Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, replacing the apprehensionthat had been there before. It was nice to hear such pretty words about myself from his mouth.
Was this love?
He moved his hand from my chin to brush it down my cheek. “Tell me what you need me to do, and I will do it.”
I couldn’t keep the smile off my lips. “I just need time, Leif. Time to get to know you. To get used to this.” I moved my finger between us. “I’ve never been . . . romantic with anyone.”
His eyes widened. “Never?”
I debated explaining my situation to him, in full, but instead I just shook my head.
“Well then, I am honored to be your first, and only, romance,” he whispered before leaning in to capture my lips with his.
I don’t know why I let him kiss me, but I did enjoy it. Either way, it didn’t last long and soon he was heading for the door. “I have to go now, duty calls. But I will return, I promise.”
Then the door was closed behind him, leaving me to touch my lips, the ghost of his kiss awakening an emotion I didn’t recognize.
Maybe Leif really was my weighted.
CHAPTER 24
I’d never slept in so much comfort in my entire life. In Ralheim, I’d always shared a room with Milo, who snored with gusto even on the days when he had to remain in the house. And when Collum had first come to live with us, she’d shared with us too. I’d wished for a bigger home, asking my parents if they could buy one, but they had frowned and changed the subject.
I grimaced as the memory of the night my life changed rose in my mind. But instead of sadness this time, I felt something else rolling inside my chest.
Before I could follow that thought further, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in!” I called out, pulling the plush blanket to my chin.
Leif’s sandy blond hair flashed in the morning sun. “Good morning.”
The sensation in my gut was replaced with warmth and butterflies. Heat rose in my cheeks.
He stepped into the room. “I’ve come to see if you wanted to visit the library with me today.”
I raised my eyebrows. I’d heard stories of libraries but never visited one because Ralheim didn’t have one. The university I’dattended had put one together, but it was only for use by students who were assigned. Excitement rushed through my veins, but I was apprehensive. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I need to do a little research for work, and I figured you wouldn’t want to spend the whole day here.”
He was right, and I fought to contain my eagerness as I scooted off the bed.
When I glanced up, Leif’s eyes were on the nightgown I wore, and I was suddenly glad it wasn’t the frilly one Friar had sent. “They said there would be some clothes in here for you.” He crossed the room to the wardrobe, pulling it open. I liked the way his muscles bulged beneath the white shirt he wore. “Ah, yes, here they are.”
He pulled out several garments, all dresses, holding them out in my direction.
I appraised what he was wearing. “Can’t I wear breeches and a shirt like you?” The novelty of wearing dresses had already worn off.
He frowned. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Why?”
“Because . . .” He put one of the dresses back and ran a hand through his hair. “In Malheim, women always wear dresses.”
I tilted my head to the side, unsure why I was pressing this, but a picture was forming in my mind. “And I can’t stand out.”
He blew out a breath and I could feel his annoyance. “No. Unfortunately not, Runa.”
The way the words sounded had my shoulders slumping as I reached out to take the dress he still held in his fist. I said nothing as I headed into the bathing room to dress.
