Page 78 of Peregrine's Call
He kissed her once, and then extracted himself from her blankets. “Do me a favor and find some food in our supplies. I’ll get fresh water.” He stood up and moved away from the fire.
Robin shucked off the blankets and started to gather what she’d need to break their fast. Then she noticed Pierce awake and watching her.
“Good morning,” he said, standing up and stamping his feet to get the blood flowing. “I suppose we’re getting an early start.”
“Unless you like the surroundings so much you want to linger?” she asked.
“Certainly not. The sooner we get to civilization, the better.”
She nodded, in complete agreement.
Pierce looked to where Tav had gone, then said, “What you did last night was remarkable. I knew you were a good shot, but not that good, under such difficult circumstances.”
“I was always skilled with a bow,” she said.
“That’s obvious.” He paused, then said, “Speaking of obvious…”
“What?”
He leaned forward, his voice more confidential, even though they were alone. “If you’re truly a lady, as you occasionally claim to be, you’ll have to get better at hiding your attraction to unsuitable men.”
“I don’t know what—”
Pierce held up one hand, waving her objections away. “Don’t pretend, Robin. I’m not blind or stupid, and you and Octavian aren’t exactly masters of deception.”
“What we are or aren’t is no business of yours.”
“True, and I don’t care one way or the other. Ladies have lovers, just like women of any other class. But ladies do need to be more discreet.”
“We’re not lovers,” she insisted.
Pierce laughed a little. “No? Then that’s the first time I’ve been mistaken about a man’s interest, especially when the woman is as eager as you are for him.”
She didn’t need insults in addition to whatever else Pierce was saying. “Stop it.”
“Robin, I’m not jealous,” he told her, and indeed, he looked sincere. “Yes, I teased you before, that one evening at Willesden. I was bored, and you were a breath of fresh air. I’m not sorry I kissed you. And I would have bedded you if you hadn’t been so icy about it. Now I know that you’ve only got eyes for another.”
“If you’re not jealous, why say he’s unsuitable?” Robin asked. “For pity’s sake, Octavian saved your life.”
Pierce nodded quickly. “And I’m grateful for it. He’s a model knight. All I’m saying is that he’s unsuitable for a lady…in terms of a formal match, that is. Knights are just soldiers. Unless Octavian is more than a knight, of course. If he’s a castellan, or if he also holds some land or a title…”
Robin didn’t even have to answer that. Pierce guessed the truth. “So he’s merely a knight. Which means he can’t ever be more than a lover, and one who must be kept secret. You’ve neglected to tell me your family name or connections—and that’s your prerogative, dear—but if you’re a lady, you must marry for position, as your family dictates. That’s how the world is, yes?”
Robin bit her lip, knowing Pierce’s words were true. Then she said, in a voice that lacked conviction, “I thank you for the advice. Even though it’s not needed, as we’re not lovers.”
“But you wish you were,” Pierce said with that unsettling confidence. “And since you’re a little naive, I’ll give you one last piece of advice.”
“What is that?”
“Knights, lords, commoners…men are men. Men take what they want, and the moment they get it, nothing they promised before means anything.”
“You’d know,” Robin said tartly.
“I do know,” he replied, his voice gentle. “Better than anyone, I know how men use women. Octavian may say all sorts of sweet words and treat you like a goddess when you’re alone. But he’s a man with all the same drives and flaws as other men. Be careful, Lady Robin.”
She frowned, trying to understand Pierce’s motives. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you saved my life too, and regardless of what you think of me, Iamgrateful. Let this be a way to repay you…a truth you need to hear.”
