Blake sighed. ‘So? A married man isn’t blind to the beauty of other women, despite what their wives might want to believe.’
‘She’s watching him as well.’
‘Mutual attraction is not a crime, though you defenders are always changing the rules.’
Harlan pointed at another man standing in the group. ‘That’sthe woman’s husband. He’s been looking between the pair the entire time I’ve been standing here. He knows about the affair.’
‘Presumptuous.’
‘What do you notice about him?’ he went on.
Blake studied the man a moment. ‘He has a kind face. I can see by his clothes that his wife takes good care of him. He’s a little older than her judging by his hairline.’ She looked up at Harlan. ‘Is that what you see?’
He shook his head. ‘I see long-held jealousy. He’s constantly checking his surroundings and not drinking as much as his friends because he’s readying for something. He has a dagger concealed at his right hip, and I can tell by the way his hand keeps returning to it that he’ll use it at some point.’ He met her gaze. ‘And he’s just one man in an enormous crowd.’
Blake’s expression softened. ‘I actually feel sorry for you. Your occupation has taught you to look for the worst in people. That can’t be an easy thing to switch off.’
He faced forwards. The last thing he wanted was her pity.
‘So, no dancing for you, then?’ she asked.
‘No.’
She nodded. ‘I guess I’ll have to find another partner.’
‘Guess so.’
She remained where she was. ‘Can I ask you something?’
He looked at her, waiting.
‘Will it bother you to see me dancing with other people?’ Her voice was quieter now.
The correct answer was no. He had no right to be bothered, no claim on her. His hands twitched at his sides. ‘You’re here to have fun, so go have fun.’
Blake looked away. ‘I will.’
It was better this way, better to lie to her face than lead her on. They would never dance together. That was not the world they lived in.
‘Thank you for the cabbage and oil, by the way,’ she said, clearing her throat. ‘While I’m very appreciative, please don’t feel obligated to do that again.’
‘I didn’t feel obligated the first time.’
That wariness had returned to Blake’s eyes. He had chased away the laughter.
‘Go,’ he said, tearing his eyes from hers.
She nodded and walked back to the crowd. He watched her the entire time, and then he watched her for the rest of the day.
Chapter 15
Blake tried to block Harlan out, but whenever she glanced in his direction, which was often, she found him watching her. She danced. She sat with the single women from her borough as they discussed the eligible farmers and laughed whenever one of them looked in their direction. She even took a walk with Lyndal to get a better view of certain farmers who had piqued her sister’s interest, then listened to detailed recounts of the dances they shared.
‘I’m boring you,’ Lyndal said when Blake stifled a yawn.
‘Not at all. Tell me again which one is the youngest of four brothers.’ She gave her sister a mischievous smile.
Lyndal sighed. ‘Point taken. Come on. Let’s go get some blackberry wine.’
