She shook her head. “Unless you count wanting him dead.”
He smothered his laugh as he turned back to Thorton. “It’s too bad she decided to be generous, Thorton. In my opinion, you deserved a dagger in your leg, at the least.” Grey wanted to kill the man for trying to force himself on her. Grey curled his fingers into fists. “If you ever touch her again, I’ll not be near as generous as the lady. But take heart, I know just where to strike with a dagger to make your death quick.” He touched the pulsing vein on Thorton’s neck. “My father considered teaching his sons all means of self-defense of the utmost importance.”
Thorton shoved Grey’s hand away. “I won’t forget this,” the man snarled.
“Neither will I,” Grey promised.
Thorton opened his mouth as if to say something else, and Grey raised the dagger challengingly. “Shall we test my lessons?”
Thorton spat on the floor and slammed out of the room. Grey gripped the dagger, trying to calm himself and slow the blood roaring in his ears and his painful heartbeat.
Lady Madelaine rested a hand on his arm. “You can release my dagger now, Lord Grey. He’s gone.”
Grey relaxed his hold and handed the dagger over. A witty reply laced with sexual innuendo was on the tip of his tongue, but when he looked into her warm, anxious eyes his witty reply was gone. “Were you afraid?”
“Yes. Were you?”
The honest admission and question surprised him. Honesty at Court was so novel. “I wasn’t afraid for myself.”
“For me?”
“Yes.” With a start he realized he was telling the truth not merely trying to seduce her. “What if I hadn’t been in the dining hall? What if Thorton had ravished you? I’d hate to think anyone had you against your will.”
Her cheeks redden. “I do try to avoid him.”
“You need to tell the queen.”
She shook her head.
Damnation. He understood. The queen disliked her. She could very well use the information against Lady Madelaine. And the other ladies-in-waiting definitely would. “Do you have a brother?”
“No.” She seemed amused by his questions. He ran a hand through his hair, wild thoughts careening in his head.
“What of your father?”
“I cannot disappoint him.” Grey nodded in understanding. She wouldn’t be the first lady abandoned at Court with the silent or sometimes explicit orders to not fail in finding a husband. “You need a protector.”
“Lord Grey, are you offering to protect me?” A look of disbelief crossed her delicate features.
“Certainly not.” He couldn’t seduce her if he vowed to protect her. But he couldn’t very well leave her to the likes of Thorton. He scratched at his head, trying to bring some semblance to his thoughts, but it was a lost cause. “I must admit I was surprised and gladdened to find you at Court.”
“Were you?”
The way her blush deepened like a cherry ready to be picked made him hard as stone. So deceptively innocent yet complex. He loved the puzzle she presented. “I was.” He moved closer and brushed a hand across her collarbone. She jerked in response. For a seductress, that was an odd response. Maybe this was the game she played? “You made an appearance in my dreams more nights than I should admit.”
Her lips parted as if his statement surprised her. Her acting abilities were superb. He ran a finger up her arm, gliding over fine silk and a gentle curve of muscle she must have developed from the sports she spoke of loving. His blood pounded thickly in his ears. “That was very naughty of you not to return to meet me in Golden Square as you promised, but I’ll forgive you since I realize you must have slipped away without asking. Is that true?”
She nodded, her pulse hammering at the base of her neck. Good. She was just as excited as he was.
“Will you keep my secret?” Her tongue wet her upper then lower lip causing him to harden further. This state had to be dangerous to his health. He needed release. Where could they possibly meet. Perhaps the stables? He could pay off the stable boys to disappear for a while. They would simply have to think of an excuse for her to slip away.
“I’ll keep your secret, for a price.” He pressed closer and reached to grasp her, but she skittered away and went around to the other side of the table. Her hands splayed against the dark grain as she stared at him.
“How disappointing, Lord Grey. For a moment, I thought you to be different from all the tedious men I’ve met at Court, but I see you are exactly the same.”
“Bite your tongue. I’m the same as no man. Meet me in the stable and I’ll prove it.”
Her eyebrows knitted together. “I’m afraid you have the wrong impression of me.”
