Page 12 of Sweet Hellion

“No need to fear, lass. Even he isn’t fool enough to return,” Rhys said, but he wasn’t so sure he spoke the truth.

Emma swallowed, her slender throat working. “He is right, you know.”

“I doubt the man has been right about anything a day in his life.”

“I am a fallen woman,” she whispered.

Rhys cocked a brow. Somehow, he found such a claim hard to believe, especially from a lass who gagged on whisky.

She kept her gaze downcast. “You aren’t obligated to help me. I…erred. With the vicar. I thought we were to be wed.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “As it happened, he was wed already. Now…well, I am ruined.”

The vicar? A surge of primal protectiveness took him by surprise. In his gentlest of tones, he said, “Nae, you’re hardly ruined, lass, and there is no need for your confession.”

“No man wants a woman like me.”

Rhys snorted. “Simply because you fell prey to one man’s sweet words?”

“I must sell the shop, take a room at Mrs. Babcock’s boarding house, and—”

“Nae,” he interrupted. “You must find a husband.” How could she not? Not only was she bonny, she had a warrior’s spirit locked in that tiny, voluptuous body. His blood stirred. “I assure you, there are men aplenty who would cherish you,” his voice came out unexpectedly hoarse.

Emma shifted her gaze to the bowl she held in her hand and lifted her brow, as if just realizing she held it. “I should have struck him harder. I wanted to. How I wanted to… So, why couldn’t I?”

“Perhaps, because you’re not a murderer,” he said.

Her blue eyes locked with his.

“If you were, I wouldn’t be walking about.” He flashed a teasing smile.

Color tinged her cheeks. “I apologize—”

He shook his head. “I expect nothing less from Tory’s sister.”

Surprise shone in her eyes and her expression softened. God, she was beautiful. His cock twitched in agreement. He slid his gaze over her body. Christ, was he openly gawking at Tory’s sister?

He quickly turned away. “I have wheels to mend.”

God help him, he would not let himself think of Tory’s wee sister with lust.

He would care for her as a brother…nothing more.