“I arrived at sunset yesterday. And I have not been in that convent for some months now.” She returned her attention to the weavings. “Shouldn’t you be attending my sister? Composing poetry to her beauty or speaking other sweet words?”

“I will have a lifetime to attend on her, damn it. Right now I want to speak to you.”

“I cannot prevent you from doing so, although your mood does not bode well for any courteous conversation. I trust that you will not create a spectacle.”

“I will make a spectacle fit for hell if I want to.”

“Then let us leave this lane of polite shops and return to the market, where other ill-mannered people and animals gather. Then if you start bellowing it will not be noticed.”

She began walking up the lane. Long booted legs fell into step beside her.

“You should have made yourself known to me last night.”

“I did not have much chance with your impatient assault.”

“It was not assault, lady, and we both know it.”

“You hardly asked permission.”

“I did not need to ask permission. I thought I was with my future bride. You knew my error, and you allowed me—”

“I allowed very little, and would have permitted far less if you had not overwhelmed me with your boldness. I am flattered that you found me so beautiful that you could not control yourself, but look at the mess you have made.”

He grabbed her arm and swung her around to face him. He pierced her with a gaze too knowing, too male, and far too full of memories of the garden. “It was not my boldness that overwhelmed you, Nesta. Nor merely your beauty that lured me. And it was your deception, not my actions, that has created this hell of a mess.”

“If you expect me to blush with shame, think again. A woman as notorious as I am is spared such nonsense.”

“I am not looking for shame but for some common sense. How am I supposed to live with both her and you in my household after what happened?”

She pulled her arm free and continued walking. “You were not yet betrothed to her, and you did not make love to me. Even a priest could not find any great fault. Also, I have no intention of imposing on your household. After the wedding, I will be gone.”

“Nay, you will not. I have been commanded to let you stay with your sister.”

“Thank you, but that will not be necessary.”

“It is the King’s pleasure, so the choice is not yours.”

That shocked her so much that she almost stumbled. It was a problematic discovery. The awkwardness of living with him and Genith after those kisses last night was the least of her concerns.