“Of course ye dunna.”
Sean tipped his head toward the boy, his brows raised. Blood pumped in his ears at the innuendo. “Of courseI dunna?”
“Ye’re too stupid to understand the distinction.”
Distinction?Sean’s mouth opened slightly at such audacity from one so young. “What did ye call me?”
The boy stood a little taller, barely coming up as far as Sean’s chest. “Ye heard me.”
Sean took a step closer and glanced at his sword before him. “I dunna believe I did.”
“Ye’re an islander. Ye’re stupid.” The boy’s hands reached around the trunk of the tree.
It seemed as though the boy was just leaning against it, but then Sean saw the club he’d reached for.
Sean grabbed him by the tunic, yanking him off the ground, pulling him in close to his face. Their noses nearly touching. The large club that had been hidden behind the tree dropped harmlessly from his grasp.
“Were ye going to brain me with that?”
The lad took a shaky breath. His entire body trembled while his feet dangled beneath him.
“So yer bravery came from yer weapon?” Sean looked him over, grimacing, to convey his disgust at what he saw. “Not much of a man are ye?”
The nostrils flared. “And ye threatened me with yer sword. What does that say about ye?”
Point well taken. Still fisting his tunic, Sean allowed his feet to touch the ground now. Long lashes framed almond-shaped eyes that held his own. To say this lad was pretty would be an understatement.Ifhe was a girl, he’d be—she’d be quite comely. He glanced at his hand that lay nearly flush against the heaving chest. Clearly if it was a girl, she was trying to hide the fact. Despite what the lad might think about Sean’s intelligence, he was clever enough to figure out someone’s sex.
“Let me go.” The lad’s bravery had returned and he tried to break free. “Take my horse and leave me.”
And now he was giving orders.
“Take yer horse?” Sean searched his face. The tracks left clean from the tears gave him pause. “So ye can whistle it out from under me? Or so ye can say I stole it from ye and have me whipped? But then again, ye’ve given me yer permission. Or is there nae longer adistinction?”
The scowl said the lad was mad enough to spit. “I willna bother ye one way or the other.”
“So says the thief.”
“I’m nae thief.”
“Ye stole my horse from me!” Sean said.
“’Tis my horse!” The pitch of his voice rose a bit.
Sean glanced around the darkened woods. He saw no sign of anyone else. No trails leading away. No place that could be used for shelter. If this were a lass, she had no business being here. Mayhap that was reason enough to dress as a boy.
“Is no one with ye?”
His eyes widened ever so slightly, revealing flecks of gold even in the waning light. “Why?”
Defensive. It wasn’t looking good. Sean indicated the club on the ground beside her. “Yer only protection?”
“I can protect myself just fine. Unhand me.” She pulled at his hand. “Isn’t that why ye willna drop yer weapon? Because Icandefend myself?”
Sean smirked. He shoved her away with a well-placed push to her chest which was far more fleshy than it should have been. She adjusted her shirt with narrowed eyes, searching his face as if to assess if he’d uncovered the truth. He had, but she didn’t need to know. He kept his features blank. Sean placed his weapon on the ground, carefully, crossed his arms and stared her down.
She shrugged. “So? Leave! Go! Take her.”
“I am waiting for answers but my patience wears thin. Do I need to take ye over my knee?”
