She forced herself to slow and to think. Duncan Grant was dangerous in more ways than one. Trusting him too much would undo her carefully constructed lie before it had a chance to hold.
She met his gaze steadily, measuring him as she had measured so many risks before.
I will keep me distance,she told herself silently.I must.
Then she nodded. “I accept.”
His eyes warmed and darkened at the same time. “Good. I had hoped ye would.”
As they set off together, Elaina drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders, feeling for the first time since she’d fled her father’s house, that her future might belong to her.
CHAPTER THREE
The inn was scarcely ten paces from the mouth of the alley, yet Duncan found himself acutely aware of every step they took toward it. The pain in his shoulder throbbed dully beneath his coat. It was not enough to trouble him, but it served as an unwelcome reminder that the evening had gone rather differently than planned.
He did not allow it to show.
Elaina walked beside him. There was a resolve in her that intrigued him more with every glance. She was quieter now than she had been in the tavern, watchful without seeming afraid, and Duncan wondered what manner of woman she truly was. He had known her scarcely an hour and already she had overturned several of his assumptions.
Inside, the inn was warm and crowded. The low murmur of voices kept swelling and breaking like a tide. The innkeeper looked up as they approached. He recognized him instantly.
“Another room,” Duncan said easily, setting his hand upon the counter. “Fer the night.”
The man grimaced before Duncan had even finished speaking. “I’d give ye one if I could, me laird, but we’re full. Nae a bed left that’s nae already claimed.”
Duncan blinked once. Then he huffed a short laugh and turned toward Elaina.
“Well,” he said mildly, “it seems ye’ll have tae share a room with me.”
Her head snapped toward him. “Share a room… withye?” she echoed, looking delightfully scandalized. “Absolutely nae.”
He arched a brow, thoroughly enjoying himself now. “I ken,” he said solemnly. “It is a terrible burden, being forced intae close quarters with a man so undeniably irresistible. Still, it is only one night, and I trust ye will manage tae keep yer hands tae yerself.”
The color rose furiously in her cheeks. It was not embarrassment alone, but indignation sharp enough to cut. Duncan had the absurd thought that she was never more lovely than when she was thoroughly outraged.
“I assure ye,” she snapped, “resistingyeis nay difficulty whatsoever. It is me reputation that will suffer. I have nay intention of sharing a room with a man I dinnae ken.”
He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Nae even yer savior?”
“Nae even him,” she replied at once.
For a moment he only studied her, taking in the set of her mouth and the fire in her eyes. He was still smiling, still light in his tone, but something in her refusal struck deeper than he expected.
She was right.Entirelyright.
He straightened, and the humor eased into something gentler. “Very well. Ye shall take me room. I’ll find somewhere else tae sleep.”
Her expression faltered. “What? Where?”
He tilted his head, and his amusement returned momentarily. “Are ye worried about me?”
“Nay,” she replied too quickly. “I simply dinnae wish ye tae sleep on the street.”
“Ah,” he said. “Then perhaps in the same room after all?”
She shot him a look of pure disbelief. “Perhaps nae.”
Duncan chuckled, then gave an amused shrug. “Worth a try. I’ll sleep in the stable. It would nae be the first time.”
