Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(39)

"What if I choose one you especially love?"

"Then I'll especially love seeing it on you during the best day of your life."

Mary stood mute for a moment, then flung herself into Isabel's arms. "Oh, mum, this is the nicest thing anyone has e'er done for me."

Isabel hugged her back, feeling tears attempting to spill from her own eyes. "I am so happy to do this small thing, Mary. And now let's pick out a dress."

She looked up and went still when she found Arthur lounging in the doorway, arms crossed, staring at her intently. She wondered if she was in big trouble for stepping over some kind of line until his lips lifted in a slow smile. He nodded.

She returned a shaky smile, then gave him the "shoo-shoo" gesture so he wouldn't freak Mary out. He nodded and retreated, but not before mouthing, "I shall return shortly." Whether to chew her out or kiss her, she had no idea. She didn't care. Just having him back was good enough for her.

Chapter Thirteen

TRUE to his word, Arthur returned less than an hour later. "May I enter, Countess?"

She finished brushing - or twigging - her teeth, stuffed a bunch of mint in her mouth and turned. "Yes, sir, you may."

"Has the vow-day dress been decided upon?"

"After a little argument over color, it has indeed."

"Color?" he asked, as he walked in, a flask of wine and two goblets in his hands.

"She had her heart set on the red, but I talked her into the green. The red kind of clashed with her hair. The green complimented her coloring much better."

He set the goblets down and filled them. "I believe you have a better eye for such things than most." He handed her one of the goblets.

"How long were you standing there?" Isabel asked, accepting the wine.

"Long enough to recognize why I have these feelings for you, Izzy."

She lowered her head hiding her grin. "You do know I only afford those closest to me to call me Izzy."

"I do."

"So you are assuming I have allowed you into my circle of closest friends?"

"I have high hopes, and so I am taking the chance. Have ne'er waited in my life to be invited. I have this tendency to barge in. 'Tis a terrible fault of mine."

"Yes, you brute!"

"My belief, beautiful lady, is that you can handle the brute."

The look in his eyes told her his intentions were so very not honorable. Which was as sexy as sexy could be.

She backed up. "Mary could return at any moment."

"She could," he said as he backed up and kicked the door closed and then turned the lock. "But she would have a very terrible time entering."

"I don't suppose you put the Do Not Disturb sign out there?"

"No one will disturb us. At the risk of being beheaded."

Isabel gulped. "You're teasing, yes?"

"You tell me, Isabel. Am I teasing?"

"You would never hurt anyone like that. So, yes, I know you're teasing."

He held up his goblet. "To the most unusual woman I have e'er met, Isabel. And the most full of heart and care and passion. I am so happy to have met you."

They clinked and drank, and then she answered, "And to the most compassionate and loving man I have ever met, Arthur. This journey has been strange and long, but had I not traveled it, and not met you, I feel it would have been such a loss. You really have been a new treasure to me."

They sipped again, green eyes locked on blue.

Then they sat in the respective chairs, which was probably a much better idea than throwing the goblets aside and jumping into bed. Although she wasn't quite certain at the moment why that was a better idea.

"You entrance me, Isabel," Arthur said. "Everything about you calls to me. I will not deny it. I also will make no apologies for it. This feeling is somewhat beyond my ken. I happened to be at the door from near the moment you wanted to do something special for Mary. 'Twas very special. As are you."

She sipped her wine again. "As was I with Mary's news that you had ordered your men to clean up for James and Mary's wedding. It was a wonderful thing for you to do."

"First, I did not order it, Isabel. I merely suggested. In battle, I order. At Camelot, I suggest."

She nodded. "Also that Gwen suggested that the men pay her for her services."

"We have always encouraged all of our people to offer services for pay." He waved a hand. "Should a person provide a special service, should he or she not be awarded for such? Seems only fair. There must be a name for such a practice, but I know not what it would be."

"In my land it is called capitalism."

"I have ne'er heard of such, but any word will do."

"Whatever. I thank you and Gwen for promoting capitalism. It honestly makes your men and women work harder at their tasks, and be rewarded."

"I would like to hear your suggestions of how to bring more of this capitalism into the workings of the castle."

"Right now?"

"No, not at this very moment. At this moment I would very much enjoy hearing more tales of you."

She shook her head. "I have blabbed on too far. You must reciprocate. Tell me something about you." She grinned. "Something you haven't told another soul."