Page 32 of Raven's Rise
She edged backwards and then felt his hands on her waist as he helped lift her out and set her on the ground. She sensed the strength in his arms, and momentarily forgot what she was going to say when her gaze caught his eyes.
He looked her over from top to toe, then said, “You’re missing a shoe, my lady.”
“What?” That wasn’t what she expected to hear. She looked down. Her right slipper was gone. “Oh. I must have lost it when the chest hit my foot.”
“Do you want me to retrieve it for you?” he asked.
It was probably buried under hay. “No, thank you. I have another pair that will serve.”
“Very well. Then let me walk you back to your carriage. You can set it to rights before the others get called from inside.”
He helped her into her carriage, once again distracting her with his nearness and the simple touch of his hand in hers. She didn’t ever remember being so aware of a man, and definitely never in a way that created such a buzzing in her body.
She worked to restore the carriage to its proper order, covering the place where the chest had been with a few more boxes and cushions. “There. No one should see any change. Except Bethany. She’ll notice soon enough, since she’s traveling with me.”
Rafe said, his expression intent, “Shall I tell her she’s to go elsewhere?”
“That negates her purpose,” Angelet replied.
“No one will be able to threaten your honor while the carriage is in motion, guarded by soldiers,” Rafe pointed out. “I’ll instruct the girl to find a spot elsewhere while we are actually traveling. Then you can enjoy some solitude.”
He returned to the inn, presumably to do exactly that.
When Bethany came out a moment later she frowned, looking Angelet over with a critical eye. Angelet was painfully aware that her gown was scattered with bits of straw snared in the wool, and she was still missing a shoe. She looked very much as if she’d been, well, rolling in the hay.
“Sir Rafe informed me that you would not need companionship today.”
Angelet felt embarrassment and rage flare up inside, but she kept her face blank. “Correct.”
“You can’t just tell me where I’m to sit or walk!”
Suddenly Rafe stood near them. He said, “Lady Angelet made her wishes clear. Now, Bethany, you may walk, or ride on the back of one of the carts, or ride if there’s a spare beast for it. Don’t bother the lady until she calls for your service.”
Bethany gaped at Sir Rafe, who towered over her, his expression cool. His hand rested lightly on the pommel of his sword.
It dawned on her that there was no hope for negotiation with the black-clad knight, and she had no standing to argue. She whirled around and stalked off.
Rafe gave Angelet a little wink. “Satisfactory?”
“Quite. Thank you.”
“Just following orders, my lady. I’ll do anything you ask of me.” His tone was light and teasing, but heat shot through Angelet.
There was no way he’d chosen those words by chance. He was reminding her of his scandalous offer. If only the idea of him following her every order didn’t sound so interesting.
Rafe still stood there, apparently waiting for something. Oh, yes. He’d asked a question while she was daydreaming.
“Repeat that?” she asked.
“Did you need anything else before we depart? We’ll ride until dark, or until we find a suitable place to stay the night.”
“Oh. No, thank you. I don’t want…anything…” she trailed off. She wanted so many things, and she’d get none of them. “Wait! There is one thing.”
“Yes?”
“I forgot to tell you last night.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You remembered something?”
