to a holding in the south.”
“What is this holding called?”
“Rosehaven.”
“Who lives at this place called Rosehaven? Who would Lord Fawke send money to?”
“I do not know, I swear it.”
“Let me gullet him now, Severin. The little puking bastard will just continue to lie until I do.”
1 3 6
“Nay Gwent, hold. This is proving interesting. Do we have a myshere I wonder? Hastings, have you ever heard the name Rosehaven?”
She shook her head. She said to Torric, “I remember that my father
1 ft every few months. He always told me he was visiting one of his holdings. Once or twice I asked to accompany him but he refused. Did he always carry the money to this Rosehaven?”
“Always. He told the men that if they failed to guard the pouch, there would be retribution. He was always gone for sixteen days, which meant he spent nine days at Rosehaven each time he journeyed there. The last time, he sent Beamis with a great deal of money because he realized that he was dying, a final payment, I suppose. I did not question him. He would have risen from his deathbed and killed me.”
Gwent turned to Severin. “That is what alerted me immediately, Severin, that huge amount that was missing recently. Do you think the little bastard is telling the truth?”
“How long have you been at Oxborough, Torric?” Severin asked, sitting forward in his great chair. Trist climbed out of Severin’s tunic and slithered down his arm to stretch out his full length. He stared at the steward, his paws stretched out to cover Severin’s fingers.
“For eleven years, my lord. I have toiled for Lord Fawke. I never cheated him. He paid me well. He trusted me. I prayed you would not discover the missing funds, but you have. Kill me, but it will not gain you any justice. Justice is down south at Rosehaven keep.”
“Where exactly?” Hastings asked.
On the coast, near Folkstone. It is nearly four days’ hard riding from Oxborough.”
Severin was silent. He stroked Trist’s back. Finally, he said, rising, we won’t know the truth of the matter unless we go to this Rosehaven. Hastings, you will accompany me, as will you, Gwent. We will take fifteen men. We will leave in the morning.”
“Beamis knows the truth, Severin.”
(t .
Aye, he knows. But I like mysteries. I want to visit this Rosehaven
“(I
and juggle all the pieces of this mystery until I am able, by myself, to fit them all together. Torric, you will remain here. You will continue with your duties. I will have Beamis keep an eye on you with the instruction if you attempt to flee Oxborough, he will kill you. Do you understand
it y( me?
“Aye, my lord. I understand you perfectly.”
“Beamis has known me since I was born,” Hastings said as she walked into the bedchamber just ahead of Severin. “He has never hinted anything. Nor has my father. What is going on here, Severin?”
He stopped her, his hands light on her upper arms. He turned her slowly. “I care not at this moment if he is keeping a bastard prince prisoner at this place called Rosehaven. Kiss me, Hastings.”
She did, her mouth closed until she felt his tongue gliding along her bottom lip. She wrapped her arms around his neck, came up onto her tiptoes, and pressed herself against him. She said against his mouth, “I like that, Severin. Tell me what to do.”
“Open your mouth, just a bit. That’s it. Now, this is something men and women do. Don’t be startled.” She felt his tongue slowly slide into her mouth. She jumped and closed her mouth, holding his tongue inside.
He wanted to laugh but he couldn’t. He stroked her tongue with his until she opened her mouth to show him her approval. And her growing enthusiasm.
“This is something I had not considered,” she said, speaking, then kissing him, “something that should not be as exciting as it is-”
“Be quiet, Hastings.” He locked his hands beneath her bottom and picked her up. He didn’t stop kissing her even as he fell on top of her on the bed. Then she was laughing into his mouth. No woman had ever before laughed whilst he was kissing her. Severin drew up, balancing himself on his elbows. He stared down at her. “This is fun,” she said, and chopped her hands against his arms. He fell on top of her. Soon he was