Yet that didn’t feel right. Or seem right. When she’d looked around at the children and others, she had the same detached sensation with them that she’d experienced with the sewing.
As if she’d never been around them before and had no knowledge of them.
However, Valteri’s company felt right. Logical.
“Are you sure we’ve never met?”
He paused to glance at her. “Aye. Why do you ask?”
“I can’t explain it, but there’s something so familiar about you.” Especially his eyes. She felt as if she’d known him in the past. Had stared into those eyes a number of times.
Even the timbre of his voice felt…
Comfortable.
Familiar.
Certain mannerisms were so recognizable.
It didn’t make sense. And at the same time, the image she had of him wasn’t exactly him.
Why can’t I see it clearly?
Who was the man he reminded her of? What was her mind trying to tell her? She had a feeling it was extremely important, and yet no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t bring it into focus.
Of course, it would help if she wasn’t so keenly attuned to Valteri. To the rich, heady scent of him and the way his muscled arm brushed against hers. The power of him was enchanting, and the sound of his voice…
She could listen to it all day. There was something comforting that drew her toward him against all common sense. She’d never felt like this.
Or have you?
“Are you all right, milady?”
She smiled at him. “Fine.”
He inclined his head to her then reached for his goblet.
And sighed heavily at the fact that it was empty.
“Something amiss, milord?”
“My errant squire strikes again.” With a wry twist of his lips, he pushed his chair back and stood. “I shall get us more wine while we work.”
Ariel attempted to focus on the ledger, but as he walked past her, her gaze was caught by his striking form. Dark and light. The dichotomy wasn’t lost on her.
Just as he reached the door, it clattered open and Wace rushed in.
With a platter.
Wine and food poured all over poor Valteri, who stood back with his jaw clenched.
“My lord! I-I-I—”
Valteri held his hand up to silence Wace’s sputtering. “It’s fine, Wace. I had begun to fear that I might actually make it through the week without wearing something greasy and wet. Now that I’m soiled, I shall be able to put the matter out of my mind.” He clapped the boy on his shoulder. “Please see that the lady is served on the table and not her lap while I see about finding something a little less…” He grimaced. “Balmy.”
And with that, he stepped past the boy to leave them.
Ariel was stunned by his tolerance of something she knew had to be hot and painful.
