Aaron forced a smile. “You look incredibly cheerful today, Mr. Barker. I take it all is well?”
“Oh, quite, sir,” Mr. Barker replied. He motioned toward the girls on the stage. “The local school for young women is here for their annual trip to the theater. It’s an exciting time in their young lives, for many have never been beyond the seats in the auditorium.”
Although Aaron gave a polite nod, he was anything but interested. A woman should be working on practical skills, such as the running of a household, sewing, or flower arranging. Even learning to play an instrument was a better use of one’s time. Watching a performance was far different from understanding the inner workings of a production.
As Mr. Barker continued his usual monologue, Aaron felt someone staring at him. When he turned to look at the group of girls, he found it was not his imagination. Was that disdain he saw in the young lady’s eyes, or were the shadows cast over her face playing tricks?
Then she took a step to the left, and the light lit up her features. It was the young woman from the tobacconist’s shop!
Since that moment a month earlier, Aaron could not get this chit out of his mind. He had been perusing a selection of snuff boxes when the two young ladies had entered the shop.
What happened next could be described as nothing more than foolishness on his part. He had mistaken her for Lady Emmerton, a woman with whom he had scheduled a meeting as a means to get to her father. After wasting time complimenting her on her beauty—well, shehad been verybeautiful, on that he had not lied—he had then learned she was not Lady Emmerton. He never ascertained her name, but she had been a most unscrupulous young lady when she offered him a kiss.
Of course, he had wanted nothing more than to do just that. But after enduring the frustration of being tricked, he had ordered her from the shop. Women such as she were dangerous and could easily ruin a man’s name. She was surely clever in her ability to tell lies, gossip, and leave a trail of destruction in her wake.
He snorted to himself. Weren’t they all?
Yet there was no denying her blonde locks and blue eyes could make a man’s breath catch in his throat, just as Aaron’s did now. The way the natural pout of her plump lips begged to be kissed could not be ignored. That sort of temptation began with Eve in the garden, or so his late father had told him.
“Women are untrustworthy creatures who brought pain into the world,” his father had said. “Heed my words, Son. Don’t allow them to deceive you. Because if you do, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
Until that conversation, Aaron believed the first man and woman were both guilty of the original sin. Apparently, he had been wrong, for his father told no lies. He might have been mistaken at times, but never did he tell outright fabrications.
“Sir?” Mr. Barker said, interrupting Aaron from his thoughts. “May I have the privilege of introducing you to the students of Mrs. Rutley’s school? To be in the presence of such an honored guest here at the theater will surely give them much to talk about over the coming years.”
Aaron had no desire to speak to petty schoolgirls, but Mr. Barker had a point. Good could come from these women’s incessant prattle. Their good impression of him would quickly spread, thus earning him even more favor, which would benefit him quite well in the end.
“I would like nothing more,” he said with a smile.
They walked over to the group of students, and Mr. Barker cleared his throat. “I would like to introduce you to a special guest. This is Sir Aaron Kirkwood, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. A hero who saved the Princess from harm just last year. Sir, this is Mrs. Rutley and her students.”
Whispers of approval rose amongst the young ladies. Except one. The woman he had encountered in the tobacconist’s shop dared to stare at a hairpin in her hand rather than show the diffidence due him! He would not be ignored, and most certainly not by a chit of a girl who was likely spoiled by her father at every turn! So many of her sort were these days.
“Mr. Barker is gracious in his introduction,” Aaron intoned. “I did save the life of Princess Sophia, but it’s not worth mentioning.”
These final words brought him the praise he craved. It always did. Women gobbled up a man’s attempt at humility like cats at a bowl of cream.
“Not at all, sir,” the proprietor said, beaming. “What you did is worthy of praise. Would you please share your story with us?”
Eager smiles erupted around the circle of girls. Except for the lovely blonde, who dared to stifle a yawn.
Aaron decided to ignore the girl. At least he had a captive audience in the rest of the group. “I would love to,” he said through teeth he was unable to unclench. “A year ago, I was walking through a dark forest known for two things: wolves and highwaymen, which I’m told are closely related.”
This always drew a few laughs, and it did not fail to do so now from all except the blonde chit. She yawned again!
“I came upon five highwaymen attacking the royal carriage.” He frowned. Still, the woman seemed uninterested. How dare she! He had never encountered such insolence, especially while telling his story. He hated the idea of embellishing an already inflated story, but she gave him no choice. If he told the truth, he would be laughed out of the village. When he finished, he gave a nod to Mr. Barker.
“Would it be too much if they were to ask questions, sir?” the proprietor asked.
Mrs. Rutley, whom he assumed was the headmistress, smiled. “We wouldn’t wish to impose on the brave knight and interfere with his day.”
The young blonde woman nodded. “I couldn’t agree more, Mrs. Rutley. I would prefer to leave him to his own devices, myself.”
A red-haired girl crinkled her brow in thought. “Oh, come now, Louisa. I’m sure we can ask him at least one question.” She turned back to Aaron. “How is it possible for one man to fight five?”
The smile the blonde gave—Miss Louisa, was it?—sparked Aaron’s ire. “By the grace of the Almighty, I prevailed,” he replied. “But I’ll not bore you with the particulars. I’m not one to boast about my skills in combat.” Let them chew on that!
As more questions rose, Aaron’s irritation grew. Not for what was asked but rather for Miss Louisa turning her back on him. He was a knight, for goodness’ sake!