Page 40 of Historical Hotties
Dacia shook her head. “He did notgowith me,” she said. “I came out here and he simply followed. I have no control over him.”
Cassius put his hands on his hips, looking down at his dog. “Clearly, you do and you do not even realize it,” he said. “He seems to like you a great deal.”
Dacia continued to cut and tug, turning her head slightly and still seeing his boots standing there. As she tried to ignore her wildly thumping heart, she reflected on the evening before and the very reason why she was out here.
Cassiuswasthe reason.
Considering they hadn’t spoken since he’d delivered the fateful compliment that had sent her spiraling into confusion, she was quite aware that she was glad to see him but also terrified at the same time. Considering the way she’d reacted last night, she was certain he thought her ungrateful and rude. She didn’t think she’d be seeing him so soon, so she hadn’t had the opportunity to work up her courage to seek him out and apologize for her behavior, but she knew they might not have another perfect opportunity like this one. They were alone and he would soon be leaving.
There might not be another chance.
“I have forgiven him for pushing me into the river,” she said after a moment. “Mayhap he senses that.”
Argos burped again and stretched out on the grass. Cassius shook his head at his lazy, rude dog.
“Mayhap he does,” he said. “Even so, I will relieve you of his burden. He needs a proper meal and some sleep, as do I.”
He whistled for the dog, who simply raised his head, looked at him, and laid back down again. Cassius frowned as Dacia looked over at the mutt, fighting off a grin.
“He does not obey very well, does he?” she said.
Cassius grunted. “Usually, he does,” he said. “Again, I can only imagine that he has taken a great liking to you and I apologize if he is being an annoyance. I will lock him in my chamber from now on.”
She turned her head slightly again, still keeping her face turned away. “I am sure that is not necessary,” she said. “He is not being an annoyance.”
Cassius wasn’t going to argue with her. “Suit yourself,” he said. “When you tire of him, put him in the stables near my charger. He’ll remain there until I come for him.”
He turned to leave and Dacia summoned her courage. She could see this moment slipping away and she didn’t want it to.
She had something to say.
“Wait,” she said quickly, hearing his footsteps come to a halt. “I… I would like a moment of your time, if you would be so kind.”
She could hear him draw in a long breath, perhaps fortifying himself for another unpleasant conversation like the one last night.
“I am at your service, my lady,” he said neutrally.
Dacia was still cutting on the dragonwort even though she had enough. She simply didn’t want to look up at him.
At least, not yet.
Speaking her mind was harder than she thought.
“I… I wanted to apologize for my manners last night,” she finally said, putting bunches of the dragonwort in a pile next to her. “You were kind and I reacted poorly. I should not have insinuated you were telling me untruths when you… when you spoke of…”
She still couldn’t bring herself to say it. Cassius folded his big arms over his chest.
“When I told you that I thought you were beautiful?”
She nodded quickly. Sighing heavily, she put down the knife and rocked back on her heels.
“It is simply that no one has ever told me that,” she said quietly. “You must understand, Sir Cassius… the marks on my face developed at a young age. My nurse, Mother Mary, was convinced that a demon was trying to possess me, so I’ve simplylearned to cover them. All I’ve ever done is cover them. I am afraid to let anyone see them because they are so ugly. That is why when you… said that to me, I have never heard it before and I reacted poorly. I have often dreamed of being like other women, of having fair skin that is considered beautiful, but I am afraid it is only a dream. At least, it was until you told me that you thought I was beautiful. Now I am afraid to believe it, but I thank you just the same for your kindness in saying so.”
She couldn’t see Cassius’ face as he looked at the back of her head, a faint smile on his lips and his eyes glimmering with warmth.
“Will you do something for me, my lady?” he asked softly.
She nodded. “If I can.”
