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in his eyes. He smiled as she noted the position of the door, marking it for escape perhaps. She’d have to get past him, but he supposed it was possible if she were determined.
    He shrugged. “These are dangerous times, my lady. Scoundrels and lawbreakers prowl the land, who can say for certain where the true danger lies.” He followed her gaze, smiled at her naivety. Did she really think she could outwit him?
    “I was walking in the forest,” Grace recalled. “I wasn’t alone.”
    “There was no one with you when you were found. Your companions had abandoned you perhaps?” He cursed silently, had he missed someone else? He’d been so intent on leaving he hadn’t thought to check for accomplices, a major error on his part. He was losing his edge, been too long on the road and he couldn’t afford to be sloppy now, there was too much at stake.
    Grace glanced at the dog. “Fly ran away. He’s such a bad dog.” her voice trailed away and Miles nodded.
    Of course, the dog; he hadn’t made the connection. Th ere were no missing accomplices and no major errors. The dog, on hearing his name, bounded over and began licking the girl’s face. She smiled, pushing him away half-heartedly. He settled himself beside her, wiry chin on her lap, his tail beating time on the dusty floor and she petted him distractedly.
    She had an engaging smile, almost childlike, but the ache in his groin was proof his captive was far from innocent. And still, suspicion lurked in his gut. “So you were walking with your dog, picking flowers in the snow, with a noose around your neck?” There was a mocking tone to his voice now as he attempted to push aside unwelcome thoughts. It mattered naught to him if she had the smile of an angel or a hag. He raised a sardonic brow. “Where had you run from? Who wished to see you dangle from the end of a rope?”
    “I hadn’t run from anywhere. I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I don’t understand you. What noose?” she asked, her words slightly slurred, her focus beginning to slip once more. She was either confused or a very good liar. Miles couldn’t decide which.
    He held it up then, the thin rope which had been tangled around her as she lay in the pool and he swung it slowly, deliberately from side to side. “It is of no concern to me what you have done as long as your trouble does not follow us.”
    Grace faltered, her fingers finding the raw spot on her neck. “It’s Fly’s leash, it must have become tangled.” Her gaze dropped to her leg and she pulled at the covering cloak. She shot a glance at the wound which was crudely bandaged with strips from his shirt. The skin either side of the makeshift dressing was marred with bruising, the material stained with blood. She raised her bewildered gaze to him and blinked slowly.
    “Look, I went for a walk in the woods and I woke up here with you. You’d better tell me what’s happened, what’s going on.” She demanded. “I know I haven’t been to some all- night party, so this,” she gestured with a shaky hand to her head, “is not a hangover. Someone back there in the woods shot me. I know it was an arrow. Was it you? Are you some madman who lives in the forest and preys on girls?” She glanced quickly around the small building, a caged animal looking for escape. “Because if you are, then you can just forget it.” She returned her gaze to his face. He retained an impassive expression, knowing his continued silence unnerved her further.
    “What are you going to do with me? Are you going to kill me?” Her voice became shrill and her eyes finally grew wide with fear but she faced him bravely nonetheless. She clutched at the cloak as if it afforded some magical protection and at the little dog who sensed her fear and gave a low growl.
    Miles ignored the dog and allowed the tension to grow. In all of his travels through the most exotic lands he had not met anyone quite like her and he wasn’t sure whether that was