He looked off down the street. ‘How’s your head?’
She stopped walking. ‘My head? My head is fine.’ She stepped down onto the street. ‘When was the last time you slept?’
His eyes met hers. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘You were looking for my sister last night, were with my uncle this morning, then on duty this afternoon.’
‘And I will sleep tonight.’
She held his gaze. ‘You look exhausted.’
For a man who did not have a tender bone in his body, he had the strangest impulse to reach up and touch her hair.
‘What’s going on in that mind of yours?’ Blake asked, leaning her back against the veranda post. The lantern light seeping through the edges of the shuttered window gave the illusion of colour in her face.
His thoughts were not for her ears. ‘Your sister will be brought to the square in the morning. Father Garsea will hear her confession and apology.’
‘Father Garsea?’
‘You know him?’
She nodded. ‘Friend of my uncle.’ There was disappointment in her voice. ‘And if she doesn’t speak?’
‘Your uncle seemed confident she would.’
‘Oh, and he’s never wrong about anything.’ She tried to smile but failed. ‘Will you tell her how much we need this from her?’
The duck had wandered out and was loitering at Blake’s feet. He watched it preen non-existent feathers.
‘Yes. I’ll tell her.’ His gaze travelled up from the duck. ‘I need a favour from you as well.’
‘Anything.’ The word came out as a whisper.
It made him look up. ‘Leave your weapons at home tomorrow. No matter what happens, know that nothing you say or do in the moment will alter what takes place. Interference only puts you and the rest of your family at risk. Trust me on that.’
She searched his eyes. ‘You’re making me very nervous, Commander.’
‘No weapons. No emotional outbursts or heroic displays. You swallow down your feelings and you let them out later. Understand?’
‘I understand.’
‘I’m not messing around here. This isn’t like gameball, where you just do as you please with no thought as to the consequences.’
‘I understand,’ she said again. ‘No weapons. No emotional displays. No heroics.’
Satisfied, he stepped back. ‘Make sure the rest of your family gets the message too.’
‘I will.’ When he turned to leave, she said, ‘I heard you carried me home.’ She swallowed. ‘And that you waited while the physician tended me.’
He said nothing.
‘I hope to repay you the same kindness one day,’ she said.
There was that impulse again. ‘You plan on carrying me five miles?’
‘Five?’ She scrunched up her nose. ‘Farther than I thought. Perhaps I’ll send for a horse, or just supervise your men doing the heavy lifting.’
‘I’m sure they would love that.’
