“But it has made you entirely too lackadaisical about matters that should be of immense concern. If your men aren’t properly cared for, they shall collapse under the weight of pressure in the field—”
With a mumbled curse, Harlan shot back to his feet. “I would hear no more of your nonsense. Do you have anything useful to report from The Prince of Orange or not?”
Hugh sniffed, as if he was insulted, but he shook his head. “Not as yet, but today was the last I’ve heard from a ship bound from the continent.”
Harlan wasn’t pleased to hear this. He wanted this mission to be done so that he might move on to something more substantial than watching the roads in the happenstance that a possible threat might be captured. In truth, he wanted to return to the sea. Being a naval captain had comprised some of the happiest years of his life. He felt as though he’d had a purpose, whereas shouting a tired warning to travelers and acting the charming rogue was not in his repertoire. That demeanor went to Hugh, who continued to make more than one lady’s lashes flutter. If he wasn’t confident in his friend’s adoration toward his wife, Marie, Harlan might believe that Hugh would have made a perfect libertine.
“In that regard, there is no need to monitor the roads this evening,” Harlan instructed. “I am going to attempt to retire early and I suggest you do the same.”
As Harlan began to gather a cushion and blanket from the parlor, Hugh said, “You don’t intend to sleep on the floor, do you? I would demand that the lady share the bed.”
As Hugh waggled his brows, Harlan was not amused. “The floor is not any worse than a swinging hammock on board a ship.” Of course, now that he was a captain, he was given a private bunk on any English vessel.
“Very well.” Hugh got to his feet and headed back into the kitchen. “In case this delightful stew disappears, I believe I shall take advantage of it before I leave.”
“Do what you will,” Harlan retorted. “Just ensure that everything is secure before you see yourself out. We shall all reconvene tomorrow evening.”
Chapter 4
Leah couldn’t sleep. She had tried for the past two hours, but after the rest she’d sustained after her injury, she supposed her body was weary of any more. Either that, or it was the continual way her brain wanted to return to that passionate encounter in the kitchen. Why she might be pondering akisswhen she should be fuming at her current situation was beyond rational reasoning.
But then, she had been unable to understand why, in one moment of unadulterated bliss, Harlan appeared to be alluring and intelligent, when in the next, he was crass and thoughtless about her feelings. She had trouble understanding the abrupt switch in his behavior, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
She rolled back over in the bed and threw one arm above her head. At least she had acquired her valise. She hadn’t been surprised to find that her things had been riffled through, but what was rather curious was that they hadn’t taken her mother’s brooch. It was the one thing of value that she’d always kept close to her. It would have fetched a modest price that she was surprised such uncivilized ruffians might not have taken for themselves.
Highwaymen were notorious about going after coin and jewels. If that were true, then why had they left hers alone?
She frowned. Something didn’t fit, but what was she missing?
Throwing the covers off of her, she decided to ponder this revelation for a bit. At least if she was thinking about Harlan’s motives, then she wasn’t allowing her lips to continue tingling from that devastating kiss. She had never acted with such carelessness. Why had she allowed such an intimate moment it with a man she had never fully seen?
She stopped.Focus.
Pacing back in forth in front of the simmering fire in the grate, her white cotton nightdress swishing about her ankles, Leah decided to recount everything that had happened thus far. It was a bit difficult to recall the timeline of events after she had hit her head, which was still sore where she’d struck the window, but she did her best to piece together the last twenty-four hours. It was difficult to believe it had been such a short time since the public coach had been held up by such ruthless bandits.
And yet…
If they hadn’t been searching for wealth, then what else could they have been trying to find?
Leah had lived in various countries and met people from all walks of life. Surely there was some clue that might spark a theory of some sort, but what could anyone possibly hope to find if it wasn’t coin?
“Do you mind ceasing your incessant march?”
Leah gasped in surprise, and then walked over to the door. Wrenching it open, she nearly stumbled over the man on the floor. Harlan was lying on his back just over the threshold, and she was grateful to see that he was still fully dressed—including the concealing mask. She set her hands on her hips. “What are you doing there?”
He didn’t even offer the courtesy of cracking open an eyelid. “Attempting to sleep, but it’s nearly impossible with your continual tread.”
“Then perhaps you should retire to the parlor. No doubt you would be more comfortable on the settee.”
He snorted. “I might, if I didn’t care to have my legs hanging off the side all night. And now that I’m aware of your skills with a lock, I could not rest easy knowing you might club me over the head at any given time.”
“So, you would catch a chill by lying on the floor?”
“I’ve faced worse conditions.” His mouth kicked up at the corner. “But I do appreciate your concern on my behalf. It warms my cold, black heart.”
Leah glared at him. “It would do you good to leave you here to rot, but I wouldn’t want a dog to be left outside. While I doubt you are much more worthy, I certainly don’t want to be blamed for your demise.”
He finally opened his eyes, and she was struck again by the slight bit of green that shined up out of the darkness at her. “Then what might you suggest, Miss Lindquist?”
