“I speak honestly.”
“Then tell me honestly what it is you hope to accomplish with your flattery?”
“That I’ve already answered, and you know it well enough.” She dipped her gaze to his lips, remembering well the way they had felt against her own.
“Milady—”
She placed a finger against said lips to silence his words. “There is something I would ask of you. I know I have made a nuisance of myself to you and for that I do apologize. When I set my mind to something, I am never easily swayed.” Emily paused and took a deep breath for courage. “I want an honest answer from you. Do you find me attractive or likable at all?”
Draven knew this was the one moment where he could send her packing with one word. ‘Twas the chance he’d wanted and yet as he stared into those vibrant green eyes and saw her fear of his rejection, he couldn’t bring the lie to his lips.
His words failing him, he answered her the only way he knew how—with his body.
Encircling her with his arms, he pulled her against him and claimed her lips with his own. Her arms came around his shoulders, clutching him closer as he explored the nectar of her mouth.
Emily sighed in contentment at his answer.
He wanted her. He could have walked away or hurt her feelings, but he hadn’t. Whether he admitted it or not, he was a good man.
And she wanted him.
With a curse, he pulled away. “I refuse to do this,” he snarled, taking a step back from her.
“Draven—”
“Leave me,” he shouted at her as he stalked off toward the forest. “I don’t want you near me. Can you not understand that I have given my oath and I will abide by it?”
“Then marry me.” The words shocked her as much as they did him.
He turned back to face her. “You say that as if it were a simple thing.”
“It is.” She closed the gap between them. “People do it every day.”
“There are many things people do every day that I have no wish to. Now leave me in peace.”
Emily started to press him, but something inside told her not to. “Very well, milord. I will trouble you no more. At least not for the moment. But I do wish for you to think the matter over carefully.”
She started away from him, then stopped and turned back. “By the way....” Emily waited until he looked at her. “I will get a laugh from you.”
His look was blank, empty. “The day you do that, milady, I shall marry you.”
Emily smiled. “Do I have your word on it?”
“Why not?” he said flippantly. “But only if you agree to ride the rest of the journey on Simon’s horse.”
“‘Tis done, then. I shall make you laugh and you will make me yours.”
“Don’t count on it.”
But she did.
Turning about, Emily rushed to find Simon and tell him the news.
“Oh, Emily, I wouldn’t get my hopes up were I you,” Simon said a few minutes later after she told him what Draven had promised. “He hasn’t laughed in a score of years. Or smiled for that matter. Believe me, I have tried my best, even sat beside him while jesters had everyone around him in stitches, but never once has he broken his composure.”
She still refused to be daunted. Not after Draven had given her his word. “Simon, he has to have a sense of humor. Everyone does.”
Before he could comment, Draven returned from his solitary walk. “We mount,” he called.
