“Christ,” he muttered. “You cannot possibly be that frightened of farm animals.”
Her face was against his neck, her delectable hair licking at him. “I… I do not like them,” she mumbled against his skin. “They tried to eat me.”
God, she felt sweet against his flesh. “How can such a bold, brave woman such as you be frightened of animals?” he mused.
“Simple.” She lifted her head out of the safety of his neck to see that he had taken her back around the north side of the manse. “I have never been around them. The most my mother had was a little dog.”
He could have very well put her down at this point, but he was an idiot to realize that he did not want to. He liked the feel of her in his arms and allowed himself a brief moment for the first time in ten days to actually enjoy it. But he knew in the same instant that it was beyond foolish; it was dangerous. When they were well out of the range of the carnivorous geese, he gently set her to her feet.
Elizabeau straightened her surcoat and brushed at the stray locks of hair around her face. “Thank you,” she looked up at him, still brushing off the dirt. “I am sure I would have rotted there had you not saved me.”
His grin was back. “Somehow I doubt that,” his gaze moved over her in a way that suggested he appreciated what he saw. “Did you sleep well last night? You were sleeping quite soundly when I left.”
She nodded. “I did, thank you,” she eyed him a moment. “I came out here to look for you but Dylan said that you took your son to visit his mother’s grave.”
His smile faded. “I did.” It was apparent that he did not wish to discuss the matter. “I plan to head to town and purchase some garments for you to sleep in. What would be your preference?”
She would not push the matter of Gwyneth’s grave; it wasn’t any of her affair, anyway, nosy woman that she was. “If you simply purchase the material, I can sew it,” she said helpfully.
“There is a fine dressmaker in St. Briavels. She usually has several pre-made garments available for purchase. In fact, that is where my mother has done some of her shopping in the past.”
“Are you sure I cannot come?”
“I am afraid not.”
“But I would like to pick out my own material. And I would like to see your castle.”
Any warmth remaining in his face was gone. He shook his head, averting his gaze after a moment to kick at the dirt at his feet before moving around her, heading towards the manse.
“Out of the question. Come back inside now.”
This time, she wasn’t going to acquiesce and she wasn’t going to apologize. True, it wasn’t any of her business, but she realized that she wanted to make it her business. It was stupid, foolish, and everything illogical that she could imagine. But that didn’t stop her.
Crossing her arms stubbornly, she watched him until he was almost to the front door. When he realized that she wasn’t following him meekly, he stopped and looked at her.
“Come along, my lady.”
Her gaze lingered on him a moment before she turned away and began to walk in the opposite direction.
“No.”
She hadn’t taken three steps when she heard his very rapid, and very heavy, footfalls. An enormous hand reached out to grab her, halting her forward momentum. When she glared up at him, he was looking quite coldly back at her.
“This is not a matter for debate,” he said evenly. “Come back inside with me now.”
She yanked her arm out of his grasp. “I am not going anywhere with you. Leave me alone.”
He watched her walk off towards the road that led to the town of Llandogo, knowing she was angry with him because he would not let her ride into town with him. He thought he had explained his reasons quite adequately. But she was spoiled and demanding, and more than likely, used to having her way in matters. He had known that since the start. Turning his back on her, he walked halfway back to the manse until he thought better of his actions and he came to a halt, turning once again to see that she had perched herself on a stump near the road. He watched her a moment, the way the sunlight played off of her golden red hair, and he felt himself folding. He realized that he did not want her to be angry with him. Like an idiot, he began to retrace his steps.
She wouldn’t look at him when he finally reached her. He stood next to her, his enormous shadow blocking out the sun, watching her as she primly sat and ignored him. After several long moments of being disregarded, he let out a heavy sigh.
“Very well,” he rumbled. “If it means that much to you, then you may go with me.”
She didn’t reply. He waited for some manner of acknowledgement, but none was forthcoming. Wriggling his eyebrows, he turned for the house again.