself wanting to get to know Tolin better. Even though they had a rocky start, she had to admit that she enjoyed being around the man. Just when something good was happening, life took a wicked turn, as usual.

Kit exited the tent, and when she stepped out, Tolin looked up and their eyes met. Her heart jumped and her tongue seemed too big for her mouth. His smoldering perusal of her now led her to believe that had she remained awake last night, they might have done something more than just kissed.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” he asked, still poking the fire. “Were you warm enough?”

“Good morning,” she finally managed to squeak out. “I slept well, thank you. And yes, I was very warm and comfortable.” She held up his cloak. “Thanks to you.”

“You fell asleep on my shoulder,” he told her, flashing a smile that showed his strong white teeth. “The boy was snuggled up with the damned dog under the blanket. I didn’t want to disturb them so I used my cloak as your blanket.”

“That was thoughtful of you. I appreciate it.” She walked over and handed the cloak back to him. “But weren’t you cold?”

“Nay. The fire kept me warm.” He took the cloak from her and donned it.

“The fire?” she asked in surprise. “You slept out here all night?”

“Yes. I had a lot of thinking to do. Besides, I like nature.”

“Mayhap so, but it’s the middle of winter,” she said, pulling her cloak tighter and looking at the thin layer of snow covering the ground. “So, what were you thinking about?”

“Huh?” He fastened his cloak.

“We did some talking last night,” she said, trying to ease into the conversation.

“Yes, we did. How much do you remember?”

She was sure her face blushed. “I remember the kiss,” she said quietly, glancing around, hoping no one else could hear their conversation.

“Anything else?”

“There was more?” At that thought, her anxiety rushed in and her body started to shake. Had she done more than just kiss with Lord Tolin and not remember? Kit hoped she hadn’t acted like a strumpet. She’d been so attracted to him last night that part of her even wanted to bed him. God’s eyes, she hoped she hadn’t!

“Calm down,” he said, noticing her reaction. “Do you always get this way around men?”

“Only ones I am extremely attracted to,” she answered, looking up at him shyly.

“That’s good to know. I mean, not good that you shake. I mean...I am attracted to you, too, Kit.” He quickly reached out and stroked her cheek. “Now, tell me, what more do you remember me saying to you?”

“Saying?” she asked, letting out a deep breath of relief. Mayhap the intimacy between them never went anywhere past a simple kiss, after all. “Well, I remember you telling me that Parker and I will be free to return home once we get back to the castle.”

“That’s right, I did. Anything else?”

“Nay, not that I can remember. Why?” she asked cautiously. “Was there something else that happened that I’ve forgotten?”

Tolin bit at his bottom lip, looking for a moment as if he were going to say something. Then he slowly shook his head. “Nay. That’s all. Now prepare to leave. I am about to wake everyone and we’ll head back to the castle anon.”

“All right,” she said, turning and walking back to the tent. Parker bolted out of the tent, crashing into her. “Slow down, Parker. Where are you going?” she asked her son, catching him by his shoulders.

“I lost King! He’s gone. I need to find him.”

King barked, playing with Tolin.

“Nay, he’s not gone. He’s right there, with his master.”

“King, King!” called the boy, running after the dog.

Laughing, Kit entered the tent to see Raven sitting there folding up the blankets.

“Oh, allow me to do that, my lady. It isn’t something a noble should be doing.” She knelt down to take over.

“Kit, I don’t mind. Since I’m a mother I have a different opinion on what a noble should or shouldn’t do. Speaking of that, did you have a nice talk with Tolin last night?” She sounded as if she knew something.

“Yes. We spoke.” Kit continued to fold the blankets.

“So...what did he say to you?” She smiled and seemed eager to hear.

“Well, he told me that Parker and I are free to go home as soon as we return to Blake Castle.”

“He did?” she said, sounding surprised and as if it wasn’t what she expected to hear.

“Lady Raven, I swear my son is innocent. He never tried to steal the guard’s sword. It was just a misunderstanding.”

“I believe you, Kit. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that I thought perhaps Tolin said...other things to you too?”

“Such as what?” Kit wasn’t volunteering the information about the kiss.

“Didn’t he tell you that he was attracted to you?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, he did. Just now, by the fire.” Her eyes darted back to the flap of the tent.

“Just now?” Raven seemed confused. “Kit, how do you feel about my brother?”

“I like him,” said Kit. “At first I didn’t, but now I do.” She said nothing more.

“Do you want to leave the castle and go home today?”

Hearing Raven say it made it seem so final. Kit thought she’d be happy returning home, but now that it was happening so soon, she found herself wishing she could stay. At least until Twelfth Night. “It is the Lord of Misrule’s wishes.”

“But is it really your wish to leave?”

She thought for a moment, not sure what to say. Then she realized that it would probably be best to go since she and Tolin did not belong together and never would. “It would be most beneficial to me and my family to get back home,” she told Raven, not looking at the woman when she spoke.

“Oh, Kit! I had so much hope that you and Tolin might someday end up together. I suppose from now on I should stick to minding my own business.” She got up abruptly and left the tent.

