“If that pony moved any slower, we’d have to bring Cambaron to her,” Jordan said. “We’ll have to get Alex something with a little more spirit once he’s had a few lessons.”
“I like this one.” Alex patted the pony’s neck. “What do you think I should name her?”
“It’s a great decision to make. Why don’t you think about it?”
“I will.” He turned the pony and trotted back to Gregor. “Hurry, Marianna!”
She didn’t look at Jordan as she said, “Go on ahead with them. I’m as awkward a rider as Alex. It’s foolish for you to let me keep you back.”
“I wouldn’t think of it. I’m not as eager to reach my ancestral home as your brother. I’ve never had any special fondness for it.” He smiled. “And besides, such an abandonment wouldn’t be in keeping with my duties as your guardian.”
“We both know that’s all nonsense.”
“Perhaps I’m clinging to that nonsense to keep me from indulging even greater foolishness.”
She didn’t even attempt to decipher the cryptic statement. She only wanted to rid herself of him. She was nervous enough about that castle in the distance, and since they had left the ship at Southwick this morning he had been a silent, provocative presence by her side. “Go on ahead,” she repeated. “You’ve made it quite clear my company bores you.” After that night of several days ago she had scarcely seen him except at meals. He had been courteous but totally withdrawn and spent his time with Gregor and the captain. Even Alex had received his share of attention.
“Did I? Actually, I don’t believe I ever said your company bored me. I only said I found the game boring.” He nudged his horse abreast of hers on the trail. “And this particular game is growing less boring and more uncomfortable with every passing day.”
He was obviously mocking her, and she was finding it surprisingly painful. Her gaze returned to the castle. “Why don’t you have a fondness for it? It’s your home.”
He shrugged. “A home is just a place like any other.”
It had not been so for her. She had passionately loved the cottage where she had been born and raised until that night of horror. “Did you not enjoy your childhood here?”
He lifted his brows. “Are you trying to search out my secrets?”
“You shouldn’t object to questions. You ask me and Alex enough of your own.”
“True.” He was silent a moment before answering lightly, “I regret to say I have no gloomy secrets to impart. My mother departed this life when I was only two, and I was indulged by all and sundry. Every servant in the castle vied in an attempt to thoroughly spoil me.”
“What of your father?”
“Oh, he indulged me too. When he had time. However, it was difficult to find a few minutes to spare when he was determined to become the greatest drunkard and libertine in all of England.” He smiled crookedly. “He might have succeeded, but he broke his neck in a fall from a horse when I was only twelve. What a pity.”
“You didn’t love him?”
“I probably loved him at one time. Why not? He was quite an engaging fellow and a fine example. After his death I threw myself into a similar quest for the ultimate in debauchery. I would have succeeded where he failed if I hadn’t been distracted along the way.”
“By what?”
“Not what, who. Gregor burst into my life.” He reined in before a stream and dismounted. “You see how open I’m being? I’m lowering all my shields.”
His defenses were still very much intact, glittering like beautiful faceted glass, but she was surprised he had been this frank with her. “Why?”
“To show you how harmless I am.” He paused. “And to encourage you to lower a few defenses of your own.”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
“It’s necessary,” he said soberly. “If we are to live here together with any civility.”
“I know I angered you on board the
“Abominable. But I’m sure that is quite natural for you.”
“Quite natural.” He smiled coaxingly. “Forgive me, and I’ll promise to reward you very generously.”
It was the first time he had smiled at her since that night in his cabin. “I don’t want any reward.”
“Of course you do. Everyone wants something.” The offhand statement was made with absolute assurance.
“Has that been your experience? That everyone wants something from you?”
He smiled cynically. “I’ve been as rich as a nabob from the day I was born. Before I left the nursery, I learned what’s expected of me in the way of favors.”
She felt a pang of sympathy for that little boy who had never known love without price but immediately dismissed the momentary softness. That child might have deserved pity, but not the man who stood before her. “And I’m supposed to seek out these favors?”
“Why not? It’s to your advantage to bargain with me. You’re in a very vulnerable position. I can make things very pleasant for you.”
“What would you give me?” she asked curiously.
An undefinable expression crossed his face. It was foolish of her to think it might be disappointment. “Whatever you like. Diamonds? Women usually like a bit of flash.”
Whatever she liked…
Her glance shifted back to those forbidding towers.
“Tell me,” he said. “Ladies usually aren’t this shy about making their demands known.”
She was sure there had been many women who had been in a position to meet his demands with demands of their own. The thought sent a flare of unreasonable anger through her. “That’s because men seldom allow us to reach out and grasp what we want ourselves. It’s considered both unwomanly and unnatural.”
His gaze narrowed on her face. “Is that what you prefer? I have no objection to yielding to such aggressiveness. I’ll be happy to accommodate you.”
“You mean you’d accommodate me by giving me what should be mine by right?”
He shrugged. “I regret that I cannot change the way of the world.”
“Not
He went still, his gaze on her face. “Where do you want to go? London?”
“London?” She looked at him in bewilderment. “Why would I want to go there?”
“Shops, theater, masked balls… and, of course, all the lovely little trifles a woman wants and needs.”
“I wouldn’t know what to do with them.”
He was silent a moment and then slowly shook his head. “No, you probably wouldn’t. I’m afraid I’m guilty of trying to place you in the role I want you to play.”
She scarcely heard him, as she nervously plucked at her horse’s mane. “I’d like a cottage of my own. Just a small place for me and Alex.”
He shook his head. “I can’t let you reside outside the castle.”
“You said I could have anything I want.”
“I lied. It should be no surprise to you, considering your opinion of my character.”
“You offered me diamonds,” she said desperately. “A cottage would surely cost less than diamonds.”
“You’d be too vulnerable outside the castle walls. I hope Nebrov won’t discover you’re here, but there’s always a possibility.”
She smiled bitterly. “And you can’t risk him taking me away from you.”
“Any more than you can risk him taking Alex.”
“It isn’t the same. I love Alex, and you care nothing for either of us.”
“Don’t I? Then you must put up with my arrogance and surliness and teach me. It’s not an entirely impossible task. Gregor did it.”
“I have no desire to teach you what comes naturally to others.” Her hands clenched the reins. “Very well, I will live in that… that place, but I must have a workroom and tools and freedom to work with no interference.” She
