Page 23 of The Last Warrior

She spun around quickly, too quickly. She lost her balance and fell forward. At once he stepped to her side and prevented her from falling.

Of necessity, Black Lion’s arms came around her, and feeling much like a rabbit looking into the eyes of a lion, she gazed up at him. Immediately, his brisk male scent, enhanced with the fragrance of mint, enshrouded her. She swayed slightly.

“Are you hurt?”

She backed away from him, but only minutely. “No, I am all right.”

“I am happy to hear it.” He stepped back from her, then instructed, “Put out the light.”

She gaped at him.

He repeated, “Put out the light.”

“But why?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped toward the gaslight himself, reached for the knob that lowered the flame, and with a flick of his wrist, threw the room into darkness.

Suzette was aware that they stood no more than the distance of a hand’s-breadth apart. She shut her eyes as she wondered again why this man created such havoc within her.

He leaned in toward her, and she whispered, “Why did you shut off the light?”

“Because shadows are easily seen through the canvas of these tents,” he answered, his voice low. “And unless you wish to announce my presence here, it is better for us to have our talk in the dark.”

“Our talk?”

“Hau, we must talk.”

“Of what?”

“I have questions I must ask you.”

His statement earned a frown from her, but all she said was, “Very well. Won’t you be seated, Mr. Lion?”

“I will, but we will sit on the floor close together, I think, for we must speak in whispers.”

Taking hold of her waist, he guided her to the floor, her body tingling at his touch. But she ignored the feeling and complained instead. “It is cold here.”

“Sit close to me—our body heat will warm us, each one.”

Body heat? The thought of this man’s body pressed up close against hers stirred her pulse. She swallowed.

Meanwhile, he continued, “We whisper so we might save your reputation. We are not yet married, and I am here at an hour of the night used traditionally by lovers. I am also in your bedroom.”

“Ah. Again, you try to save my reputation.”

“Hau. Someone must think of it.” He paused as though to let the implication wash over her. “And now, my questions. They are not many, but they must be asked. First, however, I would present these beaded moccasins to your family in appreciation of the honor of taking you for my wife.” He handed over the prize.

“I…I thank you, on behalf of my family.” She ran her hands over the tough leather that had been softened to fit around the foot. Tiny beads decorated the entire circumference of the shoe. “Though I cannot see them in this light, I am sure they are most beautiful.”

“Sece, I think they are. They are made by Blue Feather, a winkte, whose craft is known throughout the Lakota Nation.”

She nodded. However, realizing he could not very well see the action, she added, “I am certain they are beautiful, and I thank you. Now, what are these questions you have for me?”

“Hau. My first question is this: does the man who did this to you know you are with child?”

Suzette sighed. “Yes. I could not very well leave England without informing him of the matter.”

“And he was not ready to do his duty to you?”