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CHAPTERTHREE
They finished their dinner as the darkness grew deeper. Finally, Easton rose, and moving easily in the dark, began to collect up blankets.
At least that’s what Lily thought he was doing. It was difficult to tell with so little light.
He disappeared into an empty stall and then returned a few minutes later. “Ready?”
“For what?” she asked, leeriness coloring her voice as she leaned back. What did he think might happen when they went into the stall together—alone?
He stopped, staring at her. “For bed.”
She didn’t rise. “I’ll sleep in the loft.” He’d been a gentleman, even as she’d slept against him, but she didn’t trust any man. Especially not powerful lords who could just take what they wished without consequence.
But even as she thought it, she rejected the idea again. Somehow, she already trusted him with her safety.
“You will not,” he replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “If the men who took you try to find us, I want you to be where I can protect you.”
The reason was sensible enough.
And to her absolute surprise there was part of her that was actually intrigued. He’d been so comfortable on the horse. Not in a soft way. More like in a safe from the world sort of way. His hardness a great comfort.
But she never allowed men that close. It had been one of her absolute unbreakable rules. “I don’t think—”
“I can assure you, Lily, that all we will do is sleep. I’ve promised your brother, a duke, no less, that I’d do my utmost to protect you if I found you and that’s what I intend to do.”
She had some doubts as to whether or not she wished to return to Bash and Baxter, but that was another issue entirely.
The question that she faced in this moment was whether or not to step into that stall with him. “And what assurance do I have on that account?”
“My word as a gentleman.”
She grimaced. “That does not fill me with confidence.”
He sighed. “I’ve done nothing but protect you. My word and my actions thus far will have to do.”
He was a bit heavy-handed. But he wasn’t wrong. And what was more, tired as she was still, she found herself rising.
She’d sworn that she’d take care of herself, but just this once, it might be nice to lean on someone else.
She’d just have to ignore her niggling doubts, her own attraction and then the threat of thieves…
That last thought actually made her let out a small breath of a laugh.
“What is it?”
“I’m exhausted but I’ve no idea how I’ll actually sleep tonight, with the danger that’s nipping at our heels.”
His hand reached out, gently taking hers. “Worried about the man who escaped?”
“The one who might chase us?” She feared him and so much more.
“If he survives, I’ll take care of him. You needn’t worry about that.”
She’d like to deny that he could, but she’d just seen him best four men. As her fingers slipped into his, she wondered what it might be like to be guarded by someone obviously so strong and capable.
Hadn’t her brothers just convinced her to not put her own well-being into a man’s hands again? They’d only proven what she already knew about life.
But she allowed Easton to lead her into the stall where he’d created a pile of blankets over the hay.
