Page 67 of The Piper's Pursuit

Katerina crossed her arms over her chest. Her first impulse was to tell the girl she had no reason to say such a thing, that she was only traveling alone with Steffan to save a group of children from an evil man. But it served no purpose to be angry with the young woman.

“I would never try to force Lord Steffan to marry me. We are working together on a special quest. He can marry whomever he pleases. I’m only interested in helping my town of Hamlin.” But was that true? Was sheonlyinterested in helping the children and people of Hamlin? Perhaps she did also have a slight interest in helping make sure Steffan stayed well and made it to Hagenheim alive, for his own sake as well as for the children. But she didn’t have to tell this young woman that. Soon the servant had the fire crackling and giving off a bit of heat.

“Lord Steffan is quite handsome,” she said, getting up off her knees. “If I were as pretty as you are, I would certainly try to make him marry me.” She smiled, curtsied, and left.

She was outspoken for a servant girl. But she was right about Steffan being handsome. Kat had always thought so, even when she thought he was arrogant.

A memory of Steffan came into her mind of him holding her hand to his cheek. How sweet he had looked, his blue-gray eyes gazing into hers. Her hand tingled just thinking about it. Was he feeling well, or might he have another fever after riding in the rain? Perhaps she should go and make sure he was reapplying his healing salve.

Kat went to the door and looked out. No one was in the corridor, so she slipped out and went to Steffan’s door. She knocked lightly.

Her stomach roiled queasily. Why had she come to Steffan’s door? What would he think of her? Perhaps he hadn’t heard her knock and she could go back to her room and he would never know that she had been there. She turned and started back down the corridor to her room.

The door opened. “Katerina? Is everything all right?”

She turned around and faced him. He wasn’t wearing shoes, but otherwise he was completely dressed in a snow-white shirt that laced up the front, loosely tied over his chest. His hair was still wet and hung over one side of his forehead.

He motioned with his hand. “Come in.”

When she slowly started walking back to him, he smiled. Her stomach turned a flip. She stepped into his room and he shut the door. Was it wise to go into his room?

“I just wanted to make sure you were putting the healing salve on your wounds, that you didn’t forget... to do that.”

“We have to go to supper soon, but sit.” He motioned to a chair.

Kat was not sure she wanted to sit, so she stood, staring up at him. Stupidly remembering the servant girl’s words about him being handsome and how she should marry him.

“So, did you? Put on the salve?”

“Yes, the healer came and looked at it. She insisted on using her own supply of it and rebandaged me.” He pulled up his sleeve to show the bandage on his arm.

“Oh good. I should go back to my room then.” She started toward the door.

“I don’t mind if you stay.”

“I don’t want the servants to talk. One already asked me if we were married.” Why had she said that? Why would she ever say the wordmarriedto Steffan? Her cheeks heated.

“You do not care about that, do you?”

She turned to face him again. He was clearly amused, grinning, with one brow cocked up.

“Or were you horrified that anyone would think you would marry a brute like me?” He was still smiling.

“I told her no, that we were on a quest together.”

He nodded, his smile fading. “Of course. Did you tell her we were only friends?” He leaned toward her, quite close to her.

She swallowed, her eyes staring at his shirt. A bandage was just visible where the lacing was not cinching very tightly. “No, I...” She had to swallow again as she found herself leaning away from him. “I don’t remember what I said.” Then she laughed. Could he tell she was laughing because she was nervous? Did she seem as daft as she felt?

“I’m very sorry you can’t meet Gabe and Sophie. I know they would love you.”

Love her? She tried to take a deep breath, but her chest was too tight.

“And I think you would like them too.”

“I am sure I would like them. If your brother is as... amiable as you are.”

“I am amiable?”