Genith did not see or feel it. Her tense body relaxed with relief.

“I must insist on staying with my sister,” Nesta announced.

“That is not necessary. She is in no danger from me.” He put a silken emphasis on the “she.”

“You have no reason to be afraid, Genith. I blame myself, for not getting assurance of your willingness when we spoke today.” He addressed her sister, but he looked only at her and Nesta knew that he did not blame himself at all.

In her relief, Genith broke into a bedazzling smile that would soothe any man in the world. Unfortunately its effect was wasted on Marcus, who had begun a predatory circling of the spot where Nesta stood.

“Go to the hall now, Genith, and take the women with you. I would speak with Nesta alone.”

Happy and ignorant, Genith gathered the servants and left. As soon as the door closed, a new fire entered Marcus’s eyes that more obviously revealed his mood.

The silence became suffocating. Nesta could almost hear the battle for control taking place in the man pacing around her. She closed her eyes and braced herself for a blow.

“Nay, lady, if I decide to do that, it will not be here. I will make your humiliation at least as public as mine was.”

She opened her eyes and sneaked a glance at him, and decided that keeping silent would be the wisest choice.

“By now the hall is full of talk of it. But if I drag you down there by the hair and bend you over my knee, it will give everyone a better spectacle to laugh about.”

“Since I am not the woman who denied you in the chapel, they will conclude that you try to coerce my sister by unjustly hurting me. Would you have your people think you are such a man?”

“If I seek to compel your sister, there are better ways to do it.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It is the contemplation of a man who will not be manipulated by a troublesome sister. I warned you not to play me for your fool again.”

“What do you contemplate? Beating her?”

“It has been suggested.”

“I do not believe you will do that.”

“You are so sure? Do not be.” He snapped it as an angry warning.

But she was sure. There was much she did not know about this man, but she knew this.

Her certainty must have shown, because he stopped his pacing right in front of her and speared her with a steely gaze. “You are well contented that you have bent me to your will, aren’t you?”

“This is not about you and me, but my sister.”

“Nay, woman, it is all about you and me. Your sister is merely the prize.”