“We moved around too much. It’s difficult to form attachments when you aren’t in one place for long.” She snatched the bottle from his hand and raised it to his head. The moment she poured it on his scalp, he hissed, the pain that had receded returning with a vengeance. With a growl, he took the brandy back from her and made sure to down the rest. After he did, he found that he was starting to feel carefree again.
She got to her feet, but before she left, he reached out and grasped her wrist. “It’sh becaushe you keep othersh at a distance.”
She looked at him, but her only reply was, “You need to get your rest in order to recover properly.”
“Yesh,” he murmured as he started to fade. “I should do tha…”
Harlan didn’t finishhis sentence before he was starting to snore. Thank heavens the brandy had finally done its magic. Leah was starting to feel uncomfortable with the way he was watching her so intently, the intimate manner in which he was speaking. She wondered if he might have been going to kiss her again, the intention had been evident in his gaze. If he hadn’t been injured, she wasn’t going to say she would have denied him.
She shook her head. It was so strange to think that such different people had dared to find a way to share such an immediate attraction.
Taking a moment to gather herself, Leah left the bedchamber and walked into the parlor where the other three men were waiting for her. “How is the cantankerous fellow?” Hugh asked with a broad grin. Without his mask, she realized that he was just as handsome as he was charming, the perfect combination for a highwayman.
“Just as you say,” Leah returned dryly as she sat down and settled her skirts about her. “But at least he is asleep.”
Benjamin snorted as he reached up and brushed a hand over his beard. She noticed that he was also more appealing without his facial covering, however the beard concealed most of his lower face. “Leave it to Harlan to reject help.”
Leah crossed her arms. “It sounded as though he was just rejectingmyhelp. Perhaps he wouldn’t be so averse if he could trust me. But the only way to do that is to know what is really going on around here.”
Hugh and Benjamin exchanged a speaking glance, but Lucas was the one who spoke up in her defense. “According to what both of you told me, I think we can assume she is not a threat. And since Harlan seems intent to keep her here, then I think she should be told the truth.”
“It’s not up to us,” Hugh said firmly, his loyalty obviously speaking volumes. “It’s up to Harlan. He stands to lose more than the rest of us.”
Leah clutched the arms of the chair. “Since Harlan currently doesn’t have an opinion and I do, I demand to be told or perhaps I’ll just leave now—” She got to her feet, prepared to do just that.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Benjamin warned. “Harlan can be a right arse when he’s been drinking too much. With the wound adding to his temper, you are courting danger if you cross him.”
She put her hands on her hips. “It would be far better to risk his wrath than to stay here and do nothing more than twiddle my thumbs while I try to find something to occupy my time. I either hear the truth now, or you can face Harlan on your own. It’s your choice, gentlemen.”
There was a pause after her pronouncement and Hugh glanced at his fellow comrades. “She has the same temperament as Harlan,” he muttered, as he scrubbed a hand down his face.
“And she makes a fair point,” Lucas pointed out.
Benjamin grumbled something under his breath, and then said, “Blast it all. If Harlan didn’t want us to say anything, then perhaps he should have sent Miss Lindquist on her merry way.”
“Another fair point,” Leah announced.
In the end, Hugh waved a hand. “Sit down, Miss Lindquist, but I will have to warn you that you may not like what you hear.”
She sat back down and situated her skirts and then clasped her hands in front of her. “I can handle it, I assure you. Either way, it can’t be worse than the horrors I’ve been imagining thus far.”
“Very well, then.” Hugh took a deep breath and began to weave the most fantastical tale about spies, conspiracies to overthrow the monarchy, rebellions, and perhaps… a plot to commit murder.
Leah didn’t want to act as though she was fascinated by it all, but she had to admit it was quite intriguing. She might have traveled quite extensively with her father, but he had been careful to shield her from the darkest parts of the world, while she had yearned to understand everything—even the dangers. It was because she had been sheltered that she was forced to rely on her half-brother’s good charity. If she’d had the chance to experience things as they were, then perhaps she would be standing on her own two feet at this moment, conquering the world, regardless of her sex.
Once Hugh had finished, he said, “Now you know what we are facing, no doubt you are eager to—”
“Let me help.”
All three men glanced at her in surprise.
She moved to the edge of her seat, excitement starting to pulse through her veins. “I have nothing of import awaiting me at my brother’s house. While I had wanted to send word to Henry to let him know I am safe, I have no desire to be under his rule. I know that he would marry me off to the first man of his choosing, where I should be trapped in a loveless union for the rest of my life.” She glanced down at her clenched fists. “I have always wanted to make a difference, and now I can see the opportunity to do so.” She looked directly at Hugh. “Sometimes things happen for a reason. Perhaps I was put in your path—in Harlan’s path—to help. You already know I have certain skills. You believe this spy to be a gentleman? Let me approach him. I am sure I can find a way to learn what he plans to do—”
Hugh was already shaking his head. “Harlan would never allow you to risk so much. The lives we lead are fraught with constant peril. You saw what happened to him tonight. It is not the first time he’s faced down the barrel of a pistol. The threat of demise is very real each time we ride out.”
“But you no longer have to do that,” she countered. “The spy is alreadyhere,is he not? No innocent bystander would dare to shoot at a group of thieves without the proper reinforcements and you said he was acting alone. Once we uncover his identity—”
Again, her argument was cut short. “It’s out of the question.” Hugh got to his feet. “Rather than stay here and debate something that shall never occur, I should be getting home. Marie will be growing concerned.” He glanced at Benjamin and Lucas. “I suggest you both do the same.” He turned back around to Leah. “I trust I can count on you to remain with Harlan during the night? When he awakens, you can discuss your proposal with him, but I am confident you will receive the same reply.”
