She wished Harlan hadn’t chosen to go out this evening. Until then, she might have tried to imagine that Harlan wasn’t the scandalous thief that he appeared. Hugh and Lucas had both told her that not everything was as it appeared, and yet, how could she know any different when Harlan kept that firm wedge between them?
The thundering sounds of horses approaching had Leah lowering her book in alarm. She glanced at Lucas, who set aside his book as well. But it was the slight frown between his brows that unnerved her the most. It was proof that this was not a common occurrence.
Lucas walked over to the door just as it opened. Leah heard Benjamin’s gruff voice say, “He’s been injured.”
Her heart jumped into her throat because she didn’t have to ask to know that the man he was referring to was Harlan. She immediately jumped to her feet and rushed to where Benjamin and Hugh were bringing in the limp form of their leader. She gasped, not so much because of the blood that had matted against the side of Harlan’s head, although it was disconcerting. Thankfully, he still had a bit of color to his face.
Hisbareface.
She didn’t realize how much of his virile profile had been hidden by that mask, but as they carried him into the bedchamber and laid him down on the bed, she saw that it had concealed quite a lot. He truly was quite handsome. Although his dark hair was in disarray and there was a nasty gash on the left side of his head, it was the strong structure of his face, combined with the full lips that she abruptly remembered kissing, that made the blood run hot in her veins. She felt guilty for daring to lust after him when he was injured, but it was the first time she could look upon him fully and appreciate the man behind the facade.
She forced herself to put aside her musings as she walked over and grasped Hugh’s arm. She was grateful that they had also dispensed with their disguises as well. It made her feel more… connected to them all somehow, like she had finally earned their trust. But more than that, found her purpose for being there. She still wasn’t certain of their motives, and she certainly didn’t owe them any loyalty after she’d been taken hostage. And yet, she couldn’t stand aside.
“What can I do?”
Hugh looked at her as if he was trying to decide if she was being sincere or not, but he must have made a quick choice, because he said, “Hot water and linens. And some brandy might work when I stitch up this wound. He might be out of it now, but he will be lucid enough when the pain returns.”
Leah nodded and rushed into the kitchen to find what he needed. He hadn’t asked for a needle or thread, but perhaps he already knew where that was.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to gather the items requested. The alcohol took the longest to find, because it was kept in a cabinet that turned out to be locked. Not knowing where the key was, she had to resort to opening it without one. Of course, that was the easiest hurdle for her to overcome.
With the bottle in one hand and a steaming bowl of water in the other, white linens draped over her arm, she entered the bedroom just as Harlan’s hazel eyes flew open with a curse. “What the devil—?”
At first, she thought he was complaining about his wound, but when it became apparent that he was touching his face to find that his mask had disappeared, it was clear why he was really upset.
“I had to remove it unless you don’t want this stitched properly,” Hugh told him firmly.
Harlan’s eyes narrowed on him. “But what ifshe—”
“I fear it’s too late for that,” she announced primly. “I’m already here.” Immediately, Harlan’s tirade ceased as she handed the requested items to Benjamin, who set them on the nearby side table.
“Get out,” came the menacing growl from the bed.
She allowed her gaze to light on him for a moment before she spoke. “No.” Dismissing him, she turned to Hugh and said, “What now?”
“I’m trying to thread this blasted needle,” he grumbled.
She didn’t waste any time but took the item from him. “Allow me. I am quite adept at needlepoint.” She quickly made short work of the needle and tied a knot in the thread to keep it in place. She held it out to him expectantly.
Hugh glanced at the patient, and then asked slowly, “Do you have a weak stomach, Miss Lindquist?”
Harlan erupted. “She isn’t going to bloody touch—!”
“I don’t, actually.” She glared at their patient once more. “But you will have to keep him still. I might have a steady hand, but there are limits to my expertise.”
With a nod, Hugh thrust the bottle at Harlan and said, “This is happening whether you like it or not, so I suggest you lie there like a good boy and let Miss Lindquist do her job properly.” He lifted a brow. “Or do you want another fine scar like the last one I gave you?”
Harlan’s focus switched back and forth between them, and then he snatched the brandy from Hugh. Downing about half of the bottle in several large gulps, his eyes were starting to glaze over by the time he barked at her, “Do it.”
Chapter 8
Harlan was not a happy man. Not only was he about to allow this blasted charade to take place, letting Leah to stitch up his wounds, but he despised feeling like an invalid in her presence even more.
Nevertheless, Harlan hadn’t been very pleased with the last sewing attempt that Hugh had performed on him about a year ago when he’d made the mistake of getting his leg stabbed. It had been an instance of the wrong place at the wrong time at the local pub while he was trying to gain information on a different mission. A fight had broken out that had nothing to do with him, and yet, he had found himself one of the casualties of the disagreement. One man lunged at the other, who darted out of the way at the last minute. When the first man was caught off balance, he broke his fall by plunging his knife into Harlan’s leg.
The excruciating pain of that moment was similar to the gunshot he’d received this night, but at least he’d been able to keep his pride intact before. This time, he had to sit there and, as Hugh said, take it like a good little boy.
He might have been able to handle the circumstances a bit better if his mask had been in place. At least it would hide a grimace should he find the pain a bit too unbearable. But other than gritting his teeth, he was determined to endure this latest incident with honor.
