“ - me! “ Lips curved in a grin at the girl’s remark, blue eyes sparkling in amusement as they took in her appearance. He didn’t recognize her … she didn’t seem angry … perhaps his reputation had simply gotten to port before him once more. One brow rose in feigned interest at the mention of the lass’ father and teeth raked across his bottom lip, sucking it back between his teeth as he mulled her words over. “Apologies, love … I don’t know you, nor do I have the pleasure of knowing your father’s bad side, as it were … “ Gaze cut behind him to his awaiting crew, lips curving upwards in a smile as he turned to face her one more. “ … Allow me to introduce myself, Killian Jones…. and you are.. who.. exactly? Your father’s enforcer?”
“Hardly.” Ella’s relationship with her father was...complicated, at best. Since her mother’s passing, Ella had only realized his true nature more and more. He was a deeply selfish man, who put his fortune above all else, including his own daughter. Still, he was her father, and since Ella was very much her mother’s daughter, she felt an instinctual obligation to protect him when needed - even when he didn’t deserve it. “I am Ella. My father is Sir Peter of Frell. He engaged once in a trade with you, and he was less than impressed, to put it lightly. Of course, I can’t claim my father to be the most valiant of men, so I realize his opinion may be skewed. Are you as much of a cad as my father perceives you to be, Killian Jones?”