Alistair leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I do my best,” he whispered in her ear. He was inordinately pleased with the goose bumps that instantly rose on the exposed flesh at her neck, the tiny hitch in her breathing. This close, he caught a hint of her rosewater scent, subtle enough that he’d guess it was from soap rather than a perfume bottle. If he were to nuzzle her neck, kiss her just there, beneath her ear, he’d be surrounded by her scent.
Not wishing to draw undue attention from any passersby, he reluctantly leaned back. He couldn’t help glancing at the road behind them as he did so. He froze. The two men on horseback were still there, two carriages back. They should have passed by while Clarke and Dorian had been annoying him.
“I don’t wish to alarm you,” he said, leaning cl
