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Show Page 107 Quickly he crawled to his feet and scooted around Rose to come stand behind me. I reached back of me and pressed him against me, noting how he trembled. Rose took a step toward me. "This is between me and the brat," she said. "Step aside if you value your dainty dimples." "I'll not let you strike him again, Rose, " I answered, praying I sounded fierce, though, indeed, my voice quavered and my knees were a-tremble. "He's naught but a snivelling servant," she hissed. "I can strike him if I please." "He is not your servant, Rose, and if you hope to strike him-you will have to strike me as well. And I don't fall as easily." I assumed what I hoped was a stout-hearted pose. Rose looked me up and down as though weighing her decision. It was true Rose was taller than I by a few inches, but I was the sturdier of the two. Yet should she wish to be troublesome, I knew not whether I could defend Twig and myself, since never in my life had I raised an angry hand to another person. Rose shrugged and turned aside as though she had decided against challenging my word. I turned to Twig. "Come," I told him. "I know Rose will not tell me what this scuffle is about, so I shall have to get the story from you." Just as Twig shook his head, I heard a movement from behind me and felt Rose's hand upon my wrist. Then she twisted |
