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the hall in the direction from which he'd expected Malculinus to come, but saw nothing. Frowning, he glanced the other way, toward Murie's door, and stilled when he saw Malculinus standing two doorways beyond. The man's clothes were rumpled, his hair was a mess, and he was busily kissing a woman in the door, quite thoroughly.

"Is that not Lady Jane?" Osgoode asked, but then, before Balan could answer that, yes it was, he added, "I guess the rumors are true, and she really does have a secret lover. I wonder if she is really with child, too."

Balan grunted.

"Mayhap he does not intend to go through with the plan," Osgoode suggested. "Lady Jane is nearly as wealthy as Lady Murie."

"Wealth is not a concern for Malculinus," Balan reminded him.

"Aye, but she is a lady in good standing... well, other than the fact that she has taken him on as a lover," he muttered. "Besides, surely even he is not despicable enough to go straight to Murie's room from the arms of his lover?"

Balan didn't respond. Malculinus was turning Lady Jane and pushing her back into her chamber. After giving her a playful swat on the behind, he pulled the door closed. The man then paused for a moment, as if waiting to be sure she didn't open the door again. Finally he started up the hall, straightening his clothes and running a hand through his hair.

For one moment, Balan thought Osgoode might be right and Malculinus would bypass Murie's room, but Malculinus stopped. He cast a quick glance about to be sure no one was around to see, then eased open Murie's door and slid inside.

"Do something," Osgoode hissed.

Balan was already slipping out from behind the curtain.

Chapter Three

Balan managed to open the door just enough to slip into the room without drawing Malculinus's attention. Easing it silently closed, he paused to allow his eyes time to adjust to the darkness. A dying fire in the grate cast some weak light, but not much. It was enough for him to see that Malculinus was already at the bed, gently shaking Murie's shoulder in an effort to wake her.

"Murie? Wake up," the man whispered, scowling when she showed no sign of stirring. "Lauda must have been too generous with her herbs. Ah, well - perhaps a kiss will wake you." Grimacing at the very idea of the despicable cur pressing his lips to Murie's, Balan snatched a statuette off the table by the door and crept swiftly behind him. As silently as he moved, he must have somehow given himself away, for Malculinus started to glance over his shoulder just as Balan reached him. Balan brought the statue sharply down on his head.

The thud was loud in the silent room, and Malculinus moaned as his feet went out from beneath him, but a quick look showed Balan that neither sound had woken Murie.

The hearth was on the other side of the bed, leaving this side in shadow. Balan stared down at the dark heap that was Malculinus, started to bend over to grab the unconscious man to drag him out of the room, but paused as his eyes slid back to the sleeping woman in the bed. He'd thought her beautiful when he'd seen her in the hall at midday, but she was even more stunning by firelight. Her features looked serene and mysterious in the shadowed room, and the weak light from the flames painted her hair with both light and dark brush strokes.

She must have been suffering a restless sleep; she'd kicked off her linens and furs and lay with her tunic tangled around her thighs, leaving her alabaster legs to glow softly in the dim light. Balan's eyes traveled over rounded hips to the soft swell of her belly, and finally to the neckline of her tunic. The cloth there had been disrupted by her tossing and turning as well. The tie at the neck had pulled loose and lay wide open, leaving her upper chest and part of one breast exposed.

Balan found himself staring at the curve of that breast. Were he to lean down and shift the cloth the tiniest bit, her nipple would be in full view. The thought made him lick his lips as he tried to commit this image to memory so that he could pull it out and enjoy it again later. He had no idea how long he stood there, but knew it was too long when a moan sounded from