“Why did you do it?” He pinned her with a look that said she should know why... that, possibly, he was defending her, a thought so disconcerting she heard herself begin to rattle on. “You know he could have called you out. Then you would be honor-bound to fight a duel and kill someone. Or be killed. That doesn’t make sense, does it? When I reflect upon the matter, what happened was actually much better...ifyou are going to go around doing something like this.”
His gaze changed from annoyance to pity.
She frowned back at him. “So if you knew it was a foolish thing to do, why did you do it?”
“Because I wanted them to stop harassing you.”
Hehadbeen defending her.
She’d suspected it. She wanted to be furious. She was making her own way, and yet, something shifted inside her, just as it had the other night when he’d carried her through The Garland. It was hard always being alone. Hard not trusting, even after the harsh lessons she had learned. She knew she should be wiser about men... especially this one who seemed to do the right thing.
Ah, yes, but how many times had her trust been betrayed before?
Gemma hardened her jaw, trying to drum up anger. “I can defend myself.”
He appeared as if he could see right through her, to what she wasn’t saying—and perhaps even why she said it. He closed his eyes. “You could.” There was a beat before he tacked on, “Except you were outnumbered. Besides, I am responsible for that lot.”
“Couldn’t you have just told them to stop?”
“I tried that more than once. The time came to take action.” He sat up, wincing as his rib cage moved. He reached for the shirt he had carelessly tossed aside. He pulled it over his head and she felt a twinge of regret. “Of course, today I discovered six years is a considerable age difference. I’m always one to learn a good lesson when it presents itself.” He bent at the waist, stretching his back forward.
“How are your ribs? Is anything broken?”
“Thankfully, no. He did give me a good bruising.”
“He did. I can wrap your ribs for you.”
“Not necessary.” And then he groaned.
“I’ll be the judge of that, if you will let me help.”
“Mrs. Estep, I’m—”
“A doctor. Atraineddoctor. I know. You are a pest about it.”
“I’m a what?”
Nowshe had his full attention. And she was not going to repeat herself. Instead, she reached out to press her fingers on the pulse at his neck. He tried to duck her and she lightly tapped him. “Don’t be silly.” He gave her another frown, except this time he let her feel his pulse. “Strong and steady,” she observed. “I was concerned.”
“I told you I was fine. Just bruises. In fact, now after it is over, I have to admit it has been a long time since I’ve ever felt more alive.” He said this last almost to himself.
“And you beat him.”
His head lifted. The corners of his mouth rose in a cocksure grin. “I did, didn’t I?”
“So why did you walk into the pond?” she pressed.
He fell back onto the ground. “You are relentless,” he said bluntly.
True. “Why did you walk into the pond?”
“Because the spring water is cold. Not only did it feel good after that fight, I also hope it will stave off some of the bruising. And, because I smelled like egg.”
Eggs she’d thrown.
Was he angry with her?
He gave her a side glance. “Don’t look that way.”
