A nod was all Clover gave for an answer. Although it made her blush, she was glad of his plain speaking. It would help her grow to trust him.
As she entered her bedroom she found it hard to repress a smile. Ballard was half undressed and sprawled on top of the bed. The slow grin he gave her told her that Molly had been right—the last thing Ballard wanted was a rest. She strolled over to the bed.
“You look very comfortable, sir,” she said, and laughed when he tugged her into his arms. “I thought you wanted to rest.” She kicked off her shoes and settled more comfortably in his arms.
“Weel, I seem to be having a wee bit of trouble feeling sleepy.” He slid his hands beneath her skirts and untied her garters.
“You need tiring out, do you?”
“Before I can have me a lazy sleep in the middle of the morning? Aye.” He began to undo the buttons that ran down the back of her mint-green dress. “Now that ye are here, I have an idea or two.”
“I just bet you do. What if someone comes looking for us?”
“Now, who would be so all-fired cruel as to disturb a pair of newlyweds?”
“I have no idea, but I locked the door just in case.” She laughed along with him.
“Now, lass, I think ye may have to give me some help here, seeing as I am a poor injured soul.”
“Since you are injured mayhap you should not be contemplating such a strenuous activity.”
“I said I was injured, lass, not dead.”
She laughed but then grew serious, placing a lightkiss on his mouth. “I am sorry for all the trouble I have brought you.”
“Ye mean Thomas?” When she nodded, he cupped her face in his hands and gave her a slow, gentle kiss. “Ye didnae cause that trouble, lass. ‘Tis all that fool Dillingsworth’s doing. Now, I can take care of me and mine, so dinnae fret. We have seen the last of that fancy-dressed skunk.”
Clover appreciated his effort to comfort her, but she could not share his confidence in their safety. Deep down, she suspected they had not heard the last of Thomas Dillingsworth.
