My smile spread despite every effort to stop it. I ought to have been concerned. She had attacked the son of a duke, and if Leopold had understood even half of what had happened,he would have demanded punishment far worse than a written complaint. This could become dangerous if his father pressed the matter, and I would need to navigate it carefully, particularly where the duke was the one holding King Richard.
But in a rush of pure selfishness, I let myself enjoy the moment. I had been forced to watch Leopold try to win Laurel over all evening and watch Laurel smile at a man I wanted to punchsquarely in the nose, then swallow my anger along with that secret message that I could still taste.
Then Laurel had punched Leopold for me, and I loved her even more for it.
I unfolded the report again and read over my notes, my smile returning when I reached the line about the imaginary club and three large accomplices. Then, because I could not help myself, I laughed.
LAUREL
So much for my dress.
During the scuffle with Leopold, the gown had ripped in several places. The seams along the shoulders, back, and sides beneath my arms had all burst, and my corset was now visible wherever the fabric had split. I turned slightly in front of the small looking glass near the wall and sighed at the damage. Aalis was going to be horrified. I would have to find some way to repair or replace it, and either option would likely cost more than a month’s wages.
I was just about to undress and begin removing all the makeup Aalis had caked onto my face when Baron stormed into the servants’ quarters.
“Isabella!” he barked.
Several girls were named Isabella, most of whom had been falling asleep after a long night of dancing. All of them squeaked in fright and scrambled forward, staring at the floor as if the stones beneath their feet had suddenly become fascinating. Blankets slipped from shoulders, hair tumbled loose from braids, and one girl tripped over the edge of her own mattress in her haste to obey.
“Not you,” Baron said, cupping one girl’s chin and lifting her face before releasing her with a sharp motion. “Or you. Or you.”
He moved down the line, his expression dark enough to make each girl shrink back when his attention passed over her. “A plague on you all. Where’s the Isabella with red hair?”
I stepped into the main walkway between the mattresses. “I’m here.”
Baron’s gaze snapped to me. “Come with me. You’re needed for questioning.”
He really did look aggressive and mean. He was still clad head to toe in that black leather, and the shadows along his unshaven jaw made his face look even harsher than usual. His dark hair was disheveled from the long day, his arms and chest strained against his clothing, and one hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Every servant behind him looked beyond petrified of the intimidating, hulking man who had just stormed into the room and demanded me by name.
Baron reached forward, closed his fingers firmly around my upper arm, and marched me out of the servants’ quarters. As I passed, I saw Aalis just returning and staring at me with her mouth open in a silent O. The servant girls probably would not have been surprised if I never returned. Forget being detained for questioning, Baron was making this look like an execution.
I kept my expression as one of terrified obedience. Baron wrenched open the door to the corridor beyond, propelled me through with enough force to appear properly menacing, then stomped down the hallway. “Follow me,” he barked.
Several soldiers posted along our path glanced over nervously. One young guard gave me a sympathetic look as I passed, as though he had already decided I was doomed. I lowered my eyes at once and scurried along obediently.
We trooped down corridor after corridor without a word, with me doing my best to look frightened and embarrassed forthe interested maids and guards who stared after us. The castle was quieter at this hour, but not totally asleep. Torches burned low along the stone walls, and every footstep echoed in the narrow passageways. Now and then, a servant carrying linens or a tray of empty cups pressed themselves against the wall to let Baron pass.
Finally, we arrived at one of the doors in the barracks. Baron opened it and waved me in. I stepped into the chamber, and he pulled the heavy door shut behind us. We were in his personal quarters.
Once we were alone, he rounded on me and ran a hand through his hair. “You really love making my job difficult, don’t you?”
I beamed. “Who, me?”
“Yes, you. Leopold just filed a report.”
I pretended to gasp in amazement. “Leopold filed a report? Whatever for?”
Baron rolled his eyes, but a chuckle escaped him. “As if you don’t know.”
“Jealous?” I asked.
His eyebrows pulled together slightly. “If you saw a woman throwing herself at me the way Leopold did with you today, wouldn’t you be jealous?”
I laughed and lied, “Not at all. I would just tell her to be prepared for your thunderous snores and prodigious appetite.”
Baron’s mouth twitched. “Right. I knew this was coming. I was watching you two all evening.”
I moved closer and leaned against him, resting my hands lightly against the front of his leather vest. “Why, Sheriff, why would you care about watching a lowly servant girl and her date?”