Page 15 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
“The threat has not passed. Ye will stay with me, in my home.”
The set of her jaw betrayed her response before she spoke the words. “Out of the question, Mr. MacLain.”
“I will protect ye. But ye must listen to reason. Ye have to—”
She hiked a feathered brow. “Listen to reason?”
Bollocks.Hard-won experience had taught him never to utter those words to a woman. From the look in Amelia’s eyes, he should have heeded the lesson.
A minor setback, at worst. He’d advance a rational argument to convince her.
“If ye look at this logically—”
Heat blazed in her sapphire eyes. “Rest assured, I am viewing your proposal through a lens of reason and logic. And I must tell you, the word that springs to mind when I consider the notion that I might sleep under your roof isnever.”
“Surely ye know ye can trust me by now.”
“Frankly, that remains to be seen,” she said with a little huff. “You’ve yet to explain why Paul would call upon you to protect me. And against schemers and murderers, no less. Perhaps some insight into the nature of your mysterious debt might inspire a bit more trust.”
“That time will come,” he said, doubting his own words. If Amelia knew the full truth of what had happened all those years ago—of the circumstances that had compelled her brother to pull a trigger to save Logan’s life—she might never forgive him.
“Will it now?” Her tone told him she’d read the truth in his expression. “In any case, I’ve no intention of spending the night with a—”
“A man like me?”
“Withanyman.”
“Ye’re concerned for yer reputation?”
“You are not the only one the gossipy biddies like to talk about. Preserving my good name is rather a lost cause.” A low breath escaped her slightly pursed lips. “I am most grateful for your assistance. But I have no intention of warming your bed.”
For reasons he couldn’t entirely work out, her insinuation stung. “Ye think that’s what this is about, do ye?”
She gave a little shrug. “It is very late. At this point, I possess neither the strength nor the mental energy to puzzle out your true motives. I wish only to return home.”
“Whatever the bastard was searching for is still out there. Ye don’t know who’s lurking about, who’s waiting for ye.”
The stubborn tilt of her chin ratcheted higher. “I had not expected you to be so melodramatic. Perhaps I should check my armoire for a monster or two before I lie down to sleep.”
“A woman alone is easy prey. Surely ye know that.”
“I will not be alone,” she countered. “Have you forgotten about Heathy?”
Had the lass not been in harm’s way, the notion of the four-legged mop of fur acting as her protector would have given him a chuckle. But at the moment, he was in no mood for amusement.
“I’ll be damned if I’m leaving yer defense to that wee beast.”
Her eyes glimmered with emotion. Was that a hint of fear? She was a strong woman, but she had to see she was still vulnerable.
Still in danger.
“Heathy is not a watchdog. But as you’ve seen, he’s quite capable of deterring an attacker.”
“We both know that mop on legs is no match for an armed man.”
As he spoke, Detective Inspector Herrin returned to the office. His expression grim, he closed the door behind him. He turned to Amelia. “At this time, I have no further questions. I will summon a constable to escort you home.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Logan said. “I will see to her safety.”
