Chapter 12
Twelve
Draven actually groaned as she came near him, and for an instant Emily felt contrite.
But only for an instant.
“Can you not give me a moment to myself?” he asked as he placed a pail of water on the ground for his horse.
She paused by his side. “Offhand, I would say you’ve had too much time to yourself.”
He straightened to look her in the eye. “Did it never occur to you that I might prefer it that way?”
“It occurs to me that you might not know what you prefer since I doubt you’ve ever spent much time around anyone save yourself. If you have nothing to compare solitude to, how do you know you prefer it?”
“I’ve never had my arm cut off either, milady.” He stroked his horse’s neck. “But I’m relatively certain I would prefer not to lose it. Some things one just knows.”
Emily folded her arms and nodded in agreement. “Point well taken, but I must confess to being greatly offended by your words.”
“How so?”
“You liken my presence to mutilation. I never realized before that I was so distressing to others. And all this time, I mistakenly thought I was a rather likable person.”
And then she saw it. It was subtle really, just a touch of softening around his lips and eyes. A new sparkle in the icy depths of his gaze.
“Aha!” she said. “So, ‘tis possible to amuse you.”
His features hardened once more. “I am far from amused.”
She ignored him. “You know, I think it wise that you not smile.”
“And why is that?”
“As handsome as you are, you’d probably make a woman faint dead away if you ever smiled at her.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“Nay, I’m quite serious.” She took a step closer to him until they stood so close she could actually feel his breath fall against her. If she leaned forward even a fraction of an inch they would touch.
She half expected him to pull away, but instead he stood perfectly still as if waiting for something.
Emily smiled at him as her heart raced. “I remember my mother telling me a story of when she was a young girl at court. There was a handsome count who came from the continent, and she said that six of the courtiers fainted as soon as they laid eyes upon him. I should think you would be every bit as devastating to a woman’s senses.
Indeed, you have very white teeth, not blackened as so many lords I’ve met.
Your shoulders are broad, your arms strong, and your features far more than just pleasing.
Why, one could actually call you pretty. If one dared.”
He scoffed. “You do nothing more than flatter me.”
“I speak honestly.”
“Then tell me honestly what it is you hope to accomplish with your flattery?”
“That I’ve already answered, and you know it well enough.” She dipped her gaze to his lips, remembering well the way they had felt against her own.
“Milady—”
She placed a finger against said lips to silence his words.
“There is something I would ask of you. I know I have made a nuisance of myself to you and for that I do apologize. When I set my mind to something, I am never easily swayed.” Emily paused and took a deep breath for courage.
“I want an honest answer from you. Do you find me attractive or likable at all?”
Draven knew this was the one moment where he could send her packing with one word. ‘Twas the chance he’d wanted and yet as he stared into those vibrant green eyes and saw her fear of his rejection, he couldn’t bring the lie to his lips.
His words failing him, he answered her the only way he knew how—with his body.
Encircling her with his arms, he pulled her against him and claimed her lips with his own. Her arms came around his shoulders, clutching him closer as he explored the nectar of her mouth.
Emily sighed in contentment at his answer.
He wanted her. He could have walked away or hurt her feelings, but he hadn’t. Whether he admitted it or not, he was a good man.
And she wanted him.
With a curse, he pulled away. “I refuse to do this,” he snarled, taking a step back from her.
“Draven—”
“Leave me,” he shouted at her as he stalked off toward the forest. “I don’t want you near me. Can you not understand that I have given my oath and I will abide by it?”
“Then marry me.” The words shocked her as much as they did him.
He turned back to face her. “You say that as if it were a simple thing.”
“It is.” She closed the gap between them. “People do it every day.”
“There are many things people do every day that I have no wish to. Now leave me in peace.”
Emily started to press him, but something inside told her not to. “Very well, milord. I will trouble you no more. At least not for the moment. But I do wish for you to think the matter over carefully.”
She started away from him, then stopped and turned back. “By the way....” Emily waited until he looked at her. “I will get a laugh from you.”
His look was blank, empty. “The day you do that, milady, I shall marry you.”
Emily smiled. “Do I have your word on it?”
“Why not?” he said flippantly. “But only if you agree to ride the rest of the journey on Simon’s horse.”
“‘Tis done, then. I shall make you laugh and you will make me yours.”
