hand and began stroking her hair. The feeling of it made his chest burn. He could get lost in her hair. He kissed some of the locks.
“You fancy my hair, do you?” she said with a teasing voice. “Everyone else thinks it’s a cursed color. I’m afraid you won’t think it so special anymore once we’re in Connaught.”
“It will always be special to me,” he said.
“Are you certain you haven’t been studying how to flatter me, Ransom? You’re doing it very well.”
“I’m not trying to flatter you, Claire. I’m too much of an eejit to try.”
She pulled away from his chest and gave him a sly look. “How long am I free from the prison? Do I have to go back to the tower soon?”
He ran his finger down her nose. “I don’t think you have to go back at all.”
He felt her body shudder, and she closed her eyes as if he’d just cast a spell on her. When she opened them again, her smile was so pleased it pained him. “Good,” she said. “I’m not done kissing you yet.”
Ransom looked at Simon in astonishment. “How much is Glosstyr worth?”
His friend laughed and gripped his shoulder. “Are you deaf? This is why the king hasn’t been quick to find another duke; he’s been enjoying the benefits himself.” He turned to Claire, who sat next to Ransom at a table in the palace kitchens. “My lady, you are the wealthiest heiress in the land. Why you would settle for him is beyond me.”
Ransom gave Simon a wounded look, but he knew his friend was jesting.
Claire propped her chin on her palms, her elbows on the table. “I didn’t feel very wealthy confined in that tower, Sir Simon.” She took one of her arms and hooked it around Ransom’s. “And I have a feeling we’ll need it in order to bring Legault to obedience. I don’t want to ask the king for help as my father did. I think the two of us can do it.”
Simon smiled and gave her an approving nod. “I’m glad to hear it, as the king’s coffers are decidedly barren. Master Hawkes is writing up the records as we speak. A courier will be sent to Glosstyr to inform the castellan with a writ. Spring is an excellent time for a marriage. Although I’m not sure Duke Benedict will wait for your nuptials before he attacks.”
“Has Benedict ever defeated you, my love?” Claire asked Ransom with a bright smile.
The endearment made him giddy inside. “No, and I don’t intend to let him win now. I hope the king will be able to broker a peace that will end this conflict.”
“As do I,” Simon said. He slapped his palms on the table. “I’m glad I found you here. I must get back to the king.”
Simon started to rise, but Ransom caught his arm. “Have a room prepared for Claire if you would. She is no longer confined to the tower.”
Simon glanced between them and nodded. “I will inform the king of Lady Claire’s consent and your wishes. I don’t think he will begrudge you anything right now.”
After he left, Claire entangled her fingers with Ransom’s, and they sat at the table talking until a strange but pleasant smell wafted over.
“What did you ask the undercook to make?”
“It’s a surprise. Do you remember Siena, the cook who used to work here when we were children?” She scooted even closer on the bench until their hips touched.
Ransom thought a moment, and the memories began to return. “She was Gaultic. I do remember her.”
“This palace has so many dark memories for me now.” She glanced up at the rafters, then at the cooks who were cleaning after the evening meal. “I want to cherish as many good ones as I can before we leave this place forever. Remember when we met in Chessy and you gave me that little morsel of penuche?”
“Of course.”
“Well, this is something I wanted you to try. Ah, here she comes.”
The undercook was carrying a large bread paddle with four slices of bread on it. It looked almost burnt, and the sight of it made Ransom wrinkle his nose, but the smell was intriguing and sweet.
“What is this?” he asked as the cook set the paddle down on the table before him.
“Just try it,” Claire said. She took one of the four pieces. When she bit into it, there was a nice crunch, and she smiled in enjoyment.
Ransom took one of the pieces and smelled it