Earl of Hearts(13)

He covered her hand with his own to reassure her.

Nicola quickly chose a sturdy gown, boots, and stockings at a nearby  shop that sold woolens. She also selected a tartan shawl and a clan  tartan for him. "John, you must have something to keep you warm while  we're on the water."

He wanted to protest, for they'd spent too much time in town already.  They were running for their lives, yet she was worried about him  catching a chill. He grinned, somehow liking the fuss she was making  over him. He'd closed himself off so completely for most of his life and  wasn't used to these little gestures of concern. "Are we good? Anything  else you need, Nicola?"

"Perhaps a comb and some soap?"

He nodded and turned to the shopkeeper, a bright-eyed, older woman by  the name of Mrs. Fraser. He supposed half the townspeople went by the  name of Fraser and the other half by Grant since those were the major  clans in the area. "Would you by any chance have these items?"

There was little on display in the front of the shop but shawls and  scarves. However, every time the friendly, older woman went into her  back room, she came out with exactly what they needed. "Och, indeed. A  few lovely combs and several lovely, scented soaps, my lord," she said,  casting him a knowing smile.

He also bought ribbons for Nicola's hair, and then they waited for Mrs.  Fraser to wrap their purchases. With packages in hand, they hurried to  the blacksmith to retrieve Valor before heading to the boat.

To John's relief, Valor walked up the gangplank without fuss. The  horse's hooves made a light clip-clop against the wooden slats. Nicola  had gone aboard first, and it was her coos and petting that calmed Valor  and got him safely on deck.

Nicola turned to John and graced him with a gentle smile once Valor was secured. "That went well."

John laughed and absently drew her into his arms as they pulled away  from the dock. He hadn't been thinking, just acted because it felt  natural. Nicola did not seem to mind, so he made no move to step away.

Nicola sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "Thank you," she said softly.

"I should be thanking you." He wrapped her more securely in his arms,  for the boat was beginning to pitch and roll with greater force now that  they'd pulled away from the dock. They stood together, her back pressed  to his chest, both gazing at the town that would soon disappear from  view. The mist began to surround them and would soon swallow them up  completely in its shrouded folds.

She turned her head slightly to glance up at him. "Why would you thank me?"

"I think the ledger you found might contain the information Jordan and I  came up here to uncover. It would have taken us weeks to figure out  what you managed to put in my hands in a single day."

She turned fully to face him. "Aunt Bess is the one who deserves the credit."

He sighed. "She would never have been snooping around Somersby's lodge  without your urging. Promise me you'll never do anything so foolish  again, Nicola."

She gave an indignant huff. "It wasn't foolish. I had to do something to protect my family."

"It was dangerous. You might have been killed." Their luck had held so  far. Even Valor appeared to be responding well to the roll of the waves  and the tip and sway of the boat. However, the boat wasn't very big and  Valor, who was penned in on the deck, would be easy to spot from shore  once this morning haze lifted. "We're not out of danger yet."

He thought once more of the young boy he'd tied up when they'd made  their escape a few hours ago. Could he be trusted to direct Somersby and  his ruffians westward? John had to believe the lad would, but he was  also concerned that Somersby would see through the lie and harm the boy.  His stomach began to roil and his anger mounted at the thought that an  innocent child might come to harm for doing him a favor.         

     



 

No, the lad was quick-witted and could take care of himself.

Still, John resolved to quietly ask after him when he returned to  Invergarry to tie up whatever loose ends remained from his assignment.

His thoughts returned to Nicola, who was once again leaning back against  his chest, comfortably nestled in his arms as they watched the curtain  of mist descend between them and the town, causing it to disappear from  view. They still had a long way to go to reach Edinburgh, and he wasn't  certain he had sufficient funds to get them there without Nicola  enduring more hardship. In truth, she still hadn't complained and was  not the sort who ever would.

