Chapter One

Michigan 1834

The little water sprite frolicked in the stream running behind Fox’s ranch house. Her skirts were hiked up to show a nice span of white legs coupled with well-turned ankles…small delicate toes. His gut tightened in anticipation. Some time, she would surrender to him. Now, romping through the cool liquid brought drops of water to other parts of her. When she tossed her head back to laugh, he viewed a sparkling glimmer sliding down her neck then downward into the valley between her breasts. He yearned to follow the path with his tongue. Taste every succulent part of Nellie.

Rorik Haraldsson crouched about one hundred yards on a hill above the stream, twirling a blade of grass between his fingers. His intention was to see Fox Taggart, his best friend as well as business partner. On his way, he unexpectedly came across Nellie. She shouldn’t be alone. Possible danger lurked, even though the biggest threat returned to Glasgow one year ago. He doubted if Lord Abernathy would come back to these parts in this lifetime. Nonetheless, neither her mother or the pimp she associated with could be counted out of the picture. Both, at one time, promised revenge. They were two unsavory creatures.

Nellie MacRae didn’t realize yet he observed her from a distant place on the horizon. While he’d had every intention of revealing himself, he found himself caught up in his view of the little water sprite. Frozen in time while she cavorted, believing she was alone, she set his wounded heart dancing. If he had his way, he would pull her into his arms then kiss her until she was breathless. He needed more from her than a few mind-shattering kisses. He wanted her for the rest of his life. She was no longer agreeable. At one time he thought he was breaking into the hard shell surrounding her heart.

A little less than a year ago, Rory believed he crossed over the bridge keeping Nellie at a distance. Seemed she softened for him. Just when he thought to deepen their burgeoning relationship, she turned her back, rejecting his cautious yet hopeful advances. The action befuddled his mind.

He didn’t know why her behavior shifted so dramatically.

She refused to explain herself. Told him if he had any wits at all, he could figure out the problem. Since he couldn’t, he supposed his wits vanished with the tempest that was Nellie.

Now, it seemed to him, he moved two steps back from the first day they met. Nellie disliked all men because of one man, a beau who rejected her. He overheard part of her story one day when she confided in Fannie, her sister. Guilt didn’t play a role in his eavesdropping. He would do anything to understand her revulsion toward him. Would do anything to change the unwarranted feelings. Didn’t appreciate being judged by other men’s wrong doings.

Hell, he wanted her with an urgency he didn’t understand. Never before had he experienced this yearning when seeing a woman. His quicksilver rise to infatuation shocked his soul. Nellie was all woman. Now, he needed to back up a few steps. Approach the flighty lady from a different angle. For the last year, he tried giving her space. Distance was what Fannie told him her sister needed. Given time, she would come to understand he was nothing like the man who tried to take her virginity then tossed her away.

Distance didn’t change their relationship for the better. Nellie was colder now than she’d ever been. Whenever he visited the ranch house where she lived, Nellie would disappear into her bedroom. Would remain hidden away until he left. Since his home was nearly finished, he seldom remained the night at Taggart’s home. He was backpedaling and he didn’t like the feeling.

As this was the end of summer, both he, along with Taggart, spent most of the week at the logging camp. Fannie would accompany her husband, Fox. Nellie would remain at the ranch house with the housekeeper, Agnes.

Seeming to sense his presence, Nellie put her hand to her forehead to shield the sun from her eyes. She looked at him. Unless the sunshine blinded her, Nellie would see he was there. He rose from his crouched position. His heart in his throat, Rory decided to meet Nellie. Face her head on. Talk to her.

When her hands dropped to her sides then tugged her skirts down to cover her legs, he stopped midstride. With the bottom of her skirt soaking up water she walked from the stream, stared at her shoes as if they were a mile away. If she wore her shoes, she would flee. Run to the ranch then hide from him. There was no time for that. His strides toward her were long. Determined.

Even if she ran, he would catch her. Didn’t intend to allow her to ignore him much longer. Was tired of the barricade she put between them. He was hard-pressed to rip down that steel wall. Needed to confront her. Discover why the reversal of her feelings. “Nellie,” he spoke as he approached with caution. She was too flighty. “You shouldn’t be here alone. Anything could happen.” Not only did he think of her mother who held no kind thoughts for any of her four daughters, his mind drifted to four-legged dangers. There were wolves in the hills along with bears. He’d also heard of two lawless men who attacked unprotected homes, forced the helpless women they encountered. Made certain they approached only when the woman was by herself.

Taggart’s home was protected. Inside, Nellie would be safe. Out here in the open she was not. He didn’t like to see her vulnerable.

“Go away!” Her voice was shrill. Held an edge of desperation. Wavered. “Don’t want to see you or talk to you.”

Unable to help himself, he grimaced at her reaction. Women usually flocked around him. He wasn’t used to these negative vibes when it concerned a woman. He needed to be so much more to this beautiful innocent. Over the year, he found himself falling in love with her. Would never confess his emotion unless they were reciprocated. Would deny the feeling if confronted. He held out his hands. “Nellie, listen to reason.”

“There is nothing you have to say I wish to hear.”

“I will see you home.” He continued inching forward, hoping to reach her before she finished dressing. “You shouldn’t be outside by yourself.” It was then he noticed the easel, the painting supplies she laid out for her use. “You were painting. I’ll stay here with you. Find a place in the shade to sit. You can finish what you started.” He noticed the quick sketch of the stream. Noticed the large rock she outlined. “Is this going to be a watercolor?”

“No, don’t need or want your help. I’ll send Ol’ Sam back for the supplies.” Nellie sat on a rock. Donned the stockings then the shoes. Stood. Marched away from him as if he didn’t intend to follow.

“We don’t need to leave this behind.” Torn between going after her or collecting her things, he chose Nellie. If she didn’t care about her unprotected belongings, why should he?

“If you want to carry it, go ahead,” she shouted as she turned to look over her shoulder.

He caught up to her. Felt her disdain as well as the cold emanating from her. Looking straight ahead, she marched down the hill to the home she’d known for a year now. At one time, he believed she would return to Glasgow. In numerous letters, her two brothers-in-law, Jasper and Jason, dissuaded her. Explained that Anice, her mother, was still a force to be reckoned with. She associated herself with one of the worst pimps in the city. Halsey was his name. Anice still had dealings with Lord Abernathy.

“You’re damn well going to get my help,” Rory muttered as he matched her strides. “Your sweet white hide is more important than a few paint brushes.”

“No one is at home except the housekeeper. Everyone left for the lumber camp at noon. There won’t be anyone for you to converse with,” she said with a prim starch-filled tone.

“Good, I’ll have time to speak with you. I need to understand why you’ve been avoiding my company for the last year. For a few days last year, I thought we were getting along. Believed you might come to care about me.” Rory wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Not going to leave until I get a few answers.” He reached out to her. This could be a long few days. He left the camp with the understanding he might not return within the week. Fox understood his needs where Nellie was concerned were more important. Fannie wished him good luck. Told him perhaps giving her time had not been the best advice. Maybe he should have confronted her the moment she changed directions.

“I don’t like you. Don’t trust you.” Her pert little nose was tilted into the air when she spoke. She squared her shoulders as she lengthened her strides in her attempt to leave him behind. She mumbled something beneath her breath.

At her harsh words, his heart skipped a beat. Felt air rush from his lungs in an explosion of regret. Damn, he needed to fix what went awry. She liked him well enough for a few days for him to receive a kiss, one with tongues. Her female whimper at the contact entered into him. The soft sigh wrapped around him, binding her to him for a few breathless moments. What the hell made her change her mind?  Before he went crazy, he needed to get to the bottom of her unexpected wrath.

