Chapter 3

Boyd woke to the sound of a scream. He sat bolt upright, reaching for his pistol. He jumped out of bed in a second, wearing nothing but the breeches in which he'd crawled into bed. How long ago had that been?

The sun streamed through the windows as he streaked through the open door into Annie's room.

She sat up in bed, letting out another shriek, clutching the covers to her chest.

He stopped, his gaze sweeping across the room. He didn't see anything amiss. "Annie."

Her gaze snapped to his, her eyes widening in confusion a moment before recognition dawned in them. "Boyd?"

He crossed the room, reaching the bed in a few long strides before he sat next to her on the bed, wrapping his arms about her. "Are ye all right?"

"I…I had a dream," she gasped, burrowing into his shoulder, her scent wrapping about him and he pulled her tightly to his chest. "A nightmare. I'm so sorry to wake you like that."

He spread his hands out on her back, wrapping her tighter in his embrace. "That's all right."

"I…" She drew in a few quick breaths and then sat up, her eyes meeting his for a moment before her gaze averted again in a wince. That didn't stop him from admiring the bright green of her eyes, so large and incredibly beautiful. "I didn't mean to scream. I won't be any more trouble this morning. You can go back to bed. I'll be fine."

Boyd grimaced. Had he given this woman the impression she was a burden? He regretted those first words already. "Do you have them often? Nightmares?"

Her knees pulled up to her chest. In the light of day, he could see that her dark hair was complimented by the sort of skin that looked pearl-like in its perfection.

His own complexion was so much darker than hers. He'd like to see his hand against her skin…

He shook off the thought as she hugged her knees, her cheek dropping down on her folded arms. "More and more often of late."

"Do ye want to tell me?" He wrapped her back in his arms, wanting her to feel safe.

She shook her head like she wouldn't but then... "In the dream, I'm being chased. I'm frightened. It seems like every night the man in my dreams gets closer to catching me."

He remembered her words when he'd first tucked her in last night. She'd asked him to stay. Boyd had two younger sisters. He thought of them being scared like Annie was now and his jaw hardened, his spine stiffening. "Next time ye have a dream like that, put me in it and ye run right to me."

She lifted her chin, a question in her eyes. His answer was to cup her cheek. "Boyd?"

"Working all these nights, it's nice to be up in the light. I'm going to build the fire back up and then I'm going to sit." He pointed to the corner. "Right over there."

She relaxed at his words, the tension ease out of the lines of her face as her body melted into him.

"You go back to sleep. When ye wake, we're going to eat and then we'll rest some more."

"Rest?" She gave him a smile that stole his breath as her pale pink lips curled up, showing a row of white teeth. "You don't strike me as a man who rests much."

"That's why this is such a treat." He rose then, striding toward the grate as he stoked the fire and added more wood.

Turning back, however, he stiffened to see her. She dropped on one elbow, and even with the covers, the curves of her body were highlighted by the pose. His body clenched in awareness as he tore his gaze from her to watch the fire instead. "You don't have to care for me. It's enough that you've hidden me away. I know you didn't want to protect me."

He shook his head, turning back to her. "Annie. Ye caught me in a moment of frustration. Honestly, I've been thinking of a change. I'm not sure I'm suited to the work at the gaming hell."

She lay her head on the pillow. "But Armstrong said you're very good at it."

He raised his shoulder in a half-shrug. "Maybe. Or maybe I'd be good at anything where I crack heads. Pulling a plow will do that to a man."

"Perhaps you're just good at everything," Her eyes closed, her voice softening.

Without thought, he reached for the covers, pulling them back up to her chin, tucking her in tightly. "I can tell you one thing I'm good at. Fighting when it's necessary. So you sleep, little Annie, and know that if a man tries to chase ye, he's got to get through me."

A fierce protectiveness rose up inside him as he brushed a stray lock back from her face. Why was he touching her like this? This woman was in his charge for a few days, no more.

She didn't flinch at his touch, in the contrary, she smiled, her eyes fluttering open again. "That does make me feel better. Thank you."

"It does?"

Her smile spread. "You're very large."

He chuckled, his fingers gliding over her skin before he lifted his hand away. "Runs in my family. Ye should see my cousin, Angus Lockton. Massive."

She looked up at him, her hair coming over her shoulder, her green eyes so clear and bright. "I'm certain I'm safest with you."

How did women know how to do that? She pulled at every protective instinct he already had. "Go back to sleep, Annie. I have no idea what comes next, but I know ye'll face it best with some rest."

Her hand snaked out from under the covers, reaching for his as her warm palm slid against his skin, his much larger fingers engulfing her small hand. "Don't leave me. Please."

Did she mean now? Or did she mean she wanted to stay by his side no matter what came next?