End up together? What did that mean, Kit wondered. Had Tolin released her because he didn’t want her anymore? Or had he done it because he really did care about her?

Confusion filled Kit’s mind. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but mayhap once she returned home she’d be able to think about this with more of a clear head.

“We’re ready to leave,” called out Tolin a short time later. “Everyone mount up. Parker, you’re with me.” He looked over to see the boy sitting on Raven’s horse with her.

“He’s riding back with me,” Raven told him.

“What? Why?” he asked. “Kit is supposed to ride with you.”

“She’ll just have to ride with you instead, I guess.” Raven shrugged and took off atop her horse. King barked and ran along with her. Tolin spotted Kit putting out the fire and walked over to join her.

“Kit, it seems Raven took the boy so you’ll have to ride back to the castle with Oliver or Jarvis instead.”

“Nay, my lord,” said Jarvis, riding past him. “Oliver has already left by Lord Rook’s orders and my horse is too loaded down with the supplies to hold a person too.”

“What about the spare horse? Where is it?” Tolin looked around.

“It was loaded with the spoils of the hunt,” said Jarvis. “It’s already gone as well.”

“I won’t have to walk back to the castle, will I?” asked Kit.

Tolin looked up at Jarvis and groaned. Jarvis had a dung-eating grin on his face. Tolin was sure Raven put them all up to this. Now he had no choice but to let Kit ride back to the castle with him.

“Nay, of course not. You will ride with me,” he told Kit, leading her to his horse. Putting his hands around her waist, he lifted her into the saddle. Damn she felt good under his hands. And when he settled himself behind her and put his arms around her to direct the horse, their bodies were pressed up against each other. Being so close to her was driving him mad.

“Thank you,” she said, dragging him from his thoughts.

“For what?” he asked.

“For letting Parker and me leave and go back home. Now my sister can give birth to her baby in her own bed.”

“Are you happy to be leaving?” He wanted to ask her if she’d miss him, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“Aye, of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“No reason.”

It was such temptation, holding Kit so closely. Every time they moved, their bodies smashed together. He could feel the womanly curves of her hips between his legs, making him hard since he liked her in that position. He rode faster, only wanting to be back. The girl didn’t seem to have the same feelings for him that he did for her, so it was best she leave before he ended up making a fool of himself.

It wasn’t long before they rode over the drawbridge and into the courtyard of Blake Castle. He saw Brother Ruford flagging him down. The monk had a young woman at his side. Tolin stopped the horse.

“Brother Ruford needs to speak to me,” he told Kit, helping her dismount.

“Nay, I think he wants to talk to me,” she told him, looking in the monk’s direction. “That is my sister-by-marriage who is with him. Something must be wrong.” Kit ran to them and Tolin followed.

“Vivian, what is it? Is everything all right? Why are you here?” Kit took the woman’s hands in hers. It was evident the girl had been crying.

“Brother Ruford? What is the meaning of this?” asked Tolin.

“This woman is from town,” explained Ruford. “There has been an unfortunate circumstance. I brought her here and am so glad to see you returned early.”

“Unfortunate circumstance? What happened?” Kit asked the girl.

“Oh, Kit, I am so sorry. I know this is the last thing you need to hear after all you’ve been going through.”

“What is? Vivian, please. Tell me. I need to know.” Kit sounded frantic.

“It’s gone! It’s all gone,” cried Vivian. “The townsfolk tried to help but it happened late last night when everyone was sleeping.”

“What happened? God’s eyes, tell me everything,” spat Kit.

Ruford stepped in to explain. “The girl is trying to say that because of an unfortunate event, last night your bakery burned to the ground.”

“What?” Kit gasped, her mouth falling open. Parker ran over and clung to her. Raven was right behind the boy.

“Mother, did he say the bakery burned down?” asked Parker.

“It was vandals,” explained Vivian, tears streaming down her face. “Someone said they saw a man in the shop late last night just before the fire started.”

“Who was it?” asked Kit. “Why would anyone do this?”

Vivian’s eyes darted back and forth. She shrugged. “We’re not sure. Oh, Kit, I am so sorry.”

Kit sank to the ground, hiding her face in her hands. Parker cried, getting down next to his mother and holding her. King ran over and whimpered. The dog lay down with his nose between his paws.

“Kit! Kit!” Brenna hurried over. Oliver had dismounted and was with her in an instant. “Did you hear? We’ve lost our home and the business and everything we own. Ooooooh,” moaned Brenna with her hand on her belly.

“I will send my men to town to find out all they can,” Tolin offered. “Once the vandal is caught he will punished, I promise.”

“My bakery. It’s gone.” Kit rocked back and forth on her knees crying, staring into space.

“This is horrible. But at least we have somewhere to live for the next ten days,” said Oliver, meaning the castle.

“Nay. Nay, we don’t.” Kit looked up to Tolin with desperation in her eyes. “Lord Tolin granted Parker his freedom. We were to leave and go back home today.”

“We were?” gasped Brenna, starting to cry as well. “So, I really will have to birth my baby in a barn after all. Oh, Kit, what will we do now?”

