Page 6 of The Taming of a Wicked Rogue

A dog approached her, and he saw her expression soften. He smiled, despite himself. Nothing changed there then. Rebecca had never been able to resist animals of any kind. Her mother had been nearly driven out of her wits with her need to take in every stray in Cumbria. He still recalled the moment she’d brought home a grass snake and her mother had screamed to the rafters at the sight of it.

She bent to fuss the dog but stilled when Mr. Cooper, the smithy, emerged from his building, looked left and right and finally motioned for the dog to return inside. The dog obediently skulked inside, and Mr. Cooper paused, hands to his hips while he eyed Rebecca.

Leo had little idea of the conversation that passed, but the smithy was no fool and Leo doubted the disguise dampened his curiosity, especially given Rebecca lurked outside his building.

Rebecca said something to him, turned hastily away and then stopped when the smithy said something else. Her eyes widened and she cast her gaze down.

Leo sighed and strode over. He owed her nothing. Not one thing. No one would blame him for leaving her up to her fate after what she did to him.

“What’s your name, boy?” asked the smithy. “I recognize you.”

Rebecca affected a low voice that made Leo wince. “Uh...my name...” She glanced around. “Uh...”

“You can’t remember your own name now?” The smithy moved closer. “What are you up to?” He folded his arms. “If you are here to make trouble...”

Leo stepped to Rebecca’s side. “Forgive me, Mr. Cooper, this is Frederick. He’s a new groom at Eastwick.”

The man narrowed his gaze. “I see.” He eased his arms down by his sides. “You had better warn your boy not to linger, my lord. He looks suspicious.” The smithy moved past him and leaned in. “And be careful. The boy seems a little addled.”

Leo pressed his lips together to prevent himself from chuckling and nodded sincerely. “I shall indeed, Mr. Cooper, thank you.”

Snatching Rebecca’s arm, he led her away from the building. “Come with me, Frederick. Let’s get you back to Eastwick.”

She tugged against him, but he didn’t stop until they were some distance away from the blacksmith’s and toward the far end of the town, where the crowds of people thinned.

“There was no need for that.”

He eyed her determined expression and laughed. “You make a terrible boy, Rebecca.”

“I was fine until you came along.”

“Mr. Cooper thought you were mad.”

“Well...I would have been fine,” she insisted.

“You do not look fine.” He cast his gaze over her filthy, creased appearance. “You look as though you are in need of rest and a wash. No wonder Mr. Cooper thought you to be a troublemaker.” He rubbed a hand across his face, not quite willing to believe what he was about to do. So many times, he’d pictured her return and how he’d behave. He’d scold her, maybe even shout at her. Or just take one glance at her and walk away.

Never, not once, did he think he’d offer her sanctuary.

∞∞∞

“COME WITH ME.”

She stared at him for a few moments. “No.”

It was unfeasible. Impossible. Utterly, completely unacceptable for her to go with him. But some small part of her exhausted mind wanted to reach for the outstretched hand.

Two days of searching and she’d found nothing. She’d made do with sleeping in a sheep pen of all places last night. She smelled and her stomach grumbled, not being able to set foot in the inn or the tea room in such a state.

The large, capable outstretched hand tempted and lured. How easy it would be to take it and relive those beautiful moments of romance they had shared when they were young.

How easy and how foolish.

“Come with me, Rebecca,” he said tightly.

“No.”

The temptation clawed at her like a wild animal trying to escape its cage.What harm would it be?a rebellious voice muttered.

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