Chapter 5

"One thousand pounds for parsnip?" Boyd pointed to a subtraction in the book he'd been studying for the last three hours.

Though ledgers had never been his strength, these were fascinating. And it was far easier to concentrate on them than it was on the stunning woman across from him. Looking at Annie drove him to distraction.

"Parsnips is code for one of the men he bribes. That one is member of the House of Lords."

"Does he name them all after root vegetables?"

Annie shook her head with a small laugh. "No. Even more obvious, they are often just linked to the person's name. That's Lord Parsons, I believe."

"Christ," he muttered. Many lords had their hands in whoring or gaming. Provided generous donations were given to the crown in lieu of taxes, these activities were overlooked and very lucrative. But in addition to the activities, Makem's books held evidence of smuggling, slaving, extortion… "Is there a crime yer uncle isn't committing?"

Annie shook her head. "I doubt it. But it's important to note that he's only the middleman."

"And his boss?"

Annie shook her head. "I don't know for certain. They call him King, not to be confused with the actual king, who they call a very different name."

The carriage rolled down the road, the noise of the wheels echoing through Boyd's ears. He began to understand the scope of who they fought, and one fact was becoming increasingly clear. Annie wasn't safe in London, and maybe not even England. He'd been right to leave the city. With what she knew, and the ledgers she'd taken…they'd be hunting her for certain.

He didn't quite understand his dedication to her safety but somewhere in the last twenty-four hours, he'd made a decision. He was Annie's protector—at least until he could get her somewhere out of her uncle's reach.

He had the start of a plan. Leave London, follow the coast.

He knew Fulton Smith had just docked in London and would leave again in two or three days with a new shipment north. He no longer smuggled wine, his alcohol trade was legal and taxed, which meant he spent time in every port, carefully documenting his cargo and paying his taxes.

And when he reached Dover…

Boyd intended to meet up with him there. Outside of London, he could slip Annie onto Fulton's boat.

There, Boyd would give him the books, explain his plan, and see what aid Fulton might be able to provide. Could Fulton bring Annie to Scotland?

Out of England, Annie would have a much better chance of remaining safe.

Was Scotland far enough?

He didn't know but it was a start. And while he delivered her to Fulton, he could make some plans for his own future.

Return to London? Become a ship captain? He frowned, realizing neither plan really fit…

The carriage rolled on for hours, only stopping to change out the horses and give their legs a quick stretch.

Finally, as the sun set, they stopped at an inn. He left Annie in the carriage, heading inside to book a room and then quickly returning to Annie's side. It unsettled him to leave her alone. He snapped open the door as he spoke to the driver, "We'll leave before dawn."

"Yes, sir," Mr. Wiggins replied.

Annie appeared in the doorway, stepping down the set of carriage stairs. Boyd resisted the urge to help her, as he hoped to pass her off for a man in darkness of the inn. He'd checked them in as a man and his brother.

"Pull your hat low and keep your head down," he murmured as they made their way back through the door and quickly up the stairs. He'd requested a tray of food be brought to the room and he found it already waiting as they entered. Just a simple lamb stew and a loaf of bread but they'd gone most of the day without eating and it was a welcome sight now.

Once the door closed, Annie pulled off her hat and both of them sat down in silence, clearing the tray of its contents.

It was then that Annie looked up and glanced about the room. "There is only one bed."

He looked at the mattress. "It's likely not that comfortable either."

"Was there only one room available?" Her green eyes were wide as they came back to his.

"I don't know. I didn't ask."

Her mouth opened and closed. "But…"

Boyd let out a long breath. He'd made a choice today, one that he'd see all the way through, but perhaps Annie hadn't grasped the full scope of the situation. "I need to sleep tonight, Annie. I need my strength and my wits. And I won't sleep if I'm worried about ye in another room."

She nipped at her lip. "Oh."

"Nor can I worry about you alerting the entire inn yer female by letting out a scream in the night."

Annie clasped a hand over her mouth.

"I will be a gentleman and stay on my side of the bed, but I think ye'll sleep more soundly knowing I'm right next to ye, and I will sleep, knowing ye won't be frightened in the night."

Her hand dropped and she winced. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be sorry," he said, leaning closer. He'd kept his hands to himself today, created some distance between them. But right now, he knew she needed comfort. Reaching across the small table, he took her hand in his. "I'm not blaming ye for a problem, only offering up a solution. If someone is to blame…"

He didn't finish. If he ever got his hands on Makem, he'd kill the man himself.

"We'll sleep in our clothes." He rose from the table, taking the tray to set it outside the door. "And we'll leave before dawn breaks."

Annie rose too, walking the few steps to the closest side of the bed, the one that faced the door. But Boyd grimaced. "Other side."

Annie turned to him. "What?"

"Other side of the bed."

"Does it matter?" She looked at him, her brows pulled together as though she didn't understand.

In a single step he was at her side, his hand on her elbow, his other wrapping about her waist. "Yes. It matters. I want to be between ye and the door."

* * *

Annie looked up at him, her lips parting as she gasped in a breath.

How had she managed to be this fortunate? Her hand fluttered to his chest, as her body swayed closer. Even in sleep, he had every intention of protecting her. A wave of emotion threatened to overwhelm her.

Gratitude swelled in her chest even as some unnamed desire fluttered much lower. Boyd Lockton was everything she'd ever dreamed a man might be.

She stopped herself. He'd been tasked with her protection. He was not here because he bore some affection for her. Annie dropped her hand again, stepping back and promptly bumping into the side of the bed. She stumbled, nearly falling, but Boyd's other hand shot out to her waist, steadying her, and sending another chorus of chills down her spine.

Annie had to get a hold of herself. This was no time to develop an attraction. She was completely dependent on this man and in grave danger.

It was a situation that did not require any more complication.

"Are you all right?" Boyd asked, his face pulled in lines of concern.

"Just tired," she answered carefully stepping out from his hold and around the other side of the bed.

She shrugged off her jacket and vest and then pulled off her boots. But try as she might to unknot the cravat at her neck, she couldn't seem to get her fingers into the tightly bound fabric. With a sigh, she gave up. She'd just have to sleep in it.

"Let me see." Annie turned around to find Boyd just behind her. Without question she tilted her chin up, allowing him access to her neck. It was not something she'd ever offered a man before. Necks were a vulnerability and showing him hers was one more indicator of how completely she trusted this man.

His fingers brushed the yellowing bruise on her jaw a moment before he untied the cravat with a few quick tugs.

Heat flushed her cheeks. He was everything she needed all the time and tired as she was, she just wanted to curl into his arms.

Instead, she slipped into her side of the bed, turning her back to him, and pulling the covers up to her chin.

She felt Boyd get into the bed, the mattress dipping with his weight. He let out a long breath of air. "Good night, Annie."

"Good night." She closed her eyes, but then opened them again. "Maybe you should call me Andrew or some such thing."

He chuckled at that. "Andrew?" And then he laughed. "All right, Andrew."

She smiled too, her eyes closing, exhaustion pulling at her limbs. Because he'd been absolutely right. She slept best when she knew he was close. And right now, she intended to take full advantage.