An Uncertain Choice

He hesitated but then reached for the mug, careful not to brush his fingers against mine. He took a long drink and over the rim of the mug, his gaze captured mine.

What should I do? Pretend I didn’t notice him staring? Or stare right back? My heart fluttered, and I peered at the bouquet I’d discarded on the wooden serving table. The flowers were long-past wilted.

He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I see my friends have already been hard at work wooing you.”

I wanted to deny it, but the pin burned in the pocket underneath the layers of my gown. “Yes, they’ve both sought me out.”

“And given gifts?”

I nodded.

“Then it appears I’m lagging behind.” There was something hard to his tone I didn’t understand.

“Shall I go away, sir?” I said lightly. “And give you the chance to seek me?”

He smiled at my small jest, and I found that I rather liked the curve of his lips and the unguarded softness that came over his stony features. “You can’t hide from me for long. I’m good at the hunt.”

For some reason, his words sent a tremor of warmth through me. And the longer he held my gaze, the warmer my insides grew, until I was tempted to press my hot cheeks against the cold stone of the wall behind me.

He finally set the mug onto the serving table. There was something in his eyes that told me he was every inch a man and that he wasn’t playing a child’s game. “I regret to say I’ve already done all the hunting today that I should.”

“Done?” I didn’t like the dismissal in his tone. How could he not want to woo me the way the others had? I’d not mistaken the attraction in his eyes, had I?

“I cannot hope to compete with Bennet’s winsome ways and whatever gifts Collin may give you.” He gave a small bow and then started away.

I wanted to reach for him and stop him. But I could never be so brazen as to touch a man of my own accord. “Perhaps you’re afraid.” I said the first thing that came to my mind. “Perhaps you lack the courage to pursue me as your friends have.”

At my words he halted and spun around. His brows came together in a fierce scowl. And before I could react, he strode back to me, closing the distance between us with quick, decisive strides. He didn’t stop until he was mere inches away.

My breath caught at his closeness. What had I done? Had I made him angry? Somehow, I felt as though I ought to blame myself for goading him. But he’d been so aloof, I hadn’t been able to resist.

He lifted his fingers to my cheek, and his callused thumb drew a gentle line down my jaw. I sucked in a sharp breath at his boldness but found myself melting under his touch.

When his thumb reached the end of my jaw, he cupped my chin, tilting my head up. “My lady, people may say many things about me,” he whispered hoarsely. “But I pray they never say I lack courage. God forbid it.”

His face was near enough that the warmth of his breath fanned me.

Never had I looked so deeply into someone’s eyes. I was helplessly lost.

“I’m not and never will be a coward.” His gaze fell to my lips, and my chest contracted with a frightening yet excited swoosh. Surely he would not be so audacious as to take a kiss from me. Not here. Not now.

I wanted to reply, but even if I’d been able to think of something to say, I doubted I’d be able to make my tongue work to speak.

“And I am most certainly not afraid to kiss you, my lady.” His lips hovered all too close, and my breath stuttered. The steel in his eyes darkened, and I felt as if all time were standing still.

But then slowly, deliberately, he let go of me and took a step back. He locked his hands behind his back and put several steps between us, leaving me suddenly cold. I wrapped my arms across my chest to fight off a shiver.

“Please rest assured, my lady, that if I resist pursuing, it’s certainly not because I’m a coward.”

“You have convinced me, sir.” I wished I could control the waver in my voice and the strange, overwhelming desire to stand close to him again.

Even though he’d put a safe and proper distance between us, his eyes wouldn’t let me go.

Sudden angry shouts from the inner courtyard at the front of the keep drew my attention. Before I could make sense of the commotion, Trudy appeared from around the corner, hustling toward me.

“Rose, you come with me this instant,” she called, shaking her head, her portly frame heaving with each step.

“Whatever is the matter?” I asked as she flew upon me as fast as her short legs could carry her.

“The sheriff has come with several of his men.” Trudy grabbed my arm and began to steer me toward the open kitchen door. “And he’s very angry.”

The swift sound of metal rasping against metal was followed by the glint of Sir Derrick’s dagger as he unsheathed it from his side.