His Wicked Revenge

Chapter 9

As his butt hit the ground, Edward Ainsworth took a few moments to comprehend what exactly happened to him. He was riding fine one moment and he was injured and rolling on the ground, the next moment. If there is someone who could wound him with an arrow it is Jeremy Hunter. Assuming that it was Jeremy Hunter, the playboy who is always eager to show off his skills to please the ladies, Edward Ainsworth snarled "Hunter, are you that shameless to boast off your skills, all to impress a woman!"

"You are really dumb!" A familiar feminine voice chastised him.

Why this chit...

Lifting himself off from the ground, Edward Ainsworth dusted his robes before turning around to meet the smirking Iris. Though the smile irked him, his attention was drawn to the bow and arrow in her hands.

He had heard the sound of hooves approaching him and so Edward Ainsworth thought that it was Jeremy Hunter and co. Even when he was shot he expected the culprit to be Jeremy Hunter. But, Jeremy Hunter and the others were currently a few paces away from the woman. And, only she had the bow and arrow, the one which belonged to Jeremy Hunter. Since the competition was between him and Jeremy, the others in the group followed them unarmed. They were here to be the spectators of their hunt.

So, it was now as clear as day that it was the woman who had shot him.

A woman injured me?

Shock crossed over his features, but he soon masked indifference.

"I take it that you are the one who shot me?" Edward Ainsworth questioned, his tone intimidating.

Without a flinch, Iris retorted "Isn't it obvious?"

His nerve twitched, with annoyance laced in his tone, he asked "My lady, are you not going to apologize? You can't just injure someone and be so calm about it."

After he finished venting out his frustrations, Edward Ainsworth crossed his arms over his chest, his entire stature screaming of arrogance.

A smile akin to that of a blooming peony spread across Iris's visage. In a tone which was far from being sorry, she said "It's a mistake."

"Is that an apology?"

"Yes, it is."

"What the..." Edward trailed off as he remembered that he had said the exact words to her.

'It's a mistake.'

Hadn't he apologized to her saying those very words?

Now that the same words were used on him, he finally understood how conceited he must have sounded at that time. For the first time Edward Ainsworth felt a stifled feeling in his heart and subconsciously fidgeted under Iris's sharp gaze.

The apology was rather bland, the words were no where close to sorry instead they seemed like mocking the other party.

No wonder the woman shot him...

"I take it that you must have been satisfied by my apology." Iris had expected the man to throw some snarky comments, but even after a while he had not done so. Since the man was rendered speechless, she had no perverse interest to pester him further.

She turned out to leave, but as if remembering something she halted her steps. Turning around, she marched forwards in large strides closing in the distance between them. Now, Iris was only a few feet away from Edward Ainsworth who now tilted his head to meet her gaze.

"Didn't you say the women are fickle?" Iris questioned and she saw the man turn stiff.

Shit! Did I say that loud?! Edward groaned inwardly. Waiting for the tirade of chastisements, Edward Ainsworth closed his eyes.

"Yes, we women are fickle..."

What?

It was not only Edward who was puzzled by her answer, even the group of men behind her sported weird expressions.

"Yes, we women are fickle..." she repeated, poking his chest with her index finger, she continued "But, it is due to your chameleon hearts."

After tossing out her words, she turned around and marched away, forgetting to return the bow and arrow to Jeremy Hunter.

None of the men stopped her as some stared at her back in bewilderment while some were enraptured by her.

But, all had the same thought.

The woman was not the one to be trifled with.

...

Patting the head of her horse, Iris sighed "Boy, I totally forgot to ask them for directions..."

It was all because of that damned fellow!

Iris snorted as the image of Edward Ainsworth flashed in her mind. The man was ridiculously handsome but all of that was shattered as soon as he spoke. He was nothing but an arrogant prick.

As she was drowned in her thoughts, a faint cough distracted her. It was the man who had lent her his bow and arrow earlier.

"Well, Mr..."Iris trailed off as she had no idea of what he was called.

"Jeremy Hunter, you can call me Jeremy."

"Mr.Hunter, thank you very much. Here's your bow, earlier I was so carried away that I forgot to return it to you."

"I never saw someone use my bow with such ease. Even I can't match your skills in archery. I would love it if you have my bow." Jeremy immediately refused to accept the bow.

Iris fell in love with the bow the moment she used it, so Jeremy's words were a delightful welcome after the entire fiasco.

"Can I really have it?" Realizing that she sounded too eager to snatch his bow, Iris coughed, her attempts to salvage the situation ended up in a funny ramble "You know, I'm not the one to eye upon other's things. It's just that your bow ended up compatible with me, I even felt tempted to give my first kiss to it. And, I swear that I didn't steal your bow, somehow I happened to forget to return it! So, don't misunderstand..."

"Hahaha..." Unable to maintain a poker face any longer, Jeremy Hunter laughed at her words.

In a mirth filled tone, he said "My lady, I wouldn't mind if you steal my bow. I would feel honored that one of my belongings is in the possession of a beautiful and intelligent lady."

But, Iris did not humor him. She spoke in a straight tone "Then, I will no longer act courteous. Mr.Hunter, you can forget this bow of yours."

"Good, I like women who don't act all shy and coy."

Why are all the men she met today are infuriating? What's wrong with shy and coy women? Not all women are same! Iris almost snorted at the man's judgemental views. She is not in the mood for flirting, she had yet to dress her wound. She could even imagine her little maid's reaction after reaching the castle.

"It was nice meeting you Mr.Hunter, I am taking my leave now." Saying so, Iris strode away. No sooner did she hear Jeremy's voice, only this time there was a teasing tone to it.

"My lady, I didn't know that the castle is deep in the woods..."

Iris almost stumbled down from her horse at his statement.