Originally, she’d feared that revealing her identity would make him wish to marry her only because of her wealth and position. But now there was also the fact that she was his liege lord’s sister by marriage to add to the mix. She suspected that innate noble streak of his would force him to offer for her.
But she didn’t want him like that. The possibility of a future like her mother’s cured her of any such thoughts. There was nothing romantic about unrequited love. She’d rather be married to Ralph.
She held her breath, waiting for the moment of revelation. Waiting for Edward’s voice to cry out, demanding to know why Lady Elyne de Burgh was standing before him gowned like a peasant.
But Edward didn’t say a word. His cold, dark eyes passed over her without a flicker of interest, just as he’d done the first time they’d met at Robert and Elizabeth’s wedding. Bedecked in jewels and gowned in rich velvets, she wasn’t pretty enough for him to notice then, and she certainly wasn’t now.
My God, he didn’t recognize her! She knew she should be humiliated, but instead she couldn’t believe her luck.
Not wanting to give him a chance to remember, she turned to leave. But before she could grab Meg’s arm and hasten away, an achingly familiar voice stopped her.
Hawk grabbed her elbow to whip her around. “Ellie? What the hell are you doing here?”
Edward Bruce’s gaze sharpened on her, taking her in with far more scrutiny than she wanted. “Thisis your captive?”
Ellie got the impression she wasn’t at all what he was expecting.
“I’m not his captive.”
“She’s not my captive,” Hawk said at the same time.
Edward was scrutinizing her with an intensity that made her uneasy. For a moment Ellie feared that he recognized her. A mocking smile turned one corner of his mouth.
Finally, he turned his gaze from her. “She’s not your usual type, Hawk.”
Erik was having a hard time reminding himself that this was the king’s brother and that putting his fist through that snide smile of his probably wasn’t the best idea.
But damn, it would feel good.
First, Edward had foolishly allowed himself to be seen by the two women, and, although slim, there was always a chance someone could recognize him. And then he’d gone and insulted Ellie by comparing her to other women.
Why shouldn’t he be attracted to Ellie? So what if she didn’t have big breasts and look as if she’d just alighted from Mount Olympus. Any fool could see how pretty she was, with her big green-flecked hazel eyes, tiny nose, and that smart little mouth of hers.
If that bastard had hurt her feelings, his royal connections weren’t going to save him. He glanced over at Ellie. From the sharp thrust of her chin and the two high spots of color on her cheeks, she’d obviously understood the implication—and, by the looks of it, was about to give Edward Bruce an earful.
Erik should have anticipated her reaction. Ellie did not base her worth—or anyone else’s—on physical beauty. It was one of the things he admired about her, and why her good opinion mattered.
But he didn’t want her near Edward Bruce any longer than was necessary. “You’re right,” he said, stepping between her and Edward. “Ellie is too unique to be compared to anyone else.”
He frowned, realizing he meant it.
Ellie was watching him with that too-observant look of hers that made him feel like fidgeting. Not wanting her to be confused by his words and jump to any erroneous conclusions, he went on the offensive. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s my fault,” Meg intervened. “I didn’t realize you were busy. We came down to collect the cooking pots.”
Erik was glad to see that Edward had realized—belatedly—that he shouldn’t have shown himself and had gone back into the cave.
Ellie watched him go, and something in her expression gave Erik a prickle of unease.
“I’ll have one of the men bring them up,” he said. He could see Meg was feeling bad for having interrupted them. It wasn’t her fault; he should have been more explicit in his orders. He wondered what had really brought them here. He didn’t believe they’d really come for cooking pots.
“It’s late,” he said. “Why don’t I walk you home.”
They both protested, but Erik would hear none of it. Meg might be used to walking along the cliffside at night, but Ellie wasn’t. When he thought of how easily she could have slipped or taken a misstep in the darkness, it made him angry all over again.
Just to make sure, he kept a firm hand on her arm as he walked them up the path. Ellie might be slim, but she sure did tuck in nicely against him.
Both women were unusually quiet, and no sooner had they walked through the door than Meg yawned dramatically and excused herself for bed.