He decided to call on his connections in Inverness as soon as they  arrived. They could help him secure additional funds, and he hoped those  funds could be raised quickly, for he dared not spend an hour more than  necessary in that coastal town. He would be recognized and could not  risk the news reaching Somersby.

He and Nicola would have to travel at a fast pace, but there was no reason to deprive Nicola of all comfort.

After a few moments, she eased out of his arms. "I had better change out of my gown."

He nodded and cast her a tender grin. "Need help?"

She blushed. "I'm afraid I will. These elegant gowns are not designed to  be easily slipped on and off. I don't think I can reach these pearl  buttons down the back."

While Captain Grant and his crew, comprised of his two sons, Hamish and  Malcolm, busied themselves with the sails, John helped Nicola climb down  into the hold. The stairs were steep and the hold was dark and empty.  It smelled of rotted fish. "Oh, dear. I hope I don't smell as foul as  that."

He chuckled while lighting the small lantern hanging on a peg near the  ladder stairs. "I fear we shall both be a little ripe by the time this  boat reaches its destination. But I'll settle you in a quiet inn once we  dock at Inverness and order a hot bath to be brought up to our room."

"Our room?" Her eyes widened in surprise.

"I dare not leave you alone, Nicola. And we will be refused everywhere  in town if the innkeepers believe we are traveling together while  unmarried. It won't matter whether I order one room or two. This isn't  London. No one here will turn a blind eye to our ‘sin' even if I slip  them a few extra coins."

She began to nibble her lower lip in consternation. "Speaking of coins,  how much do you have left? You've spent on the blacksmith, our food, my  clothes, and this boat." She shook her head and sighed. "I didn't think  to carry a purse on me. That was a stupid oversight on my part."

He came to her side. "I would not have taken your coins."

"John, that's ridiculous. You'd rather see us sleep out in the cold than  take anything from me? I would have loaned the sum to you. I know you  would have paid me back. Not that I would have required it, but you  would have insisted."

He gave her cheek a light caress. "You don't have a purse on you. I'm  almost out of funds. No point arguing over this. I have a few errands to  run as soon as we reach Inverness. The first will be to secure a loan.  The next will be to book passage for us on the next boat to Edinburgh.  We won't have long to wait, hopefully no more than a few hours, assuming  the weather holds and the boat departs on time."

"And if the weather doesn't hold?" she asked, staring up at him with her  sleepy, slanted eyes. Her full, sensual lips were lightly pursed and  beckoning.

He turned her so that she was facing away from him before he gave in to  the urge to kiss her. "We'll get you a horse and ride to Edinburgh  together. Stand still. Stop fidgeting."

"I'm not fidgeting."

"You are. You jump every time I touch you."

"I can't help it. Your hands are cold. Be careful. Don't rip the buttons."

"Any more orders?" he grumbled. Did she think this was easy for him?  Undressing her and knowing he could never touch her intimately. "Most  women like it when I put my hands on them."

She gasped. "You've done this with other women? Of course, you have. I …  I … "

Lord, she sounded heartbroken. He cursed himself for a bumbling fool.  Somersby had cheated on her and she was still bruised over it. "None  that ever mattered."

That was an even stupider thing to say. He quickly undid the last two  buttons and then put his hands on her shoulders, stroking them gently  with his thumbs. "Nicola, I'm nothing like Somersby. There's no question  I'd be faithful to the woman I love once I declared my intentions."         

     



 

"I know." She slowly released her breath that ended in a quiet sob. "Do I matter to you, John?"

More than the moon and stars.

Hellfire. Hellfire. "Of course. Julian will have my hide if I allow any  harm to come to his little sister." He should have released her and  moved away. But he could not bring himself to let her go.

The gown had fallen off her creamy shoulders, exposing her bare back and  shoulders to his view. It should have slipped to the floor, for silk  was light and supple. But Nicola was clutching it tightly to her bosom …   her gloriously ample bosom that would fill the cups of his palms. "You  know that isn't what I'm asking, John."