The latch rattling stopped.
“Oh?” Beatrice squeaked from the other side of the door.
He imagined her cheeks going pink.
Lilly stood there, teats out to the world, staring at him.
“Go.”
“Why? And who is at the door?”
“Never you mind.” Garrett gave her a push. “Just leave.”
Lilly set her jaw and cocked one hip.
Jesu, save him from all women. Garrett had no idea what Beatrice was doing outside his door in the middle of the night, but he knew he couldn’t be caught here with Lilly. “The back.” He grabbed Lilly’s clothes from the floor and dragged her toward the rear of the hut.
One of the wall boards was loose and it came away instantly in his hands. He’d fix it in the morning. “Put this on.” He yanked Lilly’s bliaut over her head and tugged it down until her head reappeared.
“What are you about?” Lilly fought her way out of the fabric spitting like a cat.
“Garrett? Is there someone with you in there?”
“Who would be here?” he called back.
Lilly slapped his arms away. “I am here.” Lilly’s eyes narrowed.
“But you should not be.” He jostled Lilly toward the gap in the boards.
“That is not what you said earlier.”
Garrett drew a careful breath. He shouldn’t have let Lilly stay. But with his rude awakening last night by that overbred cur and his men, he’d found her warm presence by his side reassuring.
“Garrett,” Beatrice called. “I must speak with you. It is a matter of utmost urgency.”
“It sounds like Lady—”
“It sounds like nobody.” Garrett was done playing with Lilly. With his hand on the top of her head, he forced her to duck down until she was in line with the opening.
She squawked, but he shoved her rump hard enough to send her tumbling through the gap. “Go.”
“Let me find my clothes, sweeting,” he called. “Unless you would prefer—”
“Nay.” Beatrice giggled.
He found his chausses and tugged them over his hips, fastening his rope belt around the top. He picked up his tunic. Then dropped it. Let Lady Beatrice get an eyeful of what she came here for. His rod twitched at the thought. He wouldn’t have thought her this bold, but the threat of him leaving must have played on her mind. Exactly as he intended.
“Oh, hello, Lilly,” Beatrice said.
Garrett’s heart gave a great jump. He bolted the two steps to the door and wrenched it open.
Beatrice spun around. Her hair was bound in a long braid. Moonlight played lovingly over the delicate lines of her face. Her gaze dropped almost immediately to his bare chest and widened.
Over her head, Lilly made a crude gesture at him.
Garrett made it back.
“You are out late, Lady Beatrice.” Lilly tossed her head and sauntered over. Her bliaut was on backward.
Beatrice started and her shoulders tensed. “Aye.” Movement played along her long throat as she swallowed. “I came to…um…ask Garrett something?” She fidgeted with the edges of her cloak.
He prayed her mortification at being discovered by Lilly kept her from asking too many questions.
“Did you now?” Lilly’s grin was pure evil.
“How is your son?” Beatrice’s voice came high and awkward.
“Oh, he is well, Lady Beatrice.” Lilly’s expression softened. “Growing like a weed, he is.”
“I am sure.” Beatrice smiled at Lilly. “You must be sure to bring him up to the keep over Christmas.”
“I will, Lady Beatrice. Does Sir Henry know you are here?”
“Of course he does.” Beatrice’s forced laughter convinced nobody.
Garrett winced.
“He sent me to speak with Garrett.”
Lilly stared hard at Beatrice.
“Should you not be getting back to your boy?” Garrett made shooing motions with his hands.
“Oh, indeed.” Beatrice nodded. “You would not want him waking up and finding you not there.”
“I am sure you are right, my lady.” Lilly gave him one last look, turned, and ambled away, her ass twitching as she went.
Garrett breathed. That had been too damned close. He turned his smile on Beatrice. “Hello, sweeting. Somehow, I do not think your brother sent you to speak to me.”
* * * *
Beatrice’s knees nearly buckled and she grabbed at the doorframe for support. Her palm touched warm skin. She jerked her hand back, but the imprint of his chest still tingled along her arm.
“I thought I would die when I saw her here.” Her heart was still running like a startled rabbit. “I thought nobody was about.”
“Which brings us to what you are doing here?” Garrett’s hair was rumpled and his chin shadowed with growth. She’d only seen him clean-shaven, not sporting a beard like many other men. He was near naked, save for a small pouch about his neck, alone with her in the midst of the night. Mere steps from where he slept.
Her mouth went dry and she licked her lips.
“Beatrice?” A small smile played across his mouth. His eyes gleamed down at her in a way that made her stomach clench. Wicked, wonderful smile.
“I need you.”
Garrett’s mouth softened and the heat in his eyes reached out as sure as a touch.
She knew that look. Her blood warmed in response.
“Sweeting.” He slid his hands beneath her cloak and caged her hips. Firmly, he tugged her toward him.
Beatrice wanted him to pull her into the dim hut behind them. Fortunately, she remembered Tom waiting for her outside the village. She didn’t think Tom could see, but she didn’t want to take a chance. She pulled away from Garrett. “I need your help.”
Garrett stopped, but kept his hands on her, warming her right through her clothing. “Anything for you.” A small frown creased his brows. He slipped his hands beneath the hem of her tunic.
Beatrice had trouble remembering why she’d come.
“My family.” Her breath grew short. If she rose onto her toes, she could reach his mouth. She could forget everything under the enchantment of his kiss.
“Your family?” His lips twitched as if he read her every thought. He traced the top of her braies, brushing the bare skin of her waist.
“Aye.” Beatrice reached for her scattered thoughts and rounded them up. The future of her family depended on her. Beatrice the Brave would remain steadfast in her quest, even if she wanted to trace the sulky fullness of his bottom lip with her tongue. “There is trouble. I need help.”
His frown deepened. He roamed further, slipped his hands from beneath her tunic and tugged apart the sides of her cloak. He dropped his hands.
Beatrice shivered in the sudden chill.
“What are you about, Beatrice? And dressed like that.” His jaw hardened.
Beatrice