Page 53 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
But that was a truth best kept close to the heart.
He shrugged again. “Anyone who knows us.”
“At times, I do believe you are truly impossible.” She sighed. “But you’re my best hope. I feel confident we can put on a convincing performance.”
“Convincing, eh?” He gazed down at her, his amber eyes gleaming with mischief. “So, am I to seduce ye right then and there, with all of yer host’s high-born friends taking in the show?”
“You know better than that,” she said. “Believe it or not, Finn Caldwell, I can read you better than you know. After all, I had a lot a practice when you and Jon were lads.”
“Did ye now?”
She smiled, the memory of a younger, far less cynical Finn smiling in her thoughts. “You know I’m speaking the truth. Now, we’ll need to practice a bit and get... comfortable with one another if this is going to work.”
“Ye really believe that’s possible?” The mischief had drained from his eyes, replaced by an emotion she couldn’t quite read.
“We don’t need to convince anyone that you’re ready to drop down upon one knee and profess your undying love,” Macie said, the vision her imagination conjured of him doing precisely that as fantastical as the notion of him dashing about Sherwood Forest, bow and arrows in hand.
His brows rose. “Well, that’s a bloody good thing then, isn’t it? Undying love is not my strong suit.”
“Truer words have seldom been uttered,” she agreed. “But if we are to discourage the noble snobs, a hint of infatuation will do.”
A thin smile tugged at his mouth. “If one dares to touch ye, I’d offer ahintof bodily harm.”
Macie tried not to smile at the image of Finn hauling up a whey-faced lord by his lapels, putting his lean strength on display for all to see. “In the interest of sparing my dear brother yet another gray hair, I would prefer a non-violent approach. Would it be so difficult to act as if you have a tender affection for me?”
“Macie, do ye even know what that would look like?” His forehead furrowed as he studied her. “All this time ye’ve done everything ye could to chase a man away, short of carrying a sword at yer hip.”
“Actually, she has done that,” Nell quipped with a little grin.
“Ah, that’s right. Henry VIII and his infernal codpiece,” Finn said. “How in blazes could I forget that tale?”
“In my defense, it was not an actual sword.” Macie sent Nell a speaking glance. “You are enjoying this a bit too much, my cheeky friend. Whose side are you on? His? Or mine?”
“Both.” Nell replied. “If your plan is going to succeed, you need to look as if you are smitten. But given the choice between embracing one another or hugging a porcupine, I’m not entirely sure you wouldn’t opt to embrace the spiny little beast.”
Macie sighed. “That is an exaggeration.”But perhaps only a bit.
“The lass has a point,” Finn said. “This scheme of yers will not work.”
Macie narrowed her eyes at him. “Why, Finn Caldwell, I had not taken you for a man who runs from a challenge.”
His eyes gleamed like amber as he met her gaze. “I’ve never run from anything in my life. Save for an ornery wildcat yer brother and I once stumbled upon in the Highlands.”
“I thought as much,” Macie said truthfully. “In that case, we can and we will prepare for this challenge.”
“So what is it ye’re looking for, lass?” Macie felt Finn’s gaze on her. “Do ye even know?”
She glanced at the intricate design woven into the carpet, stalling for a better answer than the truth. Tracing the pattern with her gaze, she realized she was rather stuck. “Tender affection would suffice,” she said finally.
He quirked a brow. “And what precisely does that look like?”
She pulled in a low breath. “I’d imagine the way Robin Hood would have looked upon Maid Marian.”
“Robin Hood?” He raked his fingers through his hair. “How does a man trying to keep his neck out of a noose have time fortender affection?”
“Oh, theirs was quite the love story,” Nell said. “So very romantic. I do enjoy a tale of true love.” She studied him for a moment. “Of course, I also find star-crossed love and a tormented hero rather appealing. Don’t you agree, Macie?”
Macie bit back a smile. “I do fancy a ripping good gothic.”
