“Too old? What do you mean, too old?”
“It’s not at all fashionable, Lucas.”
“And you must stick to fashion, even out here?”
The teasing light in his eyes unnerved her. That, and feeling how naked she was behind the blanket.
“Lucas, this isn’t an appropriate time to be discussing my grooming habits. I would like to get dressed, if you wouldn’t mind making yourself scarce for a few minutes.”
“Ah, that’s another thing,” he said, picking up her corset from the pile of clothes. “Why do you wear this grim contraption? You don’t need it.”
“Lucas!” She grabbed it, thoroughly embarrassed. “What I wear or don’t wear is none of your concern.”
“It is when you smother yourself beyond any good sense. Western women—”
“I don’t care to hear about Western women right now, Lucas. Please, just let me dress.”
“All right, honey.” He stood up, amused. “I was just thinking of your comfort.”
Was he going to leave? The very idea of not wearing a corset! Whatever was the matter with him?
“There’s water in the canteen and a towel in my bags if you want to wash up,” he said. “I’ll give you ten minutes, so don’t dawdle. It’s going to take all day to get the mares to the ranch. Billy can handle it on his own, but he won’t get started until we join them.”
“Them” meant that Slade hadn’t left. How could she face him after last night? Would he be able to guess what had happened?
A rush of heat spread up her neck, but fortunately Lucas had sauntered off through the passage and around the bend, giving her the privacy she wanted. He hadn’t mentioned last night, had even prevented her from mentioning it. Here was the most incredible experience of her life, and he acted as if it hadn’t even happened! Well, that wasn’t really true. Wasn’t his manner more intimate, possessive even?
And then she realized that his saying nothing meant he didn’t know she’d been a virgin. She had worried for nothing.
Her relief was tremendous, and not just because he was unaware of her deception. There had also been the possibility that he might feel honor-bound to marry her after taking her virginity, but now she didn’t have to worry about that.
She refused to think about it anymore and quickly made use of her ten minutes. But it was not long before she was thrown into another quandary on discovering dried blood on the towel. She dropped it with a gasp and hastily ground it into the dirt. But no sooner did she feel the evidence was safely camouflaged than the blanket caught her eye. There was no time to wash out the telltale signs there. She would just have to keep the blanket with her.
She was putting on her boots when Lucas came back. “All ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
She hastily grabbed the blanket roll as he moved to gather his things. He looked at her questioningly, and she said, “I thought I’d use it as a cushion for the ride back.”
“Slade teach you that trick?”
“Yes.”
“Thoughtful of him, wasn’t it?”
“I suppose,” she muttered grudgingly.
“You’re not worried about seeing him again, are you?” he asked gently, holding her by the shoulders.
“I…” She stumbled over the words, his closeness confusing her. “No…not as long as you’ll be with me.”
“Good.” He patted her and went for his things again, strapping on his gunbelt and tossing the saddlebags over his shoulder. “His visits are short and infrequent,” he added. “So you’ll never have to put up with him for long.”
The fact that he apparently found nothing wrong with what his brother had put her through made it worse. “That’s encouraging.”
He either didn’t detect the sarcasm in her voice or chose to ignore it. He untied the stallion and didn’t speak again until the horse felt the slack on the rope and reared up, backing away from Lucas.
“Follow well behind me, Sharisse,” Lucas warned. “This fellow could try to make a bolt for it and I might not be able to hold him.”
