Page 7

She smiled. “Thank you for letting me look around. You have a wonderful day.”

He dipped his head. “Dinna forget. I’m here for all your needs.”

She waved goodbye and stepped outside. Next to the mercantile was a jeweler. She didn’t even pause at the window that boasted all things shiny and expensive. Unable to afford anything at the mercantile, she surely couldn’t afford anything in there.

Besides, she had no need for baubles. She had much more important things to spend her money on.

Like her babe. How was she going to be able to raise a child on her own? She had no husband. Or at least one she never wanted to see again. No home. Certainly, she couldn’t remain living in her room at the Thistle & Pig. That was no type of environment for a child.

It wasn’t the first time she wondered about her future, nor would it be her last. But most important of all was finding a safe place to live and raise the babe.

And what of Gunn? What would he do when he realized she was with child? She came upon a bench and sat down, pondering her situation. Would he put her out on the street? What would she do then?

She might have to live in the tenements. She shuddered at the thought, but it would still be better than giving Victor access to her babe. The worry she felt over what he could do to an innocent being turned her stomach.

A couple passed by, smiling at her as they continued on their walk. A surge of longing tugged at her heart. They looked so happy. She wanted that. Wanted someone that would look at her the way that man looked at his wife as they strolled together, enjoying the evening.

Sighing, she pushed off the bench. She should head back to the inn.

“Good eve, miss.” A man addressed her as he approached. He was slight of stature but had a friendly face.

“Hello,” she answered, but as she moved to walk, he stepped in front of her.

“Where are ye walking? Let me escort ye.” He jutted a bony elbow out in her direction. “A lass as bonny as ye shouldna be walking alone.”

She smiled nervously. “I’m fine. Thank you.” She clutched her cloak tighter around her shoulders and moved to sidestep the man.

For reasons unknown, he once again stepped in front of her.

“Sir. Excuse me. I have someplace I must be.”

“Come on now, surely ye could use the company.”

She was just bunching her hand into a fist when the man stepped back.

“I believe the lady asked ye to let her be,” a familiar voice sounded from over her shoulder, the deep baritone enveloping her in a warm embrace.

Gunn.

Relief washed over her.

“Sir Burnett.” A wave of panic flashed in the man’s eyes. “I was just offering the lady an escort home.”

“And she politely said nay. That was your hint to leave.”

The two men stood there as if they were squaring off, Gunn towering over the other man, and nearly twice as wide. Jocelyn noticed Gunn’s clenched fists. It looked like he was willing to pull punches if need be. She had been, too.

She was both appalled and grateful. The thought of him getting into fisticuffs for her was upsetting.

Finally, the man bowed. “I shall be on my way. Remember, the streets are no’ safe for a lady to walk alone,” he sneered. It sounded like he was warning her. “I bid ye a good eve.”

Setting a hand on Gunn’s arm, his shoulders relaxed, his fists unclenching. “Thank ye. He was very persistent.”

“Aye.” Concern furrowed Gunn’s eyes. “The streets are safe, dinna believe a word he says. Howe’er, I would suggest if ye plan to walk, ye shouldna do so alone.”

“I was just on my way back. I will take your suggestion into consideration, however, as you know, you and Flora are the only people I know here. It appears I will be walking alone when I want to go out.”

“Ye willna.”

“Pardon?”

He seemed to realize she felt affronted at his out-of-bound step and backed off, pushing a hand through his hair, making the short strands stand on end. It was an enticing look on him.

“I apologize. I have nay right to tell ye what to do.” He blew out a breath. “As ye can see, I am much better at dealing with men. On the morrow, my good friend Malcolm will be visiting with his wife, Lizzie. Mayhap the two of ye can spend some time together.”

“That is very kind of you. I would like that.”

Gunn smiled sheepishly and held his arm out. “Allow me to walk ye home?”

Home. She liked the sound of that.

She nodded and slipped her arm into the crook of his elbow, letting the heat emanating through his coat warm her.

As they walked, she was reminded of the couple she’d seen before, imagining that was how they appeared to people they passed on their way back to the inn.

Once inside the inn, Gunn quickly excused himself, leaving Jocelyn confused at the two sides of him that he’d shown her.

He had the gruff side, the one that when it came to the stranger on the street, looked positively lethal.

But then he’d also shown her a softer, kinder side. One where he was sweet and caring.

And she was finding the more time she spent with the man, the more she enjoyed it. The more she wanted to explore all sides of him.