That was it. “Gavin, if you don’t leave me alone, I swear I’m going to hit you.” Gwen’s hand formed into a fist and she watched Gavin hide a smile. They were all smiling, holding their hands in front of their faces. Did they think she was stupid? She saw what they did. Shooting Gavin another dirty look, she sat in the chair. Her situation got worse, Gavin took the seat next to Lady Madelyn. Directly across from her.

“Shouldn’t you be standing behind me, Gavin? Guarding me with your sword?”

“Greylen’s men always dine with us, Gwendolyn,” Isabelle explained. “But only two at a time as they rotate their duties.”

Gwen gave a snort but didn’t miss the softness in Gavin’s eyes as Isabelle justified his presence. So he liked Isabelle, huh? Interesting, very interesting.

“Isabelle, I’m going to write down my phone numbers and address so we can keep in touch. After breakfast, however”—Gwen looked at Gavin—“I insist on returning to the inn.”

Gavin stood so fast the chair he’d been sitting on fell. “Lady Gwendolyn, I’ve told you more than once, you’ll go nowhere. And if I have to, I’ll sit on you myself to see the task done. Do I make myself clear?”

My God, the man sounded like Greylen when he was irritated. “Don’t have a tizzy, Gavin. Just take me back to the inn,” Gwen shouted, standing to enforce her point.

“A tizzy?” he asked, his eyes narrowed and threatening. “Explain your meaning?”

“An outburst,” Gwen said with relish. “More to the point, a fit—much like the one you’re having now.”

“You’re daft,” he bit through clenched teeth.

“I am not,” she bit back.

“Aye, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Are.”

“Not.”

Gavin’s fists hit the table. “You’re as stubborn as he. I swear you deserve each other.” His eyes narrowed again as he stared her down, his hands still fisted on the table. “I’ve my orders, Lady Gwendolyn, and I will see them through. You are to have anything, anything you so desire—but leaving here is not an option.”

“This is ridiculous. Lady Madelyn, Isabelle, I’ve lost my appetite. Excuse me.” Gwen left the table muttering a few choice words when Gavin followed. She went straight for the front door and tried repeatedly to open it. It wouldn’t budge. She kicked it, turning at the sound of Gavin’s chuckle. “Your door is stuck.” She kicked it again.

“Allow me,” Gavin said with a flick of his wrist. The door opened effortlessly.

Gwen turned away in disgust, just in time to catch Isabelle watching from the archway.

Isabelle ogled her current nemesis. Well, at least someone liked him, because she didn’t anymore.

Gwen stepped through the doors. Men stood on either side and bowed to her. “What is going on here? Get a life, people.” Holding the material of her dress, she walked down the stairway into the courtyard.

She stopped after a few steps, faltered actually, inhaling a deep breath audibly. She turned from left to right, shaking her head before closing her eyes. Be different, please be different. She opened them again.