Armored Hearts by Melissa Turner Lee

the stupid, frivolous fabric from around his neck. Tabitha usually tied them for him. Another reminder of all that he faced.
    A gentle knock sounded at the door.
    Gareth wadded the cravat into a crumpled mess and threw it across the room. “To hell with you!”
    The door opened. “‘Come in,’ is what we say in America. You’ll have to help me with English etiquette when we entertain guests or I’ll get it all wrong for sure.” The melodic voice swept into the room uninvited, just like its owner. Jessamine shut the door behind her and blinked at Gareth. “You’re standing?”
    “Here it is customary to wait until granted entrance before barging into a room. I might have been indecent.” Gareth continued facing forward, choosing to glare at her from his reflection while keeping his back to her. “And yes, I can stand. I simply cannot walk.”
    Jessamine padded across the floor in slippered feet, heading for Gareth. “I just wanted to have a talk with you before dinner. There’s something I think I should tell you.” Jessamine’s dark eyes widened as she noticed the cravat on the floor. Her pink dress rustled as she bent to retrieve it. Her décolletage was a bit lower he’d seen, as was customary for evening dresses. Still respectable, but the combined effect of her corset and her bending allowed Gareth to steal a view of her womanly endowments. He had to glance away so he could think and remember why he didn’t want her around.
    “Miss Keller, it really isn’t proper for you to be in my chamber with the door closed. I suggest that whatever you need to say can wait until we are at dinner or in one of the common rooms with an open door.”
    Jessamine continued on her path to Gareth, stepping between him and the mirror. Her floral scent replaced the air as he breathed. His mind felt as if he’d had too much to drink when she stood so close. The warmth of her body radiated from her and the memory of holding her rushed in, making his hands want to reach for her. Gareth cleared his throat. “Miss Keller, please leave before your father discovers you here.”
    Jessamine reached up and placed the cravat around Gareth’s neck, bringing her face just inches from his as she stretched up on her toes. Her large, dark eyes teased him, and she smiled. “And what will he do if he finds us here? Force a hasty marriage upon us?”
    Gareth returned a stern look at her comment.
    Jessamine giggled as she arranged Gareth’s cravat and straightened his collar. “I’m sorry, but what I need to tell you is of the utmost importance and isn’t for other ears. I know you aren’t pleased with this match between us. I’m hoping that in time you might soften toward me. But it will never happen if we keep secrets from each other.” Her eyes no longer teased as she looked up at Gareth. “Last night I went out for a walk after everyone was in bed. My reasons were twofold. I wanted to share the good news of our engagement with my cousin—”
    “Good news indeed,” Gareth interrupted.
    Jessamine pursed her lips but continued. “Anyway, my second purpose…I was hoping to get a glimpse of the Flying Knight. I failed at the first reason, but…I did more than succeed in the other.”
    Gareth hadn’t expected this confession and wasn’t sure how to respond. He forced what he hoped looked like an expression of disbelief. “You saw the Flying Knight? Are you certain it wasn’t a bat?” He raised one eyebrow in mocking disbelief for effect.
    Jessamine’s hands went to her hips. “You don’t believe me?” Her lips parted in a look of astonishment.
    “I think it’s preposterous. How could you have seen this phantom during your short visit to the shire, when neither I nor anyone else in our household has ever seen him? He’s always spotted by the overly imaginative or simpletons.” Gareth shook his head. “On second thought, it makes perfect sense that you spotted him.”
    Jessamine narrowed her eyes and shot him a look