“I expect it is somethin’ devious,” said River, and that pulled a real laugh out of him, the sound of it bright and surprised.
“Was the last one devious?”
“Och aye,” she said. “Very much so.”
“Well...this one is much like the last one,” Archer said, his smile turning even more devilish. “We’ll ask each other questions but this time, whoever refuses to answer...must take an article of clothin’ off.”
River scoffed, taking it as a distasteful joke. The more she looked at Archer, though, the more she realized he was being entirely serious.
“Ye cannae mean it, surely,” she said, her voice small. “That’s...that’s preposterous!”
“Why?” asked Archer. “Do ye have anythin’ to hide?”
River knew this for what it was: a challenge. Of course, she had nothing to hide, and besides, she wouldn’t be entirely opposed to the idea of seeing Archer shirtless. The mere thought filled her cheeks with heat, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her blush.
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth, though a part of her was screaming this was a bad idea. “Let us play.”
Archer sat on the couch and River followed him, sitting at the other end, just like last time. For a while, they sat there in silence, gazing at each other, until Archer finally spoke.
“Why did ye choose that maid?” he asked.
River arched a curious brow. “Is that truly what ye wish to ken?”
“I thought I would start with an easy one,” said Archer, and River would be lying if she said she wasn’t thankful for it. She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
“She asked me to,” she said. “And she’s good with the bairns. And she’s naethat maid...her name is Layla.”
“Layla, then,” Archer echoed. “And ye chose her because she asked ye to?”
“That’s two questions,” River reminded him; a repeat of the last time they had played this game. “Me turn. Why seven nights?”
Archer shrugged a shoulder. “Daenae ken.”
“That’s nae an answer,” River pointed out.
Archer let out a snort, once again amused. Ever so slowly, he leaned forward and removed the red wool vest he wore, unbuttoning each of the six gold buttons with great care. It was the first time that River noticed Archer had changed clothessince that morning, when he had been wearing a plainer, blue vest and a pair of simple trews.
Did he change just to come to me chambers? Did he wish to impress me?
Nothing could surprise her anymore, least of all something like this.
Perhaps he’s nae answerin’ just so he can remove his clothes...the scoundrel!
It didn’t matter; River wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of leaving a question unanswered. If he wanted to be entirely nude by the end of this, it was his problem, not hers.
When he laid out his vest over the arm of the couch, Archer turned back to her and leaned back in his seat, watching.
“Why does Finlay dislike me so much?”
It was a question as unexpected as it was complicated. River stammered for a moment, not knowing how exactly to describe it to him.
Perhaps she didn’t quite know the reason herself.
“He distrusts ye,” she said in the end. “He thinks yer intentions are...nefarious.”
“Nefarious? Really?”
“He’s only concerned,” River said, eager to protect Finlay’s honor. He had done nothing but protect her throughout her life, and now it was her turn to repay that. “Daenae blame him. He made a vow to me maither to protect me.”
