He hoped the riders were a good distance away as he threw off their cover and began to slip out of bed, but he didn’t expect her foot to help him to the floor. He thought she’d be mad, but not enough to kick him.
She shrieked and leapt off the mattress. “I cannot believe you took such liberties. What in heaven’s name were you thinking?”
Tilting his head, he met her eyes, waiting for her to shrivel under his intent glare. The stubborn woman didn’t. “Well, obviously I wasn’t doing what youthoughtI was doing.”
Brilliant color stained her cheeks as she stood before him with fists on her hips. Her breaths released from her mouth at a fascinating speed. “How dare you speak to me in such a way?”
“Miss Faraday, if you’ll be silent long enough, I can explain why we were lying on the mattress and under the blanket.” He lifted himself off the floor and stood in front of her.
She pressed her mouth into a thin line. Her tirade stopped. Only the fire shooting from her eyes coupled with her heavy breathing betrayed her anger.
“After you swooned in my arms—”
“I didnotswoon in your arms,” she interrupted. “I hadn’t eaten this morning, and I was weak from lack of nourishment.”
“After you swooned in my arms,” he repeated stubbornly, “I thought it best if we didn’t let your searchers find you. Gossip alone can ruin a reputation, you know. Hawthorne suggested I bring you in here to hide. I didn’t want them to spread rumors that you had fled from my mother’s guardianship.”
She gasped. “Instead, you would rather they think I was…was…” She pointed to the bed. “You know…compromised?”
“No, Miss Faraday. That’s why we were both under the blanket. In case your searchers decided to peek in the window, they would not be able to see you. Or me, for that matter.”
She lifted her chin. “They are unaware it was me?”
“I’m not certain what Hawthorne told them. However, I know he kept your name out of it. Your reputation won’t be tarnished in any way.”
Nodding, she wrung her hands against her middle. Her gaze darted around the room, and then rested upon him.
“Then why…why did you kiss me?” she asked softly.
Chapter Three
Agrin pulledat the corners of Trey’s mouth, and he couldn’t help but let it spread. The sight of her blushing, her cheeks tinged with a delicate shade of red, was simply too endearing. Those crimson hues highlighted her features in a way that made her look even more charming. He found himself captivated by the way the color deepened with her every reaction, an irresistible display of her genuine emotions.
He approached her with slow, deliberate steps. The closer he came, the wider her eyes grew, filled with a mix of surprise and anticipation. When he finally stood before her, he reached out and swept his fingers across her cheek in a soft, lingering caress, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his touch.
“I find it strange how much I enjoyed the moment,” he said. “But I kissed you to keep you quiet so you wouldn’t scream and bring attention to us. My reputation was at stake as well, you know.”
“Oh!” She slapped his hand away. “You are nothing but an uncaring, inconsiderate mule’s…back end.”
She stormed toward the door, and he chuckled. Even in her anger, she looked adorable.
He shook away the disturbing thought. She was his mother’s ward. Thinking of her this way wasnotpermissible. She had disrupted his carefree life enough already. He didn’t need to add more complications.
Just as she reached the door, it opened and Hawthorne stood on the other side. His friend made an attempt to enter until he looked into Miss Faraday’s face, and then he froze. She stopped in front of him and planted her hands on her hips.
“Well? Are you just going to stand there and keep me prisoner in this hut, or let me pass?”
Hawthorne swept his hand in front of him as he bowed mockingly. “After you, my lady.”
Lifting her chin, she marched outside. Trey grabbed his cape and quickly followed. Hawthorne gave him a once-over, his gaze lingering longer on Trey’s wrinkled shirt as he arched a brow.
Trey shook his head. “Don’t ask.”
Hawthorne pointed to her horse. “I found Miss Faraday’s mare grazing close by.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said.
Once she reached her horse, she grasped the reins and ran her hand over the animal’s mane. Softly, she cooed as she pressed her forehead against the horse. Trey took careful steps toward her, mainly to not upset her.
