“You’re right.” He turned to Thunder and unbuckled the bag that hung across the horse’s back. “Which is why I brought a luncheon.”

She laughed then, the sound low and musical. “A man of resources.” Devon found himself chuckling with her as he pulled out the picnic lunch.

They sat beneath a tree and ate. Devon tried to keep the conversation light, talking of this and that adventure with his brothers and sister, but it was difficult. Every time Kat opened her lips to take bite of the flaky pasties that he’d filched from the kitchen at Kilkairn, Devon’s mind would burst into flames of heated, sultry imagination. He barely ate himself, but simply watched Kat.

He welcomed the building heat. It was what he’d counted on to save him from the ring. With every breath, every word, Kat was proving herself to be the woman to keep the ring from working its magic.

Still, she needed some gentle wooing. Though she didn’t flinch from his touch, he felt both her hesitation and her yearning, and something in him wanted to change that, to soothe her fears away. So he talked, and better yet, he listened, learning from her every word.

Soon the conversation turned to glasswork. He was amazed at the process and the length of time it all took. He wondered what other skills she possessed. Looking at her pouty mouth, he decided there were one or two that, if she didn’t already know, he’d take great delight in teaching to her.

The shadows grew and lengthened, and before either knew it, the sun was slowly descending. Kat started. “St. George’s dragon, it’s late.” She jumped up, brushing leaves from her skirts.

“Must you go?”

“Aye. The lads will be wondering what has become of me and we’ve an order to fill before—” She colored. “You don’t want to hear this.”

Devon realized with surprise that he did want to hear it. “Please go on.”

“No,” she said, smiling ruefully. “We really should go. The lads will be out looking for me if I don’t return soon. They tend to expect the worst.”

He could see that she was determined, so he rose to his feet as well and began putting away the remnants of their lunch.

As he went to help her onto Thunder, her clear green eyes met his, measuring and seeking. He knew she was thinking of the promised kiss. He wasn’t sure if she was looking for reassurance of some sort or was just curious. He smiled, and took her hand in his.

The touch of her fingers sent a wave of awareness over him. She gathered her skirts, preparing to mount the horse and he wondered again exactly what horrid happenstance had turned her from society, so scared that she hid deep in the woods like a princess asleep, waiting for a prince.