“So what if it is?” she retorted, her sore hands forgotten as her grip tightened on the saddle. “I have every right to visit Sir Ranulf, as Constance and Merrick obviously believe, too.”
“Your guardians let you come because they love you and feel sorry for you and so they indulge you,” Kiernan answered, managing to sound aggravatingly condescending even on a cantering horse.
She had had all she could stand of Kiernan, whose generous father indulged his every whim. “Halt this horse and let me down!”
He didn’t. Instead, his arm clasped her closer, as if he feared she might jump, which she was tempted to do. She’d almost rather risk a broken limb than listen to anything more Kiernan had to say. Unfortunately, she knew from her conversations with the apothecary that any break could become very serious indeed, so she had no choice but to stay where she was.
“Stop this horse and let me down,” she said instead, “or I’ll scream.”
“There’s no need for hysterics.”
Hysterics? He thoughtthiswas hysterics? The man had no idea. “Unless you want me to demonstrate just howhystericalI can be, you’ll let me down at once!”
“I won’t let you walk unguarded back to the castle,” Kiernan replied. “Forgive me if I’ve upset you, but you have no choice in this matter.”
“You force me to be blunt. My reputation is not yours to guard, and it never will be. Now let me down or I’ll jump.”
Instead of answering, he urged his horse into a gallop, making it impossible for her to risk a leap from the saddle.
If she could have gotten her hands around Kiernan’s neck, she would have strangled him unconscious to get away. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do that, so she had to endure the humiliation of arriving at Penterwell in this embarrassing, unnecessary fashion, which would surely be talked about in the barracks and tavern and cottages for at least a fortnight.
The guards at the gate stared in wide-eyed wonder as Kiernan finally reined in his horse. “My lady?” one of them asked, sounding as if he wasn’t at all certain he could believe his eyes.
“Yes. And this isSirKiernan of Penderston,” she replied, imbuing Kiernan’s title with as much scorn as she could muster,for Kiernan was obviouslynota chivalrous knight. “Please let us pass. The rest of Sir Kiernan’s escort will be arriving later.”
The guards dutifully made way for them, exchanging both quizzical and rather wary looks as they passed.
“Sir Ranulf isn’t going to like this,” the one who’d spoken to Lady Beatrice noted.
“Not at all,” his comrade answered, sagely shaking his head.
BEATRICE, MEANWHILE, stifled a groan when she saw Ranulf leaning against the stable wall, his arms crossed, his expression inscrutable. What must he be thinking? Damn Kiernan and his arrogant presumption!
“Let me go,” she said through clenched teeth as Kiernan brought his prancing horse to a halt, but her captor only held her tighter.
She was never going to forgive him for this—never!
“Well, well, well, what have we here?” Ranulf remarked as he sauntered toward them. “Young Sir Kiernan of Penderston with Lady Beatrice on his horse like a prize of war.”
Beatrice tried to wiggle free of Kiernan’s grasp. “Kiernan met me when I was coming back with Myghal and heinsistedI ride back with him. Indeed, he gave me no choice at all. He lifted me up onto his saddle and left Myghal behind on the road.”
When Kiernan replied, he didn’t sound at all irked by her answer. “She was walking on the road like a peasant and without an escort. She’d also fallen and cut her hands.”
Ranulf’s gaze flashed to Beatrice’s hands and worry darkened his brow.
“It’s nothing. I tripped, that’s all. And then Kiernan arrived and—”
“Was kind enough to bring you back,” Ranulf interrupted. “For which I’m grateful, although I applaud your indignation for Myghal’s sake. However, I’m sure he’ll recover. In the meantime, you should thank Sir Kiernan for his kindness.”
Beatrice kept her mouth shut, not particularly pleased with either of them at the moment.
“I have come to take Lady Beatrice home to Tregellas,” Kiernan announced.
Ranulf raised a brow. “Have you, indeed? Am I to assume you mean to carry her back immediately and in such an interesting manner?”
Kiernan flushed with embarrassment, as well he should. “No.”
“I’m glad to hear it, as she has her own charming little mare to take her back to Tregellas when the time comes.”
