drank greedily now that he was awake. Still some dribbled on to the blankets.
Over her cousin’s body, The Ferguson watched her. She felt uncomfortable at his intense scrutiny.
‘Have I blood somewhere?’ She wiped at her chin, then her cheek.
He shook his head. ‘I am trying to figure out how a woman who looks as though a stiff wind will blow her over has the strength you have shown tonight.’
She flushed, wishing she had a smudge instead of having him compliment her. ‘I only did what was necessary. Anyone would have.’
He shook his head again. ‘No, they would not. I have seen battle-hardened men balk at what you have done tonight.’
Heat engulfed her at his continued praise. ‘You exaggerate.’
He stared at her, his eyes first hazel, then tawny, depending on how the firelight reflected from them. Unable to continue under such study, she turned her head.
‘I will make sure none of the servants are about.’ She started to stand, only to have her legs refuse to cooperate. She was exhausted.
The Ferguson carefully laid Gavin back down before surging to his feet. He held his hand to Jenna. ‘Let me help you.’
She stared at his outstretched hand, not wanting to touch it. The last thing she needed in her current state was to have his help. She was too susceptible to him when he was threatening to kill her. How much more so would she be when he was being sympathetic? Too much.
‘Thank you,’ she muttered, ‘but I am fine.’
She reached for the stone-set fire surround and gripped one of the protruding rocks, intending to pull herself up. She didn’t realise he had moved with her until she felt his hands on her waist. His fingers felt like bands of iron as they closed over her softness.
‘You don’t wear stays,’ he said, his voice gruff as he lifted her as though she weighed nothing.
Her flush became a full-fledged blush. ‘That is none of your business.’
She turned to face him, only to find her nose level with his loosely tied and dirty neckcloth. Musk filled her senses. His scent. She shivered, but not with cold.
He released her and stood back. ‘Of course it is not the business of a gentleman, but I am no gentleman. I thought we had established that.’
She tilted her head and tried to stare down her nose at him. Papa did it so well. All she accomplished was to make him grin.
‘So we did. Now I must make sure it is safe to move Gavin.’ She paused and thought. ‘If I am not back by the time the clock strikes the half-hour, you must try to hide him here.’ She looked around. There was no place large enough to secrete him. ‘But I do not know where.’
‘We will manage if it comes to that.’
The gentleness in his voice caught her. She looked back at him. Something about the way he held himself, the look in his eye, as though nothing were impossible, gave her confidence in him. Likely it was this same quality that made him such a redoubtable commander and smuggler of hunted men. People would trust him and follow him.
She nodded. ‘Yes, yes, I am sure you will.’
She paused long enough to light another candle before bolting.
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