The Brat Page 0,117

saved his life."

"Actually, it was Reginald who saved him that time," Murie corrected her.

Cecily waved that away. "But it was you who ate half the meat so that he did not get enough poison and die. And you who dragged him out of the water." She paused and scowled at Murie.

"I was there watching when you did it. I was hoping that you might leave him behind while you went to get help and I could finish him off, but no, you made a litter of your clothing and walked back naked to save him. What other lady would do that, I ask you?" She threw her hands in the air again, this time with exasperation. "You even interfered with the fire, unblocking the door and setting them both free. Every time I have thought I was about to attain my deepest desire and kill the bastard, you interfered and saved his life ... twice almost getting yourself killed in the process," she added harshly. "How would I have gotten to Aldous then?"

Murie peered at the woman as if she were mad - which she obviously was - and said, "You would not have gotten to Aldous in any case. Even had my husband died, I would never have married Malculinus."

"Aye, you will," Cecily assured her.

"Nay, I will not," Murie retorted. "Even had you succeeded in killing my husband, the king would not force me to marry again so soon. If at all. And if he did, Malculinus would be the very last man in England I would ever consider."

"Your husband will die," Cecily assured her menacingly. "And when he does, you will marry Malculinus. I suffered ten long years at court for you - you owe me this."

Murie gave a tsk of mingled disgust and disbelief. "I owe you nothing. You were paid quite handsomely for those ten long years. And had you explained things and asked, I am sure the king would have released you to return to Somerdale. All you had to do was ask."

Now it was Cecily's turn to look dubious. "You do not ask the king for anything. You obey and keep your head on your shoulders."

"Oh, bollocks!" Murie snapped. "You are a servant not a slave. Just look at how all the villeins and servants left here when more coin was offered elsewhere."

"Now, "Cecily said with emphasis. "Now that half the servants and workers are gone, we have some power and may go in search of kinder surroundings. But not ten years ago. Not when the king ordered me to court."

"Why did you not simply pack up and go to Aldous yourself if you so desired, rather than spend all this energy trying to kill my husband?" Murie asked.

Cecily frowned and avoided her gaze, and Murie's eyes widened with understanding. "Because you feared Baxley would not be interested in you without your, first, obtaining me for his lord."

"Shut up," Cecily snapped. "He is mine, and I am having him. I deserve this after losing my William. You will marry Malculinus."

"Nay, I will not," Murie said. "I will not marry him, and I will not let you kill my husband."

"Aye, you will - because if you do not, then you are of no use to me at all, and I may as well kill you, too."

Murie stared at her maid and realized she'd made a huge mistake in confronting the woman alone. This was the maid who had tended her needs for ten years, and yet Murie did not recognize her - had never even really known her, she realized. The face Cecily had been showing all these years had not been the real woman. She'd hated and resented Murie for being forced to court all this time, and Murie had to wonder if that wasn't part of the reason behind her determination to kill Balan: She'd lost her William and would now see Murie suffer an equal loss. She was trying to sort out how best to handle the situation, when Cecily suddenly produced a knife. "I think I shall kill you anyway. You have been a canker on my arse long enough." Murie's eyes widened incredulously. This was unexpected. She'd never imagined the maid would have such a weapon on her. On the other hand, she'd never really believed the woman had been the one behind the attacks on Balan. So far, she'd handled the situation all wrong.

Cecily suddenly lunged, stabbing out with the knife, and Murie instinctively sidestepped and then swung