Wolfe snapped out of his shock and took a running jump at Atlas.
‘Would you like to meet my new friend?’Atlas asked as he caught the boy with ease.The boy nodded furiously.‘Caris, this is Wolfe.He is four and loves girls.’
‘I ameight!And I don’t like girls at all!’he said, his little round face scrunching up.
‘Well, I’m sorry to hear that,’ I said.‘I had hoped we could be friends.’
The boy wriggled in Atlas’s arms, wanting to be put down.Atlas set the boy back on his feet, and Wolfe came to stand in front of me.
He had to tip his head back to meet my eyes.‘I likeyoubecause you have a sword and the most magnificent horse.I don’t like girls who just want to talk and read and never play with me.’His little nose pinched as he looked over at his sisters.
I smiled down at him.‘If you want to be friends, I would be happy to take you for a ride on my horse.’I watched as the boy’s eyes shone with absolute joy.
‘Oh, you are good, Caris,’ Atlas remarked.‘She knows that the way to a man’s heart is an enjoyable ride, eh, Wolfe?’
Atlas grunted when I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow.I couldn’t believe he just said that to an eight-year-old child!
‘Would you like something to eat or drink?We have peppermint tea?’Ania asked shyly from the settee.
My stomach growled at the mention of food.I had missed breakfast because I had stomped out before I could eat, and now it was past the midday meal.
‘I would, thank you.’The youngest of Lord Warwick’s offspring became attached to my side as I walked over to the settee.Atlas flopped down next to me, and Wolfe squeezed himself between us.
Ania held up a platter covered with jam tarts.I smiled at her and took the plate, ignoring Bethel’s raised brow.I balanced the tarts on my knees carefully, not wanting to lose one off the side of the plate.My stomach growled as I ate, and I got through most of them before I realised everyone was watching me.
‘Did you want one?’I asked Atlas guiltily.I hadn’t left many.He shook his head, gesturing for me to carry on.
‘You sure do eat a lot!’Wolfe exclaimed.
‘Hush, Wolfe!’Ania scolded him.
I gave her back the leftover tarts and took the teacup she had filled for me.I drank the tea down in one go, washing all the crumbs away.
‘She doesn’t just look like a man, she behaves like one,’ Bethel snorted.
‘What’s wrong with that?’Wolfe asked, coming to my defense.
‘Nothing,’ Atlas said, leaning back on the settee and putting an arm casually around my shoulders.
‘Well, she’s hardly going to be believable as my lady-in-waiting in Capita, is she?’
Bethel had a point.I hadn’t worn a dress since childhood, having grown up under the care of a soldier for almost a decade.
‘We can work on that tomorrow.It will be great fun!’said Ania.‘We can teach you everything you need to know, and commission you a new wardrobe.You would look beautiful in a red dress with your colouring, or even blue to emphasise your pretty grey eyes.’
I liked Ania.She was nothing like her sister.
‘I don’t know, I’m partial to the breeches,’ Atlas admitted.Everyone ignored him.
‘Hmm, maybe if they can make a dress big enough?’Bethel’s green eyes narrowed at me.
I had to remind myself that I was here to protect, not harm, Lord Warwick’s offspring.
CHAPTER 12
Iwanted to be anywhere but here.If Boric came back to life to challenge me in the arena, I would fight him again.Anythingto avoid lady-in-waiting lessons.
Ania handed me a stiff petticoat to slip over my breeches.
