A twinge of something strange ran though him. It felt like a tugging at his heart or some sort of sadness for her having missed something she obviously wanted to do.
“Never?” Simon asked, his voice aghast.
Draven glared at his brother, for he knew what Simon was about.
“Never.” She drew Draven’s attention back to her. Her bottom lip poked out ever so slightly in an attractive pout. “My father wouldn’t allow it. He said there was naught to be found at a fair save lechery and danger.” She looked up at him with sad, enchanting eyes. “I would so love to see a fair just once.”
Draven barely heard her words for his attention was captivated by the sparkle in her pupils. The moistness of her lips. Captivated by an image of him drawing her seductive bottom lip between his teeth and tasting of her breath.
“Would it be possible for me to accompany you?” she asked.
Aye almost slipped out of his mouth before he caught himself.
Aye?! he railed at his treacherous mind. She was the whole reason he was headed to Lincoln in the first place! Taking her with him would defeat the entire purpose of the journey.
“Nay, milady.” He grabbed his horse’s reins. “‘Tis impossible.”
“But milord?—”
“I have the king’s duties to attend,” he said far more gruffly than he meant to.
“Oh.” Her face fell and the sadness in her eyes tore at him. He didn’t want to make her unhappy, any more than he wanted Henry to end his life.
And for some reason he couldn’t name, her happiness became important to him.
“How about if I go with her,” Simon said. “I can see to the lady’s welfare while you attend your business.”
Draven narrowed his eyes on his brother. Did the man want him to die? Rather Simon should take a dagger to his back than evoke Henry’s wrath upon his head. The last thing on earth Draven desired was to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
Emily’s face instantly beamed at the prospect of joining him. “Oh, please!”
His gut wrenched at her sweet voice and the look of anticipation on her face. How could he ever deny her so simple a request?
He made the mistake of looking at her again. She held her hands clasped between her breasts, and bit her lip as if a denial from him would send her off into tears.
“I could be packed before you know,” she said excitedly. “And I promise I won’t be a burden. Why, you’ll not even know I’m along.”
He doubted that. She had a terrible way of invading his thoughts.
“Please?” she begged again.
This was a bad idea. He knew it with every breath he took and yet he couldn’t find it within him to disappoint her.
You have to die sometime.
Aye, but there are far more desirable ends.
Desirable perhaps, but then so was the look of happiness on her face. Besides, he could stay away from her in Lincoln and force Simon to look after her. And there would be Orrick’s wife there to entertain her as well.
Aye, he could stay away from her. He would stay away from her.
“Very well, milady. If you hurry, I shall wait.”
She bestowed a bright smile upon him that made him feel weak in the knees. Or mayhap his head.
Aye, he was definitely weak in the head for allowing her to accompany him.
“Thank you!” she breathed, then did the most unexpected thing. She raised up on her toes and lightly kissed his cheek.
