“Oh, please go to sleep, Flynn, if you plan to. That is, if you can fit your big head on the pillow.”
“I’ve never caused hurt to any woman,” he said softly.
“Can you be sure?”
“Not entirely. But I certainly never planned to. And I wouldn’t want to hurt you. You may take umbrage at my morals, but you are wrong in thinking I don’t live by certain standards.”
“I don’t think badly of you, Flynn,” And how could she when he was so gallant? Although courtly knights would kiss her hem, she suspected Flynn had something else in mind entirely. “I have much to thank you for. Good night.”
“Good night, Althea.” Once he’d got that off his chest, Flynn promptly leapt out of the bed.
Althea blinked, expecting a naked male, but he still wore his trousers. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head, cocked his gun, and, without another word left the room.
Well, really! He just did that to tease her.And what a good subject she was, she thought ruefully.
She shut her eyes on the image stamped into her mind of his broad chest, muscular stomach, and the trail of dark hair disappearing into his waistband. She threw back the blankets and deserted her makeshift bed. With a sigh, she climbed into her own bed, warmed by Flynn’s body, where a trace of his sandalwood soap lingered, and prayed he would be safe.
Restless, she kneaded the pillow. Had she unconsciously given Flynn an invitation to pursue her? She admitted there was a certain amount of pleasure in stirring a man like Flynn’s interest. Aunt Catherine had suggested such a thing herself. Apart from the fact it terrified her, it seemed dishonest somehow, and anyway, anything more between them would surely lead to heartache. He had never pretended to be anything other than what he was. Maybe not a rake, but certainly a confirmed bachelor.
Althea trusted Flynn to deal with these men, but when it was over, she would be back where she started, struggling to survive in a man’s world. She stared into the dark while she tried to tamp down the bitter, cold despair of her predicament. Ears straining for any unusual noise, she shut her eyes. It would be a long night.