“Don’t feel the same sentiments. I like you,” he countered, wishing he dare say he loved her. At this beat of his heart, all he wanted was to pull her into his arms then kiss her soundly. The way he wanted to kiss her would be tongue on tongue. Ultimate exploration of her dark, hot secrets. If he did proceed in that direction, he was certain his efforts would be met with a resounding slap to the face. Intimate contact might be worth the ultimate retaliation. A kiss would only happen if he forced her.

“No, you don’t feel the same. When will you understand, I don’t want anything to do with your advances.”

“Why?” He wasn’t truly surprised by her avid denunciation. Needed to know why. What did he do to make this so bad between them? His hand landed on her shoulder, turning her. “Explain yourself.”

Nellie’s eyes were wild, darkening with her anger. He might have hoped the color was due to passion. Under the circumstances he would never lie to himself.

“No! Never. If you don’t know why I dislike you, you are one stupid man. You’re just like all men. You take what you want…when you want. With no care to anyone’s feelings but your own.” She tried to wrest free of his grip. He didn’t intend to let go yet. None of what she said was true. What the devil made her think that way? “Where you are concerned, I don’t have to do anything. You’re not anything to me. Not even a friend!” Blazing eyes, breasts heaving with agitation, Nellie glared at him.

That was the major problem. He wanted to be something to this beautiful, troubled woman. She was beautiful even in her rage. He could deal better with her if he understood which direction her mind was coming from. Good God, once she kissed him as if he meant something to her. A week later, she wouldn’t speak to him. What the hell happened? He couldn’t right something when he didn’t know what went wrong. Damnation.

“I told you I’m not leaving here until I understand why you did such a quick turn about. Waited a year. Been patient. All you did was drift farther away from me.” He let his hands fall away. Resorting to force wouldn’t get him where he hoped to go. “I’m going to shadow you night as well as day until you talk to me. If you go to the privy, I’ll be at the door until you leave. When you retire at night, I’ll stay in the bedroom on a cot.” If she would allow it, he would lie on the bed with her. They should have wed months ago. He’d yet to ask. They were so far from marriage, the thought was laughable.

Her shudder was visible. She pushed at his hand trying to dislodge his hold on her arm. This time, he allowed his fingers to fall away. An unladylike snort preceded her words. “I’m talking to you now. Isn’t that enough?” Moisture rimmed her beautiful green eyes. If he kept this line of questions going, tears would soon slide down her cheeks. He never intended to make her cry. Guilt had a way of intruding on his actions.

All her refusals to meet him part way were getting to him. His anger exploded. “No, not nearly enough and you damn well know it! Tell me why. If you do, I might leave you alone.” He could never leave her alone.

“Cursing won’t get you anywhere.” She flinched away then ran. Hiked up her skirts to go faster. Stumbled. Her arms whirling, she caught her balance then continued in the same manner. If she hurt herself in her mad dash away from him, he would blame himself. A deep breath of air scorched his lungs. He would deal with the fallout. For him, there were no more choices. Whatever wound he caused festered inside her. The truth needed to be revealed. He wasn’t going to leave this woman who he loved with all his heart.

The view tore at his heartstrings. Ripped them into tiny pieces. He felt as if she wrenched it from him. Shattered, he followed at a more sedate pace. She could hide in her bedroom for a short space of time. He would give her breathing room. Doing so wasn’t going to make a bit of difference as to how he meant to proceed. As to the method his plans would unfold. He debated with himself. Since she wouldn’t sit down and talk this out, there was no other choice.

Agnes was on his side. If he explained his intentions, the housekeeper would do all in her power to help him with this endeavor. In fact, all were on his side. In front of him, the screen door creaked open then banged shut. Nellie disappeared inside. With the back of his arm, he wiped sweat off his forehead. Sweat caused by tension, not the heat of the summer sun. For a few beats of his heart, he thought about turning back to the stream. A dip in the cold water might be just the thing for his body as well as his disposition. Before he confronted Nellie again, he intended to possess a cool head.

Later he would take a dip in the creek beside his home.

As for now, he needed to see what Nellie was up to. Trusting her was not something he intended. He was certain she would hide in her room until he left. She would not find solace until his questions were answered to his satisfaction. As he told her, he wasn’t leaving. She had no lock for her bedroom door. If she barricaded it, there was always the window. Nellie was agile.

Just as Nellie let the door bang shut behind her, he did the same. Stepped into the cooler interior of the house. Agnes stood framed in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. Her look of disapproval gnawed at him. She turned away from him then disappeared. He heard a few clanks as she shuffled pots around.

“Cold drink?” Agnes called out from the kitchen. “Got cold beer in the barrel. Mr. Taggart has some bottled in the icehouse.”

The question brought a smile to his face. Agnes always thought about a man’s needs before letting lose her cannons. Soon she would blast him out of the water for causing the scowl on Nellie’s pretty face. “Yes. A cold beer if you’ve got one.” Rory stepped into the kitchen to savor the aroma of fresh baked bread.

“Got whatever you want. See you had a little spat with your gal. What are you going to do to clear things up? Can’t say as allowing Miss Nellie to hide away in her bedroom has done the trick. You need to get her to open up. Get some important alone time with her. Take her up the mountain to that cabin of yours you’ve been fixin’ up.”

“My gal? Open up? To the cabin?” Rory questioned her terminology. “A year ago, thought Nellie might be my girl…my best girl. Now…thought I was ready to settle down with her.” He lifted his shoulders in frustration. “We’re farther apart today than ever. Can’t say as if I do anything right.”

“By my reasoning you gave up on her too soon. You let her little snit grow out of proportion. Should have confronted her the first time she turned away from you. Now, she’s got her back against the wall. Has something to prove though I don’t know what that is.” Agnes shook her head. “Stubborn pride that one. Can see what’s written in your eyes as clear as day.” Agnes pumped beer from the barrel Taggart kept in a cool place. “Brought it out just this afternoon.”

“Don’t know how to reach her.” Rory sipped while he tried to digest the words spouted by Agnes. “You know what’s botherin’ her. Tell me.”

“Not my place to say. Know just about everything concerning those two MacRae girls. All I can tell you is you’ve got your work cut out for you. Got to be more stubborn than Nellie. She believes you’ve done something you didn’t.”

“You’re not going to tell me what she thinks I did?” He knew the answer before she replied.

“Nope. Was told in confidence. Don’t break those vows. A smart man could figure out how to get the truth from the little gal. Always thought you were a smart man. For the past year you’ve been actin’ mighty stupid.”

That was the second time in less than an hour he’d been called stupid or witless. He meant to be exactly as Agnes said…more stubborn than Nellie. Once he discovered what brought the miff on, he could work to counteract whatever the problem was. Had no idea what it was she thought he did that caused her to turn against him. As things stood now, they lost a year together. He didn’t intend to lose more.

“Maybe you should court her, woo her so she wants to be with you more than anything. Bring her flowers or chocolates. Girls like those things. Our Miss Nellie thinks you betrayed her trust. A girl’s not likely to get over that kind of betrayal.”

Rory leaned forward, his forearms on the table. Those words were more than she’d ever told him before. Betrayal? He was loyal to those he held dear. Nellie was in that list of friends. What did she expect, take her up the mountain to his cabin or court her with chocolates and flowers? Maybe a little of both. Didn’t see how the two different methods would work.

“Say that again.” Waiting for an answer, his heart thundered. He was having trouble believing what she said about duplicity.

