Rescued By A Viscount(57)
“Take a deep breath, Claire.” Simon had a gentle look on his face as he held out one of his hands to her. She clutched it and drew in a shuddering lung full of air. “And another, sweetheart. That’s it.”
How had she come to rely on this man? He was so much more than she’d believed him to be, or had allowed herself to see. How had she been foolish enough to run away from him, believing she could do this on her own? “Thank you, Simon.”
“You’re welcome, Claire.” He went back to looking out the window, but her fingers remained in his.
“I’m scared.” The words had left her mouth before she could swallow them down. It seemed that now she had told him so much about herself, she was unable to hold anything back.
“I would be foolish to tell you not to be, Claire, yet I would ask you to trust me to keep both you and the child safe.”
“I do trust you, Simon, and these past few days have only strengthened that trust, but my fears are not just for myself and the child. My fears are for you, also.”
“Thank you, but I’m sure your fears are unfounded. We could walk into that tavern and collect the child and be out of there in ten minutes.”
“But that’s highly unlikely, don’t you think?”
“Unlikely but possible,” he added firmly.
“Promise me you will not fight anyone, Simon.”
His laughter rolled around the carriage. “You make it sound as if I had a choice the other night, Claire. I had no option but to fight. Had I not, they would have attacked me, anyway, and as I was not about to flee–”
“You should have fled.”
“Now, there, I’m afraid, you are asking too much of me.” He looked like a rogue with all those bruises on his face–a very handsome rogue.
“I will never understand men.”
“We are really quite simple, my sweet, unlike members of your fair sex, who have more sides than Lady Pepper’s corset. We look after what’s ours, fill our bellies, and like to show our strength upon occasion.”
Claire didn’t want to think about another woman belonging to him, so instead, she said what she had been rehearsing for the past few miles. “Simon, should something go wrong and we are seen by someone we know, then you are not to take responsibility, nor will you do anything drastic like offer marriage to save my reputation. I went into this with my eyes open, just as–” Lord, this is hard. “Just as what we did last night does not make you bound to me. I alone will take responsibility for any consequences.”
She had been the recipient of that steady look many times on this journey.
“If you think that what happened on this journey and last night hasn’t changed everything between us, then you are are fooling only yourself, Claire. Furthermore I am involved, and aware of the consequence should someone see us, and I will face those responsibilities should they arise.”
“No, Simon, please– Dear lord, we are here.” Every other thought slipped Claire’s head as the carriage slowed. She gripped Simon’s fingers hard.
“Take another breath, Claire, before you run out of air.”
“Of c-course.” She had not realized how quickly she was breathing. Inhaling, she released the breath slowly.
“Now here is what we will do, and I want you to listen carefully and make sure you do what I tell you.”
She nodded because she was sure if she spoke, her teeth would chatter.
“I will go into the Anchor first and ascertain if it is safe for you to enter.”
“Oh but-”
“No buts, Claire, you will do exactly as I say.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Simon stopped her from saying anything further by placing his hand over her mouth. “I will make a few discreet inquiries, and then, when I have the identity of the man we need to speak with, I shall come and collect you. Women like you are not seen in places like the Anchor, Claire, so we need to make sure you are in there no longer than necessary.”
She nodded, so he lowered his hand, yet the warm the imprint of her mouth remained on his palm. “I understand.”
“No you don’t, or at least, you don’t want to. Yet you will do this Claire, as it is for your safety as well as mine.”
“I don’t want you to put yourself in danger, Simon.” Her small fingers wrapped around his wrist as she leant forward. Her brown eyes searched his desperately.
“I won’t, and I have told you it is my choice to be here. Now be a good girl and keep out of site.”
She surprised him by placing her lips on his. The taste of her instantly filled his head, bringing back memories of her beneath him. Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, forcing his tongue between her lips. He was too rough, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close. He’d never wanted a woman the way he did Claire. She made his body burn with need, and he feared it was a fire that would never be extinguished.