Chapter Eight

M alcolm knew that the lass was only trying to make idle conversation and that she wasn’t really prying into his history and personal life.

But when she sat in front of him in her night robe, the material much too thin to be proper, he had a hard time not reacting to the lass. He could see the swell of her breasts, the hard peaks of her nipples poking the fabric.

His cock jumped to attention as if it were answering a battle cry and it was taking all of his self-control to not pull her up from her chair, wrap her in his arms, and capture her mouth like an invading army.

Over and over in his mind he had to remind himself she wasn’t some lass he picked up on the street. She was potentially a criminal. A thief who had stolen items from some of the biggest estates across Scotland.

“Malcolm?”

His name on her lips was a sweet song and he wondered what it would sound like for her to say it with her voice husky with passion.

He rubbed his hands across his face, trying to erase the erotic imagery trampling through his mind.

“Aye?”

She stood and brought the mug over to the basin of water to wash it before taking a towel to dry it before replacing it back in the cupboard.

“I feel much better and would like to return to my room.”

“Of course.” He grabbed the lantern and waved his hand for her to exit the kitchen. It was selfish of him, but he wanted to watch her arse rock from side to side as she ascended the stairs in front of him. And when he did, he had to swallow the groan that wanted to escape him at the sight.

Mayhap he should look for a wench to get lost in for the night. But just the thought soured his stomach. Nay, a wench wouldn’t do. It wasn’t that he just needed the release. There was only one person that could cure what he was longing for, and it was someone he could not touch.

At the door to her room, she spun and pierced him with a serious look. “Are ye going to sleep in the hall for the rest of the night.”

“Aye.”

Her brows furrowed. “Go sleep in your bed. I promise ye that Mary and I will still be here in the morn.”

“That is what a thief would say,” he jested with a wink.

She sucked in a sharp breath. “Ye tease.”

“I do,” he chuckled. “I shall think about where I will sleep. Rest well, Lass.”

She paused for a moment longer and he didn’t think she was going to enter the room, but finally she nodded.

“Good night, my lord,” she whispered before disappearing inside.

He leaned against his own door, staring at the door she’d just shut quietly behind her, clenching his jaw. There was no question that she and her maid would be there in the morn. He had no doubt that she wouldn’t run. She was quite genuine when she’d made the proclamation.

But he couldn’t protect her if he was sleeping in his room.

Out here, he could see everyone that walked down the corridor. No one in their right mind would attempt to enter the ladies’ room whilst he was here so once again, he sat down and leaned his back against the door to his room.

The lasses would be safe. He would make certain of it.

The rest of the night passed with no events of note. As the sun rose and weak rays filtered in through the window at the end of the hall, Malcolm stood and groaned at the pain that shot through his back. These days his body much preferred sleeping on a soft mattress instead of the hard floor. The aches would only be more pronounced after another day stuck crammed into a carriage as they continued their journey to Stonehaven.

He listened at the door of Lizzie’s room and could hear shuffling inside. The hum of the rustle of the inn coming to life reached his ears, and satisfied that no one would attempt any harm to the lasses in the light of day with people milling about, he ducked inside his own room.

The bed was soft as he sat on it, his body begging him to lie down for just a bit. He fought the urge to just close his eyes for a minute. Instead, he walked over to the basin and splashed the cool water on his face to chase the tiredness away.

He quickly changed into fresh clothes and was buttoning his jacket when a soft knock sounded on his door.

Kenning it was Lizzie, he answered curious as to what she wanted. Mayhap something had happened.

“Miss?”

“My lord—Malcolm,” she corrected. Her eyes roamed the length of him, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “I am glad to see that ye took my advice and sought your bed instead of the hard floor of the hallway.”

If that was what she believed, he wouldn’t correct her. “Aye.”

“I told ye we would still be here in the morn,” she laughed softly. “Would ye like to escort us to break our fast in the dining hall?” she asked.

“Indeed. I wouldna have ye dining alone now, would I?”

“I would imagine no’.”

Mary exited the room and with the two women looped arm in arm, they made their way downstairs. Once in the dining hall, Mary excused herself to sit off to the side. Malcolm would have had no concerns with the maid joining them, but he understood her reluctance to do so. Even though the two of them seemed to be friends, the maid still kenned her station and would do naught to draw attention to her or Lizzie by acting as if she were more.

Lizzie accepted a cup of tea from the serving maid, and he asked for a newspaper and a cup of the Turkish coffee that the innkeeper had mentioned previously. It was supposedly strong in flavor, and Malcolm looked forward to trying it hoping that it was true. He needed to be at full attention on the next leg of their journey.

A frown marred Lizzie’s pretty face as she looked him in the eye.

“’Tis something the matter, Lass?”

“Aye. It appears that e’en though ye finally went to bed, ye didna get as much sleep as ye needed, Sir.”

