Gabrielle bent over, heavy breath rasping.
Reaching into the bag, he pulled out two pairs of trousers and canvas shirts, a leather vest, and two hats.
He handed her the smaller set.“Put these on.”
Even in the flickering light of a single candle, he saw the incredulous look in her eye.“What?”
“Sorry, Lady Fox.’Tis the only way.”
“But these are men’s clothes.”
“Precisely.”Cadan eased out of his waistcoat and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Her gaze shifted from the clothes in her hand to him and understanding swept over her face.“I need help with the buttons.”Lifting the curls that had fallen down her back, she spun around.
Cadan was not without experience at removing women’s clothing, but the buttons on this elaborate gown were cumbersome at best.And it was taking too long.He could hear footsteps growing nearer and shouts to search this room and that.It wouldn’t be long before they found them.Finally, he gripped both sides and tore the back of the gown open, eliciting a gasp from the lady.Yet to her credit, she did not complain, merely asked him to avert his eyes.
He grinned but complied.However, listening to the swish of her gown and petticoat, her laborious moans and sighs as she undressed and inhaling her sweet fragrance was driving him utterly mad!He’d love nothing more than to steal a glimpse, to touch her silky bare skin, to take her in his arms.But nay!This woman, this lady, deserved more than sordid glances and lusty gropes.She deserved respect.
Removing his boots, he jumped into the dirty trousers and tore the silk shirt over his head.
“Hurry, my lady.We haven’t much time.”
“I’m never going to pass for a boy,” she said.“Look at me.”
He needed no further invitation to turn around, his eyes immediately landing on the swell of her breasts beneath the canvas shirt.Huffing, he handed her the leather waistcoat, the smallest he could find.“Here, put this on and button it up.”
While she did so, he examined the rest of her, from her slender feminine toes to the rounded curve of her hips to the glorious billow of her chest.
Shouts and curses thundered down the hallway outside the door.
“I can’t.”Gabrielle’s fingers trembled.
Pushing her hands away, Cadan quickly buttoned up the vest.’Twas not as tight as he’d hoped.“It’ll have to do,” he said.“Now, bunch your hair beneath this hat.”He handed her the largest floppy hat he had found on his ship, then turned to find his canvas shirt.
A gentle touch caressed his back, instantly spinning him to face her.
???
Gabrielle didn’t mean to stare, but when the candlelight flickered over the long ribbons of pink rippled skin on Cadan’s back, her heart nearly stopped.How many whippings had this man endured?How many lashes had been dealt from the hand of a cruel taskmaster?And all for a false imprisonment.Unbidden tears pooled in her eyes as she eased her fingers over the bands of pain, as if she could not only erase them but the memories they contained.
Cadan spun around and grabbed her wrist.“What are you—”
“I’m so sorry Cadan.You’ve suffered so much.Unjustly suffered.”
His eyes shifted between hers as if searching for her sincerity.He must have seen her tears, for confusion crumpled his expression, followed by a moist sheen covering his own eyes.
Turning aside, he found his shirt and tossed it over his head.Then blowing out the candle, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze.“Keep your head down.Act like a servant and stay close behind me.”
She gripped his arm.“Omphile.We have to get her!”
“Moses will.Now come.”
Nodding, Gabrielle expelled a nervous breath.
“Never fear, my lady.I’m with you,” he added.Then, opening the door, he led her out into the dark hall.
Gabrielle could not feel her feet.She knew she walked barefoot over wood and stone, but no sensations of either reached her mind—a mind numb with terror.Cadan was either the bravest man she knew or the most foolhardy.She’d been in many a precarious situation before, but as he led her up a set of stairs into the clamor above, she could not remember a time when so much was at stake.Not merely her life but the life of Cadan and, most importantly, that of her son.
