Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(223)

He nodded his approval. “And you did,” he said. “I shall wait with you until your father returns. That is the least I can do for the woman who saved her sister.”

Courtly was back to laughing softly, now feeling giddy in his presence. She’d never felt giddy in her entire life so this was something new and rather thrilling. Contrary to their embarrassing introduction, she was quickly overcoming it and was now feeling at ease with the man. He was kind and considerate. She rather liked talking to him.

“Truly, that is not necessary,” she said. “I am sure my father will return any moment.”

Maximus simply nodded. “And I will leave when he comes,” he said, eyeing her. “But not before.”

Courtly wasn’t sure what to say to that; she was very flattered that he should take it upon himself to remain with her until her father returned. She wanted to pretend he was doing it because there was something about her personally that he liked, not simply because he felt a sense of chivalry towards her, but it was a foolish hope and she knew it. Still, it was fun to pretend. She would probably never see him again after this so she would take what time she could with him, a handsome and honorable knight of the highest order, and make the most of it.

“You are kind, my lord,” she said, looking away rather coyly when he turned his gaze to her. “Now I am feeling quite guilty for having called you a foul beast. You are nothing of the kind.”

Maximus suppressed a grin. “You have already apologized for that.”

She glanced at him. “I realize that, but I want to make sure you understand that I am truly sorry,” she said, but then her focus moved to the building in front of them, now a heap of flaming ruins. She sighed faintly. “Oh, dear… all of our possessions were in there. I did not even have time to throw them into the street. I suppose I really did not think to because it all happened so fast.”

Garran, standing on the other side of the ladies, heard her. “Mayhap it is good that you did not, my lady,” he said. “There were thieves running off with the possessions that had been thrown out into the streets. Had they run off with yours, we would have had to tear apart the northern end of the city looking for them.”

Courtly looked at the big, broad knight with the black eyes. “I would not have asked that of you, I assure you,” she said. “But I find it quite sad that people must steal because they do not have food to eat or clothing to wear. That is why they steal, you know. They have nothing else.”

Garran glanced at Maximus over the lady’s blonde head, seeing his own thoughts reflected in Maximus’ eyes. She is na?ve, this one. A crystal princess raised in a crystal palace with the only true grasp of the world being what she had been told. Women such as Lady Courtly rarely had a true idea of the evils of the world, protected as they were. Garran cleared his throat politely.

“Mayhap, my lady,” he replied. “But it is also equally as likely that they are simply greedy or wicked. It could be any number of reasons.”

Courtly was still watching the smoldering ruins. “Poverty does terrible things to people.”

Maximus was looking at her; there was something sad in her tone. “Poverty and greed drive men to do bold and wicked things,” he said, changing the subject because he didn’t want to debate the morals of mankind with her. He’d seen far more than this guileless lady could ever lay claim to. “I seem to recall that the de Laras have a townhome in Oxford. Why is it that you did not stay there instead of this hostel?”

If Courtly noticed the obvious change in focus, and she would have had to have been daft not to, she didn’t comment on it. She smiled politely.

“You know a great deal about us, Sir Maximus,” she said. “I wonder what else you know?”

He gave her a half-grin. “I have always been one to remember tiny little details,” he said. “Once I hear or read something, I never forget it. It is a gift or a curse, depending on how one looks at it.”

“How do you look at it?”

“It depends upon the information.”

Courtly’s smile turned genuine. “I think it is a wonderful gift,” she said. “As for the de Lara home, we have one in Kennington, which is a few miles south of Oxford. However, my father’s sister is in residence right now and he dislikes her intensely, so we must stay in town.”

Maximus snorted. “I had an uncle like that,” he muttered. “My father could not stand to be around him for a variety of reasons. He is the uncle that we used to… well, it does not matter what we used to do. In any case, it is a pity your stay in town resulted in the loss of your possessions but at least you retained your lives. That is what matters most, is it not?”

Courtly was watching him intently. “What did you used to do to your uncle?”

Maximus shook his head. “Childhood antics, my lady. Not worth mentioning.”

“Will you tell me if I ask very nicely?”

“Nay.”

“Why not?”

“Because we were terrible children and I do not want you to think ill of me.”

Courtly laughed softly. “I would never do that,” she said, a mischievous glimmer in her eye. “I will beg you if I have to.”

“Do not beg.”

“I will. I am about to do it. I swear, I will.”