“Nay, Chloe. No word from Falconburg. ’Tis a treacherous time for travel,” Richard said gruffly.

Chloe had accepted that it might be several months before a reply came from Falconburg, but she’d asked anyway, hoping to meet her great-aunt.

After her adventure, she knew trying to make the journey alone would be dangerous. In the meantime, she’d make the best of things, make herself useful, and soak in every detail for when she went home and told her family about her trip. But if she couldn’t go back…or decided not to…?

The lack of the familiar sharp pain in her heart startled Chloe. She knew how worried her family must be. Had they even considered she’d traveled back in time?

When she was little, she’d told them she was going to go back and meet her great-aunts. Who knew it would come true? If only she could get a message to them. Gram had told her how the not knowing was the worst. First when she’d lost Granda, and then later when her nieces disappeared.

For the first time since arriving a few weeks ago, Chloe was conflicted. Going back to the future meant leaving him.

He was the first guy she’d met who was quieter than her. At first he’d terrified her, but now she tried to get him to talk. And when they sat in front of the fire, like tonight, the silences were comfortable, not awkward, like when she’d gone out with a friend of Sara Beth’s current crush. It was a disaster. Dating was hard. Being with Richard was easy, except when he was being a pigheaded idiot.

The days fell into a routine. Chloe would get up and eat, then gather the kids to do chores, with treats awarded at the end of the week for whoever did the best work.

After dinner, she and Richard would walk and get to know each other better, and then she’d take a nap or play with the animals until supper. They would talk, and occasionally Richard would laugh. After supper, she had been teaching the kids the alphabet. Later she’d teach them to read if she was still here. It kept her occupied until it was time to go to bed. He would escort her to her chamber, linger outside the door…but Richard still hadn’t kissed her. What was he waiting for? Maybe he only liked her as a friend?

It had been raining all day, so she and a few of the kids had been busy exploring every nook and cranny of the castle from top to bottom. Chloe’s stomach rumbled.

“We missed dinner.” Wade looked forlorn.

His sister, Maron, sniffed. “Aye, but I smell supper.”

“I do too.” Chloe grinned. “Come on, I’ll race you.” And she set off running down the hallway, the kids on her heels.

They skidded to a stop in the hall and went to their places at the tables. Richard stopped cutting his meat and sniffed. “What have you been doing? You reek.”

She discreetly sniffed and agreed, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. The man still had atrocious manners. “That isn’t a very nice thing to say.”

He reached up and wiped her cheek. “Nay? ’Tis true. You are covered in dirt. Have you been playing with the piglets again?”

She stuck her tongue out at him, happy when he chuckled. “If you must know, we were exploring. You’ll never guess what we found.” She pretended she was extremely interested in watching the kids while she waited.

His nose touched her ear, making her jump. “Tell me,” he said so low that only she could hear. His deep voice sent shivers through her. He sounded like one of her favorite country singers, Kane Brown.

“There is a hidden room on the fourth floor near the tower.” She turned to face him.

He frowned. “I have not found such a chamber.”

“Of course not; it’s a secret room. Robin leaned against the hearth, there was a click, and the wall opened up.” She was so excited that she could hardly stand it.

“Truly?”

She rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you excited? Don’t you want to know what we found?”

This time he smiled. “Gold.”

“No. But almost as good.” She was starving, so she took a few bites of the meat, making him wait while she chewed, enjoying watching him fidget. She swallowed then took a leisurely sip of wine before he put a hand on her arm.

“Tell me. Do not make me wait.” He was wearing a chestnut-brown tunic and hose that made the copper stand out in his hair. Even with the scars, he looked like a fallen fae prince. Chloe barely noticed them anymore.

“We found several tapestries and a few pieces of furniture. But only one rug.” She sighed. “I was hoping for a few more rugs. The floors are so cold.”

“Rugs cost money. I will not squander hard-earned gold for pretty trinkets.”

“Hair ribbons are trinkets. Rugs are not. You should be comfortable. Your hall doesn’t have to be as dismal as your mood.” She glared at him. “Big jerk,” she mumbled.

“Jerk?” he said.

“Oh, you heard that?” She smiled sweetly. “What is it you say? Oh, right. You’re a dolt.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, and she knew he was trying not to laugh.

“Respect your elders.”

She snorted. “Well, bless your heart. You certainly act like a cranky old man.”

Richard leaned back in the chair. No one ever teased him, so she made sure to do it on a regular basis.

“And you, mistress, act like a child.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s the best you’ve got? I’m supposed to be silly and have fun. I don’t have to be serious until I finish college and get a job.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. Darn it, sometimes she still slipped.

One of the dogs had picked that moment to chase the cat under the table. In the ensuing commotion, Chloe hoped Richard had missed the slip. They good-naturedly sniped back and forth until supper was over.

“Richard. Did you hear? There’s going to be a market in the village tomorrow. Can we go?”

Chloe liked to sleep late, so he was surprised to see her up and about. She had tied a green ribbon around her hair. She wore her burgundy gown and was holding one of the cats in her arms. The wee beast yawned, showing its teeth, its tail twitching as it watched him.

“Why?”

She stamped her foot, sending the cat running. “It’s been too cold to go outside. I’m bored. I want to see people. And I need things.” Chloe held up her hands. “I’m not saying I want to spend all your gold. I know how hard you have worked to earn it. I’ve seen the men that come to fight.”

Did she think him unable to best those men? He could win with one hand tied to his belt. He wanted to kiss her as she stood in front of him, tapping her booted foot on the floor.

“Living in a pleasing home improves the mood,” she said.

“It does, does it? Says who?” He snorted.

“Everyone, silly.” She frowned. “We need wooden serving utensils, a few more spices—you know, stuff.”

Richard avoided the village. “Garrick will take you.”

“I thought it would be nice to go together.” She touched his arm, her delicate fingers sending warmth through him.

“Nay. I have things needs seen to.”

His woman narrowed her eyes. “The villagers just need to be around you. They will see you are a man. Not some supernatural being or devil.”

She paced back and forth in his solar. “Your face is healed. Look in the water and see for yourself, it is not nearly as terrible as you think.” She said it so softly that he took a step closer to hear. “The scars have faded.”

He sneered. “I care not what those gossips say. I am the lord of Bainford.”

She sighed. “Whatever. I’ll go with Garrick.”

When she left, he did not feel as pleased as he thought he would. Nay, his heart ached.