“No one,” she said snidely.
He was silent. As the bay mare had become visible, grazing farther up the hill, she knew he had seen her horse. He changed his horse’s direction, causing them to canter toward the bay. “What is on your mind, Virginia?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she snapped.
“Good, as I have no patience for you today.” He halted abruptly beside the bay.
Virginia started to get down, but he wouldn’t let her. “You are riding with me,” he said, dismounting and untying the mare.
“Like hell I am!” she cried.
He stared at her. Slowly, he said, “I am the one who is angry, Virginia, as you were spying on me. How much did you hear?”
She lifted her chin. “Everything.”
He smiled then, so ruthlessly that she shivered. “Then you may never leave Askeaton, my dear.”
She gasped, “You don’t mean it!”
“Oh, but I do.”
“But, my ransom?”
“Your ransom pales in significance right now,” he said. “And it is my duty to protect Sean and the others.”
Her mind raced. “I didn’t hear anything!”
He swung up behind her. “That’s not what you just said.”
“I lied. I really didn’t hear anything!”
“Liar. Pretty little liar.” He had yet to ask his mount to move. “Why didn’t you kiss me when I told you to? Your life hung in the balance and that was an order, not a request.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” she managed.
He finally looked very irritated, indeed. Then he asked, “And why did you cry?”
“I had dirt in my eyes,” she flung.
He stared searchingly. “You are a terrible liar. I would not recommend dishonesty, Virginia, as you are as easy to read as a children’s book.”
“Then why am I angry?” she asked with false sweetness.
His prying gaze never wavered. “I don’t know. But I will find out.” Abruptly he spurred the gray forward.
Virginia would have fallen off except for his strong grasp, which tightened as the horse surged forward. She bit off her cry, as she refused now to give him any satisfaction at all. They rode the rest of the way back in a charged and uncomfortable silence.
SEAN WAS WAITING FOR HIMwhen he came into the library. He had his hip balanced against the edge of the desk, his arms folded across his chest. He was almost scowling. “What did you do with her?”
“She’s in her room. Connor has orders to watch her every move.”
“Maybe she should be kept under lock and key,” Sean said tersely.
Devlin was almost amused. He poured himself a brandy, offering his brother one, who declined. “I thought you were her champion.”
“How much did she hear?” Sean asked tersely, not amused.
“I don’t know precisely, but I intend to find out—one way or another.”