Oliver pulled Brenna to him to try to comfort her.

“You will all stay here until further notice,” Tolin spoke up.

“What?” Kit sniffled and looked over at him. “But you said Parker’s punishment is over. You told me we were free to go. Have you changed your mind about the sentence?”

Tolin realized they had nowhere to go. He’d seen how cold Kit and Parker were on the hunt. What were they going to do now since they were homeless and it was the middle of winter? They couldn’t live in the streets. He wouldn’t let them. They had no bakery, no home. Nothing. It sounded as if everything they’d owned was burned in the fire.

“Nay. There is no more sentence,” Tolin clarified himself. “But you may still stay.”

“Oh, Kit, Lord Tolin is letting us stay,” cried Brenna. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Nay, it isn’t,” said Kit, standing up and regaining her composure. She pulled her son to her and ran her hand through his tangled hair. “Thank you, Lord Tolin for your offer, but we cannot accept it.”

“You can’t? Why not?” asked Tolin, having hoped she’d be relieved by hearing his decision. She certainly didn’t seem grateful.

“We will survive, we always have,” Kit continued. “I will not have anyone feeling pity for me and my family. We don’t want your charity. We will still leave today as planned.”

Tolin didn’t know what to say. He had offered them a way out of this mess and the fool girl wouldn’t take it.

“Tolin, do something,” whispered Raven.

“Wait!” he called out, as Kit and her family started to walk away. “It wasn’t a request, but a command,” he told her.

“A command?” Kit narrowed her eyes. “You said the punishment was over.”

“Yes. And it is,” he assured her.

“Then I’m confused. How is it a command and why?”

“We are in the midst of Christmastide and its celebrations, if I must remind you,” he explained. “I am also the Lord of Misrule, so I order you, Kit Baker, to get back to the kitchen through Twelfth Night. I also command your son and sister to help you. And as Lord of Misrule, I want Oliver to get back to work in the stable, starting with my horse right here, right now.”

“My lord?” asked Oliver in confusion. “You want me to continue working in the stable? Really?”

“Yes, I do,” he said, handing Oliver his horse’s reins.

“Lord Tolin, I know what you’re doing,” said Kit with a glare. “This might all be naught but a game to you, but it isn’t to me. This is my life! My family’s life. It is something that must be taken seriously and cannot be toyed with. As I told you, I will not have anyone feeling sorry for me and my family, and I mean it. You can’t do this. You cannot make us stay.”

“Ah, that is where you are wrong, sweetheart,” said Tolin with a chuckle. “As the Lord of Misrule, anything I command anyone to do must happen. My orders must be followed. It is the rule of the game.”

“That’s right,” agreed Brother Ruford. “I’m afraid you and your family will have to stay until Twelfth Night now, Kit.”

“Why doesn’t the Lord of Misrule command that I get my bed back?” grumbled Rook, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’d like plum pudding tonight, Kit. It is a must during Christmastime and we’ve yet to have it. You do know how to make it, don’t you?” asked Tolin.

“Of course I do,” she said through her teeth. “But I don’t believe you do.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Pardon me?” he asked.

“The fruit for plum pudding needs to be soaked in brandy overnight. The pudding itself needs to be steamed for at least eight hours. This isn’t a dish, my lord, that can be produced at the snap of your fingers. Not even if the Lord of Misrule desires it.”

“Oh, well then we’ll have it whenever it is done, I suppose. In the meantime we’ll have mincemeat pies, since I’ve yet to get one.”

“Only because you keep changing your mind,” Kit mumbled under her breath.

“Was there something that you’d like to make for Christmastide?” he asked her. “One of your favorite baked goods, perhaps?”

Kit’s arms slowly fell to her side. She thought about it for a minute. “Well, Parker’s favorite is my gingerbread. Would that be to your liking, my lord?”

“Very much so,” he told her. “And from now on, through Twelfth Night, you will be the one to decide what you will bake and serve for dessert.”

“All right, then,” she said, releasing a deep breath and nodding. “I will get to work at once.” Everyone started to leave, but Tolin summoned Kit back to him.

“Kit,” he called out.

She sent her son inside with Brenna and walked back to him. “Yes, my lord?”

“Later tonight, after the festivities are finished for the day, I’d like to see you in my solar.”

“My lord? I don’t understand. You want me to bring food to you tonight in your solar?”

“Nay, not food. However, wine would be good. I want to talk with you. Privately. Just the two of us.”

She looked up at him in a suspicious manner. “Is this a command from the Lord of Misrule then?”

Sadness filled his being. “Nay, Kit, it is not.” He reached out and gently laid his hand on her shoulder. “However, it is a request...from me. As Tolin. It is not, however, an order.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m confused as to what this is all about.”

“I want to spend time with you. And I hope you want to be with me, too.”

Kit’s body stiffened and then it started shaking the way it always did when she was around him. She had told him it only happened when she was around a man she liked a lot.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head. “White wine or red, my lord?” was all she said, once again asking a question rather than to answer directly. This woman named Kit Baker was more mysterious than anyone Tolin had ever met.