Draven narrowed his glare on the trunks. “We cannot carry all that. You’ll have to leave it behind.”
“But, milord?—”
“Nay, lady, I will not yield on this.”
“But—”
“One kirtle, one veil and whatever personal items you require. That is all.” He went to the horse Druce had saddled for her and pulled the saddlebags from it. “Whatever fits in here you may take. Everything else is to be left.”
She looked incredulous. “My kirtle alone would fill that to overflowing.”
“This is all you’re allowed.”
Anger sparked in her eyes. “This is beastly! Would you treat the king thusly?”
“Aye, I have, point of fact.” And he had, too, to Henry’s chagrin.
“Fine.” She took the saddlebags from his hand. “‘Twould serve you right if I stayed behind.”
Draven saw red. Only a woman would use that logic! “If you’ll bloody well recall, I didn’t want you to come with us to begin with.”
“Don’t you dare curse at me.” She stood on her tiptoes and stared straight into his eyes. Never before had anyone stood up to him and he found it....
Entertaining, actually, he thought as some of his ire dissipated. Far more entertaining than he would have believed.
Why, even Simon cowered beneath the weight of his anger. But not her. She stood her ground like a knight armed for battle.
“And,” she said, stressing her words. “I’m coming all right. I’ll not let you deprive me of my adventure. I will enjoy it in spite of you.”
She lifted her chin up in a final bout of daring and spun about as if her dignity had been greatly abused.
Her eyes narrowed, she lifted the top of the trunk closest to her and dug through it until she found a dark blue kirtle, matching veil, brush and comb.
She made a grand showing of packing her garments. The last two items she picked up between her thumb and first finger, glared at him, then placed them in the saddlebags.
She took her time tying the saddlebags closed, then returned them to his hand.
“‘Twould seem I am all packed now. I do have one question though.”
This he couldn’t wait to hear. “And that is?”
“Will my maid be allowed to join me or do you consider her a trunk to be left behind as well?”
Though her actions and words amused him, he didn’t dare let her know it. If she thought she had power over him, there was no telling what she might brave, and he didn’t dare run the risk of her actually making him truly angry. He possessed his father’s blind rage and when it came upon him, he lost all control of himself. Simon’s back was proof of it.
“Milady, have you no sense to be testing me in this manner?”
“You will find I have plenty of sense, but I will not be bullied by you or any man for that matter.”
“Bullied?” he repeated incredulously. “You think me a bully?”
“What else would you call it? You expect the entire world to dance when you snap your fingers. You know, milord, there are other people here besides yourself.”
Draven felt his jaw slacken. “I could certainly say the same of you.”
Instead of being offended, she gave him a sweet, beguiling smile. “I admit freely that I am spoiled. My father and sisters have harped upon it at great leisure. For that I would beg your indulgence. Now, is my maid to come along, or shall I send her back inside?”
That was well done, he thought as he watched her. He’d often heard people remark on someone being charming, but this was the first time he had ever witnessed it. No wonder her father spoiled her. How could one stay perturbed at such a sweet, innocent look as she admitted her flaws and begged indulgence?
