Strictly Taboo(126)

“Get some rest. We can go lookin’ for that fella of yours when yer good and well.” He said. “I’ll come and fetch you in the mornin’ after a good night of sleep. If you get hungry, just let the man behind the bar know. He will whip you up somethin’ and put it on my tab.” He waited for Clara to nod her understanding. Instead, she sat down on the edge of the bed and kicked off her too-tight shoes with a sigh of release. Then she lay back, her golden curls falling about her on the soft pillow and she couldn't help the smile that touched her lips. Buck smiled softly and turned to go. Just as he reached the door, he heard Clara call after him.

“Buck?” She said quietly.

“Hmm?” He spun around.

“Don't go.” She said sleepily.

“Now what kind of gentleman would I be to let anyone see me take a beautiful lady upstairs and not leave her room?” He asked. “You get some rest, you're tired.” He said turning back to the door.

“Please?” Clara said. “Please don't leave me here.” Buck closed his eyes and took a deep breath to steady himself before he turned around. “Just for a little while? Until I fall asleep?” She begged. This time she moved herself to the far side of the bed and patted the bed beside her. “Just lay with me here, just until I fall asleep…” She asked. Buck couldn't say no. Quietly he closed the bedroom door and taking off his shoes, he tiptoed over to the bed and sat on the edge.

“Just for a little while.” He said, as he stretched out beside her. Clara leaned over and placed her head on his chest.

“Just a little while.” She muttered, her fingers rubbing the smooth buttons of his shirt. “Just…” Her voice trailed off and as her body steadily rose and fell, Buck could tell that she was already fast asleep.





Chapter 6

Clara awoke to the feeling that someone was watching her. She cracked her eyes hesitantly. When the first thing in her view was a large fireplace that most definitely belong in her bedroom at her father’s house, her eyes shot open and she sat bolt upright.

“Hey, hey, it's okay, you're okay.” Clara was startled to hear the voice beside her and turning around she saw Buck. Only then did she remember where she was and how she had got there. She breathed a sigh of relief as she fell back on to the pillow.

“I forgot where I was.” She said with a slight giggle. Buck laughed.

“Well, you certainly were quite ready to sleep it off.” He said, reaching over and brushing her blonde curls from her face. She nodded.

“It's been a very long day. I feel as though I could sleep another million years.” She said.

“Why don't I leave you to it? You can get all the rest you need and I will check on you in the morning?” Buck said. Clara didn't want to be left alone in such a foreign place, but she was definitely tired enough to sleep through until tomorrow. Hesitantly, she nodded.

“Do you promise you will check on me tomorrow?” She asked. Buck slid off the side of the bed.

“Of course I will.” He said, stepping in to his shoes. “I don't like to leave a damsel in distress.” And it was then that Clara remembered Mr. Andrew Montague. The thought of him abandoning her at the station made her heart heavy and she was still thinking of him when Buck bid his farewell. She must have said her goodbyes as well, it was just that she didn't remember them…not over the volume of her thoughts about Andrew Montague.



After Buck left her room, Clara found herself laying in bed and staring at the ceiling. She was so bone achingly tired and yet her head was reeling with thoughts of Andrew Montague. Why hadn't he shown up? What was she going to do now? Should she telegram her father? Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud grumble from her stomach. It'd been almost a full day since she had eaten anything at all. The excitement of meeting Andrew Montague had tempered her appetite and now that the cards had fallen where they lay, she realized that her faintness in the pub had likely been from hunger. Remembering what Buck had said, Clara sat up on the side of the bed and put on her boots. She would have to brave the room full of drunken fools, if only for a moment.

As Clara came to the bottom of the staircase, an incredible ruckus came from the other side of the door. Daring to crack it open and peek in to the pub, she was astonished by what she saw.

“You're nothing but a no good son of a bitch!” Buck shouted as he pulled back his fist and let it fly. The hit was caught by a large hand. Clara followed the arm attached to that hand, she followed it all the way up to a face with a silver mustache. A face that she recognized from pictures. It was Andrew Montague.