Chapter 8

Harlan was not a happy man. Not only was he about to allow this blasted charade to take place, letting Leah to stitch up his wounds, but he despised feeling like an invalid in her presence even more.

Nevertheless, Harlan hadn't been very pleased with the last sewing attempt that Hugh had performed on him about a year ago when he'd made the mistake of getting his leg stabbed. It had been an instance of the wrong place at the wrong time at the local pub while he was trying to gain information on a different mission. A fight had broken out that had nothing to do with him, and yet, he had found himself one of the casualties of the disagreement. One man lunged at the other, who darted out of the way at the last minute. When the first man was caught off balance, he broke his fall by plunging his knife into Harlan's leg.

The excruciating pain of that moment was similar to the gunshot he'd received this night, but at least he'd been able to keep his pride intact before. This time, he had to sit there and, as Hugh said, take it like a good little boy.

He might have been able to handle the circumstances a bit better if his mask had been in place. At least it would hide a grimace should he find the pain a bit too unbearable. But other than gritting his teeth, he was determined to endure this latest incident with honor.

He glanced over at Hugh who held up his palms and left the room with Benjamin on his heels. Cowards.

Leah came toward him with the needle and his stomach started to swirl with unease. It wasn't as though he hadn't taken her captive just a couple days before. No doubt this would be the perfect time for her to enact some well-placed revenge.

"Wait."

She paused and he took another deep swig of the brandy. It no longer burned as it slid down his throat, but rather swirled with a delightful heat throughout his body. He could tell the drink was already starting to take effect, the blurry film that was being pulled over his eyes turning her into two people instead of one.

She lifted a brow impatiently. "Ready?"

He cleared his throat. Now that he was no longer concerned about looking like a fool, he decided to inquire about her qualifications. "Have you ever stitched anyone up before?"

She smiled broadly. "Not yet."

"And you think you are talented enough to do so now?"

"A moment ago, you agreed, because it seemed a more preferable alternative to Hugh," she pointed out. "What's changed? The fact that I'm a woman?"

He frowned. He could tell that there was something annoying her but considering the amount of brandy he'd drunk in a short time, he couldn't quite understand what it was. He was the one sitting there with a bullet wound. "I might suggest that if you weren't so distracting."

She blinked. "What are you—?"

He waved a hand. "Let's get this over with."

She expelled a heavy breath. "That's what I have been trying to do."

Harlan realized that he should have stopped there, but he couldn't seem to keep himself from appreciating the view of her enticing breasts as she leaned over him and offered the first stab of the sharp instrument in her grasp. "Blast it all! Can't you be more careful?" he snapped.

That must have been the wrong thing to do, because she set her face in front of his and said, "If you are so upset by how I'm trying to help you, then perhaps you can finish on your own."

He shut his mouth and after a brief silence, she continued to work. He felt like a petulant child, but his unruly cock soon started to send the pain to the wayside as his desire attempted to take over thanks to his inebriated state. "You're rather beautiful, Miss Lindquist. Did you know that?"

The words were out before he could halt them. But then he was glad he'd spoken so boldly because the slight flush that lit her cheeks was worth it all.

"Are you not going to shay anything?" Was he starting to slur?

She pursed her mouth, but she reluctantly said, "Thank you."

There was a slight tug at his scalp, but he didn't seem to mind anymore. "Don't you know how lovely you are?"

Her amber eyes flickered to him briefly, but then returned to her task. He admired the dedication and focus that she kept while she worked.

"Have you been in love before, Leah?" he asked softly.

"No."

He snorted. "In all your travels about the world, you are saying that no gentleman bothered to pay court to you? No swain caught your particular attention?"

"No."

"Why do you think that ish?" he prodded.

He might have imagined it, but it seemed as though she pulled the last stitch a bit more snugly than it needed to be. "I couldn't say." She grasped the scissors and snipped off the end of the thread. "All finished." She reached for the brandy, but he held it just out of her reach. She offered him an admonishing look. "I need that to sterilize the wound so infection doesn't set in."

"Anshwer my question first."

"About what?"

He rolled his eyes and realized it was the wrong thing to do. The room abruptly spun around him but he was quite sure he remained still. "Why do you think you never had any shuitorsh?"

"We moved around too much. It's difficult to form attachments when you aren't in one place for long." She snatched the bottle from his hand and raised it to his head. The moment she poured it on his scalp, he hissed, the pain that had receded returning with a vengeance. With a growl, he took the brandy back from her and made sure to down the rest. After he did, he found that he was starting to feel carefree again.

She got to her feet, but before she left, he reached out and grasped her wrist. "It'sh becaushe you keep othersh at a distance."

She looked at him, but her only reply was, "You need to get your rest in order to recover properly."

"Yesh," he murmured as he started to fade. "I should do tha…"

Harlan didn't finishhis sentence before he was starting to snore. Thank heavens the brandy had finally done its magic. Leah was starting to feel uncomfortable with the way he was watching her so intently, the intimate manner in which he was speaking. She wondered if he might have been going to kiss her again, the intention had been evident in his gaze. If he hadn't been injured, she wasn't going to say she would have denied him.

She shook her head. It was so strange to think that such different people had dared to find a way to share such an immediate attraction.

