Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 32461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
He hadn’t expected the question to startle her, but it did. Her eyes widened slightly and she took a step back. That intrigued him.
Creagan pushed away from the wall and moved toward her, taking his time. He had known enough women to recognize when one was uncomfortable, interested, frightened, or trying desperately to hide what she felt. Eudora was proving far more difficult to read, and he found himself enjoying the challenge.
She stood straight, too straight, her fingers curling slightly against the folds of her purple gown. Something about him troubled her. Or perhaps it was what she needed from him.
His gaze lingered on her face. She was a beautiful woman, though he suspected few men had the courage to tell her so. Her violet eyes alone could hold a man's attention, or intimidate, and that long dark hair, intricately braided and secured at the back of her head, had already made him wonder how it would look falling loose around her.
He wondered again now.
Eudora caught him staring. “You have something to say?”
Creagan smiled. “Nay.”
“You're staring at me.”
“I've been told it's rude not to look at the queen when she speaks.”
“I wasn't speaking.”
“Then perhaps I was simply enjoying the view.”
She shook her head. “Do you ever stop?”
“Looking at beautiful women?” he asked with a smile that easily drew women to him.
“Flirting.”
“Not when I'm enjoying myself.”
“And are you?”
“Very much.”
She turned away from him, but not before he caught the faintest change in her expression.
He stepped closer. “You still haven't answered my question.”
“Which one? You've asked so many.”
“Why summon me?”
Her gaze returned to him, and this time he was certain he saw something there before she concealed it. Then she paused as if unsure if she should speak.
“Because I need you.”
The simple words affected him far more than they should have. Women had wanted him. Many had told him so. He'd enjoyed them and they'd enjoyed him, and neither expected anything once they parted. But Eudora hadn't said she wanted him. She said she needed him and for some inexplicable reason, he liked hearing it.
His smile turned sinful. “Careful, my queen. A man could take those words the wrong way.”
Her cheeks colored ever so slightly.
Creagan stared. Queen Eudora, who could silence a Great Hall with a look, had actually blushed. His smile broadened.
“Be careful, Creagan,” she warned.
“I haven't said anything.”
“You don't need to. That ridiculous smile says enough.”
“I rather like my smile.”
“I imagine you do.”
“Women seem to like it as well.”
“Then perhaps you should go find one of them.”
“Is that a command?” he challenged.
“Nay,” she was quick to say.
“A pity.” He chuckled. “That one I would have enjoyed obeying.”
She shook her head again and walked toward the window.
Creagan watched her go, but his amusement slowly faded. The exchange had distracted him for a moment from what he had seen in her eyes.
Concern.
Whatever she wanted from him was troubling her deeply.
“Torden warned me not to underestimate you.”
“He was wise to do so.”
“He also said there was more to whatever you command than what you say.”
Eudora turned sharply. “Torden was told not to discuss his task.”
“He didn't. He simply told me what he observed.” Creagan paused. “And I observe far more than Torden does.”
“I somehow doubt that.”
“You shouldn't,” he cautioned and moved closer again, stopping a few feet from her. “Tell me what you need.”
Instead of answering, she surprised him with a question of her own.
“What do you need, Creagan?”
The answer should have come easily. Wine. A comfortable bed. A willing woman. All things he had enjoyed and would happily enjoy again. Instead, he thought of Fay and Tate. Their farm. Their children running to greet him. He remembered holding Peter and Jennie when they were newborns, their tiny bodies fitting easily in arms strong enough to wield a sword.
And with the memory came the same realization he'd tried not to dwell upon since leaving them. He wanted that. A home that was his. A woman who waited for him there. Bairns who ran to him because he was their father and not merely a welcome visitor passing through.
The longing struck harder than it had before. Maybe because he did not want to admit that those things were not meant to be for him in this life.
Creagan glanced at Eudora and found her watching him, too closely.
He smiled. “I need very little.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I think you avoid the question.”
“I learned from you.”
“Nay.” She continued to study him. “You thought about your answer.”
That surprised him. Perhaps he wasn't the only one observing more than he let on.
“And what does that tell you?” he asked.
“That there is something you want very much and have no intention of telling me.”
His smile remained, but for once it took effort. “Perhaps I simply decided a man should keep some secrets.”
“And yet you expect me to reveal mine.”
“You summoned me. That gives me an unfair advantage.”