“Because a woman wandering alone is not safe,” he said. “However, after your threats of great bodily harm, I would hazard to say that you are no ordinary female.”
“I am not.”
“You can more than likely take care of yourself.”
“I have been known to win a fight in my time.”
“Is that so?” He appeared genuinely interested. “Against what mighty warrior, may I ask?”
She pursed her lips reluctantly. “Only my sister. But she packs a wallop.”
“Of course, I have no doubt,” he said sincerely. “She seems the fighting type.”
“She is.”
The conversation died for the moment, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable pause. Sean stood several feet away, watching the reflection of the moon off the lady’s fine features. As he had noted in his initial impression of her, there was nothing imperfect about the woman. He shouldn’t have followed her outside, he knew that; but he had seen her from the moment he’d entered the great feasting hall and, try as he might, he couldn’t seem to ignore her. When she left, he had followed. He didn’t know why. He didn’t even know what he was going to say to her should he have the chance. But here he was and the conversation had come easily.
“Are you really going back inside?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I probably should. My family will wonder what has become of me.”
“I would be deeply honored if you would walk with me for a few moments.”
If you see the man, run. She couldn’t shake Jocelin’s words. But the knight standing before her didn’t seem the death and destruction type, at least not at the moment. His manner was quite gentle. It emboldened her. Never one to shy away from the truth, she looked him squarely in the eye.
“For what purpose?”
He was silent for a moment. Then, a well-shaped eyebrow slowly lifted. “Because it is a lovely evening and I should enjoy the company of a lovely lady.”
She considered his kind request. “Won’t the king be looking for you? I am told that you are his protector.”
He could see where this was leading and he wasn’t surprised. For the first time in his long, illustrious and hazardous career, he felt a twinge of shame. For once, he wished he could keep his chosen profession out of this. He’d never wished that before and it was a strange awareness.
“Our king is amply protected,” he said simply.
He extended an enormous mailed elbow. She gazed at it a moment, her deliberation evident. Then, she looked at him. “May I ask a question?”
“If that is your pleasure, my lady.”
“Very well. If I was your daughter and a man of your reputation asked permission to take me on an unchaperoned walk through the Tower grounds, what would you, as my father, say?”
A twinkle came to his eye. “What do you know of my reputation?”
“Probably more than I should.”
He didn’t lower his elbow. “Walk with me and we shall discuss it.”
“We shall discuss it now or I will go back inside.”
The twinkle in his eye grew and he lowered his arm. “As you wish, my lady. What would you like to know?”
She felt comfortable enough to ask him. Besides, she was still close enough to the Tower to make a run for it should she anger him. “Are you really as malicious as I have been told?”
His expression didn’t waver. “I would not know. What have you been told?”
She didn’t want to offend him. But she wasn’t sure if she trusted him, either. Surely Jocelin would not lie to her. Brow furrowed in thought, she began to walk. Sean took pace beside her.
“We must be honest, my lord,” she said after a moment. “It would appear that you and I are on opposite sides.”