She’d gonefrom prisoner to governess in the span of two days. From having nothing to having chambers, wages, and protection.
It was too much.Too good.
And some part of her,the part that had learned through pain that nothing good ever lasted, was waiting for it all to come crashing down.
7
“Well, well, well.”
Elijah lookedup from the contract he’d been staring at, unseeing, for the past ten minutes to find Declan Bell leaning against the doorframe of his study. His man-at-arms wore a grin that put Elijah on edge.
“What do ye want, Declan?”
“Just cameto welcome ye back, me laird.” Declan pushed off the doorframe and sauntered into the room, his grin widening. “And to get a look at the lass ye brought home.”
“She’s the new governess.”
“Aye,so I heard. The whole castle’s buzzin’ about it.” Declan dropped into the chair Piper had vacated, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Curvy thing, isn’t she? Bonnie too. And that firein her eyes, I saw it when yer maither was draggin’ her past the great hall. That’s a lass with spirit.”
Elijah’s jaw tightened.“Watch yer mouth, Declan.”
“What? I’m just observin’.”Declan’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “She’s exactly yer type, ye ken. All those soft curves, that defiant look, that sharp tongue. If ye had a type, which ye claim ye daenae.”
“I daenae havea type because I’m nae interested in any woman.” Elijah forced himself to look back down at the contract, though the words blurred before his eyes. “Miss Armstrong is here to teach me children. That’s all.”
“Mm-hmm.”Declan didn’t sound convinced. “So ye just happened to bring home a beautiful lass and give her a position in yer household out of the pure goodness of yer heart?”
“Aye.”
“And it has nothin’to do with the way ye were lookin’ at her when ye rode into the courtyard? Like ye’d fight off an army to keep her safe?”
Elijah’s head snapped up.“Ye daenae ken what ye’re talkin’ about.”
“Daenae I?”Declan leaned forward, his expression shifting from teasing to serious. “I’ve known ye for fifteen years, Elijah. Sincewe were both lads learnin’ to swing a sword. And I havenae seen ye look at anyone the way ye looked at that lass. Nae even Catherine, God rest her soul.”
“Then ye’re seein’things that arenae there.”
“Am I?”Declan studied him for a long moment. “Where did ye find her, anyway? Ye left to help Hector shut down that hunt, and ye came back with a governess. That’s nae the whole story.”
Elijah hesitated.He trusted Declan with his life, had trusted him with far more over the years. But Piper’s story wasn’t his to tell.
“She was in trouble,”he said finally. “I helped her. She needed a position, and I needed a governess. That’s all ye need to ken.”
“In trouble.”Declan’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of trouble?”
“The kindthat’s none of yer concern.” Elijah’s voice hardened. “But I vowed to protect her, and I mean to keep that vow. So I need ye on guard, Declan. She has enemies, people who might come lookin’ for her. If anyone shows up askin’ questions about a lass matchin’ her description, I want to ken about it immediately.”
“Enemies,”Declan repeated slowly. “Serious enemies?”
“Aye.The kind that would sell her back into slavery without a second thought. The kind that would hurt her just to make a profit.”
Declan’s expression darkened.“Christ, Elijah. What did ye get yerself into?”
“Nothin’I cannae handle.” Elijah met his friend’s gaze steadily. “But I need yer help. Can I count on ye?”
Declan was quiet for a moment,then nodded. “Aye. Always. Ye ken that.” He paused. “But if this lass is in danger, shouldn’t ye be tellin’ the rest of the household? The guards, at least?”
“I will.But first, I need to make sure she’s settled and feels safe here. The last thing she needs is everyone treatin’ her like she’s about to be attacked at any moment.” Elijah rubbed his temples, feeling a headache brewing. “Just… keep yer eyes open. And yer mouth shut about where she came from.”
