“Quite.”
Emily considered his words for a moment as well as what she should do next. “Do you think I’m being too bold in seeking him out so often?”
“Is boldness part of your nature?”
“Unfortunately, aye.”
“Then I would say follow your inclinations, milady. So long as you’re being true to yourself, there is nothing to fear.”
Emily found that hard to believe. She looked askance to Simon. “Nothing to fear from a man who is feared by more than half of Christendom. Simon, are you certain?”
He nodded. “Trust me, milady, I’ll let you know when you’ve pushed him too far.”
“Very well, then. Please, excuse me while I go make more nuisance of myself.”
Twelve
Draven actually groaned as she came near him, and for an instant Emily felt contrite.
But only for an instant.
“Can you not give me a moment to myself?” he asked as he placed a pail of water on the ground for his horse.
She paused by his side. “Offhand, I would say you’ve had too much time to yourself.”
He straightened to look her in the eye. “Did it never occur to you that I might prefer it that way?”
“It occurs to me that you might not know what you prefer since I doubt you’ve ever spent much time around anyone save yourself. If you have nothing to compare solitude to, how do you know you prefer it?”
“I’ve never had my arm cut off either, milady.” He stroked his horse’s neck. “But I’m relatively certain I would prefer not to lose it. Some things one just knows.”
Emily folded her arms and nodded in agreement. “Point well taken, but I must confess to being greatly offended by your words.”
“How so?”
“You liken my presence to mutilation. I never realized before that I was so distressing to others. And all this time, I mistakenly thought I was a rather likable person.”
And then she saw it. It was subtle really, just a touch of softening around his lips and eyes. A new sparkle in the icy depths of his gaze.
“Aha!” she said. “So, ‘tis possible to amuse you.”
His features hardened once more. “I am far from amused.”
She ignored him. “You know, I think it wise that you not smile.”
“And why is that?”
“As handsome as you are, you’d probably make a woman faint dead away if you ever smiled at her.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“Nay, I’m quite serious.” She took a step closer to him until they stood so close she could actually feel his breath fall against her. If she leaned forward even a fraction of an inch they would touch.
She half expected him to pull away, but instead he stood perfectly still as if waiting for something.
Emily smiled at him as her heart raced. “I remember my mother telling me a story of when she was a young girl at court. There was a handsome count who came from the continent, and she said that six of the courtiers fainted as soon as they laid eyes upon him. I should think you would be every bit as devastating to a woman’s senses. Indeed, you have very white teeth, not blackened as so many lords I’ve met. Your shoulders are broad, your arms strong, and your features far more than just pleasing. Why, one could actually call you pretty. If one dared.”
He scoffed. “You do nothing more than flatter me.”