“Malcolm,” he reminded her gently, not bothering to correct her about why he was tired. He would let her believe he didn’t stand watch for the rest of the night after they’d parted.

“Sir,” she insisted. “There are many around that would expect such formalities being used. That aside, your eyes look tired. I feel sad that I am the cause.”

“Miss,” he said, taking her earlier statement into consideration. “I appreciate your concern. ’Tis no fault of yours, I assure ye.”

She said nothing further as she broke her fast on poached eggs, scones, and clotted cream.

“How long will we be traveling today? Yesterday was quite the long stint and I will admit it was quite tiresome. E’en if I did have trouble sleeping,” she added.

Guilt pierced his gut. That was not his intention when he’d set their journey. “I will take that into consideration.”

“Please do,” she said with a tinge of haughtiness to her voice.

He leaned forward and dropped his voice so that only she could hear him. “I would watch your demeanor, Miss. Need I remind ye of your current situation?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Finish breaking your fast. We leave shortly.”

Eyes round in surprise at his shift in attitude, she snapped her mouth shut. But then she pushed from the table. “I fear I have eaten my fill. I shall ready myself for the journey.

That same pinch of guilt resurfaced, but he ignored it. The lass needed to remember the seriousness of the crimes of which she was being investigated for.

Just as he needed to stay focused on his job and unveiling the truth. That was all he needed to do. Once they were in Stonehaven and her guilt or innocence had been proven, he would leave her behind in the hands of the necessary handlers.

And he could erase her from his memory.

But as he sipped his coffee, he kenned he was lying to himself. He snapped open the paper and whistled low. Overnight, the Phantom Prowler had struck again. At an estate near the center of town.

He’d been sleeping outside of Lizzie’s door. Could she have possibly managed to sneak out of the room without his knowledge?

*

In the carriage, Lizzie sat beside Mary as the hours seemed to tick by slowly. She was attempting to read a book to no avail. She would read a page and when it was time to turn to the next, she realized she couldn’t remember anything she’d just read.

Currently, she’d been reading the same page for the fifth time.

Malcolm consumed her mind. The man was frustrating. Hot and cold. Sweet and sour. Caring and gruff.

As he stated earlier this morn, she was well aware that she was his prisoner. Whatever quiet time they had shared the night before evaporated with the darkness. The light shining anew on her predicament.

He still thought she was a thief, maddening as that was. She was certain no matter how many times she explained, the only way he would ever believe her was when they arrived at Tolton Hall and he saw the picture of her grandmama.

Then, and only then, would it be clear.

She sighed and closed the book on her lap. “Can we stop soon, please? I need to stretch my legs.”

Malcolm assessed her with a raised brow. No doubt trying to figure out if she was making excuses.

“I also need to attend to personal matters, mind ye.” She didn’t, but if he was looking for excuses, there was one. Surely, he wouldn’t deny her the stop when such things were needed to be tended to.

He knocked sharply on the carriage wall and she heard the footman call out to the horses as they began to slow.

Space was what was needed. Space from Malcolm so she could think clearly.

His presence soaked up the entirety of the carriage. So much so it was as if she were suffocating on his scent.

Even if it was a most pleasing scent.

Since their conversation in the dining hall at the inn, it was like he’d erected an invisible barrier around himself to keep her at a distance.

The carriage halted, rocking them back and forth and when the door swung open, Malcolm stepped out.

Poking his head back in, he addressed them. “Both of ye stay put whilst I check the surrounding area. I will let ye ken if ’tis safe to wander.”

“Where do ye think we are,” Mary asked after Malcolm had shut the door.

Lizzie shrugged. “I’ve no’ any idea.” She glanced out the window and could see naught but trees on either side. “It looks as if we are in the middle of the forest.”

“Do ye think we are safe? There could be reivers about.”

“The earl willna let us out of his sight if it isna. Whether he likes it or no’, we are his responsibility. ’Tis his duty to ensure our safety.”

Mary frowned. “What do ye mean by that, Miss?”

“We are in his care for this journey, Mary. If any harm came to us, he would have my parents to answer to. Papa wouldna take kindly to that.”

“That part is understood, Miss. Why do ye say whether he likes it or no’? As if he had no choice and if he did, he would choose differently.”

Mary hadn’t seen or heard the conversation she’d shared with Malcolm earlier. When Lizzie thought back on it, she tried to assess where exactly it went wrong. Mayhap it was her questions about whether or not he was married.

They seemed to touch a sensitive spot, though she didn’t ken why. Mayhap he lost a wife that he loved dearly. She kenned better not to pry. Her mama always told her that her inquisitive manner would get her into trouble.

The door opened and Malcolm stuck his head in.

“All is clear, ladies. Stay together and stay close. I will remain at the edge of the woods. If anything spooks ye, call out.”

His voice was clipped as he spoke and he didn’t meet her gaze when he offered her his hand to step out.

“Dinna tarry. Make haste and we will be back on our way.”

