Chapter 12 #2
That made him even more inclined to deny her request—at least until she put her hand to his forearm and said in a quiet voice, “I’d like to speak with ye alone as well.”
“Aye,” he agreed reluctantly. “But follow several paces behind me.”
She nodded in agreement, allowing him to rise from the trestle table and leave the room first. The corridor beyond the massive wooden doors was dark by comparison, only lit by several flickering sconces rather than the numerous candles that illuminated the large area within the Great Hall.
He walked slowly to ensure she shadowed his path, not turning any corners or going up any flights of stairs until he knew for certain she was behind him.
At last, he came to a stop before his bedchamber.
His pause was intentionally long to indicate which door she was to enter.
To be certain, he left it slightly ajar upon going inside.
She entered behind him a moment later. Her cheeks were still flushed from the glass of wine she’d had, and her auburn hair curled elegantly alongside her face. She gave him a shy smile as she entered his room. Her apparent reticence stirred something within his chest.
He closed the door behind her and lowered the bar to ensure they wouldn’t be interrupted. She might not have a care for her reputation, but he did.
The longer she remained in his bedchamber, the more at risk they were of having someone try the door.
Especially when Drake hadn’t asked Bean where he was sleeping.
Not wanting to waste time, Drake went to a drawer and withdrew his leather purse.
He plucked a few coins from the top, knowing exactly how many overall were within, and offered the purse of the remaining coins to Greer.
She stared at it for a long moment. Her eyes welled with tears, and her chest rose and fell with her frantic breath. “Are ye certain? ’Tis truly a great fortune.”
It was a fortune. Even to him, who had acquired much wealth in the last few years. That she didn’t take for granted the impact of such coin, even for him, was appreciated.
Rather than tell her yes, he took her warm hand in his and gently placed the purse in it.
“I hope ye’re no’ in any trouble,” he said. “But if ye are, ye can come to me.” When she didn’t answer, he tried again. “Mayhap, that’s what ye wanted to speak with me about…”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “I know ye regret last night. I know I’m no’ a lady like yer friend Lady Graham, nor anywhere as—”
“I regretted it because I dinna want to besmirch yer honor,” Drake said. “No’ because of who ye are. I like who ye are.”
Greer sucked in a quiet breath. “Ye do?”
“Verra much,” he admitted. “I canna stop thinking about ye.”
“I’m just a peasant.” She looked down at her feet. “A thief.”
He caught her hands where they cradled the purse in his own. “No’ anymore. Ye dinna need to steal. Ye can have an honest life.”
“Do ye love Lady Graham?” she asked abruptly.
Her question took Drake aback, and he found himself scrambling for what to say. He didn’t love Anice. He knew that now. But for several years, he’d thought himself very much in love with her.
“Nay,” he answered with certainty.
“Ye hesitated in replying.” Greer folded her arms over her chest, appearing suddenly uncomfortable. “She’s verra beautiful. I dinna know a woman could look like her.”
As transparent as Greer was to him, so too was he to her, apparently.
“She is lovely,” he confessed. “I used to think she was the bonniest lass I’d ever seen.”
“Used to?” Greer’s brows lifted. “Ye’re telling me there is a woman even more stunning than her?”
“Aye.” Drake grinned. “Ye are.”
Color bled into Greer’s cheeks, and her fingers went to her braid, nervously twisting it. “I’m nothing compared to Lady Graham.”
“Anice is her own person.” He gently pulled Greer toward him, gazing down at her.
She came to him easily, her eyes locked on his.
“And ye are yer own person,” Drake said.
“Ye could no’ ever be ‘nothing.’ Especially no’ to me.
” He caressed her soft cheek, and she turned into his touch.
She needed the truth, no matter how foolish he felt saying it aloud.
“I regretted what happened last night because I care about ye too much—because I’m afraid I’ll somehow lose ye. ”
“Drake.” She reached for him. He did not draw away. At least not until her eyes closed as her mouth lifted to his.
He backed away then, fearful that if he kissed her, he might not be able to stop.
Not when his body still roared with desire for her after the night before.
He’d seen to his lust, his body so primed, it had taken only several hard, fast pumps of his fist before his release overtook him.
Now though, he was as randy as an adolescent, his cock already swelling at the prospect of kissing her.
She looked questioningly up at him.
“I should go secure a room for ye in the village.” He moved toward the door.
“Or ye could stay here.” She followed him to the door. “And I could stay here as well.”