“And if you couldn’t convince me?”
He looked as if he would rather be chewing nails. “I would defer—most unwillingly—to your judgment. And I should probably grow just as disagreeable as MacKay when Helen insists on accompanying us.”
A broad smile spread over her features. If she ever needed proof of his love, she’d just heard it. “You, disagreeable? It defies belief.”
He smacked her on the bottom, and she laughed.
But then she sobered. “I should like to continue to help Robert, but I think my days as a courier are over. You were right; I was overconfident about my abilities and perhaps,” she conceded, “even a bit naive about what might happen. I should have exercised more discretion. After two close calls, I think I have overstayed my welcome in the Borders, not to mention run out of identities.”
“Twoclose calls?” he boomed.
Oops. “I guess I forgot to mention how I came to be working in a drapery?”
“Aye, I’d say you did.”
Janet gave a quick recounting, ignoring the darkening of his expression when she mentioned the squire and knight, and ended with how she’s been forced to leave without saying goodbye to the Hendeses. “Do you think there might be a way to get word to them, and see that they are safe?”
“Consider it done,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said, not realizing how much it had been weighing on her.
“I won’t say I’m not glad you won’t be insisting on donning your habit again.”
Janet smiled. “I wouldn’t expect you to. Besides, it would be quite inappropriate under the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
She wasn’t ready to tell him that yet. But it had been hercoup de grâceif Robert had proved unreasonable. “Don’t think I’m finished, though. I have another plan in the works.”
He groaned. “I don’t even want to ask.”
“Don’t worry, it is nothingtoooutrageous.”
He made a pained face. “What a relief,” he said dryly. “Janet, unless you have failed to notice, I am still on my knee.” He winced uncomfortably.
Her eyes jumped to his leg. “Oh God, I forgot about your leg.” She dragged him to his feet. “Does it hurt horribly? I’m so sorry for leaving you like that—I didn’t realize you were ill the night I left. I thought you were drunk.”
He smoothed her hair back from the side of her face. “I rarely overindulge in spirits.”
She looked at him. “Because of your father?”
He nodded.
“I should have known.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t want you to know. Hell, I didn’t realize how bad it was myself.”
“Thank God for Helen,” she said.
He returned the sentiment and cupped her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “You haven’t answered my question.”
She smiled. “Yes…Yes!”
“Thank God,” he groaned, drawing her into his arms. The tender kiss meant to seal the promise of their future, however, quickly turned into something else. Something hot and demanding. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer, plastering her body to his.
The warm stroke of his tongue in her mouth made her shiver. Heat softened her bones, spreading over her in heavy molten waves. God, she loved kissing him.
The circles of his tongue became deeper and hotter, faster and more carnal. His body grew harder, rigid with the force of his desire.
