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CHAPTERFIVE
They rode for the whole of the day and into the night. With the thieves ahead of them, they could sleep at a simple inn. Ash didn’t share with the innkeeper that he was an earl, and he claimed that Lily was his wife. The innkeeper gave them a small, sparsely furnished room at the back of the establishment, which worked perfectly for him.
Now she lay asleep in the bed as he watched out the window.
He’d spent the whole of the day wanting to go faster and yet afraid they’d be caught on the open road if the thieves doubled back.
But so far, the group of men hunting him and Lily had not made an appearance. Which concerned him as well. Was Arabella safe?
He growled out his frustration, looking at the bed where Lily slept. They’d agreed to each keep guard half the night and sleep the other should the scoundrels hunting her double back. That left him hours of quiet to reflect on her request when they’d changed directions. She couldn’t actually wish for him to hurt her?
He’d die before he killed her.
Of that he was certain.
What the hell did he have to live for, anyway?
There was his earldom, of course. And he’d been doing his duty in its management, making sure the people who depended upon him were well cared for. But he’d resigned himself to the title and land going to some distant cousin. What did it matter if that happened now or later?
There was his life in London. But as Lily had pointed out, it was a hollow sort of existence.
Keeping Lily and Arabella safe, now, that was a task a man could feel proud of. He’d like to think that he’d die for something real and valuable and worth saving.
He glanced at Lily again.
She ought to marry. Beauty and grit, with a softness that still stole his breath, she’d make an excellent mother. And she should have someone to rely on. Someone who cared for her and softened life’s worst bumps and bruises. He’d have to convince her to consider marriage to some deserving man before this was all over.
The sound a horse’s neigh caught his ear and he perked up, staring into the darkness. Had the noise come from the barn?
But then the soft clomp of hooves and the distinct sound of wheels rumbled through the night. Standing, he slid open the window and peered out.
“What is it?” Lily asked behind him.
“I hear something,” he whispered back. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“The window woke me.”
A lone figure emerged out of the dark. Tall, broad, on a giant horse.
Ash let out a grunt of satisfaction. It was Lockton. He’d recognize that beast of a man anywhere. From the darkness emerged a carriage and then two more men on horses. His chest tightened even as a rush of air left his lungs.
“Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine. Better than that.” Then he pointed out the window. “My friends have arrived after all.”
She gasped, scrambling from the bed. “Do you think they’ve run into the thieves?”
“Let’s go find out.”
Lily shook her head. “You find out. I’ll stay here.”
She hugged herself, wrapping her arms about her waist. Ash understood her hesitation—she wasn’t the most trusting person to begin with. And now she was faced with meeting her sister for the first time. “I’ll not leave you, sweetheart. It just isn’t safe.”
She nipped at her lip. “I’m not sure I’m ready.”
He crossed the room and took her into his arms.
Lily stepped into his arms, leaning on him as she gave him a tight squeeze. Her face was taut with her inner turmoil when she looked up at him.