Agnes was slicing pieces of warm bread. She set butter on the table then a jar of freshly made strawberry preserves. Looking up she paused. “Said too much as it is. That’s what talkin’ to your intended is supposed to do. Make issues clear…out in the open so there are no misguided notions.”

“By my mind, you haven’t said enough. Couldn’t you elaborate? Give me a tiny hint of what she’s thinking about. Would like to comprehend what’s in store for me.” He thought back on events almost a year in the past. There had been a dance to celebrate Fannie’s safe return. The entire town turned out for the occasion. They came to the ranch bearing all sorts of food along with drinks. A huge bonfire was set in the middle of the field. Several men playing various instruments provided the music. The party went on until near dawn.

“It’s up to you to get Miss Nellie to open up to you. Sit her down somewhere she can’t just up and walk away. Have a long heart-to-heart. Tell her your feelings for her. She wants to give you her love. Pour Nellie is afraid to take a chance on another man. After what happened to her in Glasgow… Don’t let her suffer.”

One eyebrow shot to the sky. “Let her suffer? What do you think her reticence is doing to me? I’ve tried to talk to her. Hell, I’m the one suffering. Just as her sister suggested, I backed off.”

“No…you waited almost a year to sit her down. She gave up hope that you might care about her.”

“Fannie advised me to give her space.” In hindsight he understood the tactic had been all wrong.

Agnes didn’t say anything more. She bustled around the room, putting a tray together containing the slices of bread and preserves. “Take this to her. I’ll open the door for you. If you like, I could lock the door from the outside. Seems the two of you shouldn’t be able to leave until all the mess is sorted out.”

“My sentiments too. If you lock the door, she’ll climb out the window,” Rory snorted, suddenly needing to see for himself. See if she was still in the bedroom. “She’s going to clam up as soon as I step inside her little room. What do you think? She’s going to suddenly change directions. Talk? I won’t hold my breath.”

“Won’t know unless you give it a try. She’s not had anything to eat since early this morning. If you play your cards right, you might have a chance of some private time together.”

Skepticism swept through him. “Where that little gal is concerned, my luck has vanished. She controls all the moves. Checkmate has been her ploy. With her pretty little chin pointed toward the sky, she is giving me the cold shoulder.”

Agnes didn’t say anything more. She handed the tray to Rory then walked through the house to Nellie’s door. Opened it. The hinges creaked. Silence. The two looked at each other. The dumfounded look on the housekeeper’s face must match his own. He set his finger beneath her chin then pressed her mouth closed.

Inhaling a deep breath his emotions circling, then, “Damn her!” Rory yelled. He looked out the open window toward the stream where her painting was set up. His gut told him she didn’t go there. It would be the first place he would look. Where would she go? Nellie didn’t know anyone. As far as the countryside was concerned, she didn’t know north from south. Her sense of direction was useless. She could get lost walking from the house to the barn.

“After you catch up to her, don’t be too harsh on her. She’s hurting bad.” Agnes stood behind him. “She didn’t have time to take her things. Should I send someone with them?” Imagined she had the same idea as he did.

“You could tell me. Yes, pack her things. Send Ol’ Sam with them to my place. As soon as I find her, that’s where we are headed. Going to take one half of your advice. She won’t leave the cabin unless I take her.” He persisted, wishing the housekeeper would forget her promise to keep the confidence. Too many times to count she reminded him that she vowed to remain silent, no matter the cost.

“I cannot. Go…I’ve the feeling she rides to the camp. Must be having the same feelings as you. She must believe she has protection there. Her sister will guard her from you. You can catch her in a few minutes. She rides the most docile old mare in the stable. Still afraid of the beast, she won’t run her.”

“When I catch up to her, I’m not giving her a choice. I’m taking her to my home. She will remain there with me until I get to the bottom of her issues. Can’t fight back unless I know what the argument is about.”

“You’ll have to keep her locked…”

“If she leaves my ranch house, she will get herself lost in the forest. Believe she will be smarter to remain with me than brave the wild forest beyond. With Nellie, one never knows what she will think or do. She’s too impulsive. If she decides to leave, I’ll shadow her. Won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

“Don’t count on it,” Agnes muttered, shaking her head at him. “I won’t protest your treatment. Don’t be surprised if Fannie has Taggart running after the two of you. Fox will know by Friday when he returns here where you’ve taken her.”

“Fox won’t butt into what isn’t his business. Fannie isn’t much better in the forests than Nellie. No one will come after her.”

“Good luck,” Agnes provided some encouragement with a friendly wave then a smile.

Rory stalked from the house, saddled his horse then headed toward the logging camp bent on catching Nellie before she could take refuge within her sister’s tent. Once inside he didn’t know if he could get her out. While Fox would look the other way, Fannie would not. He rode hard for about five minutes. Pulled up his horse to watch the steady but slow progress Nellie made. She looked uncomfortable. If the situation wasn’t so serious, he would hoot with laughter at the sight in front of him. When she slipped sideways clutching the saddle horn, he cursed. Even on the old mare, she’d be lucky to survive the ride all the way to the base camp.

What the devil was in her head?

The thought she risked her life to run away from him infuriated every sinew and bone in his body. In his life, no woman ever ran away from him. They all ran to him with giggles and laughter. Would tilt their pretty little faces to him for kisses. What the hell? This little woman turned his world topsy-turvy.

While he studied her awkward advance down the road, he set a pace that would connect with her at the turn in the road. Wondered too if she saw him, if she would try to make the poor horse move faster. Rory didn’t know who was the slowest, Nellie or the old mare. Star was the old girl’s name because on her forehead was a beautiful star.

Her mount heard his approach before she did. The horse turned to look at him as if she hoped he would be her way to return to the stable, her salvation. At almost the same moment, Nellie looked over her shoulder. Then back to the road. Urged the mare faster. The horse stopped, rearing her head then snorting her disapproval. Again, if this wasn’t such a desperate situation for him, he would have laughed. Instead of running, the mare stopped, standing her ground. Against Nellie’s wishes, Star turned to wait for him.

“You!” Nellie cried out when he reached her, pointing a shaking finger at him. “Why did you come after me?”

“Me? Why did you run, sweet. You’ve no reason to be afraid of me,” his voice was soft as he surprised her by lifting her from the mare then setting her in front of him, his arm around her waist. Rory gave Nellie’s mount a swat to her rear. Star made a tiny noise before trotting in the direction of her stable. No doubt she would eat her head off, thinking she’d just been forced to run a marathon.

Nellie took the brief moment to struggle, pushing on his arm. Her strength was nothing pitted against his. “Let me go! How dare you? What are you doing? You’ve no right.”

In his mind he had every right. They loved each other. Nellie was too stubborn to accept the fact. “Never. Never will I let you go. You and I are meant to be together.” He nudged his horse forward. They picked up speed. “I gave you a year. Now, you have no more time. We are going to do this my way.”

Instead of trying to push herself away, Nellie clung to him. Nails bit into his flesh. He relished the slight pain. Kept him feeling real. Kept the reality of the situation in the forefront of his head. Loved the feel of her back pressed against his chest. This was a heaven he believed would be a long time coming. This little piece of paradise would end soon. No more beautiful rainbows and sunshine for him. Once he set her feet on the ground, she would put distance between them.

“My horse?” she asked as if an afterthought.

“Is worthless for a long trip. She would balk in another few minutes. The little mare will be happier back in her stable. The hands will feed her as if she were a queen. Rub her down though she wouldn’t have broken a sweat.”

