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Lifting up further, she peaked over the edge and nearly gasped at the sight of her fingers joined with Jacob’s.
Oh, this man. She studied his features in sleep, noting that even softened, the hard masculine edges of his features were beyond arresting.
Her breath caught. Was any man ever more handsome or more wonderful than this one?
“Good morning,” he rumbled, not opening his eyes. “Get any sleep?”
“I did,” she whispered back, fully awake in a matter of seconds. How had she ever slept with him so close and with their hands joined? She wished she’d been awake to appreciate this small gift.
“Me too,” he squeezed her fingers and then gently removed his hand from her grasp, pushing himself off the floor and into a sitting position. “Though my back is not thanking me now.”
She swung her legs over the edge and scurried behind him. “I’m so sorry,” she gasped even as she reached for his shoulders, beginning to rub them.
He looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers in the dim light of dawn. Her hands stilled. “Do you not like it?”
“No. It’s wonderful,” he said even as he pushed up again. “I’m going to collect some bread and cheese so that we might eat in the carriage. I want to leave as soon as possible.”
She gave a quick nod. “All right.” She looked down, not wanting him to see the disappointment surely coloring her eyes. To do something, she began shaking out her skirts.
He touched her wrist, stopping her. Lifting her chin, their gazes met again, as he reached up to brush his fingertips over her cheek. “Would you mind if we drove through the night?”
She shook her head. “No. Not at all. I’m eager to reach my friends.”
He grimaced then, looking pained. “I’ll keep you out of harm’s way until then.”
“I have every confidence,” she whispered, her hand covering his. “But sleeping in a place where thieves don’t require you to guard me would be nice.”
That made his face relax, his lips tugging up into a smile. “Guarding you was not the worst task ever.”
Her breath caught as her lips parted, their eyes locking. She wanted to move closer. To press against him. With a deep intake of breath, she realized she wanted to kiss him. What would it be like?
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting the moment, both of them stepping back from the other.
“Jacob?” Clara called.
“Coming,” he answered as he turned away and moved to the door. Opening it, he let Clara in. “We’re leaving as soon as I can have the horses hitched.”
“Good,” Clara answered. “Go get it done while I stay here with Emily.”
He gave a quick nod and then disappeared.
Clara turned to her. “Now tell me. What happened last night?”
Emily’s brow furrowed. “You mean the man coming to the window?”
“No, I mean you sleeping with my nephew.”
Emily gasped, her stomach dropping to her toes. “He was on the floor the entire night.”
Clara frowned. “Really?”
“Really,” she answered, holding out her hands.
Clara cocked her head. “You’re certain I don’t need to tell the duke to insist that Jacob marry you.”
Now Emily was confused. “You’re not insinuating that I was attempting to trap him?”
“No. I was insinuating that you should.”
