VANESSA STOOD WITH SNOW outside the inn, waiting for her traveling companions to congregate and for the coach to arrive. It was barely dawn, cold enough for her to have put her scarf on, which provided the additional advantages of holding her hood in place and covering more of her face. She’d ignored the tub in the common bathing room, wouldn’t have used it even if there had been time, but she’d taken a few minutes to splash water on her face and arms, so she did feel somewhat refreshed. And she was excited to continue her journey with her unusual traveling companions for a few more days. She’d already forgiven Monty for being so high-handed last night when she’d wanted to help. It had been bad enough when he’d thought her a girl, but now he apparently thought she was too young to be useful in a dangerous situation.
She felt her cheeks grow warm at the memory of the way he’d slipped his arm around her waist last night. She’d thought something else had been about to happen, and her stomach had actually fluttered, but he’d rudely toted her back to the bed.
He hadn’t known he was carrying a girl, obviously, but she’d still been furious at his strong-arm tactics and might have bitten the knee in front of her face if she weren’t deeply unsettled by being in close proximity to that magnificent body she’d admired earlier that night, even in that absurd position.
She understood now what he’d meant about “calling a truce.” He’d obviously been testing her to see if she was a girl, but she had passed his test and could comfortably continue to travel as a boy in his company.
“So you’re staying with us despite the mayhem?”
She glanced covertly to the side and saw Monty in his greatcoat stepping out of the inn. And lo, he’d even tied a cravat after leaving the dining table. If he hadn’t left his auburn hair loose about his shoulders, he would have been the epitome of a dashing, well-dressed nobleman.
As for his question, having seen him practically naked last night—and what a delightful show that had been—she had no desire to part company with this bunch until she had to. They were still proving to be far too interesting as companions.
“We still seem to be going in the same direction,” she answered.
“I was surprised to find you asleep last night when I returned to the room. Not a bit of curiosity over how an ax got embedded in our door?”
“I was curious last night, but someone kept me from investigating.”
He chuckled. “The disturbance was over, so you didn’t miss anything exciting, Ness.”
“I’ve already concluded that. Inns that serve spirits, like this one, can get as rowdy as any tavern.”
“You’ve been in that many to know? Even at your tender age?”
She wasn’t going to tell him she had come of age, but she could say, “My father and I used to stop for lunch in a tavern when we went to town for supplies. More’n once we had to pick up our plates and take them outside to finish eating before our table got smashed to bits.”
“Is that really true?”
She chuckled at the skepticism in his tone. “You’re a very suspicious fellow, Monty, but I’m not making up stories for your amusement.”
“Well, whether you want to hear it or not, I’m obligated to warn you that it might be dangerous for you to travel with us. We’ve already been singled out twice on this trip. Rowdiness wasn’t the problem last night. The boy is in the middle of a power struggle. One side wants him dead, the other wants to keep him alive, and his enemies could be searching for him. I tried to get him out of London with no one the wiser, but I’m not used to this sort of shenanigan. So we will not be staying at any more inns. That was a huge mistake on my part. And while we will still stop for food baskets, Charley and I will remain in the coach, out of sight, if other people are around. It didn’t occur to me until last night that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could point out the direction in which we depart. So the fewer people who see us on the road, the fewer who can tell our enemies which way we went.”
Vanessa was incensed on Charley’s behalf. “You’re saying the point of that disturbance last night was to kill the boy?”
“Actually, that one was likely for me.”
Now she had to wonder who was lying. “Are you in the middle of a power struggle, too?”
“Not a’tall, that was just recompense for dallying where I ought not to have dallied. But I’ve learned my lesson and am taking m’self away from temptation to a quiet spell in the country where neither the boy nor I will be found.”
“So the men who shot at you yesterday morning weren’t highwaymen?”
“Likely not.”
“And you’ve crossed me off your list of pursuers?”
That drew a snort from him. “You’re too young and brave to be in the employ of a coward like Lord Chanders.”
“And too rich to need employment.”
“Is that so?” he asked. “And how is it so?”
“Maybe what I consider rich, you’d consider humble. Stop being so bloody nosy.”
“Ah, said something you shouldn’t, eh? So what difference does it make if I know you have money? You’re not wearing rags, Ness. It was already obvious. What’s your real name?”
“What’s yours?”
He laughed. “Touché.”
“I could’ve sworn you called a truce.”
“Aha!” he exclaimed. “I knew bloody well you weren’t asleep.”
“No you didn’t, and I was,” she lied. “You just kept waking me with your silly remarks.”
“Well, I meant what I said about a truce,” he assured her. “But now I need to ask if you even want to continue with us?”
“A little danger just sounds like an adventure to me. Tell me you wouldn’t have felt the same at my age.”
“Well, if I knew your age—”
She cut in with a chuckle. “I’ll let you know if or when I’ve had enough adventure.”
She leapt up to mount Snow so Monty would know she was done discussing the subject. A woman carrying a basket rushed out of the inn and handed it to Arlo, who had just driven the coach to the entrance. She guessed it was for lunch and hoped it contained enough food for dinner, too, if Monty really intended to forgo any more inns.
When it was nearing noon, Arlo stopped the coach by a tree where they could eat. By then she was wondering what was keeping the two Scotsmen from joining them. She had been watching for them since midmorning.
Charley was first out of the coach and was stretching his arms and legs. He might be a mere boy, but he had long legs and was as tall as most men. She chuckled as she watched him. He even walked imperiously.
“What’s so funny?” Monty asked.
She didn’t turn around, lowered her head a little instead before admitting, “The airs your ward puts on.”
“Utterly silly, I agree, but let’s not tell him I think so.” He suddenly put an arm around her shoulders, causing her to stiffen, remembering that he’d done the same thing yesterday. But today he was merely turning her toward Snow before he let go of her and asked, “I don’t suppose you packed another hood in your bag that I could borrow for m’self? I’m wary of eating out in the open like this where any passerby can ogle me.”
“Then eat inside the coach. You don’t need to keep me company out here.”
“Nonsense. We will be spending all too much time in that vehicle, and besides, the least we can do is provide you with excellent company at mealtimes when you’re willing to risk life and limb for our protection.”
She managed not to laugh. He’d done all the life-risking so far. “Sorry, I traveled light, with only a few sets of togs, and didn’t think an extra cloak would be needed.”
The moment he sat down on the blanket Arlo had spread on the ground, she headed off to find a tree. Returning a few minutes later, she slowed her step, since Charley still wasn’t there. She located him in the field to the north walking around. Arlo had joined him, and the two appeared to be talking, not thinking about food yet. Before she reached Monty, he suddenly stood, a pistol in each hand. But he wasn’t pointing them at her.
She followed his threatening gaze to the road they had just traveled and saw her tardy guards finally approaching.
“Put your weapons away!” she yelled at Monty. “They’re with me.”