He'd been to Upton's home, and it was quiet country up in Cumberland. He was sick to death of the nights, why couldn't he be the one to bring her there? Take a break, think about his future while he kept Annie safe?

Because he'd killed their last foe, Boyd was part owner in the Smith business, which would continue to pay whether he was in London or not.

A little adventure might do him some good.

He crossed to the fire, adding several more pieces of wood before he settled into the chair. Outside, the sun shone, birds chirping in the morning air.

The clock downstairs chimed nine times. He relaxed back into his seat. It was going to be a lovely spring day and Boyd intended to enjoy the view.

He turned toward the bed. He'd put Annie in the mistress's suite, an adjoining room to his own, to keep her safe.

She'd still woke from a nightmare and only seemed content when he was near… A man could get used to being so needed.

* * *

Annie woke with a start, realizing she'd been in a deep sleep. When was the last time she'd slept so soundly?

She pushed up to see a tray next to the bed, tea and toast already prepared. And next to the fire, a tub.

The door rattled, Boyd entering with a large bucket of water in each hand. Behind him came an older woman, a large blanket in her hand and on top of that, a neat stack of clothes.

Her gaze turned back to Boyd, now fully dressed. His hair swept back from his forehead, accentuating his full jaw. His jacket hugged the width of his shoulders and the taper of his waist.

She winced, thinking of how she looked in this moment. Her braid was coming undone, her night rail, the same one she'd escaped in last night, was crumpled and dirty.

Boyd winked at her, and then set the buckets down, lifting one at a time to pour them into the tub. The older woman gave her a questioning glance but said nothing as she set the pile of goods down in the chair and then exited the room.

Boyd rubbed at his jaw as he turned to her. "I couldn't get women's clothing without leaving so I've brought a few things from a local stable boy. They're clean and they should fit." He grimaced. "And, if we tuck yer hair up…"

He had a point. Dressing as a male was another way to further hide her identity and help her escape London. "They're perfect. Thank you."

With a nod, he turned away again, going to his own room. He closed the door connecting the two rooms, though Annie noted, that the door never clicked shut. She didn't mind. Boyd kept the door the slightest bit open for her safety. But all the same, she stuffed a few bites of toast into her mouth and tossed off her night rail.

A proper bath would feel wonderful.

She'd bathed at her uncle's but not like this. Between her uncle's appraising glances and the constant customers, she'd always been on guard. But here… She took off all her clothes at once, being seated down in the tub, she'd have been too vulnerable.

But here…

She grabbed the cake of soap, and sank into the tub, her eyes fluttering closed for the briefest second.

Just like everything since she'd arrived here this bath was wonderful. She began to scrub her skin, remembering Boyd's touch this morning.

For a man who struck fear in other men, his hands were achingly gentle.

She wished she could wash her hair, put on a pretty dress. It wasn't for her own vanity…

She looked back at the connecting door. Boyd was the best sort of man. Strong, capable, not overly eager to take care of a woman. He'd protested at first, which told Annie…

He'd not agree to such an arrangement with just anyone.

She knew it wasn't her that had changed his mind, it was the circumstances, but still…it mattered that he'd not save some other lady next week. Him protecting her was special.

Having scrubbed herself, she wrapped the blanket under her arms, and then dropped her night rail in the tub and washed it too. She wasn't certain when she might be able to acquire another.

Dressing, she pulled on the tight breeches, wrinkling her nose at the tight fit around her hips. Annie had always had thin shoulders and a tiny waist. Not much chest, but her hips were full, and the fabric stretched across her behind.

With a shrug, she tucked in the shirt and then pulled on the vest, buttoning it into place. She'd be warm in this at least, and she'd be able to move freely. Both were a bonus.

A knock sounded on the connecting door. "Dressed?"

"Yes," she called. She still needed to re-plait her hair and find a way to tuck it back, but she was covered at least.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course," she answered, pulling the ribbon from hair and letting loose the strands.

"Good. I need to discuss…" But Boyd's words tapered off. She glanced over her shoulder to find his gaze on her, his brows up and his lips parted.

She glanced down her back as best she could, noting that her rear swelled far more than any man's. "I'm not going to pass for a man, am I?"

He chuckled then, but his gaze remained fixed on her back. "All we can do is our best."

A slight flush climbed her cheeks as she brushed her hair back. "You don't have a comb or horsehair brush, by any chance? My hair rarely cooperates."

Her hair was thick with large waves, and it took a bit of taming to control the rebellious mass of strands.

"Cooperates?" Boyd asked but his voice sounded…strained.

She looked back at him, noting that his mouth was now pressed in a firm line, the lines of his face taut with tension, his dark eyes unreadable.

She straightened up. "Are you worried I won't be able to fit all this under my hat?"

"Nay," he murmured softly. "That wasn't what I was thinking…"