After he reached the road turning off the main one to lead into the hills, he stayed focused. Headed to his home. His change of course would come in about two miles. In his arms she stiffened. Nellie had been to base camp often enough in the last year to realize they weren’t turning in that direction. His home lay north of the little camp of tents.

“Where are you going?” She let go of him long enough to point. “That’s the road we need to take. Are you lost?”

“Lost?” He thought of Nellie’s ability to get lost on a dime. Hardly. “Not headed to base camp, little darlin’. Know right where we are going.” Wondered when he should tell her where she would end up this evening. Let her guess. She would come to the proper conclusion sooner than later.

Nellie whirled on him. The fire in the glare of her vibrant green eyes slanted his direction would melt ice. “I am not going with you…” she paused as if thinking for some words she could say that would get him to do her bidding. “Wherever you’re headed. Put me down.”

“Not on your life. At this point, you would never get wherever you might want to be gettin’.” He made a few tsking noises. His stallion increased his speed. Nellie melted back against him. Rory grinned. At this beat of his heart, he understood how to silence her. Soon he wished to do the opposite.

Miles passed. Nellie didn’t say anything more. With her silence, he was relieved. Understood when his house came into view, she would throw a fit. He realized he played with fire. A tempest in the small fragile body he held close to him would soon flare to life. His hands would be full. The first hours between them might be harsh. Two days ago, he made a trip into town. Brought back supplies for a week. While Agnes had been teaching the girls how to cook, Nellie didn’t take to the task. Fannie did much better. Of course, she had a man to please. Nellie ate little. Didn’t need to learn how to cook a meal. She could nibble on just about anything.

To his surprise when his home came into view, Nellie remained silent but stiff. For a flash of time, her fingers gripped his arm harder. Within the embrace of his arms, she quivered. Anger or fear? When the big stallion halted, he set her on the ground then slid off, landing beside her. She made no attempt to move.

“Go inside. Make yourself at home. I’ll see to my horse.” In truth, he didn’t need to see to his horse, he had workers to do that. Harry stood just outside the stable door, hands on his narrow hips, waiting for the order that wasn’t going to come. He needed time to gather his wits about him. Didn’t know how to handle the little lady who bedeviled his days then stole into his dreams at night. Understood he needed to use caution. Her spirit was as brittle as her small form. His agile temper could flare to life at any time. Anger with her wasn’t going to get her to open up about his mistake. Perhaps a bit of bribery would do the trick. Wasn’t certain what to use.

Ten minutes later when he gathered enough courage to face Nellie, she sat on the porch steps, a dejected look on her pretty little face. For a few seconds, guilt inundated, vibrating through his body. Hell! He had nothing to feel guilty about. She brought this on by refusing to have a civil, adult conversation with him. She pouted when she could have explained the situation. He was an avid listener.

“Go inside.” He gestured to the door. Didn’t want to think about her refusing his home as shelter. “The night up here is almost always cold. Don’t want you to take a chill.”

From her perch on the step, she looked up at him. “No…” There was little to no emotion in her voice.

So, the argument would start here on his front porch. “Why not?” Rory meant to win this tiny show of defiance. Her welfare took top priority.

To her astonishment, he swept her into his arms before striding through the front door. If he hoped she would surrender then make this easy for him, he’d been stupid…again. One could drown in unfulfilled hopes. In this new adventure, he needed to learn how to swim. Patience with Nellie was something he needed but lacked. They would begin the conversation. What would happen next was in the air.

Rory set her on an oversized chair that pointed toward the fireplace. “I’ll get dinner.” There would be venison stew simmering in the kitchen. He did have a cook…a very good cook. At least he didn’t need to rely on Nellie’s cooking. Nor did he need to depend on his.

“Are you hungry?”

~ * ~

For Nellie the day started with promise. The sky was blue and endlessly clear. No rain threatened. She carried her paints to the spot near the stream. Set her easel up then the stretched watercolor paper on a frame that Rory made her. Rory…he was the problem. There were several landscapes she wished to portray on canvas. It was just the matter of what she wished to paint first.

Once she reached the spot, she wasn’t eager to begin. In the heat of the day, she felt lethargic. Even though the easel was in the shade, the air was hot, growing hotter as the sun climbed higher. Instead, the cool water in the stream beckoned to her. For a few seconds she held back, looking over her shoulder as if Rory would appear out of nowhere. A week had passed since he last came to the ranch. Truth be told, she missed him; his smile, the way his eyes twinkled when he thought of something funny. How they darkened when he looked at her.

She wanted to see him. Talk to him. She was afraid.

Didn’t want to see the blasted man.

Needed to talk to him.

Her thoughts were a confused muddle in her head. Didn’t think talk would solve any of their problems. He was just like all the other men she met. Disloyal. Dishonest. She would never trust him.

Her conflicted emotions never ceased to confuse her. Rory was all man. That fact tended to unnerve her. Because of Dillon, she possessed a small sense of what he wanted. His size overwhelmed her senses, creating fears. His kiss…she touched her mouth…astounded her. She both wanted as well as needed more from him than a mere kiss. Wished to have a promise of loyalty. Almost a year ago she thought she was falling in love with Rory. He wreaked havoc with his faithlessness to her the very night they celebrated Fannie’s rescue from Lord Abernathy. The night he stole her breath with his potent kiss. At that time, she melted into the man. Yearned for more kisses, more… She wasn’t certain what came next.

Nellie understood better than most everyone what the Lord of the Realm, Abernathy, was about. He was no good. Her mother was tagged in the same vein as Abernathy. Anice was no good. Here in Michigan everyone thought they were safe from the pair. She tended to believe Anice would never lower her standards to come to the United States. She would never travel to Michigan. Her hatred of her daughters would surpass anything Nellie could understand.

With clarity, she recalled the night Lord Abernathy abducted her from her sister’s wedding. Remembered how Dillon rescued her the night before when she strayed from the house. At the time, she thought she was in love with Dillon Montrose. Was willing to give her innocence to the man. He told her with quiet frankness, he was not in love with her. Had no intention of marrying her. Within a heartbeat, Nellie realized Dillon used her. Tromped on her heart.

At the blunt words Dillon spoke, her heart shattered. The second time Abernathy kidnapped her, her rescue came after she’d been thoroughly humiliated at the man’s hands. She was certain he would force her, with her mother looking on for her own amusement. The bed he placed in her room had shackles attached to both ends of the bed.

Thoughts racing through her head, she shuddered. A tiny moan escaped her. Didn’t want to remember those events. They happened a lifetime ago. Putting those memories behind her was imperative. Sitting by the stream she watched the water splash and tumble against the rocks. A few drops hit her face. She laughed, feeling carefree for the first time in what seemed to be ages. The cool water felt good. If she waded, the liquid would feel even better.

Bringing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold back the threatening sob. This self-pity wouldn’t do. She wiped the moisture away on the fabric of her skirt. Nellie looked both ways…up then down the stream. Turned around to make certain no one was about. In a fit of boldness she rarely felt, she undid her shoes then slipped off her stockings. Wiggled her toes. Cool air caressed her bared legs.

She felt naughty.

Didn’t care.

She tucked the bottom of her skirt into her waistband before dipping a toe into the cool water. Hiked the fabric higher so the water wouldn’t soak through. A shiver swept through her. She stepped into the flowing water. Giggled. As she moved farther into the stream, the flowing water swirled around her legs. Carefree, she kicked at the water. Liquid splashed on her, soaking her blouse. Fabric molded to her skin. She pulled the fabric away from her breasts. When it fell back into place her body was outlined.

