Lady Thief - By Rizzo Rosko Page 0,99

earlier, her heart fluttered at the sight of his clean tunic, boots, and leggings.

Elizabeth resisted the urge to reach up and touch her heart. How strange! She had seen him naked before and walked with him knowing there was naught beneath that foul robe she gave him but hard flesh, and yet the sight of him fully clothed still sent a shiver through her.

He suddenly seemed ... perfect. Even his hideous hair, now washed of the dirt that darkened the orange color, seemed as bright as a flame on top of his head.

He turned his head away from a conversation with his father, looked at her, and his jaw dropped a few inches while the color of his eyes seemed to become a brighter shade of blue.

She had no jewels to speak of, but the gown she wore and hard scrubbing made her feel as refined and beautiful as any real lady. The little servant girl, Olma, had done a wonderful job braiding her thick brown hair in a shining crown above her head.

Would Blaise be giving her such a look of intensity had she covered half her head in a headdress?

Remembering herself, she curtsied to everyone in the room. "My lords, my lady." She amended, seeing the woman standing beside lord Gray. Her belly protruded heavily away from her body, but that did not deter the gentle smile on her face.

She had hair of such brilliant, impossible red that Elizabeth would have been certain she was Blaise’s mother, if only they did not appear so close in age. “Are you to be my new daughter?”

“New—” Elizabeth sputtered, her body heating. Had Blaise not explained that they were not to be wed after all?

Lord Gray took the woman's hand and pat it gently. “Marianne, my dear, I am sorry to say that 'tis not to be. You have only just arrived shortly before our guest, and have not heard Blaise's confession.”

William looked pointedly at his son. Blaise’s face coloured all the way up to that flame-shaped orange head of his, and in turn Blaise sent a sharp glance towards Elizabeth. “Aye, Marianne. Elizabeth and I are not to be married. ‘Twas her simple chattering that spawned that rumour.”

Elizabeth bristled under her gown and clenched her fists. "I would have made no comment at all had you not been jesting with those men outside that I was your whore."

William snapped his eyes towards Blaise. 'Twas the first time Elizabeth had seen their calm blues appear so sharp. "Is that true?"

Blaise had the decency to duck his head in an abashed manner. "Father, I was attacked on the road last night in the rain and robbed of everything."

Marianne brought her hand up to cover a small gasp. William's eyes widened. "Was this the reason for your grand entrance today?"

Blaise nodded. "Aye. I simply did not want the men to know that I had been taken in by a few peasants. So I explained to them that I was robbed while bedding her."

"You foolish boy." Lord Gray hissed.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped when, instead of scolding him further, lord Gray pulled Blaise from his seat to hold him. "I care not about the nature of your robbery so long as you are returned safely."

Blaise pulled eagerly away from his father's grasp and cleared his throat. "Aye, well, 'tis also the reason why I bring Eliza with me today. She saved my life."

All eyes returned their attention to her. Elizabeth’s body warmed under their curious stares. She ducked her head as though she could avoid the heat.

Lady Gray grinned proudly. Lord Gray eyed her curiously, rubbing his chin. "Is that so? Against a band of thieves? Well then, I can certainly see why you wouldn't want the men outside knowing of that."

"William!" Lady Gray’s grin disappeared.

"I was only saying," he muttered.

Elizabeth decided to speak for herself before Blaise could utter another word. "Actually, milord, I came upon Blaise later. The men attacked him and left him for dead in the middle of the road. He lay in a puddle, and if he had been left there and not awoke before the rain could fill it with more water, he would have drowned."

William looked to his son for confirmation.

Blaise sighed, as though hesitant to admit to his near defeat at the hands of a puddle. "'Tis true. I have the wound on the back of my head to prove it."

"Thank the Lord you are safe!" Lady Gray said as her husband reached his hand behind his son’s