“Is everything all right?”she inquired, drawing closer to stand beside him.“You seem distracted.”
“I’m fine.”His voice came out hoarser than he’d intended, and he coughed to disguise it.He withdrew her handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and offered it back.She took it, handing him his watch.Her fingers lingered upon his palm.
Behind him, he heard a slight shuffling.He didn’t know whether it was another passenger or the assailant, but he didn’t intend to remain standing about.
“We need to get off the upper deck.Now.”Without waiting to find out who the intruder was, he grasped Hannah’s hand and pulled her through a door.The stairs led to the private state rooms, and Michael continued through the maze of first-class rooms until he located hers.Thankfully, she didn’t argue with him but let him escort her back.
“Where is your maid?”he demanded.“Why are you alone?”
“I dismissed her to our room a few moments ago.I didn’t think—”
“It’s not safe for you to be alone on this ship.Not ever.”Though he didn’t mean to snap at her, he didn’t want her risking her well-being on his behalf.
Before he could open the door to her room, Hannah reached up to his neck.“Dear God, what happened to you?You’re bleeding and the skin is raw.”
“Don’t concern yourself over it.”
He was about to leave when she held up her hand.“Wait over there while I send away my maid and Mrs.Turner.And if you disappear, so help me, I will seek you out.We are not finished talking.”
He didn’t doubt that.She was stubborn, far more than was good for her.But after she entered her room, he ducked behind the corner to wait.
Several minutes later, the cabin door opened, and he saw her maid leading the way down the hall, followed by Mrs.Turner.Michael waited until the women reached the far end and then approached Hannah’s door.
She stood waiting for him, her expression hesitant.He knew, as she did, that it was entirely improper for him to even be near her cabin, much less inside it.
“You didn’t need to send them away.”
“You wouldn’t tell me the truth if they were here.And it’s best if no one knows about our conversation.”Hannah steeled her posture, nodding.“Come in and let me tend that for you.”Without waiting for a reply, she turned and went to her dressing table.
She poured water into a basin, dipping her handkerchief into the liquid.When she risked a glance at his neck, she gave a perceptible wince.Though her intentions were good, he doubted if she’d ever tended a wound before in her life.To avoid embarrassing her, he took the damp cloth from her and swabbed at his throat, surprised that there was more blood than he’d thought.
“Tell me what happened,” she demanded, keeping her gaze firmly fixed upon his eyes and not the abrasions.“I want the truth.”
“Someone tried to strangle me, just before you came.”
“Were they trying to rob you?”
“Trying to kill me, more like,” he admitted.
She froze, her hands falling away.Her complexion paled, and she clenched her fingertips.“Do you really believe that?”
“It’s not the first time someone has tried to do so,” he admitted.“Usually it was someone on the opposite side of the battlefield.”Reaching out for one of her hands, he asked, “Are you afraid he’ll come after you as well?”
Her hand was cool within his, and she swallowed, as if trying to find her courage.“Would you protect me if he did?”
His lips curved slightly.“What do you think?”
She didn’t answer but tried to pull her hand back.He retrieved the damp handkerchief and touched the raw skin at his throat again.
Hannah stopped him, her hand bumping against his.“Wait.You’re missing it.”
Without asking permission, she loosened his collar, untying his cravat to reveal his skin.
Though the water was probably cold, he hardly felt the temperature.Instead, he was intensely aware of Hannah standing between his legs, her hands upon his skin.He was growing aroused just being near her.The green gown she wore accentuated the swell of her breasts, the curve of her waist.But it was her innocence that was even more alluring.She didn’t seem to understand what her simple touch was doing to him.
Awkwardly, she dabbed at his flesh, her lower lip caught between her teeth as though trying to overcome her distaste for blood.He held himself motionless, willing himself not to respond.
“Why would anyone want to kill you?”she asked.A slight shiver crossed over her before she studied his skin, searching for any other wounds.
