Gabe hated being pitied or judged because of his title. He absolutely refused to acknowledge that he constantly judged people.
“I found you in that pit of despair, did I not?”
“Lucky guess.” She wrenched free. “Stop bandying words and move. Or is all this running too hard on your peerness?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I doubt you have to run much,” she said, a small smile tilting the corners of her mouth that simply enhanced what was already beautiful.
“You have no notion what I do.” He sounded pompous. “And ‘peerness’ is not a word.”
“It should be. Now move.” She ran, and God save him, he followed.
“We could return for my horse.”
“It will take too long, but you go back if you wish, my lord.” She was mocking him now.
“I wondered how long you would last in your subservient role,” he muttered, following her.
She led him through a labyrinth of twists and turns for what felt like hours, and then suddenly she stopped, bent at the waist, and braced her hands on her knees.
He was pleased to see she was breathless, the air wheezing in and out of her mouth. Joining her, he waited until she straightened. Her eyes narrowed as they glared at him.
“Why are you not breathless?” Her whisper was a furious hiss.
“I keep myself healthy.”
“I’m healthy,” she wheezed.
“Clearly not as healthy as me,” he said in a smug tone he knew would annoy her.
“You sit about reading a newspaper drinking that brown sludge, so don’t try and fool me,” she whispered.
“Brown sludge?” He raised a brow.
“Coffee.”
“I call it the elixir of life. And I do not sit about the place. I have many responsibilities, as you very well know from your time in my household.”
She sighed.
“What?”
“I know.”
“Then why did you say it?”
“It annoyed you.”
He had nothing to laugh about, but he snorted anyway.
“Just there, through that gate is where Henry lives.” She pointed down the narrow lane.
“How do you know where he lives?” Gabe moved closer. So close that his body touched hers as he leaned around her to take a look.
“I walked him home on his day off once. He lives there with his mother and sister. It is a struggle for him sometimes to provide food and clothing, so I also helped with that.”
“And no one thought to bring this to my attention?” Gabe snapped. “I’m not a villain. I would have helped them.”
