She could not allow him an inch, for she well knew he would take much more, and she would be rendered defenceless if she found herself in his arms again. “I will manage fine on my own, thank you.”
Without waiting for him to speak again, she started her descent. Now, she need only reach the ground without incident. That should not be too difficult a task, and once accomplished, the rogue would have no reason to remain at her side. She would be rid of him once and for all. If she had to spend the month hiding in her home, she would.
A feeling of heaviness overcame her, and she slowed her movements. What the devil was wrong with her? She should be overjoyed at the prospect of proving him wrong. More so at the idea of never seeing him again. Why was she suddenly maudlin?
With a sigh, she held the kitten a little tighter and lowered her foot to the next branch. Lilli flailed, her claws piercing through Phoebe’s gown as she cried out a heartrending meow.
“Owe,” Phoebe yelped. She attempted to reposition her hold on the kitten, but Lilli fought—hissing, crying, and clawing—until she slipped from Phoebe’s hand.
Phoebe’s heart sank as she threw her arm out to catch the kitten, then stared in wide-eyed horror as her kitty plummeted toward the ground. “No!” she screamed, then bit her lip as she scrambled down the tree.
“I have her,” the rogue called up.
Phoebe paused her frantic descent and glanced down, heart pounding and tears stinging her eyes. The rogue smiled up at her with Lilli safely in his arms.
Phoebe exhaled, trying to steady her shaking hands as she looked at the rogue. Her lips curved into a grateful smile, relieved that he had rescued Lilli from certain danger. “I cannot thank you enough,” she said, sincerity ringing in her voice.
He gave a nod, then bent to place the kitten on the grass. When he straightened, his eyes met hers. “I am coming after you.”
“No.” Phoebe shook her head. “Stay where you are.”
“Absolutely not,” he said in a tone that brooked no resistance as he started up the tree. “I promise not to debauch you, but I damn well will see you safely back to the ground.”
She knew arguing would do her no good. What did it matter, anyway? If the man insisted on playing hero, she could not stop him. Perhaps she should play the damsel in distress and let him have his fun.
The truth was, she desperately wanted to find herself in his arms again. A foolish wish, for he exuded danger, but how much trouble could one more encounter cause?
Don’t be daft, she chided herself. Any time spent with a rogue like this one could ruin a woman for the rest of her days. Even if they were not caught in scandal, the mere memory of his arms around her, his lips pressed to hers, would haunt and entice her for the rest of her days—it already did.
She could not risk allowing herself the pleasures he brought. They were too dangerous by far. Phoebe simply had to get down before he climbed up. She swallowed past the tightness in her throat and lowered herself to the next branch, then descended two more before his strong, warm hand pressed against her lower back, stopping her descent.
Captured, Phoebe closed her eyes and released a deep sigh as she prayed for the strength to resist him.
“You may well be the most stubborn woman I have ever encountered,” he said.
She peered down at him. “And you, sir, have a problem with the word no.”
He shot her a wicked grin. “Be that as it may, I am here now, so you might as well accept my aid.”
“It would seem I have no choice.” Phoebe huffed, but when she turned away, a smile tilted her lips. A pleasant warmth had spread through her from his touch, and she could not deny she rather enjoyed their verbal sparring. There was something decidedly different about this man. Something that made him stand out amongst every other man she had ever met.
As she reached the last branch, his hands grasped her waist and swung her around until she was pressed against his chest. She could feel the heat radiating from his body as he slowly lowered her to the ground. His smoldering eyes locked onto hers with intensity, and she could not help but feel a spark ignite between them. His body felt solid and strong against hers, inviting her to melt into his embrace. She let out a soft sigh as his lips captured hers in a passionate kiss.
She wobbled on her feet, unsteady from the intensity of his kiss. The world around her blurred as his lips pressed against hers, sending electric pulses through her body. As she struggled to regain control and pull away, she pushed against his solid chest, trying to resist.
He released her with a devil-may-care grin and brought his mouth close to her ear. “Your name, my lady?”
She stepped back, then said, “Is none of your business.” Doing her best to ignore the pounding of her heart, she scooped up her kitten, then turned back to him. “Good day, sir.”
“Indeed it is,” he called after her as she fled.
Six
Graham and Camden walked along the castle’s curtain wall, their hands lightly brushing against the cold, rough stone. The sun beat down on them as they looked out over the sprawling grounds and surrounding countryside. In the distance, Graham could make out a small village surrounded by rolling green hills. He understood why Camden and Rebecca were so enamored with Almerry. As they continued their stroll, Camden pointed out various areas of interest - the stables where his favorite horse was kept, the rose garden where Rebecca spent hours tending to her flowers. It was clear that today’s outing was more about Camden wanting to share his home with Graham than it was about checking on the restoration.
Graham stood at the edge of the curtain wall, his eyes tracing the intricate details carved into the stone. There was a sense of majesty emanating from every corner, as if the castle itself was alive with history and stories waiting to be told. The brave struggles of past warriors, the heartbreaks of lost loves, and the triumphs of victorious battles seemed to cling to every crevice and crack, calling out for someone to listen and remember. Graham could not help but feel drawn in by the castle’s rich past, eager to uncover its secrets and be a part of its enduring legacy.
As he looked out over the rolling hills, Graham’s gaze snagged on the grand old tree just beyond the castle gate. A smile tilted his lips as he recalled yesterday’s encounter with his mystery woman. Had it been luck or misfortune to have come upon her here? He supposed that time would provide the answer to his musing, but for now, he would consider it luck.