Laughter spun from her. She could see her nipples. This was decadent. Heat stained her cheeks. Thinking about her behavior would ruin her day. Wondering what Rory would think if he saw her this way caused heat to leap with confusion. For her, Rory no longer existed. Nothing mattered because there was no one here to see her. Fannie and Fox wouldn’t be back to the ranch for another week. They came down from the logging camp during the weekends.

She was alone.

Could act anyway she wished.

Agnes would never venture this way. She would say it was too far to walk, and it was too close to take the buggy. Slipping on a stone, her arms whirled as she tried to keep from a tumble. Nellie found the trunk of a tree to hang onto. Laughed as the water rose. Her skirt was soaked through.

“Thank goodness,” she muttered. She’d not wished to fall into the water. She couldn’t swim. Thought perhaps she should leave the stream behind while she was still ahead of the game.

After she waded from the brook, the beautiful and oh so perfect day changed to a nightmare. From a distance Rory was watching her. She crossed her fingers he would leave. He never acted the way she wished.

Now she was sitting on the steps of his front porch. Her mind in a jumble while her heart pounded hard as well as deep within her chest.

Nellie didn’t want to think about the ride to his cabin. Not recalling how her body pressed against his was impossible. The feel of his big, warm body so close caused her heart to race and butterflies to flit around in her stomach. Oh, when she slipped out the window of her bedroom, she understood he would come after her. Thinking otherwise was a waste of time. At least with this distance, she would have a few minutes to think…to gather her thoughts.

Rory told her he wanted to talk. He could talk all he wanted. Her lips were sealed. There was no way she would humiliate herself by reminding him of his betrayal. If he gave himself a moment to think about the night he kissed her, he would remember the other girl. The one who received the second kiss. At the time, she believed she was falling love with the big, handsome man. Was beginning to think he might feel the same.

Sometimes he seemed like a gentle giant to her. She loved the way their first kiss felt. The sensations were faster as well as deeper than anything she experienced before Rory. When his lips touched hers, her heart roared to life. Heat scorched her. The year she spent after the Kenworthy twins won guardianship over her, she had her share of beaus coupled with a few kisses from each one. Nothing she recalled compared. When he kissed her, she felt as if the earth moved beneath her feet.

Even Dillon’s kiss didn’t bring her to a heated rush in a split second. With the first contact she melted into a mindless puddle in his arms. When Rory’s tongue dipped inside her mouth, she nearly jumped from her skin. His tongue rubbed on hers, danced with hers. He sucked hers into his open mouth. Her body quivered. All of her ached. Pulsed with anticipation. Her whimper floated into Rory scented air.

Now she sat in his home, gazing into an empty fireplace. The weather was too hot. There were no flames to watch dance within the grate. What did he intend? Her stomach growled. She caught the heady aroma of stew as well as biscuits. She’d had nothing to eat all day. The cup of coffee overflowing with cream and sugar didn’t count as food. When he stepped from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishcloth, he caught her attention.

“Dinner is on the table. Will you eat with me? Promise I won’t ask anything of you,” Rory told her, then walked away, heading toward the kitchen. She didn’t know what to expect. Seemed at the moment he wasn’t interested in talking. The fact suited her just fine. She would accept his promise of silence.

Not knowing what to anticipate, she followed him. The table was set. Two bowls filled with steaming liquid were placed opposite each other. A plate of biscuits was piled high in the middle of the table. Her stomach rumbled to life. Rory pulled out a chair for her. She sat. Set her hands on the table while her anxious nerves seemed to split.

Across from her Rory stared at her, waiting. Realized he waited for her to say grace. Nellie said a few words of thankfulness before she picked up her spoon. He still stared at her. Seemed he expected something more.

Frustration got the best of her. “What?” Nellie asked with an accusing tone. From a position beneath her eyelashes, she glared at him. All she wanted was to eat in peace. If this continued, she’d lose her appetite.

After her question, he lifted an eyebrow. His twinkling blue eyes seemed filled with emotion. “Don’t understand what you are asking. Try to be more explicit.” He dipped his spoon into the stew. Savored.

Silence still creating tension, he continued to eat. The surrounding hush was oppressive. Nellie didn’t think she could stand this strangely tormenting stillness for the rest of the night. She would much rather have him yelling at her to tell him what was wrong than this eerie quiet. “I don’t know what you want of me,” she blurted, wishing she could find a means to keep her lips sealed.

Doing so wasn’t easy.

Unable to stomach the food in front of her, Nellie pushed back from the table, having more questions than she wished. This abduction was so out of the blue. She needed to understand his motive. “Where do you want me to sleep?” Her stomach rolled. Imagined she could figure out his answer.

“There is only one bed.” He sat back, his hands entwined on top of his belly. Watched with what appeared to be expectation. She wasn’t going to share his bed.

“Convenient.”

“No, practical. You may sleep wherever you wish. Not going to tell you what to do…or what not to do.”

“Oh…” She needed to interpret his statement. “If I take the one bed…?” Didn’t understand why she asked since she was certain of his answer.

“I’m more than pleased to share. Mine is a large bed. Will hold the two of us with ease. Had it made especially for me.” He sipped his coffee, picked up a biscuit, cut it in half then lathered both sides with butter.

His hands were bronzed, fingers lean as well as long. She knew how they felt when they held her. Touched her with tenderness. Despite his size, he was a gentle man. This was all about male lust. She understood the emotion completely. Experienced lust too many times.

“I’m not,” she blurted then was met with a small twitch to his lips. He was trying not to grin. The task seemed difficult for him. She had an immediate as well as urgent need to toss her stew in his face. He wouldn’t be so smug wearing venison and potatoes.

“Then…if the bed is not to your liking.” He tapped his fingers on the rim of his coffee cup, “there are a number of places you may sleep. You may pick anywhere you would like to set your blanket.”

“Where?” She should never ask. In defiance, she set her fisted hands on her hips.

Rory cleared his throat before he began his long, drawn-out answer. “The floor in the bedroom, the floor in the kitchen, the floor in the living room or the chair by the fire. There are places including outdoors. I shouldn’t need to tell you how dangerous as well as unprotected you would be if you chose outside. You’re doing so wouldn’t please me.”

“I’ll take the chair by the fireplace.” She sat down in her righted chair. The farther away from him the better. Except she didn’t wish to sleep in the woods.

“Suit yourself.”

“I will,” With her spoon she mixed the stew. Found a piece of potato. Ate then chewed slowly, wondering what was going to happen over the next few days. She didn’t enjoy what she experienced now.

With his spoon, he pointed to her barely touched bowl of stew. “You need to finish your dinner. You’ve scarcely touched your food.”

She didn’t know what to expect from Rory. At every turn he befuddled her, acting different than she expected. The sight of the food left her nauseated. Her stomach was rumbling when she picked up her spoon in an attempt to put something in her innards. Now she felt queasy. He wanted her to finish. Instead of eating, she cleared the table. Fetched water to heat for the dishes.

With icy disdain he watched. His silver blue eyes focused on her. “You don’t need to work. I’ve a housekeeper.”

“Where is she? He? We shouldn’t leave the dirty dishes. They will be impossible to clean tomorrow.” Nellie meant to challenge him. She’d not seen anyone else since their arrival. “Shouldn’t a servant be here?”

“Home…a cabin about a hundred yards from here. Could ring for her anytime I wish.” He shrugged his shoulders as if nothing mattered.

“Is she coming back tonight?” Nellie made the sinking assumption the lady in question would not be called back for dish duty.

Rory lifted his shoulders again then let out a long sigh. “No, I gave her tonight as well as tomorrow off. Needed our privacy.”

“So you could take advantage of my situation?”

