Page 100 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

She pulls her right leg onto the bed and rolls up her breeches enough to expose her ankle, and nothing more. “See? It’s not even swollen. It’s a silly injury that will be healed in no time.”

Her slender, delicate ankle shows no sign of injury. I bend to get a closer look and find not a single thing wrong with it.

It is possible I overreacted.

I straighten my spine, clasping my hands behind my back, trying to forget the violence toward Mrs. Banks that had stirred in my gut only moments ago. “I am glad it is nothing serious. This is even more reason, however, for you to rest this afternoon.”

She rolls down her breeches and nods. She doesn’t seem herself at all today. I want to press her, to find out what it is that turns her bright gaze cloudy. As long as she thinks I know nothing of her secret, however, the most I can do is offer her rest this afternoon.

“Thank you, my lord,” she says, using both her hands to push herself to her feet. “I will work hard this morning and then rest as you have ordered. I promise I shall not be clumsy anymore or break any more valuables.”

I study her for a moment. Sunlight plays across her freckled cheekbones, illuminating her lashes. Then, because I cannot help myself, I reach out and ruffle her hair. It’s the only show of affection I can give. She wrinkles her nose, and it’s a reminder that the lively Kat is still there beneath the lack of sleep and her injury.

Then an idea occurs to me. A slight smile twitches at my lips. “Come with me.”

She eyes me suspiciously before following me out to the back patio. The weather is already notably hotter than it was when I first arrived and is on the outer edge of pleasant unless I step into the shade, or a breeze picks up.

I make sure to glance back at Kat every few minutes to ensure she isn’t having trouble walking. Once, when she seems to be slowing down, I say, “If your ankle is bothering you too much, I can carry you the rest of the way over my shoulder.”

Her gaze shoots up to mine, her face coloring deep red. I laugh and slow my pace for her, pleased by her reaction.

“Are we going to the creek?” she asks.

“Cool water is good for reducing swelling. Especially on a hot day like today.”

When I glance back at her, her step has slowed. I chuckle again, reaching back to take her arm so she doesn’t slip when we reach the smooth, wet stones of the creek. “There is nothing more revitalizing than a dip in the cold creek. Your ankle will thank you.”

“You don’t need to tend to me like I’m a wilting flower,” she whines, sounding almost petulant. “That water iscold!”

I roll my eyes. Yes, it’s cold. And yes, I do need to watch over her carefully, since she doesn’t seem inclined to do it herself. I strip off my shirt without a thought and it’s only when I glance back and find her very pointedly averting her eyes that I remember yet again the human sense of modesty. It’s only my back. I spare an amused thought for how utterly shocked she would be if she spent any time at all in Faerieland. It is a wild place.

I jump into the creek and dunk my head under, taking the shock of cold in all at once. It’s a moment of frigid, and then a second later, a pleasant contrast to the heat of the day. I turn around, grinning, looking to see how Kat is coming along.

She stands on the bank, still fully clothed. Staring at me with an expression like that of a trapped animal. I sigh, wiping a hand down my face. The words,“Listen, I know you’re a woman. No need for scruples,”nearly pass my lips. But I cannot shock her if I want her to join me.

So I march to the bank, shaking the water out of my wet hair and crossing my arms over my chest, as I tell her: “Don’t act like a little girl. Be a man!”

The words have their intended effect. She moves into action, kicking off her shoes, determination flashing across her features. But when she dips her toe in like a delicate maiden, my patience has worn thin.

I grab her around the thighs and pull her off the bank. She shrieks—a very girlish sound—and instinctively wraps her arms around my neck. Laughing, I wrap both arms around her, holding her to my chest, and dunk both of us under the water.

She spews water out of her mouth the second I let her go, shoving away from me and growling, “I wascoming!”

“You were being a pansy,” I reply, happy to forget everything in the pleasure of teasing her. “I couldn’t wait all morning.”

Her mouth drops open in outrage, her wet hair sticking to her face and neck. She sweeps her hands across the surface of the water, sending a large splash at me. I take it, squeezing my eyes shut as the water pelts them. Then I open them, and she’s looking at me with such dread, I laugh again.

“That’s right. Youshouldbe scared. Because I’m not letting you get out of here until I splash you in revenge.”

She squeaks, turning to run, but the creek is full of unsteady rocks, and I cannot let her run without risking her ankle being sprained again. I grab her arm, which she protests with a loud squeal. My splash drenches her all over again. She shrieks, gripping my elbow to keep from falling.

“You are evil!” she cries.

I grin down at her. “And you are about as tough as a pillow.”

My comment lands exactly as I hoped, and she tries to shove me backwards into the creek.

It’s right then that my attention drops slightly, noting the way her clothes stick to her skin. The outlines of a close-fitted undergarment beneath her tunic are completely exposed. It catches me off-balance, and Kat’s shove succeeds. I hit the water. Cold rushes over me, but I barely notice it. It feels like I’ve glimpsed her in a vulnerable state, not meant for me.

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