“Get off my sister!” Mika demanded huffing. He stood by the pair with his hands on his hips and a frown on his face. Sister? Branton peered down at the thief with narrowed eyes and frowned, confusion crossed his brows. How had he ever mistaken her for a boy? Her hat had tumbled off her head and her rust red curls spilled out over her dirty face to pool around her shoulders. Blue eyes blazed with an alluring mix of shock and amusement. Or at least he hoped it was amusement. She even felt soft and small underneath him. Jumping away as if he had been burned, he pulled her to her feet so fast he had to catch her before she stumbled forward. Releasing her, he nimbly stepped away. She brushed herself off as she stared at him through downcast eyes. What was she playing at?
“I’m sorry. I thought...” he paused and looked back and forth between the two. The boy smiled and looked as if he was holding in a laugh whereas the girl had a straight face.
“As you should have, sir,” she said. “My acting is great!” She shoved her hair up under the cap. Disappointment wasn’t new, but he still felt a jolt as it kicked him. Her hair was lovely and he found that he wanted to crush the curls between his fingers. He had to fight back the urge to kiss her dust covered lips. Mentally grounding the thought out of his head, he shook his head to ward off the foreign feelings invading his mind.
“You are not! He believed me, not you!” The lord flashed a smile and gave a theatrical bow. Sister and Brother? Could she be the hidden neighbor he had yet to meet? What were their names? Mika and … A single strand of hair slipped out, waving at him in the breeze. Copper.
“You helped, but you’re not very convincing,” she taunted.
“I thought you were both good,” Branton broke in, not knowing whether they were playing or not. For the first time in his life he felt out of place in the drama that was unfolding in front of him. He found himself amused. It had been so long since he had found himself amused.
“Are you hurt?” Mika asked his sister suddenly serious, as if Branton wasn’t standing next to them. Mika had stepped closer to take a look at her.
“Yes, of course I’m fine,” she said brushing him off, pushing him away. “It takes more than the likes of him to do me harm.”
“Who are you?” Mika asked turning his attention back to the mysterious rider.
“You can call me Branton.” He bowed with a smile. A twinkle lit his eyes. He couldn’t believe that he met someone who didn’t know him. “Who are you?”
“Nice to make your acquaintance sir. This is Mika and I’m Copper.” Mika kept his mouth shut as he stared at the other man. His eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. This didn’t go unnoticed to Branton. Was he not supposed to know who they were?
“Very nice to meet you both. Allow me to walk you home milady.” He offered his arm to her and she looked at him strangely. Crossing her arms over her chest, she was plainly ignoring his offer. Cocking his head to the side, he dropped his arm. No one refused him. Ever! This was definitely getting more interesting by the minute.
“Oh please. I don’t need a body guard or a babysitter, thank you,” she said crossly. Something about her intrigued him.
“Copper, be nice to Viscount Bannister. I’m sorry my lord, she doesn’t understand her place as of yet. She needs to be set right. A matter I will attend to as soon as possible.” The outward calm Mika projected didn’t fool Branton. He could see the worry etched across his face.
“Bannister?” she asked surprised. “What’s a Bannister doing alone in the countryside? Aren’t you supposed to be drinking tea with the Duke or something?” Branton let out a laugh as Mika tried to put a hand over Copper’s mouth.
“Aww… you bit me,” he yelled at his sister. His hand waved wildly at his side.
“What’s so funny?” She looked at her brother crossly. “What do you mean I need to learn my place? How dare you.” Mika backed off with his hands raised and looked at Branton.
“I would say she does need to be taught her place, Mika. Milady, I find it most interesting your father lets you out this way,” he said referring to her breeches. Copper’s eyes grew wide and her mouth tightened. Mika put a hand on her arm protectively. “I see. So he doesn’t know you’re out and about then. Very interesting indeed.”
“You mustn’t tell him about this sir. I beg you,” Copper blurted out her voice shaking on the verge of terror. “Please.” Her eyes blazed so intensely he was captivated by them. Jolts of feelings coursed through him at her begging. She was soft and female in that moment and she needed him. Something inside him wanted to capture that female part of her and never let her go. He shook his mind free as a vivid image appeared in his head of her laying at his feet with her hair tumbling over her sun kissed skin. I must have knocked myself silly, he began to think again, for she really wasn’t very pretty. She was small and couldn’t be more than 14 or 15. How old was she?
“Our father would punish her sir, and I can’t allow that to happen. You must understand,” Mika said. Branton didn’t think anyone could harm such a spirited woman, but he played along. A mix of confusing feelings swarmed his senses that he couldn’t sort out. No one had ever affected him as she was.
“Okay, but I want a favor in return for my silence Lady Aertes.”
“How did you know my name?” she demanded.
“Rumors travel both ways. Just as your brother knew me through reputation, I know of my neighbors as well.”
“What kind of favor?” she asked cautiously biting on her lower lip as her brother narrowed his eyes. Favors among the nobility could get sticky and usually resulted in deeper amounts of debt, but what he wanted would be debt free.
“I would like you and your brother to come to dinner at my father’s estate within a fortnight. I will send invitations to your father as is the normal ritual. I would like to get to know you, Mika and look forward to putting the past behind our families. It has actually been on my to-do list for quite some time now.”
“If it pleases you to have us sir,” Mika agreed. Branton could see the internal struggle warring inside him. Copper bit her lip harder, pulling at her tunic with frustration. Did she have more to say?
“Brilliant, then I will look forward to making your acquaintance for the first time.” He mounted his horse and smiled. “Good day sir, milady.”