Here we go with the words again….

Surprised she stumbled unceremoniously backwards into the water, the booming laugh that followed her was certainly not kindly met. If she had not seen his face she wouldn't have recognised his voice, but he had the infamous sharp cheekbones, sandy brown haired looks innate to most of the Howell descendants.

She stood up and surveyed him, being a great deal shorter and two years his junior this was not an easy task.

'My lady?' his bluish-green, slightly small, eyes pierced into her as he held out his left hand to help her out of the water.

'Peter Jacob Howell, prince of Navarre, didn't your royal mother ever teach you not to sneak up on gentle ladies? Especially monarch's daughters?' she scoffed, taking his hand. His strong calloused grip hauling her upwards, with his light, regal grace, onto the bank.

He grinned devilishly, 'And who may this Lady be? And where be she going without an escort?' raising an eyebrow.

'Just because the gentile courtiers from your nation swoon at the slightest vista of discomfort doesn't mean that every slightly docile lady may not. And she be going to beg an audience with dearest Christian.'

He slightly raised his head in an imperious, haughty manner. 'You always favoured him to me. I never quite understood why. But I have you now, don't I?' He was close to her, too close for comfort. She looked down her expression cold as he looked on to her with a possessive glare, making her fell naked. 'And how do you know Christian will not turn you out?' the look flickered away and was replaced with his good humoured eyes.

She only smiled in response, pondering the possesive glare she had ust recievedand walked over to the small dirty pile of clothes where she had left them next to her horse. From behind Peter stalked over and slumped next to her, leaning against a rough tree stump, staring noticeably at her chest.

Stephanie ringed her hair to remove the excess water, before donning her clothing. 'Have you ever known Christian to turn anybody out? Even the outcasts and slaves feel welcome in his house. I'm surprised he hasn't yet appealed for slavery to be diminished within your realm.'

'He has, to my father many times! And you aren't yet to inquire about my health and the health of my brothers? Have you grown heartless as well as attractive and quiet amiable in temperate?'

'Ah! As you were so kind to remind me, my manners seem to be dwindling at this long ride to your motherland. May I inquire after you brothers?'

'All fine, in good health.'

'And your father? Mother?'

'Same old.'

'Amazing, we have progressed to two word answers! Peter? You never told me you were studying….' She smiled mischievously and imitated him with a mock-arrogant throw of the head.

He clutched his heart in a teasing manner, pretending to have an arrow in his heart, 'My dearest tender lady! How could you wound me such in your mockery of my deep and meaningful feelings for you!' he said sarcastically. 'But it would be my chivalrous and proud honour to be your escort while heading towards the capitol of this great nation,' he stood up and bowed low.

In response Stephanie giggled in a ridiculously high and giddy manor and curtsied low, batted her eyelashes in an absoluteridiculous manner 'it would be my absolute pleasure if a gentleman such as yourself would escort my humble self!' she said with outrageous enthusiasm and dropping the prim and proper act, snorted.

They laughed together and she had almost forgotten the controlling look he had given her, but it was still there as they mounted up and headed towards the capitol at a steady pace.

Haha I bet everyone thought it was Christian! Well originally it was going to be and that's why it took me ages to update because I had to change ¾ of it. btw next chapter is almost up.. you most probably will meet the imfamous chrisitian...:)

PEARLWALRUS' GUYS NAMES (mainly for myself)

James, Robert, Leopold, Hubert,Christian,Ralph, Richard, Andrew, Lewis, George, peter….

Thanks to:

li'l bling bling- to be circumspect is to be like proper and doing the right thing and acting the right way in public…ect, thnx for reviewing

hoolihoopgrl131- thnx for reviewing!