Page 29 of The Hired Hero
Expelling a harried sigh, Davenport ordered another ale.
As he wet his lips, an involuntary smile curled at the corners of his mouth. “Weak” was hardly a fair description of the exasperating young lady, he mused on recalling the past few days since she had stumbled into his life. She had faced pain and fatigue with more courage than most men did. And her spirited defiance of his demands showed pluck to the bone. Why, even her recent tears had not been a ploy to wheedle his sympathy.
The difference between this young lady, who called herself “Caroline,” and Helen?—
No, he refused to dwell on such things.
Davenport quickly drained the last dregs and rose.Damnation, let them both go to Hell.After all, they had both chosen to live with a devil.
However, he would endeavor to be more civil.
As the earl made his way upstairs, a rough-hewn man seated in the dark recesses of the tap room sidled out of his chair and slipped out the door. It would be a long walk, and the night was turning raw. But the reward would more than make up for any discomfort.
After all, the flash cove had promised a guinea for a description of any travelers who were passing through the area. The man scratched at his stubbly chin. The tall, dark-haired fellow was easy enough to describe—he had gotten a good look at him throughout the evening. The young groom was more of a problem. He hadn’t been able to see that one’s face at all or more than a hint of straw-colored hair from under the large cap. But at least he could give a fair picture of the lad’s height and slight build. That should be enough—the toff couldn’t expect him to paint a bloody portrait!
* * *
The cry was sosoft that Davenport wasn’t sure whether he had simply dreamed it. The second one, louder and sharper, brought him fully alert. The noise was going to rouse one of the other lodgers if it kept up.
Slipping from his bed, he went to kneel beside Caroline. Her covers were in disarray, exposing her night rail nearly to the waist. The top buttons had come undone, and Davenport couldn’t help noticing that she looked—well, even less like a groom than before. Her hair was spilling loosely over her shoulders, and one hand was gripping the folded jacket beneath her head, as if she feared that someone might want to make away with the ratty garment.
“I’m not afraid, Luce,” she muttered. Her other hand was clenched in a fist, and the earl took it between his own fingers and tried to ease away the tension.
“It’s all right,” he said softly.
“No!” She sat bolt upright, her eyes betraying first fear, then confusion.
“It’s all right,” he repeated, taking gentle hold of her shoulders. “You were having a nightmare.”
“Oh! I’m…sorry,” stammered Caroline as she struggled to gain control of her ragged breathing.
He could feel that she was still trembling. Instead of returning to his own bed, he moved his hands gently to the back of her neck and began to massage the knotted muscles. “Take a deep breath,” he counseled.
All at once, the fight drained out of her and she slumped forward, her forehead coming to rest on his shoulder. Without thinking, he gently stroked a hand over the tangle of her curls. It was a few minutes before he spoke again.
“Better?”
Caroline suddenly stiffened and pulled away, drawing the thin blanket up to cover the front of her nightdress and looking away in embarrassment.
Davenport dropped his hands to his side but didn’t move.
“I…I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she whispered. “I won’t let it happen again.”
He ignored her words. “Would you like a glass of water?”
She shook her head. Her eyes were still averted.
“Miss,” he began.
She started and turned to him, as if to speak. But her eyes abruptly stopped at a spot somewhere below his chin, then widened in shock.
Puzzled, he followed her gaze down to his bare chest. He had retired clad only in his drawers—and usually, he did without those. “Come now, it isn’t as if you haven’t seen a man without his shirt on.”
She continued to stare.
“Ahhhem.” He reached for where he had dropped his shirt and tugged it on.
Caroline looked up quickly. “You needn’t concern yourself any longer, sir. I won’t bother you again.” She started to lie back down, but he stopped her.
