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He laced their fingers together. “Have I told you today how incredible you are?”
Noel gave him an impish smile. “No, but I would love to hear more of why you hold that opinion.”
Ravencroft winked at her. “It might take all day.”
Noel looked around the cottage. “I have nowhere else to be.”
He chuckled and drew her onto his lap. In between explaining the drawings, he stole little kisses and whispered in her ear how incredible he thought she was.
~~~~~
NOEL DREW THE BLANKETover Gregory as he slept. When they moved to the sofa to discuss their plans of escape, he had yawned and leaned his head back. It hadn’t taken long before his snores filled the cottage. She wondered if he had gotten any sleep throughout the night. Unwinding from his side, she eased him onto the pillows and lifted his legs onto the sofa.
After straightening the cottage, she decided to implement the next stage of their plan. They had disagreed about who should befriend the guard. What better opportunity did she have while Gregory slept? She had promised him she wouldn’t make an attempt if he didn’t stand guard, but she didn’t see where it would hurt to at least try.
When she strolled outdoors, the guard stepped out of the shadows. She pretended embarrassment and pointed toward the trees. He grunted and turned his back on her. Noel took it as a sign of trust or he assumed she wasn’t a threat. If so, that was his first mistake.
Noel stepped around the corner and walked to the rear of the cottage. She stopped after a few steps and searched for the secret panel. She undid the latch that would lead them to safety. As soon as Ravencroft woke from his nap, she would confess the last secret between them.
Noel hurried back to the front, wiping her hands along her breeches. She looked up at the sky and noticed the dark clouds. A cool breeze wrapped itself around her, and she shivered. “Would you like a blanket to keep warm?”
“No, my lady. You best get indoors if you finished taking care of your needs.”
Noel’s lips twisted. “But I feel horrible for the conditions you must endure.”
The guard grunted. “’Tis my duty.”
“That is my point. If you did not have to stand guard over me, you could be inside, enjoying a warm meal,” Noel argued.
“Inside.”
Noel frowned but followed his order. However, she returned with a blanket and a tin of cookies she had found in the basket. After placing them in his arms, she smiled at him and then returned inside, closing the door.
“Noel?” Across the cottage, Gregory sat up and raked his hand through his hair. He was a handsome devil. A complicated one, but handsome all the same. She could gaze upon him for hours on end.
“Did you have a nice rest?”
He frowned. “Where did you wander off to?”
“I needed to use the outdoors,” Noel explained.
“Alone?”
“The guard is harmless, Gregory.”
Ravencroft growled. “Do not underestimate what he is capable of, should you dare to cross him.”
Noel waved her hand at him. “Nonsense. He is harmless.”
Ravencroft fisted his hands, frustrated at getting his point across to Noel. She refused to see the severity of their situation. He must get her to safety before her naivety caused them any more problems.
“I have need of the outdoors now,” Ravencroft stated before storming out.
Noel shook her head at the temper he tried to keep hidden and cleared the mess on the table. Then she prepared their plates for dinner. It was another meal of bread and cheese. At least they had apples for dessert. How she longed for a warm meal spent with her family.
Her family had never entered her thoughts since she read Graham’s and Maggie’s letter yesterday afternoon. Ravencroft had consumed her attention. She smiled because it was quite a pleasant feeling to have one’s thoughts consumed by the one they loved.
~~~~~
