Page 59 of An Enchanted Knight

No, she’d done the right thing. She would not say yes, not to his marriage proposal. Although, she wasn’t sure she could resist him when it came to any other type of proposition. Shivering, she recalled their intimate times together. How she missed his touch.

The maids were off for the evening, so hearing the front door close, she sat up to see who’d arrived. Edith called earlier to tell her she and Tristan were remaining in Edinburgh. She planned to continue his business lessons all day, visiting some of McRainey’s businesses. They’d stay in one of their Edinburgh homes for the night.

“Good evening, Gwen.” Derrick walked in, making a beeline for the couch she was sitting on, dropping next to her. He gave her a charismatic smile she suspected was the downfall of many women. “I wanted to assure you, I hold no grudge over the incident in the garden. I was out of line.”

“I’m glad,” she replied, placing the book between them. “Edith and Tristan are not home. They’re in Edinburgh.”

“Pity,” he told her, although his bright smile contradicted his statement. “Although, it gives me the opportunity to spend time with you. And get to know you better.”

What was the man up to? Gwen fidgeted, unsure what to do. Pulling her hair up, she repositioned her clip, allowing it to remain in a messy up-do.

Derrick seemed to sense her discomfort and stood to pour himself a drink. With his rather tall whiskey in hand, he began to tell her of his exploits while attending Harvard. Before long she began to relax, enjoying the man’s company.

Before long, both of them were laughing, comparing college stories. Gwen drank several glasses of wine. Admittedly, he could be charming when he wanted to.

“Goodness, it’s almost one-thirty in the morning,” Gwen told him, shaking her head. “I’d better get to bed.”

Derrick nodded in agreement. “I’m afraid I drank too much to drive home. I will sleep here as well. A shame really to sleep in that huge empty bed all by myself.” He leaned forward as if to kiss her, she turned away, laughing at his attempt.

He gave her a hurt look. “Gwen, a beautiful woman like you should never sleep alone.”

“I don’t always sleep alone,” she replied, arching a brow. “I do have to admit, I understand how you are rarely by yourself in bed.”

He bowed, smiling good-naturedly at her.

“Good night, Derrick,” she told him, making her way to her room.

“Yes, good night to you as well,” the response came.

Groggy, Gwen blinked as a sunray hit her face. She blinked, wondering why her curtain was thrown open. Rolling over to reach for her cell phone, she bumped into the man lying next to her.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Gwen shrieked at the still sleeping Derrick.

He sprang up, his hair standing comically all over his head. “What?”

“Get out of my bed, you beast!” She began beating the dazed man, who fell off the bed, yelping in pain.

“When did you sneak in here? I told you no!” She picked up her pillow and continued beating him, not allowing him to get up. Finally he stopped trying to sit up and covered his face with his arms.

“You will get out of this room, and you will never, and I repeat never speak to me again. Do you hear me?” Gwen was becoming winded, but didn’t stop the pillow beating.

“What in the bloody hell is your problem?” Derrick yelled at her. “I have a right to any room in this house.”

“The hell you do.” Tristan’s angry voice caused Gwen to freeze, the pillow above her head. Derrick also froze, his wide eyes looking up at the very angry man who proceeded to pick the younger McRainey up and toss him across the room like a rag doll.

“Oh, shit.” Gwen said, not sure what else fit the bill at a time like this.

Tristan crossed the room so swiftly he was a blur. Gwen jumped from the bed, managing to grab on to his arm as he reared back, his fist balled. Derrick was pinned against the wall, eyes bulging.

“Stop, Tristan. You’ll kill him.” Her feet lifted from the floor as he swung. But he managed to stop just as he was about to connect with Derrick’s jaw.

Tristan snarled in anger, his entire stance reminding her of his warrior training. “Do not leave. I will speak with you,” he gritted out, shoving Derrick toward the doorway. “If you leave, I will comb the world looking for you and when I find you…” He didn’t continue, as the younger McRainey held up his hands understanding.

Gwen released his arm, not sure what to do next. “You kept your strength.”

“It would seem so.” He looked her over as if to ensure she wasn’t hurt.

Hair mussed from sleeping, straps falling off her shoulders, she made for a bewitching sight. “Did he touch you?”