Lizzie remained silent as she stepped past him, Mary at her side. Looking over her shoulder she saw Malcolm following them. True to his word, he stopped at the edge of the trees as they entered thick brush.

“I dinna care for this, Miss.”

“’Tis fine, Mary. We are just walking and stretching our legs. Ye must admit after being cramped into the carriage for the past two days the freedom feels nice.”

“Verra true, but let us no’ venture too deep.”

“Och, Mary, ye fash for naught. But we willna go far.” She turned toward the spot they’d entered in the woods, and she could just barely see the outline of the earl as he, true to his word, stood guard.

After a few more minutes of walking, they stopped to relieve themselves. Above them, the leaves which had started to turn color, rustled around them.

“Shall we make our way back, Miss? We dinna want to keep the earl waiting.”

Lizzie sighed. Of course, Mary was right, but she wished to stay in the trees just a little longer.

“Let us sit for a moment.”

Mary shifted on her feet, her eyes trailing to where Malcolm would be waiting. “Miss…”

Patting the ground beside where she sat, Lizzie waited for Mary to join her. “The longer ye stand there indecisive, the longer we will be here. Sit. ’Twill be fine.”

Finally, her maid settled next to her.

Lizzie wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin atop them. “Isna it beautiful, Mary? ’Tis so silent and peaceful here. No sounds of carriage wheels, or horses, or people calling out to one another. Just the trees swaying to and fro. The birds tweeting to each other. ’Tis most lovely.”

Mary, who remained silent beside her, just nodded as she looked warily toward Malcolm.

The minutes passed and she wondered if Malcolm was growing restless. Would he think they ran? It would be stupid of them to do so. She had no idea where they were. Running would surely lead to death. Either from exposure or to whatever or whomever they might cross in these woods.

And Malcolm still held her grandmama’s earrings. Still, she enjoyed the serenity.

Until a very angry Malcolm appeared before them making her yelp in surprise. Damn him. How was he so silent? She swore his boots mustn’t actually touch the ground. That was the only explanation for him to make his way through the woods without a sound.

“’Tis time we continue,” he said gruffly. “Have ye had time to…” He waved his hand in the air instead of finishing the question.

Mary jumped to her feet. “Aye, my lord. We were just on our way back.” She dipped into a curtsy and then tugged on Lizzie’s hand.

He narrowed his eyes on her as she still sat stubbornly on the ground.

“It doesna appear that ye were about to return.”

“We were, my lord. Miss Lizzie gets so tired sometimes, she just needs to sit and rest for a bit. She’s rested now. Are ye no’, miss?”

Bless Mary. Her attempt at excusing Lizzie’s behavior was appreciated. But her maid didn’t need to fib on her account.

Lizzie stood, brushing the twigs and fallen leaves from her gown. “Aye, Mary. We were just returning.” She pushed past Malcolm, kenning that the move was entirely improper, but trudged forward anyway.

“Lizzie,” his low voice called from behind her and she cursed herself as she stopped.

Mary stopped as well.

“Ye can go on to the carriage, Mary. We willna be far behind.”

Her eyes darted from Malcolm to Lizzie, and back again, unsure of what to do.

Lizzie smiled reassuringly. “’Tis fine, Mary. We will be along shortly.”

The maid nodded and headed back to the road.

“Why were ye sitting in the woods? Were ye hoping I would forget about ye and leave?”

She huffed. “Nay. Why would I do that?”

“To get away,” he answered.

“Sir, that would be the most absurd idea. If I had thought it,” she added. “Surely, ye think I am daft if that is what ye thought I was doing. Ye have my grandmama’s jewelry and ye ken where I live. ’Twould be most stupid of me to attempt an escape when ye would just find me anyway.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Besides, I’ve naught to run from. As I’ve stated before, I am no’ a thief and that jewelry is mine. Now that I’ve found it, I willna leave it.”

His eyes darkened like storm clouds on a rainy night. “Let us get back to the carriage and continue this godforsaken journey. Ye are trying my patience, Lass,” he warned.

A warning she completely ignored. “Might I remind ye, this journey is being done at your insistence?”

“Nay, ye dinna,” he huffed. “But if ye canna follow orders, I will ensure that ye do.”

Orders? She stomped her foot on the ground, kenning she was acting like a petulant child. “Daresay, what do ye propose to do? If any harm comes to me, ye will have to answer to my papa. And he willna take kindly to his daughter being hurt.”

He grabbed her elbow and started pulling her forward, back to the road.

“I didna say I would harm ye, Lass. Nor would I. I dinna hurt ladies. But I will do what must be done if ye dinna listen.”

“And I am no’ some soldier ye can order about.” She dug her heels in the ground, but he was so strong it did naught more than irritate him.

He spun to her. “Ye most definitely are’na. Soldiers listen to orders, they doona disregard them.”

In one swift move, he bent and threw her over his shoulder like a heathen.