Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Anna

Anna woke to the sound of her own scream.

In a moment, she was in someone's arms, gentle hands holding her against a solid chest. "You're all right." A deep, gentle baritone soothed.

She tipped her chin back, not able to place the voice, but a feeling of safety wrapped about her.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark as a face came into view. Strong, handsome, kind. She drew in a ragged breath. "I'm so sorry."

"You've nothing to be sorry for," he answered. Lord Bancroft. That was his name. The events of the last four days returned in a rush that had her gasping again.

He held her tighter, his strong arms hugging her close. One of his hands held her scalp as his fingers splayed out in her hair.

"I just…" She had no idea what she even wished to say. That she'd just remembered? That she'd forgotten where she was or how she'd gotten here?

"Shhh," he softly whispered against her ear. "I'm going to stay right in that chair until Kate returns. You won't be alone. I promise."

"Thank you," she said, her arms snaking about his waist as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. He smelled of sea air and the fresh scent of pine. It was the sort of scent that made her feel fresh and clean and she thought that she'd likely cease having nightmares if she slept just like this…

"Anna!" Kate's voice called from the other side of the door.

Reluctantly, she lifted her head again. How was Kate still awake? Anna was so tired after days in that closet.

But that was Kate. Made of strength where Anna was soft. Anna was surprised Kate didn't realize that about herself. While Isabelle was practical, Kate was strong. "I'm all right," she called back to her sister. "Just a bad dream."

The door opened, the other man who'd rescued them appearing with Kate at his side.

Anna noted that her sister's fingers were laced with his. "What is your friend's name again, Lord Bancroft?"

He gave her a small smile. "Jack Wit is what he goes by, but the rest of the world calls him Lord Foxcroft."

"Oh. A lord," she settled her head back into the crook of Lord Bancroft's neck. It was a pleasant place to be, and she'd like to stay a bit. "Go back to your conversation, Kate. I'm comfortable here."

Anna couldn't see her sister and yet…she felt Kate draw herself up. Was a lecture coming? Surely that was what charged the air. "I should be the one in here with you. It's not proper?—"

Anna lifted her hand. "Spare me the lecture on proper. We left that in London, and I don't think we're getting it back."

She felt the man under her stiffen. "What do you mean?"

Anna lifted her head again. "I was due at school four days ago. Loads of people have missed us. We're not going to slip quietly back into society. We're ruined."

Lord Bancroft's eyes widened for a moment and then all his features stiffened. "I see."

"On the bright side, I won't have to attend finishing school. I was not looking forward to the endeavor."

"Stop finding the bright side," Kate grumped. "Those men stole our lives. Which will likely be worse than stealing our bodies for four days."

Anna nodded. It was true. "Do you think this means I'll never marry?" She found herself plucking at the back of Lord Bancroft's coat. She'd never dreamed of a great match. Her mother had applied herself to marrying an earl. Look how that had turned out.

But Anna had been looking forward to matrimony and a family of her own.

Kate cleared her throat. "Lord Bancroft is going to take you to Scotland. There, you can find a Scottish husband, I'm certain."

Anna nodded into Lord Bancroft's neck. "Right then," her eyes drifted closed. Now that she was safe, exhaustion pulled at her limbs. "Do you think I might go back to sleep?"

"Yes, love," Kate replied. "Sleep."

"Might Lord Bancroft stay? I feel much better…" His arms tightened around her again.

"I'll stay…"

"Good." She felt herself slip into sleep even as the soft murmur of voices filled the background. She couldn't make out the words but hearing them talk made her feel safe.

As she'd already said…she'd like to stay in the circle of this man's arms for as long as she was able.