Hodge wet his lips and looked in the direction of the castle. ‘We will discuss this later in private.’

Dread filled her. ‘There is really nothing to discuss—’

‘Let us go. We have guests.’ He then proceeded to drag her back in the direction of the castle.

She wanted to tell him to let go, that he was hurting her—but he already knew. That was the point. The new bruise would serve as another reminder that the only person who could protect her from him was him.

‘Smile,’ he told her as they neared the entrance to the hall. ‘Light up the room, as you always do.’ He finally released his hold on her.

She cradled her hand briefly before letting it fall to her side. Then, raising her chin, she stepped into the room with a smile.

CHAPTER 7

‘What’s the matter with you?’ Tatum asked, pausing mid-saddling of his horse and looking over at Blackmane.

‘Nothing.’ He was becoming increasingly frustrated with the strap of his saddle bag.

Tatum walked over to him. ‘So you’re not still angry about the fact that Lady Isabel is coming on the tour?’

Of course he was angry. It was reckless and dangerous—and Hodge was an idiot for agreeing to it. ‘It’s not only dangerous for her but for everyone. Her presence will distract the guards.’

Tatum’s lips twitched. ‘Oh, the guards are going to be distracted. All the other men and definitely not you.’

‘And when she’s killed, we’ll be blamed.’

Hadewaye mounted his gelding. ‘I don’t think His Lordship will let an arrow or weapon anywhere near her. He’s rather protective.’

‘Perhaps a more accurate term is overprotective,’ Alveye said, joining the conversation. ‘He holds on to her like she might flee at any moment. Have you noticed that?’

Oh, Blackmane had noticed all right.

‘People in love are weird—period,’ Tatum said. ‘The way they behave generally is unsettling.’

Alveye laughed. ‘And that’s why you’ll die alone.’

‘I don’t think his feelings are reciprocated,’ Hadewaye said. ‘Lady Isabel is simply doing what she must to keep her family safe. And he holds on to her that way because she probably is tempted to flee. I certainly would be.’

Blackmane checked the girth of his saddle before gathering the reins. ‘Doesn’t matter why they’re together or how they feel about each other. It only matters that the death toll during this assignment is kept to a minimum.’ He landed softly in the saddle. ‘That said, if Hodge did love her, he wouldn’t be bringing her into a war zone.’

Alveye wagged a finger in his direction. ‘Now you will make a great husband one day.’

Tatum frowned. ‘So I’m to die alone while Blackheart here, who hates the entire world and everyone in it, is destined to be a great husband? That’s your assessment of things?’

Hadewaye’s eyes returned to him. ‘How come you get away with calling him Blackheart, but when one of us says it, we get shoved off our horse?’