“We didn’t mean to disturb your practice, My Prince. She needed some fresh air. I’ve been giving her a tour of the house and grounds.”
“I see,” I said a bit sternly.
The healer and I shifted to internal dialogue, communicating silently over Raewyn’s head.
You knew I’d be out here at this time,I accused, though I wasn’t actually angry.What are you up to, old woman?
Elves couldn’t lie to one another mind-to-mind, but Elanor did her best to avoid telling me the outright truth.
I told you, she needed the fresh air… for her health.
And on the whole of my estate,thisis where your stroll happened to take you?I asked.
She didn’t answer this time, just straightened her posture and raised her chin defiantly.
I’ll deal with you later,I told her then turned my attention to Raewyn.
“And how have you enjoyed the tour? Do you like what you’ve seen so far, little Wyn?”
It was an innocent enough question. Anyone listening might assume I was referring to my estate.
But Raewyn was clasping her hands together in her lap. And they were trembling.
For long moments she remained silent, and I waited, wearing a naughty grin she was doing her best to avoid seeing.
Finally, she looked up at me.
“The hedges are annoying,” she snapped.
My head jerked back in surprise. “The… hedges?”
That was what she was thinking about?
“Yes. They’re too tall,” she said. “They partially block the view of the ocean from the upper terrace, especially if one is sitting down.”
One side of my mouth quirked up. “It’s never bothered me.”
“Well it bothers me. And they also block the view of the flower gardens.”
My confusion evaporated, replaced by a tingling sense of pleasure that filled my body with warmth.
Her snippy tone and uncomfortable body language told me everything I needed to know—everything Raewyn refused to admit.
She was still attracted to me.
And she was desperate for me not to know it.
“I don’t know, I’d thought it rather nice to have the flower gardens enclosed in their own natural privacy walls,” I said.
Just to heighten her discomfort, I added, “Some might even consider it the perfect place for a romantic encounter.”
Doubling down on her ridiculous criticism, Raewyn said, “Well I don’t. Why not have the flowers out in full view where everyone can enjoy them? The hedge is an eyesore.”
I almost laughed out loud, but not wanting to break the delicious tension of the moment, I controlled the impulse.
And doubled down myself.
“You’ve taken to acting like the lady of the house rather quickly.”
