Through Gypsy Eyes by Killarney Sheffield

her guilty conscience she forced a stiff smile to her lips. “No, there is nothing, my lord, thank you for asking.”
    “Oh.”
    Was his response one of relief or disappointment? She couldn’t discern. They continued down the path in unnerving silence for a while.
    Coming to an abrupt halt the earl rotated to take both her hands in his. “You will not hesitate to come to me if you should need me … I mean, need anything?”
    “Of course, my lord.” His breath tickled her forehead. For a moment she wondered why his breath always smelled so sweet. Did he chew mint leaves? Perhaps it was some kind of soap he used. She sniffed before she could help herself. No, there was a mild vanilla scent of soap to him, beneath the herb.
    He chuckled. “Do you enjoy my scent?”
    Heat flooded her face and she shrugged from his light grip. “I just wondered why you always smell of mint.”
    “I drink it seeped into a tea.”
    “Oh.” She puzzled his answer for a moment. “I would have thought you would drink something stronger, my lord.”
    “Stronger? No, I dislike most spirits and liquor. Mint is good for the digestion I hear. Why is it you always smell delightfully of citrus?”
    Pleasure at his notice curved her lips. “I love oranges. I eat one every day and have the juice infused in the special soap I use for my hair. It keeps my locks clean and easier to untangle.”
    “I shall remember that,” he murmured.
    Would he? Silence stretched between them and Delilah fidgeted with the ribbon on her sleeve. “Is there something else, my lord?”
    “I just wondered if perhaps you would care to read for a while? It is so nice a day out … ”
    Since Delilah could think of no suitable excuse and she was eager to hear the rest of the story she nodded. Besides, it seemed safe enough to admit to herself that she rather enjoyed sitting with him. As they seated themselves on a bench by the path she pondered her conflicting emotions.
He is not the enemy anymore. By accepting the baron’s false suit I vanquished the earl from foe to friend, have I not?
Still, if it was not for him I would not have had to even consider the idea of marriage.
She groaned internally.
Either he is a friend or a foe, he cannot be both. Maybe I really am noddy.
    “Now, let’s see, where did we leave off last time?”
    Casting her thoughts aside she redirected her attention to the story. “We were at the part where the pirate captain was about to make the hero walk the plank into the shark filled waters below.” A small shiver of excitement stole up Delilah’s spine.
    “Ah, right, here we are. A most exciting part to be sure. John stepped to the end of the plank, the captain’s sword point resting between his shoulder blades and looked down at the churning water … ”
    Delilah lost herself in the tale, the earl’s smooth voice adding to her enjoyment.
    • • •
    The earl closed the book with a slight snap. “Shall we leave off there for today?”
    “I suppose, though I am dying to know how John is going to escape from the collapsed tomb. He must save his love, Maria, for if he does not it will be a most disappointing tale.”
    Lord Frost chuckled. “Ah, so you do have a romantic streak, Miss Daysland.”
    “Of course, every woman desires romance.”
    His voice softened. “Do you desire romantic gestures from the baron, Delilah?”
    Delilah bit her lip. “No. I mean, perhaps under different circumstances. There is nothing romantic about being forced to marry, my lord.”
    A hint of regret colored his reply. “I am sorry this match is not the one every lady dreams of. It was not my intention to force you into anything you did not desire. Marriage is a necessity for you under the circumstances.”
    “In the king’s eyes only.” She struggled to keep her tears of frustration at bay. “It is simply not fair that I do not have a say in the matter. My father did not seek to see me wed, why should the king care?”
    Silence stretched between