“Perhaps,” Rory gave a grudging admittance.

There wasn’t much more to say. While she never got the hang of cooking, she never did the dishes either. Nellie wasn’t certain as to how much soap to use. She didn’t know where he kept the soap. Rory wasn’t volunteering the information. She could walk from the kitchen. The mess would still be there in the morning. For that matter, tonight’s dirty dishes as well as the ones from the next day would remain.

“Soap?” she asked as the silence continued. If possible, she was determined to do something other than stand around looking useless.

Instead of answering, Rory produced the soap. Took a potholder from a cupboard then poured the steaming water into the sink. Added soap. The water bubbled. “There you go. All is ready to be cleaned.”

Now, he leaned against the counter, his booted feet crossed, watching as he sipped his freshly brewed coffee. Nellie wasn’t positive how to go about washing the dishes. This would be a first. Couldn’t be all that difficult. Maybe a bit like taking a bath. She would pass the rag across a dish, rinse, then set it to dry before going on to the next one.

“There must be a sponge or a rag somewhere.” She searched. In frustration, she threw down a towel. “You could help!”

Rory tipped his head to one side then the other. “More fun to watch. You remind me of a fish out of water, all wiggling and waggling trying to figure out how to solve the problem.” He pushed forward; strode the few steps to her. His silver-blue eyes sparkled. He nodded his head toward a table. “Go sit. Finish your coffee. Eat a biscuit. You need something in your stomach. I’ll take care of the dishes. I see it’s not one of your talents. Don’t care if you can do dishes. Not important to me.”

What Rory would never understand is the fact she didn’t possess any…not one…house-wifely talents. They were educated in the way of the affluent. Her mother never expected her to live in a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. She conceded him the job. “Do you have milk?” She needed something to dull the bitter taste of the coffee. Wished he had tea.

“No.” He set the first washed then rinsed dish on a towel to dry. He offered some direction. “You can put the left-over stew in the quart jar.”

“Sugar?”

“In the pantry.”

Nellie looked around. Didn’t know where the pantry was. Didn’t want to ask. Her nerves were stretched, ready to snap. This was not going at all the way she hoped. She supposed she could drink water. Wanted a few answers to her most prevalent questions.

“When are you taking me to my home?” While she didn’t expect an answer, she hoped for one. His back was to her.

He stiffened before he let out a slow breath of air. “You are home.”

The chair fell on its back when she stood. Her hands were planted on the table. She wanted to refute his statement. Couldn’t. All she could see was Rory’s back. “No! This is not my home. What the hell do you mean?”

His slow turn, coupled with a lazy smile, told her she would have her work cut out for her if she thought to change his mind. She learned months ago he was a man who made up his mind. Once he decided on a course, nothing changed.

“Yes…Nellie…this is your home from now on. When you get the burr out of your little white pantalets, we will marry. You will have my children. Until then…” He set another bowl out to dry “Until then, make yourself at home. You don’t need to ask permission for anything. If you don’t know where something you want is located, ask.”

In other words, she wasn’t going anywhere. He was a…a…she couldn’t think of the word to describe him. An autocrat. A dictator. Worse, a man who took what he wanted. He was fickle. At this moment, he wanted her. What about in two months from now? She didn’t wish to be with a man who changed his mind as often as the wind changed direction.

“I don’t know what you want?” She refused to stomp her foot…a childish tantrum. “This is not my home. I haven’t chosen this or you.”

Again, one wheat blond eyebrow shot to the sky. Didn’t appear he meant to answer her. Of course, she knew what he wanted. Rory wanted her in his bed. She understood the way men thought. What he wished for went against everything she understood as well as wanted. Once, she had dreams. If she told him how she felt about the day she saw him kissing another woman, he would make up an excuse to appease her.

Excuses were what men did best. They blamed everything on something the woman did or said. A man would never apologize. Would set blame on someone else’s shoulders.

In Glasgow, she experienced men along with their excuses. Wasn’t going to tolerate a man shaking her down. Putting her chin in the air, she marched around the room while trying to memorize its contents.

“Where do you plan to sleep? If not with me, I’ll get you a blanket. The nights up here get cold even when the day is hot. You would be warmer in my bed.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Where?”

The fresh clean stream tumbling its way to a bigger river then onto the ocean behind his cabin swept into her head. She wished she could have a bath. Nellie found she was hot as well as sweaty and sticky from the day’s events. Asking him for a bath was out of the question. He would tell her she needed a chaperone. Danger lurked. While she understood there were both two as well as four footed dangers in the forest, she doubted one would find its way so close to his cabin.

“What is it you are thinking of now? It’s not the bed.” He moved closer to her. “Tell me. If it’s something I can give you, I would be pleased. Wish for you to be comfortable in your new home.” He stood in front of her, so close she caught a spicy scent then felt his breath ruffle across her cheek. He set his finger beneath her chin. “Tell me.”

She flinched away from him before stepping back. The big man was too close, too intimidating. With no distance between them he touched all her senses. His potent charm captivated. Enthralled. She didn’t wish to feel this way about him. “I’ll sleep on the chair.”

He reached out then drew back before he touched her. “Sorry to hear you feel that way.” A few minutes later he dumped a blanket along with a pillow on the chair by the fireplace. “Hope your neck fairs well. Fell asleep in the chair one night. In the morning, I couldn’t move my head because my neck was too stiff. If you change your mind in the middle of the night, I’ll let you climb into my bed. Keep you warm. All you need do is say the word,” Rory paused, his grin growing wider, “all you need do is join me. Don’t need to say anything at all.”

“In your dreams,” she shot back to him then felt the rise of heat to her cheeks. She shouldn’t say things that were not true. Maybe they were. Rory never spoke of his feelings, only his desires.

“I’m waiting on our future. Won’t retaliate with the words in my head.” He left her with her empty thoughts. “Coming to what will be our bed is your choice. Can happen before the vows or after. I would prefer tonight. In this my wishes don’t seem to count for much.”

Would it be so bad to tell him what was bothering her? The image which had been festering in her soul for the past eleven months? She didn’t know. He should have apologized more than a year ago for kissing the girl. Marsali Sue was her name. Agnes told her about the girl. Tried to dispel her by telling her Marsali was the biggest flirt in the area. Forgetting how the lady clung to him was impossible. Ignoring the fact caused tears to rise in her eyes. It was impossible. She thought there was a strong connection between them. There wasn’t. At least not one she could live with. If the relationship was strong, Rory would never have kissed that girl.

His reputation…yes, there was his reputation to consider. In these parts as the natives would say, he was a lady’s man as well as a man’s man. Women flocked around him, batting their eyelashes to gain his attention. Giving him whatever he wanted. She knew he wasn’t new to sex. Could crook his little finger and women would drop their drawers for him. She didn’t intend to be one of the many. At the celebration she witnessed the women. Saw how he soaked up their compliments. Grinned at their remarks. Laughed softly or hooted his laughter.

She would never be one of his women. Intended to be the only woman for him. Now, she understood he might never change. Men don’t change their true colors. The fact he kissed the lady didn’t make that much difference. What mattered was the reality of his character. He would always want to test untried waters. She would never be able to trust him. Living her life wondering if there was another woman gracing his bed was horrific. A life in that manner wasn’t for her.

As to becoming his wife, she shook her head. There was no way in hell she would marry a man such as Rory Haraldsson.  If he wasn’t in her bed, she would never know whose pillow he set his head on.