Taking a moment to gather herself, Leah left the bedchamber and walked into the parlor where the other three men were waiting for her. "How is the cantankerous fellow?" Hugh asked with a broad grin. Without his mask, she realized that he was just as handsome as he was charming, the perfect combination for a highwayman.

"Just as you say," Leah returned dryly as she sat down and settled her skirts about her. "But at least he is asleep."

Benjamin snorted as he reached up and brushed a hand over his beard. She noticed that he was also more appealing without his facial covering, however the beard concealed most of his lower face. "Leave it to Harlan to reject help."

Leah crossed her arms. "It sounded as though he was just rejecting my help. Perhaps he wouldn't be so averse if he could trust me. But the only way to do that is to know what is really going on around here."

Hugh and Benjamin exchanged a speaking glance, but Lucas was the one who spoke up in her defense. "According to what both of you told me, I think we can assume she is not a threat. And since Harlan seems intent to keep her here, then I think she should be told the truth."

"It's not up to us," Hugh said firmly, his loyalty obviously speaking volumes. "It's up to Harlan. He stands to lose more than the rest of us."

Leah clutched the arms of the chair. "Since Harlan currently doesn't have an opinion and I do, I demand to be told or perhaps I'll just leave now—" She got to her feet, prepared to do just that.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Benjamin warned. "Harlan can be a right arse when he's been drinking too much. With the wound adding to his temper, you are courting danger if you cross him."

She put her hands on her hips. "It would be far better to risk his wrath than to stay here and do nothing more than twiddle my thumbs while I try to find something to occupy my time. I either hear the truth now, or you can face Harlan on your own. It's your choice, gentlemen."

There was a pause after her pronouncement and Hugh glanced at his fellow comrades. "She has the same temperament as Harlan," he muttered, as he scrubbed a hand down his face.

"And she makes a fair point," Lucas pointed out.

Benjamin grumbled something under his breath, and then said, "Blast it all. If Harlan didn't want us to say anything, then perhaps he should have sent Miss Lindquist on her merry way."

"Another fair point," Leah announced.

In the end, Hugh waved a hand. "Sit down, Miss Lindquist, but I will have to warn you that you may not like what you hear."

She sat back down and situated her skirts and then clasped her hands in front of her. "I can handle it, I assure you. Either way, it can't be worse than the horrors I've been imagining thus far."

"Very well, then." Hugh took a deep breath and began to weave the most fantastical tale about spies, conspiracies to overthrow the monarchy, rebellions, and perhaps… a plot to commit murder.

Leah didn't want to act as though she was fascinated by it all, but she had to admit it was quite intriguing. She might have traveled quite extensively with her father, but he had been careful to shield her from the darkest parts of the world, while she had yearned to understand everything—even the dangers. It was because she had been sheltered that she was forced to rely on her half-brother's good charity. If she'd had the chance to experience things as they were, then perhaps she would be standing on her own two feet at this moment, conquering the world, regardless of her sex.

Once Hugh had finished, he said, "Now you know what we are facing, no doubt you are eager to—"

"Let me help."

All three men glanced at her in surprise.

She moved to the edge of her seat, excitement starting to pulse through her veins. "I have nothing of import awaiting me at my brother's house. While I had wanted to send word to Henry to let him know I am safe, I have no desire to be under his rule. I know that he would marry me off to the first man of his choosing, where I should be trapped in a loveless union for the rest of my life." She glanced down at her clenched fists. "I have always wanted to make a difference, and now I can see the opportunity to do so." She looked directly at Hugh. "Sometimes things happen for a reason. Perhaps I was put in your path—in Harlan's path—to help. You already know I have certain skills. You believe this spy to be a gentleman? Let me approach him. I am sure I can find a way to learn what he plans to do—"

Hugh was already shaking his head. "Harlan would never allow you to risk so much. The lives we lead are fraught with constant peril. You saw what happened to him tonight. It is not the first time he's faced down the barrel of a pistol. The threat of demise is very real each time we ride out."

"But you no longer have to do that," she countered. "The spy is already here, is he not? No innocent bystander would dare to shoot at a group of thieves without the proper reinforcements and you said he was acting alone. Once we uncover his identity—"

Again, her argument was cut short. "It's out of the question." Hugh got to his feet. "Rather than stay here and debate something that shall never occur, I should be getting home. Marie will be growing concerned." He glanced at Benjamin and Lucas. "I suggest you both do the same." He turned back around to Leah. "I trust I can count on you to remain with Harlan during the night? When he awakens, you can discuss your proposal with him, but I am confident you will receive the same reply."

Leah straightened her spine. "Then I shall take my chances and prove that it is the best solution."

Hugh didn't appear convinced as he walked out the door, but she could see that Benjamin seemed a bit more thoughtful as he departed.

Thankfully, Lucas was the most reasonable one there, but even he was reluctant to see the benefits of her assistance. "I understand what you are trying to do, but what Harlan does for this country is very delicate. It becomes more so when politics are involved. I suggest you think about your decision tonight. Tomorrow your interest may have waned."

Leah was sure that it would remain firmly in place, but she inclined her head. "Thank you for the novel, Mr. Appleton. I shall enjoy reading it this evening."

With a smile, he let himself out, while Leah moved over to the settee and sat down. Her mind was awhirl with possibilities, but first, she had to convince Harlan that she was a good choice. At long last, she'd discovered her purpose and she was desperate to cling to it.

Of course, it had nothing to do with Harlan. Nothing at all.