“I wouldna have thought ye a romantic, Jerry.”
He leaned back just far enough so that he could look down at me. His eyes lingered on my lips. I desperately wanted to duck and move away from him.
Just as I was about to run, he pulled away.
“They’re gone now. I’ve a heart for romance when it comes to others. I’ve no interest in it myself.”
I knew little of love, but I knew every word Jerry said was a lie. If my own discomfort hadn’t been so evident, I had no doubt Jerry would’ve kissed me.
“Is that so? Do ye not worry that ye will be lonely?”
His voice was colder than usual when he spoke. The intimacy between us only moments ago was gone, and that Jerry was now replaced with someone distant and dismissive.
“Do ye believe marriage means ye willna be lonely? I’ve known many who were far more lonely once married than they ever were before.”
Although I found the notion depressing, I suspected it to be true.
“Mayhap so. Did ye know I’ve another suitor arriving tomorrow?”
His brows lifted in surprise. The thought of another man coming here with the intent to marry me bothered him. His jaw clenched and his hands bunched into fists as soon as I told him. His actions and words were at complete odds with one another.
“Why are ye telling me that? I doona believe yer father will wish me to dine with all of ye again. Even as much as he likes me, now that I am castle staff, there is no place for me at the table.”
“I only thought ye should know so that ye willna be surprised if I doona have as much time to devote to my magic.”
Huffing, Jerry turned and began the walk back to the castle.
“Lass, I’d wager ye will spend more time in yer basement once he arrives. This fool will bore ye just as much as the last.”
I hurried to follow after him.
“Why would ye say that? Ye doona know him.”
“I doona need to know him. I know ye. Any lad yer father picks willna suit ye.”
I was inclined to agree with him.
“Jerry, if I dinna know any better, I’d say ye were jealous of me spending time with someone other than ye.”
Keeping his back toward me, he increased his speed.
“’Tis good that ye know better then. I’ll not be coming to the spell room today. Let me know if ye find anything.”
Grinning, I went in search of Mary to congratulate her.
Whether he realized it or not, Jerry was definitely jealous.
Chapter 16
“Do ye think ye’ll marry this one?”
I choked on my laughter as Mary yanked roughly at the laces on the back of my dress.
“Doona tie them so tightly, Mary. No, I know I willna marry this one. I’ve no desire for this lad to want me. Can ye pull my hair up so that it looks rather dreadful?”
Slipping her fingers beneath the laces, she pulled them loose.
“Ye are daft if ye think ye’ve any hope of dissuading him with the way ye pin yer hair. Did ye not see the way he looked at ye when he arrived?”
