“I’m not a brooding ogre,” he called after her.
She paused at the door and looked back at him. “Nay, you are right. But do you know what you are?”
Did he dare ask it?
He did. “What?”
“You’re a very handsome man, with beautiful eyes.”
Stunned, he didn’t move as she continued her way out the door.
Never in his life had anyone said such a thing to him. Ogre, demon, son of the devil, horse’s arse. He’d been called any number of insults. But no one in his life had ever given him a compliment on anything save his battle prowess.
“Beautiful eyes,” he repeated, both repulsed and yet strangely flattered.
Did he in fact have?—
“Oh bugger that,” he snapped under his breath. Who cared what his eyes looked like so long as he could see with them. He wasn’t some winsome maid to have his head turned by flattery. He was a knight sworn to keep his hands off the Lady Emily.
And keep his hands off her he most surely would.
“Could you give me a hand, milord?”
Draven cringed at Emily’s question as she waited by her horse for his assistance.
What had he said but an hour ago about keeping his hands off her?
He looked about for Simon, but the man seemed to have vanished. His other men were already mounted.
Resigned to it, he nodded.
Just pretend she’s a fat, hideous nun.
Aye, one who smelled of honeysuckle and sunshine. His body leapt at the scent of her, and he could feel the muscles of his arms constrict.
As quickly as he could, he lifted her up. But she didn’t take her saddle.
“Is there a problem?” he snapped.
She batted her lashes at him quite innocently. “I can’t seem to get seated.”
He stifled the urge to toss her over the horse like a corpse. “You’re doing this apurpose,” he said in a low whisper so as not to alert others to her game.
Her playful look confirmed his suspicion. “I told you what I wanted, milord, and I am not above using any means to win.”
He dumped her in the saddle. “Perhaps I should warn you, milady. No one has ever bested me.”
“Then I would say you are due for a good besting.”
He opened his mouth to respond when he caught sight of Simon joining them.
“Ah,” Simon said as he passed by. “I see you’ve taken care of the lady. A good thing, too.”
“Why? Did you perchance twist your arm this time?” Draven asked sarcastically as Simon took his reins.
“In fact, I did. I don’t think I shall be quite put out for some time. Won’t be able to do anything chivalrous.”
A conspiracy.
