Page 22 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
“What on God’s green earth would make ye think what’spropermatters to me?”
“It matters tome.” Even if the bastions of society viewed her as somehowlessbecause of what she’d been through, that had only shored up her determination to hold to her own standards.
“Aye.” He studied her for a long moment, as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t entirely piece together. “I will respect yer wishes.”
“Thank you.”
He glanced at the weapon she still held. “Ye know how to shoot, do ye?”
She set the gun on her desk. “My father taught me when I was a girl. We’d have target practice at our house in the country.”
MacLain rubbed his neck as if to ease an ache. “Keep the pistol within easy reach. Don’t let down yer guard. The gunman escaped.” His voice was low, his words matter-of-fact. But she sensed his frustration. His restrained anger.
“I suppose there was nothing to be done about it. The element of surprise worked to his advantage.”
“I spotted a carriage at the end of the alley. I believe it was there, waiting for him.” A muscle clenched in his jaw. “By hellfire, I let him get away.”
As MacLain spoke, Heathy strolled up to him. Seeming to forget about snarling and growling, he wagged his tail enthusiastically while sniffing MacLain’s trouser leg.
“A fine guard dog, indeed,” MacLain said. “The wee beast might well thrash an intruder to death with his blasted tail.”
“Heathy is quite the traitor, isn’t he? And to think, you’re not even the one who feeds him.”
“I will have ye know dogs are fine judges of character.”
“Well, this one’s judgment leaves something to be desired.”
“Bloody shame the ball of fur cannot talk. Ye could train him to address me asMisteras well. I’m sure he’d want to be a proper little beast.”
“I suppose my attempt at propriety is rather a lost cause,” she admitted. “The very fact that you’re here, well past midnight, is entirely improper.”
“So it is.” His eyes darkened as they met hers. “But as long as there’s a jackal out there looking to put fear in yer heart, ye’re stuck with me. I will not be leaving ye tonight.”
Chapter Seven
Ye’re stuck withme. I will not be leaving ye tonight.
Amelia didn’t want to admit it, not even to herself, but Logan MacLain’s arrogant words were the most reassuring she’d heard in a very long time.
Still, she could not permit him to stay here. To stay withher. Her cozy flat above the library was warm and quite comfortable. But there was only one bedchamber.
Only one bed.
And she certainly was not about to sharethatwith him tonight.
“If ye think ye can talk me into leaving, ye’d be better off getting a good night’s sleep.” His tempting mouth quirked at one corner. “Ye’ve no worry that I will have my way with ye, or whatever the hell it is ye think scoundrels do.”
“Have your way?” She kept her voice deliberately bland.
Devilish amusement gleamed in his eyes. “Sorry to disappoint ye, but there will be none of that tonight. I am weary to the bone, and as I understand it, properly ravishing a woman takes effort.”
Warmth flamed in her cheeks.I rather fancy the prospect of being ravished by a rogue.The words she’d spoken so blithely while Beatrice carried on about Logan MacLain held a definite irony now. She’d certainly known how to tempt fate, hadn’t she?
“I’ve far greater concerns than fear of being ravished, by a rogue or otherwise.” She hiked her chin and steadied her voice.“Tell me, Mr. MacLain. Why are you determined to play the hero?”
“I’m not anyone’s hero. But I’ll be damned if I will stand by while cowards terrorize a woman.” He cast Heathy a glance. “Even if the lass happens to possess a fierce guard dog disguised as a mop.”
“If Heathy had not planted his teeth in that ruffian’s leg, things might have turned out differently,” she pointed out.
