He raked his hand back through his hair, and told himself not to think about that. The lass was confusing him enough. When he thought of how close he’d come to doing something dishonorable—maybe very dishonorable—it shamed him.

How the hell had this happened anyway? He’d only wanted to talk to her, but when she’d left the castle instead of returning to the tower he’d become curious about where she was going, and, admittedly, whom she might be going with.

He’d been angry—maybe more than angry—and so he’d acted like an arse.

He’d only wanted to protect her, damn it, but his well-intentioned warning had gone all wrong. Instead of the delicate diplomacy that the situation demanded, Alex had come storming in with the blunt force of a hammer. The only other person who could make him lose his temper like that had been Boyd.

He took a deep breath as if he could forcibly purge the torrent of emotions that still raged in his blood. “I didn’t mean—” He stopped, and then started again. “I’m afraid I owe you an apology.”

The wariness in the way she eyed him filled him with shame. This wasn’t him, damn it. He didn’t argue and lose his temper with young women—or threaten to ravish them against a wall.

Wariness, however, did not dull the blade of her tongue. “For what?” she asked. “For following me? For accosting me in the streets? For lecturing me about that which is none of your business? For being a sanctimonious, self-righteous prig? Or for nearly doing yourself that which you judge me for doing?”

His mouth hardened. She might be right, damn it, but he didn’t appreciate the sarcasm. He was trying to apologize. “I was speaking out of concern—”

“I don’t want, nor did I ask, for your concern.”

He could feel the anger building again and tried to contain it, but his spine stiffened. “I don’t think you realize the ramifications of what you’re doing and the lasting harm it might do. I’m trying to protect you.”

His words had no effect. She seemed to be struggling to contain her anger. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor to rescue me from myself, Sir Alex. Despite your belief that I am not capable of thinking for myself, I know exactly what I’m doing and the ramifications.”

“That isn’t what I meant. I don’t think you are incapable of thinking for yourself, damn it.”