From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [180]
“Good thing we do not need a view, what with Darkness and all.”
He stared at her for one long, stunned moment, then laughed. “Why do I feel as if you will always be jerking the mat out from under my boots?”
She picked up his ring from the table, hung it back around her neck, and tucked in into her neckline. A coy smile curled her lips. “Because I always will.” She curtsied. “Until this evening, Your Highness. And do not forget my sleeve.”
He bowed, and she swept from the room.
“Good day.” Esper curtsied to Achan and Shung, then followed Sparrow.
Shung raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
What could he say of that conversation? He replayed it in his mind, though it had gone by like a lightning flash. “Only one thing is certain, Shung. She didn’t say no.”
When dinner ended that evening, Sir Caleb would not leave Achan’s side, first insisting he visit the tombs of kings—which Achan did find fascinating—then demanding Achan get fitted for new clothes.
Achan sensed the man was distracting him on purpose and hoped honesty might work best. “Sir Caleb, must we fit new clothing now? I promised to meet Sparrow in the solar.”
“Esper did not mention any such meeting.”
“We did not invite Esper.”
“Your Highness, I realize you and Lady Averella took many liberties whilst we all believed her to be a boy. But she is not one. And you cannot sneak off together without a chaperone. Knowing what I do about your experiences together, I am tempted to speak with Duchess Amal.”
Achan frowned. “About what?”
“To either expedite this marriage or break the betrothal entirely.”
Achan did not understand this man. Never would. “In case you’ve forgotten, we are no longer officially betrothed. Duchess Amal released me from my obligation when Lady Averella asked to be freed from it.”
“But she had lost her memory.” Sir Caleb tugged on the sleeve Achan now wore proudly on his left arm. “It’s clear to my eyes that you both have moved past that.”
“Then why would you ask to expedite the marriage?”
The look on Sir Caleb’s face could smelt iron. “The last thing you need is a distraction. We are at war. I need you alert and focused on the task at hand, which is not sneaking off to steal kisses with Lady Averella.”
Achan checked the shields around his mind, wondering how Sir Caleb could have known his plans so entirely without having read his thoughts.
Sir Caleb chuckled. “I was a young man once, Your Highness. I don’t need to read your thoughts to know them. Now, if you promise to pay attention, you may invite Lady Averella to join us in the solar for a meeting. Sir Gavin would like to talk with all of us.”
Not an hour later, a dozen or more men—and Sparrow and Esper—sat around the table in the solar. Sparrow had changed into a red gown that made her look like a flower in a garden. You look lovely, Sparrow.
Thank you. How unfortunate that all these people invited themselves to our meeting.
He matched her smile with one of his own. Sir Caleb insisted. Esper and Shung are not chaperone enough to please him.
Then he is a smart man, for I could disarm your Sir Shung with a leg sweep and Esper with hopps tea.
Might she be suspicious if you take down Shung then offer her tea?
Truly you are wise, Your Highness. I shall give them both tea and save my energy for you.
Achan laughed aloud, earning a glare from Sir Caleb. You’re a bold woman, Sparrow.
If my thoughts offend you I shall keep them to myself.
By all means, I long to hear how you will spend your energy on me.
Why, by dancing, of course.
Dancing? Couldn’t Shung and Esper be present for dancing?
Why, no, Your Highness, because you are so poor at it. I would hate to see you embarrassed in public.
We would do nothing more than dance?
Certainly not. You do not think I intended something sordid by my words? Really, Your Highness. I am a lady, well-bred and disciplined in such matters.
Well, I planned to kiss you as I did in Mitspah, until you grabbed hold of my hair for fear of the joy sending you straight to Shamayim.
How she kept a straight