His mouth fell in a hard line. Of course she did. And he was a bloody fool because he thought the kiss they’d shared might have meant something. It had to him. He hadn’t realized how much until he’d seen her in another man’s arms.

“So you were planning something,” she said.

“Of course I was,” Despenser replied angrily. “Any fool would have known what I planned. And whatever else you might be, Lady Joan, you are no fool. So either you are a tease or you had another purpose for leading me into believing you wanted to bed me.” His eyes narrowed. “Which is it?”

Despenser had stopped advancing on her, and she stood to face him. Surprisingly, given the circumstances, she didn’t look threatened or scared. Actually, she looked confident and strong.

Alex frowned.

“Neither,” she said with a bold lift of her chin. “I just do not believe we will suit.”

“You do not believe we will suit?” Despenser repeated incredulously. “Who the hell do you think you are? Since when does a bastard slut turn down one of the most important men in the realm?”

Alex’s hand returned to his dagger.

He wasn’t alone in his anger, although only a slight tinge of pink in Lady Joan’s cheeks betrayed her fury as she responded to the taunt. “Since right now. I am sorry to have disappointed you, Sir Hugh, it was not my intention. But there is no reason to be cruel. We have been friends a long time.”

The young knight’s eyes blazed. Clearly, friendship was the last thing he was thinking about. Alex silently begged him to make a move. Give me an excuse. His hand was practically itching.

But she stopped him. “There’s someone else,” she blurted.

“Who?” The other knight demanded angrily, echoing Alex’s thoughts.

She bit her lip, her hands twisting a little before her. “I’d rather not say.”

Despenser eyed her with disgust. “You do not need to. I’ve seen the way you look at Seton. It’s him, isn’t it?” Alex froze. Was it true? He couldn’t believe it when she nodded. Despenser cursed angrily. “You sure as hell don’t waste any time, do you? Had your bed grown so cold in a week that you needed to fill it with the first man you could find? I’m just surprised that he took you up on your offer. Seton isn’t known for dallying with whores.”

That might have been the excuse Alex had been waiting for, but Joan shifted just enough to block his direct line to Despenser.

“It’s not like that,” she said softly.