“Should I do that, milady, the world would surely know just how uncoordinated I am, and being a knight of the crown and not a fool, I would shudder to make them laugh at me.” He gently urged her toward the pole with a light push. “Go participate, if you must.”
“Very well.” She left his side and went to take one of the red ribbons.
Draven crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Emily dance around the pole. She was truly breathtaking. Her hair and skirt flared around her as she turned in circles, laughing.
How he wished he could live up to the words he had given her about his life. But in truth he did wish for something.
That something was her.
And there was nothing more than mere words standing between them.
And a curse.
Aye, the curse. Clenching his teeth, he tried to blot the image of his mother’s pale face from his mind. The blankness of her lifeless stare.
No matter his feelings, he would never forsake his word to Henry. Emily’s safety would take precedence over his needs. His wants.
After the dance, she returned to his side, her eyes sparkling. “You should have joined us,” she said breathlessly. “‘Twas most marvelously fun.”
Impulsively, Draven brushed a stray piece of hair from her cheek. He lingered his fingertips over the softness of her skin before he trailed them just a bit through her hair.
So subtle a gesture and yet it sent electric waves through his entire body, rocking his equilibrium. He dropped his hand back to his side, but still the warmth of her skin clung to him.
“I hate to take you away from the fun, milady. But ‘twill be dark within the hour and I fear we must be getting back.”
“Very well.” She reached out and tucked her arm into the crook of his elbow.
Draven stiffened, knowing he should withdraw and yet he liked the feeling of her by his side.
Relaxing, he led her back through the merchants and their wares.
As they passed a goldsmith’s booth, he noted the way Emily slowed down, her gaze drawn by it. Draven stopped and reluctantly withdrew his arm from her.
“Here.” He pulled a gold mark from his purse. “Go buy yourself a trinket to remember the day.”
“I can’t take this.” She handed it back to him. “‘Tis too much to spend.”
“Go ahead.” He gently pressed it into her hand. “I assure you there is nothing at this fair that would bankrupt me.”
She looked at him skeptically as she rubbed the coin between her thumb and forefinger. “Are you sure?”
“It would please me for you to spend it.”
He watched as she crossed the way to look over the bracelets scattered about the top of the table.
“Here, milady.” The merchant held up an intricately set emerald necklace. “This necklace would be a perfect match for your eyes.” The merchant’s female assistant draped the piece around Emily’s throat.
Her long graceful fingers stroked the gold braid as she lifted up the large tear-shaped emerald to study it. “‘Tis very beautiful,” she breathed.
“Aye, milady does it justice,” the girl said.
Draven agreed.
Taking a deep breath, he looked away. He knew it did no good to lust after that which he couldn’t have. He’d learned long ago not to stare at the sun lest it blind him.
And so he forced himself to watch the people around him as they moved through the crowd.
Several minutes later, Emily was back at his side.