The creak of the porch swing caught her attention. She imagined she might have picked the swing for her bed. The bench on the swing was longer than the chair. Lying down might not be impossible as it was with the chair. Tossing the possibility out to him, would be her next move. Somehow, Nellie felt positive he would shoot her down. Would give her some reason she should choose elsewhere.

Holding two fresh cups of coffee along with a buttered biscuit, she opened the door to the front porch. When she stepped outside, he looked up then patted the space beside him. Nellie wasn’t certain she wished to sit so close to Rory.

“Here, this cup of coffee is for you.” The biscuit was for her. As she organized her thoughts, she began to feel hungry again.

When she didn’t move to comply with the gesture, Rory lifted his broad shoulders before gazing out on the land in front of them. She picked a seat on the steps. Sipped coffee then nibbled on the biscuit. Now that her stomach was not buzzing then tumbling, she might be able to eat a bowl of stew. The meal was put away. While she brooded, Rory finished the dishes. Everything from the evening meal was cleaned up. There was nothing left for her to eat. Her stomach rumbled.

Rory swept his arm pointing to the land in front of him then to the sides. “This is my land. My future. Hope someday this will live on for my children. A dynasty.” He turned to face her. His eyes deep blue in color shimmered with intensity. “Our children…our lives…wish to share all this with you.”

“Why me? From the rumors abounding about you, you can have the pick of any woman in the vicinity. You’ve known…I wouldn’t venture to guess how many women you’ve slept with. Why me?” Nellie believed the question to be more than relevant. Love didn’t seem to be involved. While she knew she was attractive, there were a lot of beautiful women to choose from.

Rory looked at her for several seconds. He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. “Imagine to you the question is relevant. I didn’t pick you. You picked me.”

“Don’t understand. How can you say something so absurd?” I picked him?

“Yes, understand under the current circumstances why you question my statement. Be advised, you are the only woman I’ve ever wanted to settle down with. You snared me from the first moment I saw you. Caught me in your feminine trap of intrigue as well as beauty. Your standoffishness inspired my quest. Once I talked to you…hell! I didn’t need to talk to you. Knew you were the one the woman for me the moment I saw you. You’ve run me a haphazard chase. My feet are tired. Need to end this pursuit soon. Wish to get on with living. The life will be a new one for both of us.”

“What about all your other women?” Nellie had no business asking the question. “They would scratch and claw eyes out to receive a proposal.”

He barked a laugh. “An exaggeration at best.”

“Don’t agree.”

In the last two years she’d been through more than most women. Would never forget the disgusting touch of Lord Abernathy. Lust was powerful. A motivation beyond anything she encountered. Even now, so many months later, when she closed her eyes, she could see the bed in the upstairs bedroom. Remembered how dirty she felt when Abernathy stripped her clothing from her body. She was left naked on the bed while she worried about what would happen next. Everyone except those who found her thought Abernathy left her with a simple covering, her chemise. No one who knew said anything different.

Her rescue was timely. If Nelson Abernathy had not taken the time to dally with her mother, he would have forced her before the men searching for her reached her. She was fortunate the Duke of Southcliff knew where the country house Nelson purchased was located. No man would have wanted her after Abernathy defiled her. Fannie advised her to tell Rory what happened. The events were too mortifying to recount. She just couldn’t bring herself to say the necessary words.

“In my mind, there are no other women.”

Blurting out what she saw held no merit. “Another one could come along. One who would catch your eye. A girl more suitable to your needs. One who could keep house, cook, sew, do the endless chores.”

“I will never want anyone except you, Nellie. Don’t need any woman except you in my bed. Can hire people to do those chores you mentioned. I’ve more than enough money. The logging business is great. It will continue to provide an exceptional income.” His voice was sincere. With all her heart, Nellie wanted to believe him.

When he picked up her hand to hold, she jerked away. “So you say.” She couldn’t allow herself to trust. If she did, he would hurt her.

“Trust is powerful. Imagine I need to work harder to gain yours. Don’t…” He popped all his knuckles. The sound gave Nellie reason to cringe. “Don’t understand what I did to discredit myself in your eyes. I vow to work harder to change your feelings toward me. Talk to me. Give me some ideas as to how to proceed.”

“Do you know why I’m here? Why I traveled with Fannie and Fox? It wasn’t because I had an urge for adventure. I preferred to stay in Glasgow. All my friends lived there. Staying wasn’t safe for me. I had no options.” She could tell him a few things. Not everything. He should understand something about her mistrust of men. He knew about Dillon but nothing else.

“In part, why don’t you explain. Fox has hedged from enlightening me. Fannie turns red with emotions better left unsaid when the topic is broached. There is intrigue here. Guessing the two of you went through something that is difficult to talk about.”

Nellie leaned against the post holding up the porch roof. Closed her eyes while she tried to figure out the least damning scenario. Hated to tell him about Lord Abernathy. Understood part of the story. Not all. Never all.

“Mother sold Maggie, our oldest sister, to Nelson Abernathy. You remember the man? At the time the idea was marriage. The two had something planned. We’ve never found out the exact nature of the sale.”

“How could I forget Lord Abernathy? Up at base camp he was tarred and feathered then sent down the mountain to town. You painted some of the tar on his naked body. I enjoyed watching. Enjoyed your spunk. The man was in town under the loving care of a nurse for over a week before he could travel. Why? He wanted Fannie, not you.” His gaze searched her for words not said.

“The man wanted both of us, Fannie as well as me. Also wanted our other two sisters. Hopefully, their husbands will keep them safe. He captured Tessa before she married Jason. Tessa, with the help of the Duke of Southcliff, was rescued before anything bad could happen to her.”

“I will never allow that man to touch you!” Rory roared, undeniable conviction in his words.

“There are other players in this game. Halsey, a pimp in Glasgow as well as Anice. They would stop at nothing to gain their revenge. The distance to Michigan is no barrier for Abernathy. Don’t know if it will keep Anice from her plans. We are all still in danger.”

“Tell me more.”

Nellie shook her head. She’d said enough for five lifetimes. Couldn’t tell him anything pertaining to her own circumstances. What happened was too mortifying for words. “I’m tired. The sun has gone down. Didn’t sleep well last night or the one before. Need to go to bed.” She stared at the forest wondering about the walk down the hill.

His eyes blazed as if he was angry. He had no reason for anger. For a man who wanted to learn everything, she told him little. For now, she wouldn’t say anything more than she already did.

“Don’t run away from this, from me. Meet the enemy head on. I will help anyway I can,” Rory told her as if he had the right to give directives. “Let me help. I’m not your enemy.”

Her fists clenched at her sides. Lips thinned. As if to put emphasis on her words she gritted out, “If the things that happened to me happened to you…” She didn’t know how far to go. With those damming words, she opened the door to more questions. Questions she had no intention of answering. Those things never happened to a man. A man couldn’t be raped. Forced against his will to have sex. Could he?

“Stay a few more minutes. I won’t ask any more questions. Relax. You’re right. This day has been trying for you. Since I don’t know what happened I’ve no place to judge. If you tell me, I could better understand.”

“It’s getting cold.” She unfolded the blanket before wrapping it around her. Her arms were shaking, not because of the sun setting behind the hills but because of the memories along with the fears shutting her off from creating a new life with this man she loved with all her heart. Closing her eyes never took away the images.

Rory spread his arm across the back of the swing. “Come sit next to me. I’ll keep you warm. Hold you until the chills disperse. Make sure you stay safe.” His voice grew husky with what she knew was lust. Heard the sound of desire in the deep timbre. “Can make you heat up all the way to your tiny toes.”

