“Entirely worth it.You’reentirely worth it.”
She hugged him again, and he held her. She buried her face in his chest, and he kissed her head, but he couldn't ignore the circle of grinning faces around him. He was glad no one knew his actual name, but he wasn't sure how he was going to escape this new moniker.
They hogtied the highwayman. The coachman identified him as Gerard Francois. He seemed to be a local nuisance.
Night had set in by the time they loaded up and tied Gerard onto the top of the carriage. Everyone exhaled with relief when they reached the large inn. A magistrate was summoned, and Gerard was taken away and the coachman reprimanded. Wesley bashfully accepted thanks and kind wishes until he escorted Willa to their room, and they had some peace and quiet.
He went to the bed and lay down immediately, clutching his head.
“One would think the pounding would've stopped. I think I forgot about it for a second, but now it’s back.”
Willa went to his side. “What do you need?”
“A strong drink.”
“I’ll ring for one right now.” A bit later, she pressed a glass into his hand, and he gulped down strong whiskey.
“It was on the house. According to the innkeeper, he is changing the name of this room to the Knightly room, in honor of you. The occupants of the coach paid our fare for tomorrow.”
“That was nice of them,” Wesley said.
“I told him we are very grateful.” She started removing his boots, and he slipped off his coat, but that was all he had the energy for. His head hurt so badly, he couldn't even find the adequate blood flow to enjoy staring at Willa as she took off her dress and laid it out over a chair.
It was late, and they had an early morning. She curled up by his side and blew out the candle.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“No. This pain in my head makes food sound awful.” He turned to her. “I'm sorry about what happened today.”
“You don't need to apologize. You have no more control over that than I did, but you got him. I'd never seen such a thing. You moved so fast,” she said, putting her hand on his chest.
“Enough with the flattery,” he said. “We need sleep, but you’re giving me other ideas, and then we won't rest.”
She grinned. “It's better if we sleep. We will be home soon, and you'll see your family.”
“I remember cutting him,” Wesley admitted.
She frowned. “Who?”
“Gerard. He came out of the room you were in. I can recall it now. He lunged at me, and I thrust the sword, and it went into his side. He stumbled back…”
“And he came into the room and fell right in front of me. I used his body to step up and free my hands.” Willa grinned as she spoke.
Wesley returned her smile. “Did you really?”
“I did.”
They laughed.
“I'm not sure I'll tell my sisters that part, but I might tell my brothers.”
His face blanked. “Your brothers?”
“My brothers-in-law.”
He cleared his throat. “Eight sisters… So these brothers-in-law, do I know them well?”
“You've met most of them. You know Lord Luckfeld the best because you’re neighbors in Sheffield.”