“Don’t count on it.”
But she did.
Turning about, Emily rushed to find Simon and tell him the news.
“Oh, Emily, I wouldn’t get my hopes up were I you,” Simon said a few minutes later after she told him what Draven had promised.
“He hasn’t laughed in a score of years. Or smiled for that matter.
Believe me, I have tried my best, even sat beside him while jesters had everyone around him in stitches, but never once has he broken his composure. ”
She still refused to be daunted. Not after Draven had given her his word. “Simon, he has to have a sense of humor. Everyone does.”
Before he could comment, Draven returned from his solitary walk. “We mount,” he called.
Emily tried to think of something that would amuse him. Unfortunately, nothing came to her.
But it would. She would make him laugh or die in the effort of it.
Emily allowed Simon to help her mount his horse, and in no time, they were off with Draven leading them.
The leagues melted away as she plotted her scheme to bring Draven to the altar.
All the while, she watched the man who would be her husband.
He rode like a demon possessed and never once gazed back at her.
Still, she had a feeling he wasn’t as oblivious to her as she had originally thought, that he knew exactly what she was doing.
Hours later, they stopped for the night next to a pleasant stream. While the men set up camp, she and her maid took a few minutes in private to freshen themselves by the pond.
When they returned to camp, their tents had been raised. Emily paused to watch Draven as he swung a heavy mallet to drive the tent stakes into the ground. His tunic stretched taut over his muscles as he lifted the mallet above his head and brought it down.
Her blood raced at the sight. Never had she seen such. Indeed, it stole the breath from her throat to watch him.
And when he was finished, a fine sheen of sweat covered him. He said something to one of his knights, before draping his saddlebags over his shoulder and heading for the pond.
He was going to bathe.
And all she had to do....
Nay, you cannot do that!
Emily bit her lip. Aye, she could. Who would know if she spied upon him?
“Go on.”
She jumped at Alys’s voice in her ear. “Excuse me?”
Alys gave her an impish smile. “I know what you’re thinking, milady. I saw your gaze follow his lordship to the woods, and I say go on and see him for yourself.”
“But Alys—"
“But Alys nothing. A lady ought to have a chance to inspect the goods before she commits herself to the deed.”
Heat flooded Emily’s cheeks. Her maid could be so very crude at times and yet....
It was rather tempting.
Alys nudged her. “Go on. I shall whistle if anyone enters the woods behind you.”
“And if he catches me?”
“Say you lost your way. That is if he is of a mind to question you. Who knows, he might welcome your presence?”
Emily glanced about the camp in indecision. Everyone was there, including Simon who sat with two of the knights, drinking ale from a skin.
Did she dare listen to Alys?
“If you’d like, I’ll go with you.”
Emily blinked at her maid. “You’ll what?”
Alys gave her an evil grin. “Be most happy to go along with you. If the truth were known.”
Emily didn’t know what to say to that, until Alys spoke again, “Surely, milady isn’t afraid to?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not a child, Alys, and you can’t goad me into this by calling me craven.”
“I would never do such.” Alys smiled innocently, but the look on her face belied her words.
Alys trailed her gaze down to the bucket next to Emily’s feet.
“Oh look,” Alys exclaimed dramatically. “I’m out of water. How absolutely dreadful. Why, I believe I needs go fetch more.” Alys scooped the bucket up and sauntered toward the trees. “Would milady care to join me?”
“You are incorrigible!” Emily shook her head.
She had a bad feeling about this, but by the look of her maid she knew Alys was not to be swayed.
“Hand me the bucket and I—”
“Oh nay, milady!” Alys blinked her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I could never allow you to fetch water. What would his lordship say?”
“Alys!”
Her manner instantly changed to her normal demeanor. “Now you’ve got my curiosity up, milady. I have to go with you, but I’ll only stay a minute.” Her face turned to pleading. “Just a quick glance?”
“We’ll both take one quick glance, then come straight back.”
“Both of us?”
“Both,” Emily repeated, then taking breath for courage, she joined Alys and the two of them made their way carefully through the woods.
It didn’t take long to find Draven. He’d already shed his clothes and was waist deep in the water. Emily’s face flamed as she and Alys squatted behind a large bush to watch him unobserved.
“Lord’s toes, lady,” Alys breathed. “But I’ve never seen the like.”