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Reynolds was standing close. A little too close, but Eleanor didn’t back up. She wasn’t going to back up to him, even as she could feel the heat from his body and the smell that threatened to overwhelm her senses. Reynolds adjusted his cap further off his head, his expression set into a stern mask. Eleanor found herself shivering. Why did the sight of an Earl wearing regular clothes, stinking and covered in grime make her heart flutter just as much as he did when he was clean and looking every bit the soldier and gentleman that he was?
Eleanor had to put her hands behind her back to stop herself from reaching out for him. She was going to get into trouble if she did that.
“As if I needed more of a reason to stop you from working at that place,” Reynolds grunted.
Eleanor gritted her teeth. “I’m working there because I need a purpose and they give me that. I love it there. Don’t you dare think about taking that away from me, Captain Reynolds.”
His eyes flared, and Eleanor bit her lip to stop herself from gasping. Even annoyed, Nathan Reynolds was devastating. She should not be finding him attractive when he was upset.
Is it possible to find someone this attractive so quickly?
I’m finding out the hard way.
“You do realize you could be harmed if you’re out on your own.” Reynolds’ voice was practically a growl. “This is not exactly the most desirable place to be.”
“I know that, but I can take care of myself.” Eleanor narrowed her eyes. “I’m not as genteel as you might think,Captain.”
Reynolds’ jaw tightened. He seemed to lean towards her, his head lowering. Was he going to kiss her? Eleanor froze. The last time someone had tried to kiss her, that hadn’t ended well. It had been Leyton, and Eleanor hadn’t allowed anyone to get close since. Was she really contemplating kissing a man she knew only briefly and wearing foul-smelling clothes?
He could be wearing a sack and you would still want to kiss him.
Reynolds’ mouth was inches from hers. And Eleanor’s eyes started to close as she waited for his lips to touch hers.
“Eleanor.” Reynolds sighed and drew back a little, which had Eleanor suddenly feeling cold. “I shouldn’t be telling you, but you’re going to end up getting hurt.”
Eleanor bristled. “I think we’ve already established that I’m not completely innocent.”
“I’m being serious here.” Reynolds grimaced. “There are people around here kidnapping children and either using them for various crimes or making them disappear completely. They’re not kind people, and they will happily kill anyone who knows anything about them. With your working at an orphanage, you’ve made yourself a target, someone who could get in the way.”
Eleanor stared. Now his concern about her charity work made more sense. He was worried that she would get hurt. Normally, that would make Eleanor feel warm and happy that someone cared about her. Instead, it made her suspicious. Reynolds was up to something. No normal man would know about this.
“How do you know about this?” she demanded. “And don’t you dare say it’s nothing to do with me, because I’m soon to be your wife. I think I deserve to know what’s happening when my future husband keeps sneaking out wearing some garments and smelling like he rolled in horse manure.”
Reynolds flinched. He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced away. He looked a little uncomfortable.Good. Now he knows how I feel when I’m around him.
“We rescued many children in France, those who lost their families. We’re fighting a war, but children do not need to be involved.” Reynolds swallowed. “They were meant to come here, be placed in homes and looked after. And they kept vanishing between leaving France and meeting up with our contacts here in London. Some of the crew of various boats we sourced ended up dead.”
Eleanor was beginning to understand now. Reynolds was showing he was more than just an ordinary noble and soldier. He was involved in something more dangerous than simply fighting the French. Something else was going on, and he was concerned enough to investigate it.
Captain Nathan Reynolds had compassion. He could truly care about people. This wasn’t just a simple shell with a simple duty to do. He was getting right into it.
He cared about these children.
“Is that why you’re prowling around here dressed like you are?” she asked.
Reynolds nodded, his expression grim.
“I may be on leave, but I said that I would find out what I could.” He reached out and brushed his fingers over her jaw, which had Eleanor catching her breath. “And I know that you could be in danger if you carry on working with the children. Especially if several of them have vanished recently.”
He had legitimate concerns, and Eleanor could see his point. Especially when he kept touching her like this. But it wasn’t going to stop her. Eleanor carefully moved her head away. She couldn’t focus properly when he was touching her.
“We don’t know that they children vanished because of this gang.I’mnot going to stop helping these children. They are vulnerable, they’re more susceptible.”
“Those protecting them could end up hurt or worse,” Reynolds shot back. “That means you.”
Eleanor lifted her chin. “I’d die before I let anyone hurt those children.”
Reynolds’ eyes flared up, either with anger or something else. Maybe a bit of both.
