Page 40 of Lord of Misrule

“Nay!” He held up a hand. “I’ll do it. Just give me a chance.”

“Twelfth Night is approaching quickly. She’ll be gone from the castle before you get around to it if you don’t move a little quicker.”

“I’ve been busy. Father put me in charge of the Christmastide events.”

“Well, you’re not at Blake Castle to oversee things, are you?” She shook her head. “I only came along on the hunt to keep an eye on Kit and her son.”

“You didn’t think I’d protect them?”

“They’re back at camp now, and you’re here. That proves my point.”

“There is nothing to protect them from. Besides Jarvis and Oliver are with them.”

“We’ll bring back food from the hunt,” Raven told him. “You need to return and talk to Kit now while you have a chance to be alone with her. Don’t think Rook or Daegel are going to give you that chance you’re looking for. As soon as they return you will have missed your opportunity.”

“But I’m leading this hunting expedition. I need to bring back a kill.”

“You need to stop being so competitive and delegate authority when needed.”

“Do you really think so?” Tolin supposed that mayhap his sister had a point. He didn’t want to waste this opportunity.

“I know so. Now go. We’ll be back soon with enough meat that we won’t have to spend two nights in the cold.”

“Mayhap I will return to camp after all. Just to keep an eye on Kit and the boy. Kit seemed nervous that I was leaving them.”

“She needs you.”

“I’m not sure about that, but I’d like to think so. Kit is a very independent woman. I’ve never met anyone like her before.”

“What’s taking you two so long?” Daegel shouted from up ahead. “I could crawl faster than you’re riding.”

“See you back at camp.” Raven sped off to join her brothers and the rest of the hunting party.

Tolin looked one way and the then the other, not knowing what to do. “What the hell. I just hate it when Raven is right.” He turned his horse and rode back to camp. When he got there he found Kit down on her knees trying to build a fire. She looked up as he rode into camp.

“Lord Tolin?” She got up and brushed off her hands. “Why are you back so soon?”

“Where is everyone?” He dismounted and looked around.

“Jarvis went out to collect firewood with Parker. Oliver has the pack horses down by the creek, watering them.”

Perfect, he thought. He would finally have a minute alone with her. “Let me help you with that.” He walked over and hunkered down and restacked the sticks.

Kit watched as Tolin started a fire with little to no effort at all.

“There you go.” Still hunkered down, he rested one arm on his knee, watching the fire. The flames glowed, lighting up his face, making him look even more handsome. His rugged body was clothed in a tunic covered by a surcoat and cloak. His breeches were tight, clinging to his sturdy legs. The breeze picked up, blowing his long black hair back behind his shoulders. Snowflakes continued to flutter in the air, settling atop him in a dusting of white.

“Thank you,” she said in a mere whisper.

“Bring me some more kindling. We need to keep the fire going until they return with more wood.” He held out his hand.

Kit picked up a few dry sticks and hunkered down next to him, breaking them up and tossing them into the fire.

“You never told me why you left the hunting party and returned here.” She wanted to think it was because of her, but it was too bold to even imagine.

“I have my reasons.” He stood up and brushed his hands together. Then he looked around and rolled a log over for them to sit on. “Have a seat by the fire and warm up. You look cold.” He nodded at the log and held out his hand to help her.

“I’m not cold,” she told him, feeling warm and alive when she was around him.