She huffed indignantly, placing her hands on her hips. “Then what pray tell, oh knowledgeable-master-of-all-things, am I supposed to wear?”
“Men’s trousers and shirts, of course. The very things on the list I gave you.”
She released an unladylike snort. “Men’s clothing will not match well with my fancy high-heeled boots.”
He rolled his eyes. “No,my lady, that is why you’ll wear men’s boots.”
She laughed loudly, trying to hide her excitement. Thank goodness he didn’t want her wearing the stiff, new dresses she’d purchased before this trip, and especially the heeled boots she had on now. She’d love nothing more than to be in comfortable clothing, but she couldn’t let him know that. “Ha! You can’t possibly expect me to wear those.”
“Actually, I do.” He took a step closer. “And you have exactly one hour to collect the proper clothing or I’m calling off our excursion.”
His hot breath blew across her face. He was correct when he told her he hadn’t been drinking. In fact, his breath smelled like peppermint. “You cannot call it off.”
He grinned. “Watch me.”
“But I don’t have—um, I mean I can’t buy...” Her heart raced when she tried to explain to him she was without money. She wanted him to think of her as a wealthy lady for a while longer. How could she tell him she had limited funds without confessing her true identity?
Laughter built from deep within his chest the longer he watched her, and she wanted to punch him in the nose.
He scratched his cheek. “Don’t tell me your father has tightened his money bag and won’t let his daughter spend any more of his precious coins?”
She furrowed her brows and pursed her lips. “That, too, is none of your business, Mr. Knightly.”
His laughter grew as he shook his head. “Fine, Miss Landon. Go up the street to Consuelo’s store and charge whatever you purchase to my account.”
Her spirits lifted. Why would he do this for her? No one ever did anything nice for her, and he hated her. Didn’t he?
“Are you certain?” she asked.
His laughing stopped and he smiled. “Yes. If it’s the only way for you to bring the proper clothes, then it must be done.” He shrugged. “Your father will reimburse me, I’m sure.”
Her heart leapt as she stared at his irresistible mouth. “Thank you,” she said meaningfully. “Then I’ll meet you back here in one hour?”
“No. I’ll meet you in the store to make sure you have everything you need.”
She licked her dry lips. “As you wish.” Keeping her chin high and back straight, she marched up the street toward the store, inwardly boiling with anger. How could one man be so impossible to understand, and at the same time, so irresistibly attractive? If not for his devastating smile, she would have verbalized her thoughts and let him know he wasnother keeper. Why couldn’t she get rid of these mixed emotions created inside of her whenever he was around?
In the many years she’d served in the tavern, she ran across a lot of men who tried to tell her what to do, and those men in particular tried to take advantage of her innocence and vulnerability. Those experiences taught her how to fight, and she always came out the winner.
Mr. Knightly was going to be difficult, but he intrigued her, and she actually looked forward to their adventures just so she could push him to the limit and see his reactions. Teasing him would also keep her mind off those strangesightsshe’d had, and her flirty mood would entertain her until she reached the plantation.
