She reached out a hand to hold his. “Thank you.”
He bent down and kissed her on the forehead and said, “I shall leave you to the rest.”
She washed her body with the strip of linen that he’d left for her, and then leaned her head back against the edge to enjoy the lapping water as it lulled her into a sense of security. She had no doubt that she would later look back on this moment with a fond recollection, and perhaps a bit of irony. It was the night she’d lost her maidenhead to the one man who was worthy of her regard, the same man who had abducted her on an English road.
It should have been sobering, but Leah swallowed hard, because she felt as though she was in very real danger of losing her heart to him.
Dear God, she realized that she didn’t even know his last name.
The water was starting to grow cold, her fingers and toes starting to wrinkle by the time he returned. His hair was damp from his own wash and he’d changed into a plain, dark blue robe.
He looked so handsome with his bare feet and knowing that heated hazel gaze was just for her, she was tempted to coerce him into the water with her. Instead, he held out a larger linen and she stood up, allowing him a moment to appreciate the view—the rivulets of water flowing down her breasts, her stomach, her hips—before she took the offering. She wound it around her body and tucked it above her breasts as he handed her a brush for her hair.
He moved one of the kitchen chairs closer so that she could dry off and stay warm. His consideration struck her to the point she wondered if there was a reason he was being so kind.
Preferring not to ruin this enchanted evening, she stared into the flames of the fire as he brought the other chair around to sit next to her. “What is your last name?”
“I suppose you deserve to know that,” he teased, and then he said, “Mathis.”
“Harlan Mathis,” she tested the sound of his full name on her tongue. “It sounds nice.”
He chuckled lightly. “I’m glad that you approve, Miss Lindquist.”
She shot him a dry glance. “I don’t believe there is any need to refer to me so formally any longer.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” he said with a lopsided grin.
She couldn’t resist the urge to lean toward him and offer a kiss. When she pulled back, he traced her lower lip with his thumb. It seemed as though he wanted to say something, but if he did, he didn’t allow himself to express the words. Just remained silent while she continued to brush out her hair.
When she was finished, he led her back to the bedroom. There, she noticed that he had changed the bedcoverings. He handed her the cotton nightgown she generally wore, and after removing the damp linens, she slipped it over her head. Next, he pulled down her side of the bed and waved a hand. “After you,” he murmured.
Feeling weariness taking over, Leah rolled onto her side and snuggled beneath the coverlet. She felt the bed dip slightly as he made his way in behind her. When he wrapped an arm around her waist, Leah sighed in contentment. She knew that this was where she wanted to be.
Forever.
In the midst of Harlan’s arms.
She wanted to stay awake, to enjoy this night for as long as possible, but her lids started to grow heavy and she couldn’t keep them open any longer.
The next morning when she awoke, he was gone.
Chapter 13
“You’ve been quiet all day.”
Harlan glanced over at Hugh as they sat about a campfire. The horses were tied to nearby trees, and Lucas and Benjamin were already showing signs of feeling the dizzying effects of the crackling smoke and flames. Likely the brandy they had consumed earlier might have added to their current malaise.
Harlan, however, was tormented by his thoughts—and the memory of his unforgettable night with Leah. He also held on to the knowledge that it might have been the only one they might ever share. When she woke and realized he was gone, no doubt she would be furious, cursing his name and vowing to never forgive him for using her so ill and walking away so effortlessly.
Except, there had been nothing effortless about it. In truth, he’d considered whisking her away somewhere they could never be disturbed again. He wanted to forget everything but her. In the end, it was his honor that kept him walking out the front door. He had a job to complete and he couldn’t rest until he was successful in this mission. The queen’s life depended on it.
Realizing that Hugh wouldn’t leave him alone until he offered a reply, he reached down and threw a random stick into the fire. “Have I?”
“Indeed. And considering you won’t look me in the eye, I have to suspect that something significant must have happened with Miss Lindquist.”
Harlan clenched his jaw and slid his focus to his friend. “You don’t know when to leave well enough alone, do you?” he snapped, finding his patience was worn thin by his misery. He stood and started to gather his things from his horse to settle down for the night. While he didn’t see any immediate sleep in his future, he would lay on the ground and close his eyes if just to blot out Hugh’s incessant queries.
“I have never known you to avoid any sort of confrontation before.”
