He couldn’t recall ever forgetting himself and swearing in the company of a lass before. But she didn’t appear to notice and acted as if he hadn’t spoken. “You may have known my mother, but you are not responsible for me, nor does it give you a right to interfere, lecture me, or give me the wisdom of your opinion. All I want from you—the only thing I want—is that you leave me alone.”

He suspected his eyes were every bit as flashing and sparking as hers when their gazes met. His jaw was locked; he didn’t trust himself to speak.

What was it about this lass that made him so crazed? That made him act like an arse and feel like a barbarian? That made him tempted—even now when she was so obviously furious with him—to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she listened to him?

Bloody hell.

When she marched off, he didn’t try to stop her. Leaving her alone was exactly what he should do.

Chapter 7

7

IT RAINED THE next three days, delaying the ride with Sir Hugh, but Monday dawned bright and sunny—much to Joan’s dismay.

She knew she should be anxious to go to Wark, but the brief respite had only increased her wariness where Sir Hugh was concerned. For three days he’d stalked her like a predator ready to pounce, and for three days she’d made sure she did not leave her chamber without the company of one of her cousins.

Proving his astuteness, Sir Hugh seemed suspicious when he commented about it at dinner one night. Whether he believed her explanation about her “duties,” she didn’t know. But his gaze definitely sharpened when he saw Margaret approaching the stables with her.

“Lady Margaret,” he said. “What a delightful surprise.”

Clearly it wasn’t.

“I hope you don’t mind my coming along,” Margaret said with a bright, good-natured smile. “But after being cooped up in the castle for most of the week, I couldn’t pass up the prospect of a ride.”

Joan held her expression impassive as Sir Hugh’s gaze flickered to hers before turning back to her cousin’s. Margaret was more skillful with dishonesty than Joan realized. She’d asked her cousin to accompany them, claiming—honestly—that she wasn’t sure she could trust Sir Hugh not to try something untoward.

“Of course not,” he assured Margaret. “I am delighted to have the company of not one but two beautiful women.”

Margaret blushed prettily and allowed him to help her on her horse.

When he turned to Joan next, she could see that he was unable to completely mask his annoyance. “I’m beginning to wonder if I misunderstood you, my lady,” he said in a voice that only she could hear as he helped her up.

Joan feigned ignorance. “My lord?”

“Perhaps you are not as adventuresome as you claimed?”