‘I’m a very optimistic person.’
He sighed. ‘Horses are waiting out front.’
She clapped her hands together. ‘I just need to speak with Kendra and—’
‘Your cousin is playing chess with the queen,’ Astin said. ‘She will remain there for the afternoon. And if anyone asks, it was a family emergency of a private nature.’
Lyndal lifted her brows. ‘Clever.’ She pulled the door shut behind her. ‘Not only will I be there for the birth, but I’ll also get to see my family.’
His eyes searched hers a moment before stepping aside. ‘I hope you can ride.’
‘Of course I can ride. We owned a horse once, you know. Before the nobility wall went up.’
‘So you were all of three years old?’
She jabbed him with her elbow. ‘Ten, actually.’
Astin straightened when he caught sight of something up ahead. Lyndal followed his gaze to where a maid was walking towards them. The pretty young woman smiled up at him as they passed. ‘Defender.’
Astin nodded a greeting but said nothing.
When they rounded the corner, Lyndal grinned up at him. ‘Quite the man around these parts, aren’t you?’
Astin gave her a blank look. ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘I’ve heard all about your little escapades within the castle.’
His eyebrows came together. ‘And where would you have heard about such things?’
She shrugged. ‘Blake, of course. There really isn’t much that doesn’t make its way to me eventually.’
Astin’s jaw ticked with annoyance.
‘Don’t worry,’ she assured him. ‘Your secret is quite safe with me—for now.’
Astin shook his head. ‘You have no idea what you’re talking about.’ When she glanced over her shoulder, he clicked his fingers in front of her face. ‘Eyes forwards.’
She looked up at him instead. ‘Is that your type?’
‘What?’
‘She’s obviously very pretty.’
‘I’m not talking about this with you.’
‘And very… dark-haired.’
He quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘So?’
‘So I wonder if that’s a preference.’
He watched her a moment. ‘You’re asking if I like brunettes?’
Her ears burned now. ‘Never mind.’
‘Yes,’ he replied without hesitating.
She felt a bit winded by that response.
