“Aye, I see.  Methinks you are most honorable, but ‘tis not your concern.”

Just her tone of voice said mockingly gave him pause.  She did not think him an honorable man, rather one who should mind his own business.  Infuriating!  To think when first he glimpsed the lass, he’d had any interest in her!  Best to leave the wench to her own secrets, and he to his.  He would accomplish the job His Grace commanded him to and no more than that.  He would have his English bride.  The laird who took Anice for his wife would wonder whatever possessed him to ask her hand in marriage.

“My thanks, milady, for your kind words.”  He wasn’t sure what overcame him to say the next words out of his mouth, but as soon as he said them, he knew there’d be trouble.  “Then you will not mind if I ask His Grace to allow you to stay longer.  You have traveled all this way and have only been here two days.  No sense in you returning so soon.  My brothers and I shall—”

He quit speaking as soon as her eyes darkened with fury, her cheeks burned bright as ripened, red tomatoes, and her mouth pursed with great restraint.  He should have rested his tongue once she’d given her false compliment and he’d returned the same.  So why did he not heed his own concern?

He desired to know why she’d tried to leave the castle grounds...that’s why.  One way or another, he’d learn the truth.

But for now, he judiciously clamped his mouth shut and waited for the explosion to follow.