“Or perhaps your charming tongue gets them wagging,” Willow suggested.

“Jealous?” he asked, a wicked smile surfacing.

His accusation annoyed her, but his smile sent her stomach fluttering madly. Even with dirt marring his features, he was far too handsome.

“Why would I be jealous?” she asked calmly while the flutters continued to torment her.

“You’re a practical, dependable woman, Willow. People turn to you out of need and for guidance, but when else? And when was the last time anyone told you that you were beautiful, leannan?”

Mum.

The thought was like a punch to her stomach, chasing the flutters away. Her mum had been the only one who ever told her that.

He mesmerizes women with his devilish tongue.

The guard’s warning echoed in her head.

“You met me one time and only for a short while. You don’t know me at all,” she said, annoyed that he assumed to.

“One time was all I needed. Your focus had been on my wound, nothing else. The few questions you asked concerned only my wound. Not only did the guard at the door inquire about something that had been ailing him, but several other guards stopped to ask you about their ailments as well, yet not one offered a pleasant greeting or inquired about you. And you paid no heed when I asked any question pertaining to you. It was as if you didn’t even hear me.”

“Did you not think that could have been on purpose?”

“I considered it briefly, but with how easily I charm women I quickly dismissed it. The conclusion was obvious. You think on others needs and wants and never your own… not ever. You’re so accustomed to it that you ignore even the friendliest phrase, leannan,” he said, his dark eyes holding a hint of a challenge.

“Do you actually think it appropriate that you refer to me as sweetheart while in this situation?”

“I should wait until we get out of here to be sweet and kind to you?”

Once again she felt his small rumble of laughter, their bodies just too close not to.

“I expect you to be practical and honorable,” she warned.

“Practical isn’t in my nature. Honorable?” His smile faded. “That would depend on what you consider honorable.”

“An honorable man wouldn’t set fire to two of my clan’s structures.”

Before he could respond a laughing voice called out, “Up and out!”

Slatter hated to dash her hopes that she was being released, but better she knew. “I’ve been let out in the morning to eat and to see to my needs, then again before nightfall.”

Willow couldn’t hide her disappointment. Yesterday she’d only had to spend the night down here and most of it was spent sleeping from exhaustion. How would she be able to last an entire day?

The wooden grate was moved off the top and Geary called down, “Send her up, Slatter.”

“Don’t let her fall, Geary,” Slatter called out.

“You just hold her good and tight until we get a grip on her,” Rob yelled back.