Chapter Thirteen
Braya smiled atone of her aunts but did not pause her steps on her way to Torin in the town hall. Many of her family had gone home, back to their daily duties. The meeting was over. There would be no fighting, but more food instead. It had been a great success. Braya wanted to thank the two men who had made it so.
She wanted more time with her knight, for that was what Sir Torin was—her knight, bringing what her family needed, what she needed. He was a man who was not unsettled by her skill. He hadn’t tried to manhandle her, and she doubted it was because he was afraid of what she might do. He didn’t seem to be frightened by much.
She wanted to speak to him and get to know him more.
“You must think him a true hero,” Galien said, moving in front of her and blocking her path.
Braya looked toward heaven and let out a tight little sigh. “Who?” she asked with a cool smile. “Father? For being so wise and sound and for keeping those of us who still live first in his thoughts?”
“I keep us first in my thoughts, Braya,” her brother argued quietly. “Five of us were killed. If there is no punishment for their deaths, others will think little of doing the same.”
“And what respect will the border regiment gain if robbing and trying to kill them goes unpunished? Many times—like last eve for one—they have protected us. Our enemies fear them. Once that is gone, we will have great trouble.”
“What do I care about respect for the border guards?” Galien snarled at her and shook his head. “I will forgive you for your lack of good judgment, Braya. You are smitten.” He spoke the last word as if he wanted to spit it out of his mouth.
“Sir Torin is a good man, Galien,” she argued, knowing what he insinuated. “I will not treat him like anything less because he was trying to stay alive that night and he happened to be able to fight better than our cousins.”
Her brother looked as if he either wanted to say something else, or throttle her.
He made the wise choice by remaining quiet and walking away.
With her path cleared, she set her gaze on Sir Torin again. She found him engaged in a conversation, which he appeared to find pleasant enough, with her cousin, Louise.
Braya slowed her pace, spellbound while he plunged his fingers through the curls dangling over his eyes. Damnation, did Louise find him as irresistibly handsome as Braya did? She wondered what Louise was telling him. Her cousin giggled and Torin looked away. His gaze met Braya’s.
Anyone bothering to look could clearly see his mouth softening, his eyes warming on her, drawing her closer.
“Louise,” she said, reaching them. She offered them a pleasant smile. “I was hoping to have a word with our guest before he leaves for the castle.”
“Of course,” her cousin said and hurried off, looking a little disappointed.
Alone, Braya moved an inch closer to Torin so she could relish in the scent of him. “I wanted to thank you for promising to bring food. I know the risk you are taking—”
“’Tis no risk,” Torin assured her.
“Well, either way, ’tis most kind. It means much to me and I wanted to thank you for it, and for coming to the battlements last eve.”
She had almost breathed her last at the hands of an Armstrong, but Torin had arrived and saved her. Then he’d given her praise for saving them. She’d wanted to find him last night and fall into his arms, the way she’d wanted to on the battlements. Her father liked him, despite what Galien thought. Perhaps Torin would court her, marry her—
Would she want him? Of course. He was raw magnificence with a kind heart despite the life he’d suffered. He was fit and clever, and he would make an excellent reiver, if he ever wanted to become one that is.
“Lady.”
He spoke and set hundreds of butterflies free in her belly. She liked that he called her lady when she was nothing more than a thief.
“I was hoping you might spend the afternoon with me.”
She felt her face go flush. Lord, help her keep her composure and not let him see how happy she was. “I would like that,” she told him in a quiet voice. “But I have chores.”
His smile faded and he stepped back and dipped his head. “Forgive—”
“Meet me in an hour in the clearing where we met.” Without another word, she turned away from him and left the town hall.
Outside, the warm breeze pushed her hair away from her face. She hurried home to start her daily chores so they would be over quicker. So she could be with him.
A little over an hour later, she rode Archer out of the stable and headed in the direction that would lead her to the small clearing.
