Free Heart of the Flame by Lara Adrián

taken ill."
    "Oh," Haven began, not the least bit eager to put herself in such close company with the brooding lord. "I'm sure that will not be necessary..."
    "Nonsense," Ariana said, smiling. "Kenrick, you wouldn't mind terribly, would you?"
    He shot her a look that said he could name a hundred things he would sooner do, but his voice betrayed none of his reluctance. "It would be my pleasure to walk with Lady Haven for a while."
    "Excellent," Ariana replied. "Perhaps you might show Haven the gardens. They have begun to bloom quite nicely just this past week alone."
    "The gardens?" Kenrick echoed.
    "Aye. A lovely idea, don't you think?" A teasing sparkle lit Ariana's gaze. "I trust you know where they are--just around the other side of the keep?"
    "I will manage," he said, studying his sister's bright expression with a scowl beginning to knit his brow. To Haven he said, "I wonder if my sister thinks I might take you to the dungeon instead?"
    Ariana shook her head at him in exasperation. With a sigh, she put her hand on his broad shoulder and rose up to kiss his cheek.
    "Be nice," she whispered next to his ear, and then she was off.
    Haven could only watch in bemused wonder as Ariana and her husband made their good-byes and strode away hand-in-hand, leaving her to the dubious company of Kenrick of Clairmont.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    Kenrick had not at all been of a mind to take a leisure stroll about the grounds--with or without his pretty guest at his side. His work awaited in his solar, along with countless other more critical tasks than this unwanted play of accommodating host that had suddenly been foisted upon him by his well-meaning sister.
    It was uncustomary enough for him to leave his studying behind to train in the yard, but he had awoken that morning with an itch to use his muscles. When Braedon had suggested a quick spar, Kenrick eagerly agreed.
    Rare or not, he had not expected his appearance in Clairmont's bailey to draw such an avid audience, least of all Haven. Her presence among the ring of spectators had jolted him in a most peculiar way, the beauty of her face and the nearly physical weight of her clear emerald gaze watching him through the crowd catching him unawares.
    Seeing her had put an unexpected tightness in his chest, and in points decidedly lower.
    Kenrick cleared his throat.
    "This way," he said to her, gesturing for her to walk at his side.
    Although his tone conveyed only the barest edge of impatience, Haven hesitated to move. "Really, you needn't trouble yourself to walk with me now. I'm sure you must have any number of things awaiting your attention--"
    "Nothing that will not remain when I return," he said, uncertain why he did not take her offered leave when it had been all the excuse he sought not a moment before. He lingered, perhaps because she seemed uninterested in his company. Averse to it. "Have you no wish to walk with me, demoiselle?"
    She considered his query for longer than he might have guessed, her small white teeth sinking into her lower lip as she stared up at him. She smiled then, slowly, and more polite than welcoming. "I would not presume to wish you here or away, Lord Kenrick. I meant only that the choice was yours."
    "Very well. Then let us walk, Lady Haven."
    She gave him a small nod, then began their stroll in thoughtful silence.
    It was difficult to imagine that the malodorous, half-expired waif he rescued on Greycliff's rocky promontory was the same maiden who strode so gracefully beside him, her spine erect and proud, her regal gait showing only the slightest hint of effort. Garbed in a silk cotte that accentuated her every curve, her fiery locks swept back in a loose braid and carrying the scent of floral soap and lush spices, Haven looked as fine as any noble lady. The sallow, helpless wildling was good and gone, as if it had never existed. In her place was a woman of exceeding appeal, and no small amount of mystery.
    Try as he might to hold