Erik raised both eyebrows. ‘I wasn’t going to put it quite like that.’
‘Oh?’
‘I was going to say I know who you are because you are by far and away the most beautiful woman in the room.’
Linota’s breath caught in her throat and her lips fell open in shock.
She’d been told many times that she was pretty, but that was by her sister. To be told so by this hulking stranger was a very different experience. The strange swooping sensation in her stomach began to spread through her whole body, making her heart race faster and the fine hairs on her forearms stand to attention.
Erik’s gaze dropped to her open mouth and a look she didn’t understand crossed his face. The noise of the crowd dropped away as if it was only the two of them stood in the Great Hall.
For one long, heady moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but then he smiled and said, ‘But I’m sure you hear comments on how beautiful you are all the time. So tell me, are you enjoying the evening, Mistress Leofric?’
The sounds of the room rushed back in and Erik’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as if the intense moment had never happened. Perhaps it hadn’t. Maybe Erik went around telling all women they were beautiful.
Those women she’d overheard had been talking about spending the night with him and she wasn’t so naive that she didn’t know what that meant. It was best not to engage in a flirtation with this man. She couldn’t give him the impression she was fascinated with him, even if that was the truth. Her family were depending on her marrying well and dallying with a steward wasn’t a good idea. He wasn’t high enough in importance even if he did fill out his tunic well. It wouldn’t hurt to be polite though.
‘I love everything about the evening,’ she answered honestly.
‘Have you tried any of the entertainments yourself?’
‘No! I don’t think juggling fire is a good idea.’
He smiled, a large warm grin that lit up his face and made him appear younger. ‘I meant the skittles or the horseshoe throwing, the things put on for the guests to do rather than watch.’
The heat that had slowly been easing from her face flooded back. Of course he meant the games; she folded her hands into the fabric of her dress.
‘No, I’ve not tried the skittles. I’ve never played and haven’t the faintest idea what to do.’
‘Ah, it’s easy. Come on. Let’s have a game.’
‘Oh... I...’ She really should try to find her sister. Or, if she couldn’t, she should at least stay away from this man, but her body didn’t seem to be listening to her head and she followed his broad shoulders through the crowd. Groups separated to allow him to pass, but nobody stopped to talk to them, eyeing them, instead, with slight disdain. She was used to such disparaging looks being directed at her, but she couldn’t understand why they were aimed at Erik as well.
‘It’s simple,’ said Erik as he picked up a small wooden ball. ‘Throw this at the skittles over there and see how many you can knock over. The one who knocks over the most wins. I’ll go first.’
Linota clapped her hands in delight as Erik’s ball knocked down every last one of the skittles.
He grinned at her and made his way towards the fallen target. ‘I’ll set it up again and then you can have a go.’
He strode back and passed her the ball, his fingers brushing hers as he did so. Linota gasped at the shock of his touch, but he didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Her hand shook as she took her place. She tried to steady it as she lined the ball up, but her body betrayed her and the ball flew wide of the mark.
Erik smiled and handed her another ball without comment.
Her next three goes produced the same result. Her fourth attempt knocked down two skittles and she yelped in delight, clapping her hands with joy. Who would have thought that knocking things down could be so satisfying?
Erik grinned and bent down to pick up another ball. As he did so, a loose bundle of cloth fell from his belt. As it hit the floor the binding fell apart and a small object skittered towards her, coming to rest at her feet. She bent down and picked it up.
‘Oh, this is pretty. Where did you get it from?’ she said, admiring the miniature horse carved from wood. The detail was exquisite, making it look as if the animal was in fluid motion. A fine chain was threaded through a loop, making the object into a necklace, but it was the carving that held her attention. It was small, but so intricate. She tilted her hand to hold it up to the nearest candle, but before she could study it any more it was whisked from her fingers.
Linota inhaled sharply and looked across at Erik.
Gone was the laughing man of a few moments ago and in his place was the wild warrior she’d heard about. Erik’s lips were stretched thin, his jaw clamped tight. His eyes were flashing with an emotion she couldn’t read. His gaze snapped to hers and she took a step backwards, her fingers trembling.
Erik’s eyes were filled with rage and they looked straight through her. His thick muscled arms were tensed as if they were ready to tear someone apart.
She opened her mouth to say something and then faltered. The slight movement snapped him out of his
