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She leaned forward, the edges of her mouth quirking. “The glow is for you, Lord Kallen, and you well know it. If you were fifty years younger—”
“Or you were fifty years older—”
“What a grand match we would be,” they both said in unison.
Elle smiled, her heart happy. How she adored her dear friend.
His lips lifted in a grumbled smile. “It is settled. I will tell Percival that you will be going down into the baths with Mr. Smith so he doesn’t stop you.”
“Thank you, and I will be sure to report anything interesting we find down there to you. And of course, you will see me at the ball.”
He nodded, tapping his cane on the floor.
A few minutes later she and Rune had mounted their horses, leaving the inner courtyard of Lord Kallen’s ancient castle.
Rune managed to hold his tongue until they were a quarter mile away from the looming weathered grey stones that centered the marquess’s estate.
“Scissorsquack?” He looked to her from atop his horse.
“That is the first word you have for me?”
He shrugged. “The only other word I have at the moment is flugbusters.”
Elle laughed. “Scissorsquack is a new one for me as well. The marquess likes to make up nonsensical words to see if people will challenge him on them. Flugbusters is one of his old favorites.”
“And you don’t challenge him?”
“I used to—all the time—and now I just let them all go. It’s more fun to hear what he’ll come up with next.”
A crooked smile came to Rune’s face. “You two are of like spirit, aren’t you?”
“We are. I adore him for so many reasons.”
“Name one.”
“He doesn’t judge me. It makes him happy to see me happy, and that is so rare in a friend. He has no motives with me other than to enjoy my company. Those are several. One has to scratch below his gruff exterior to find he is a rare gem.”
His mouth quirked to the side. “If only you were fifty years older.”
Laughter escaped her as Rune’s attention went to the road before them. She watched his profile for a few strides of the horses.
“I didn’t think you could do it.”
He didn’t look to her. “Do what?”
“Keep your mouth closed as you did. Admirable.”
He gave her a sideward glance. “You had the situation well in-hand.”
She shook her head, her hand adjusting along her reins as her mare stepped off to the left side of the road and she tugged it back in line. “Most men wouldn’t have seen that.”
He watched her horse for a moment and then looked up to her. “Most men aren’t patient.”
“Yet you have proven that you are more than once today.” A carnal grin slid onto her face. “Several times in fact.”
He laughed. “I’m glad you noticed.”
“I’m glad you are.”