Heat up to my toes? She imagined he could. Remembered the kiss as well as how he scorched her. “I better not. Tomorrow will be a long walk home.” By the quicksilver scowl on Rory’s face, she realized she should not have mentioned the fact she meant to walk home. As long as she had two legs, he could not keep her here. Nellie realized walking would take most of the day. She had no idea the distance.

“I’ve changed my mind about the sleeping accommodations,” Rory was quick to point out.

“You can’t…” Rory wouldn’t force her to sleep with him. He wouldn’t. Would never make her sleep in his bed if she said no. “You can’t change your mind.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that. I won’t.”

“I can and will unless I hear a promise from your sweet lips.” He was leaning forward, his forearms on his thighs. Their gazes met then clashed. She didn’t want to hear the promise he meant to extract. By the look in his eyes, he would never budge from whatever stance he was taking.

“How dare you?” The question was indignant. “You’ve no reason to ask a promise of me.” Her breathing turned erratic. Rory didn’t have the right to keep her here. Didn’t have the right to dictate anything to her. “You can’t change your mind,” she repeated her voice dropping. “I’m going to go home.”

“I can unless I get what I want.” His eyes blazed. He was angry. She recognized the expression on his face.

“What is this promise?” Hesitant, her body shaking, she questioned him. Needed clarification before she could move on with her plans.

“I’m not asking too much. Nothing you can’t accomplish with ease. Promise me you won’t try to leave until you eat breakfast.” He ran the back of his hand along the column of her throat. “It’s a long way down the mountain. You will need sustenance to keep your feet moving.”

“This is about eating?” Flummoxed, she felt his dictate was all wrong. She could see him tying her to his bed or locking her in the cabin to keep her from asserting her will…but this? He wanted her to eat? He didn’t forbid her to leave. She was confused. Perhaps even a bit disappointed. After he brought her all this way, he meant to let her go with no protest…no arguments.

“Yes. Agnes told me you didn’t eat this morning. You ate no dinner except those few nibbles of the biscuit you hold in your hand right now. Can’t walk the twenty plus miles to Fox’s home on an empty stomach. You will need energy. Fox’s home is not an easy walk from here.”

“Twenty miles?” she repeated, stunned to learn of the distance. Five miles was a long walk. Five miles would take her more than an hour. Could anyone walk twenty miles in one day. If she couldn’t, she would spend the night in the forest. Fear of the unknown shivered through her body.

“Will take you most of the day if not all. Expect it will be a scorcher tomorrow. You will need to take water with you. A canteen or two. Yes, two would be the best. Always take water with you if you’re going to be gone for the entire day. A body needs water more than food.”

Nellie knew him well enough to realize Rory had something up his sleeve. What it was she didn’t know. Except for a beat, she did balk when he told her twenty miles. Had second as well as third thoughts about following through with her plan. Didn’t seem quite that far when they rode the distance this afternoon. Didn’t know what it would hurt to promise to eat. Then he told her to take water. She would have never thought about water. Weren’t there streams along the way?

Nodding her head in answer, she said, “I will eat before I go. Anything else?”

“Need to hear you promise.”

“Very well, if a verbal promise is what it takes for you to let me go. I promise to wait to leave your home until after I eat. Is that good enough?”

“The words of promise will do for now. In the meantime, just how do you think you are going to walk the distance? Your delicate little shoes will be torn to shreds. Do you have any idea what walking that far will do to your body. You are in no shape…”

With a few blinks, she felt confused. Shreds? Not in shape? Had to admit she’d never walked more than a mile at one time…if that far. “I’ll follow the road. What else would I do?” Nellie was surprised he wasn’t refusing to allow her to go by herself. The man should be objecting. Yelling about how dangerous the walk was. All he wanted was for her to eat as well as bring water.

“You slept the last five miles. There is no road to my home. However, there are many trails. I will not help you leave me. Will never give you directions. You will need to navigate the trails all on your own. You will most likely find yourself lost in the wilderness.”

Lost in the wilderness?

Her chin rose with an inelegant snort following. “I can find my way. As long as I walk down the mountain, I should be fine.” She knew she spouted nonsense. Maybe she should reconsider.

“Possibly…” Rory didn’t finish, he rose then extended his hand. “If you break your promise to me, you won’t enjoy the consequences.”

Those words were arrogant male words. Sounded too much like Nelson for her consideration. Enjoy the consequences? What the hell does that mean? So far, he’d not taken or forced anything on her. Hoped his actions would stay that way. Determined, she would navigate the way home by herself.

~ * ~

“Are you positive this was right? Nellie is still so insecure. She’s afraid to reach out to Rory for help or to confide in him.” Fannie turned her back so Fox could undo the line of little jet buttons traveling down her back. With each button undone, he placed his lips on bared flesh. With each kiss she shivered with the pleasure. Understood this discussion would end before anything could resolve itself.

“The two need private time to hash out all their truths,” Fox said while he continued to give his ardent attention to the revealed flesh down the middle of her back. “What we should do is lock them together somewhere.”

Fannie squirmed when his sweet caresses reached the base of her spine. He sipped on her flesh. She slipped the gown from her shoulders, revealing more of herself. “Nellie will never disclose what happened during the abduction. There are few people who have learned what occurred. I don’t even know the entirety. Doubt if anyone except Nellie along with Lord Abernathy know everything, maybe Anice too.”

“Until she speaks all her truths, Rory will be running blind. He needs to understand what motivates his little lady. She should tell him some of what happened to her. How she was intimidated to the point she fears all men.”

Fox’s shirt hung open. Fannie pushed the fabric down his arms. Ran her hands across his chest paying close attention to the small hard buds so unlike her own. “We should ride to his house tomorrow. Maybe we can help sort this out.”

“No.” He brought his mouth crashing against hers. She opened for him. Rubbed hers against his. Touched deep into the soft darkness. Her shadowy depths always brought him immense pleasure. Needed him to taste her in more intimate places.

“Yes, we need to help. Nellie doesn’t know what she wants.” Nellie doesn’t know what her life could be like with a good man. She is just afraid to reach out then grab happiness.”

“The two of them need to hash out their problems in privacy. Our presence will only serve to get in the way. Nellie will hide behind you. Rory won’t want to force himself in any way with the two of us watching.”

A little sigh of frustration left her. Fannie comprehended all he said was true. To her way of thinking, she still wanted to be with her sister so she could help her adjust. “I understand. What if they can’t find a way to get past her fears?”

“They will…” he told her, sweeping her into his arms to carry her to a chair. “I have confidence in Rory.” He sat holding her in his lap, running his hands along her arms to her shoulder then back to rest with possessive ease on her hip. He placed gentil kisses along her neck, nudging fabric away with his chin. “Do you wish to make love or argue about what is best for your sister and Rory?”

“Argue.”

He dropped his hands, obviously displeased with her answer. Set his hands on her shoulders. His voice was stern when he spoke. “We are not going to intrude. I won’t take you there. Since you don’t know where he lives, you cannot go by yourself. The conversation is finished.”

She moved a lock of hair from his forehead, her mind whirling with endless possibilities. There must be men on his crew who would know how to find Rory. “Does Paul know? I would seek him out.”

“Know what?” He was diverting her attention. Pressing light kisses along the column of her neck then lower. His finger tugged on the ribbons to her chemise. With his chin, then his teeth he pushed the fabric aside. Touched his tongue on a hard bud then gave his consideration to the other.

Fannie arched into his mouth, thrusting her breast to get closer. Needed him to pull harder as well as deeper. “How to get to Rory’s place. Paul could take me.” His hands closed around her breasts.

“Not if he wants to keep his job…his livelihood.”

“Are you ready to have another baby?”