Free Ginny Hartman by To Guard Her Heart

and rose forth to burst from her mouth. She had never seen Brigit so angry, so purple-faced before and defying her so openly felt so liberating. Well mayhap it hadn't been her that had directly defied Brigit, but still, it felt good nonetheless.
    When her amusement at the situation finally abated, she focused her concentration on holding tightly to the pommel of the saddle while they furiously rode further and further away from Herfordshire Castle, her many questions for the defender having to wait until he slowed the horse's pace.
    She wasn't sure how long they rode, but the further they got away from her home, the more distracted she became by the stranger sitting behind her. His arms were covered with the black material of his defenders tunic, but his hands were lean and strong, as he expertly guided his destrier. She took her time inspecting what little of his body she could see from her position in front of him. She could feel the strength of his legs as his muscular thighs held tightly to her sides. She looked down at the gray hose covering those magnificent legs and noticed several splatters of blood. She cringed, wondering briefly if he was aware of the stains, or why he hadn't bothered changing into clean attire before coming for her. She shrugged the small detail off, knowing that she wasn't one to judge another for their unkempt appearance, knowing very well that her own appearance was often lacking.
    When the horse finally slowed, Rosalind adjusted herself in the saddle, attempting to look up into the defender's face. He was so handsome; her heart did a funny little flip in her chest, beating out an erratic cadence against her ribs. She tried to ignore it, as she asked, “Are you seriously planning on escorting me all the way to Peltis without my chambermaid?”
    The defender pulled back on the reins, slowing them almost to a stop. “It would appear so. I certainly don't intend to go back and retrieve her.”
    “My parents will be furious when they find out.”
    A steely look passed over his face, but only just briefly. “King Cedric instructed me to retrieve you and deliver you to Peltis.  He never specified that I bring along your entire castle staff as well.”
    Rosalind smiled. “One chambermaid doesn't exactly constitute the entire staff of Herfordshire Castle.”
    The defender just shrugged, completely unapologetic for his actions. And truthfully, Rosalind wasn't offended by his actions in the least. The rebellious streak that had always seemed to reside in her rejoiced at the prospect of an adventure, however brief it may be. When it became clear that the defender had nothing else to say, she asked him curiously, “Since we are to spend the next several days together, may I inquire as to how I should address you?”
    “My name is Terric de Valles.”
    “Terric,” she said, testing it out on her tongue, liking the way it sounded.
    Another spell of silence ensued before she spoke once more. “Tell me Terric, why would King Cedric see fit to send his lead defender to escort me to my parents?”
    She felt him stiffen behind her, as he brought the horse to a complete halt and slid effortlessly from the saddle. Once he was planted firmly on the ground, he looked up at her through his helmet and said, “I'm just doing as I have been instructed.”
    Rosalind didn't wait for him to assist her. As she slid from the horse, Terric reached up and steadied her with his hands, guiding her safely to the ground. “Do you always do as you are instructed?” she asked him.
    “I do,” came his firm reply.
    “Of course you do, you wouldn't be the High King's lead defender if you didn't.”
    “Do you view that as a weakness, Your Highness?”
    Rosalind looked up at him, wishing he would take off his helmet so she could search his face. She thought about his question before answering him. She knew that she herself often struggled with complying to every instruction bestowed upon her. Her disregard for her