Page 56 of Never a Bride
“Excuse me, sir,” he said in a serious, careful voice as if he was trying hard to remember how to speak. “Unhand this lady at once, or I shall be forced to do it for you.”
Holding her even more tightly, the drunk laughed and gave Maxwell a push that sent him staggering back a few steps. Maxwell’s astonished expression gave way to determination. Just as he was marching toward their assailant, Alex came up from behind them, and without a word, punched the man once in the stomach, then hard across the jaw. He dropped into a heap.
Emmeline stared at the unconscious man, then lifted her gaze to Alex. She saw a burning anger in the darkness of his eyes, a coldness that made her wonder what else he concealed. Then the look vanished, and he gave her a lopsided grin.
“My dear ladies, are you unharmed?”
Blythe nodded as she looked at their assailant. “Is he dead?”
“No, but I doubt he’ll arise this night.”
“Should we move him?” Emmeline asked.
“Why? Let him awaken in the mud. Shall we go?”
By the time they reached the tavern, Alex and Maxwell were toasting each other’s bravery, and in general behaving like fools. Emmeline left them to the cheerfulness of the taproom, while she and her sister followed the chamberlain to their chamber. The room had two narrow pallets for beds, but the sheets were clean, and the fire had been lit earlier, and there were candles on the bedside tables.
The sisters helped each other undress down to their long-sleeved smocks, and while Blythe fell quickly asleep, Emmeline lay on her pallet and stared at the smoke-stained ceiling. She wasn’t used to the noise of such a public place, and in the room above them, someone seemed to be dancing.
She tossed and turned for at least an hour, until she heard a soft scratching on her door. Quietly, she crept from the bed and stood listening. The scratching was repeated, then a muffled voice said, “Emmeline?”
She unlocked the door. Opening it just a crack to keep her lack of garments hidden, she peered out and saw Alex, his face stubbled and tired, but his infuriating grin ever present.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. His doublet and shirt were open at the throat. There was hair on his chest, and she found that fascinating.
He braced himself with a hand on the doorframe. “I need to talk to you.”
“The morning would be a more suitable time,” she whispered, turning to see if Blythe had stirred.
The door suddenly bumped against her as he took her hand and drew her into the hall. Embarrassed by the indecency of her garments, she tried to retreat, but he’d already closed the door behind her.
“Alex!” she hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I will not stand for this!”
“Maxwell has found someone who knows about vines, so he’ll be detained.”
She pulled against him, but was no match for his strength as he dragged her through the open door into his chamber.
“And there won’t be any privacy on the morrow,” he continued, shutting the door and leaning back against it.
Emmeline turned her back on him, feeling almost naked, even though her smock covered her from her neck to her toes. But she worenot…hing else, not a corset or petticoat. It was certainly indecent—and thrilling.
No. No, it wasn’t, she thought desperately, trying not to look at the two pallets, one of which Alex would soon be lying in, wearing…what?
She had to get back to her own chamber before her wicked thoughts grew any worse. “Alex, I am appalled at your behavior. Just tell me what you want and be done with it.”
He pushed away from the door unsteadily, and Emmeline had to force herself not to back away from him. He was tall and intimidating, but not in the way of their drunken assailant. He threatened her because she now knew how easily she gave in to the pleasure she felt in his arms.
And they were alone, with no one to disturb them.
He sighed. “I wanted you to know that I regret not seeing your predicament a few hours ago. You trusted me with the safety of yourself and your sister, and if Maxwell hadn’t noticed, I might have just kept walking merrily on my way.”
“You are too harsh with yourself, Alex. I was about to call out. Trust me, you would have heard me.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Really? Then you forgive me?”
“There is nothing to forgive. Besides, drunk as he was, that man probably did not need quite the force you demonstrated.”
He sobered again and stepped closer. “I could not take a chance, Em. What if it had been one of those men following me?”
