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She felt the blood drain from her face as her hand came up to cover her mouth. What if something had happened to Ace or her brother? She swallowed down a lump as she whispered. “A fire?”
Ken mumbled a curse under his breath and then scrubbed his face. “I shouldn’t have told you all of that. I’m too tired.”
“Yes, you should have,” she said stepping closer, swallowing down her fear. “I’m not a child anymore, Ken.”
He shook his head. “I’m aware of that. Men are circling about you like vultures.”
That made her smile. A little. “But more than that, I can help you and you can trust me.”
“Trust you? With what?”
The words, the right ones, filled her thoughts. “With information. Decisions.”
He frowned. “Decisions like allowing a questionable lord to court you.”
She crossed her arms. She was done being quiet. Something in her had been shifting and now, suddenly, she didn’t want to hold back. “You just spent the night with him. Was he that questionable?”
Ken’s shoulders fell. “No. Truth be told, he’s smart, brave, and honorable.”
Warmth slid down her spine. Was she winning? “He’s a good man. Committed to his family.”
Ken grimaced. “He’s still not good enough for you.”
“And who is?” she asked, moving closer with a smile. Calling him out didn’t mean she needed to be angry or mean.
Ken let out a heavy breath. “No one.”
“Ken.” She touched her brother’s arm. “You have to let me make some decisions for myself. About what I want. About what will really make me happy. You know I’ve never cared about society.”
He grimaced. “I know.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, the scent of smoke filling her nostrils. Her gut roiled again at the thought of a fire. Was her brother all right? He looked fine. Was Ace? “I want to see him tomorrow. Make sure he’s all right.”
“I don’t think—”
“Ken,” She bit back. She wasn’t taking no for an answer this time.
With a tentative nod, Ken finally mumbled. “All right. You win.”
Perhaps he was tired. Or maybe, he’d finally realized she was capable too.
But with a smile she tugged on his arm. “I’ll warm some water for you so you can bathe in the kitchen. You can’t go to bed smelling like that.”
He sniffed at himself. “It was awful, Em. And Ace, he knew exactly what to do.”
That warmed her heart. Because she might not always know what to say but she knew her feelings. And they all belonged to Ace.
