She straightened, reminding herself that she had done nothing wrong.
Pretty, but extraordinarily simple. Shame she’s not more clever, or I might have been genuinely interested.His previous thoughts rang in her ears, impossible to forget.
She forced her lips to curve upwards.
“You’ve hardly said a word to me lately,” he said darkly, his teeth still tinged with red from his evening beverage.
Why would she vie for his attention when his heart was nothing but an empty husk? His nearness did nothing but set her on edge.
Murderer.
Choosing her words with care, she said, “I’m often quiet. It’s not meant as an insult.”
“I see.” His expression soured.
“And you’ve hardly spoken to me since I’ve arrived,” she couldn’t help but say. “I wasn’t aware you’d been expecting me to seek you out to talk and spend time together.” She smiled politely and picked up her book from where she had set it down on her reading chair. “I assure you, everything is fine.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “As long as you’re certain nothing is … troubling you.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” She smiled reassuringly, edging closer to the door.
He lifted a hand, as if to stop her. “Maybe we could take a turn about the gardens tonight? To spend some time together?”
Elizabeth fumbled her book in surprise, and it thudded on the floor. Flustered, she bent to pick it up, but his hand was already there.
Caspian glanced at the title as he handed it back to her, raising a brow. “A Knight’s Adventure?”
She snatched it back. “It’s about a boy who becomes a knight.” Her chin lifted defensively. “It’s a good book.”
“Ah.” Caspian offered his arm, his features coloured by skepticism. She accepted it and walked stiffly beside him, her book tucked firmly under her arm.
He appeared to struggle with himself for a moment, but managed to say, “So this book. How does he become a knight? Tell me.”
“It’s a good book,” she repeated, not wanting him to make fun of it. It was one of her favourites.
“You’ve said,” Caspian said stiffly. “So if he becomes a knight, I imagine he is the son of a lord and goes through the process of becoming a squire? Like the knights of centuries past?”
She glanced at him, unsure if he was actually interested. “Er. Yes, and no. The book is about knights, not just soldiers, but hardened warriors of proven valour that served the crown. And the boy is not a noble. At the beginning of the book, he’s a commoner. One who is determined to prove his worth to the king to try and become a knight.”
Caspian gave her a skeptical expression.
“And?” she prompted, narrowing her gaze and stopping in front of the door that led to the gardens. “You don’t like the sound of it?”
“The story is ridiculous. You know that would never happen in real life.”
“And why not?” The condescending look he gave her, with his brows raised as if it was the most idiotic story he had ever heard of, was insufferable.
Rain slid down the windows that flanked the door and the skies were gray and gloomy. She set her book down in an alcove nearby, lest the pages get wet outside.
Without waiting for him, she stepped out. The flagstones were slick beneath her slippers, and the damp air carried the scent of wet earth.
“It’s raining,” Caspian called after her.
“Believe it or not, Ihadnoticed,” she said tartly.
“Elizabeth, come back inside. We’ll go for a walk another time. I won’t listen to you complain all day about ruining your hair—”
Light raindrops fell—one on her head, and another on her shoulder, but it was not unpleasant. “It’s hardly even raining.”
