Page 13 of The Duke’s Lance (The Duke’s Guard #12)

O ’Malley’s body-warmed frockcoat immediately cut through the chill that had settled in her bones at the thought of Baron Summerfield or the baroness knowing of her past and judging her. To be fair, she had heard of the close familial relationship the duke had with two of his distant cousins—Baron Summerfield and Viscount Chattsworth. He treated them as brothers…though not at first. She had been told it was later, when it counted, and they had proven to be cut from the same cloth. Summerfield married the duke’s sister and Chattsworth married a close friend of the duke’s wife and sister. Family by design…by love.

Even knowing that, the worry got stuck in her brainbox, and Helen could not jar it loose.

“Lass, ye need to relax. Ye’re stiff as a board in me arms.” She shifted, and he muttered something unintelligible before asking, “Does yer wrist pain ye?”

“Not as much as before.”

O’Malley bent his head and brushed his lips to the top of her head. That small but tender caress wormed its way into her heart, beside his declaration earlier that she was his heart…and his love. He must have felt the stiffness beginning to leave her. “Stop thinking of things ye have no control over. Ye’ll upset yer stomach.”

Helen huffed. “I have never heard that before.”

“It must be true—Ma said it to us when Da and Uncle Patrick were in prison.”

She gasped. “Prison? What happened? Are they still there?”

“Wrongly accused of theft. They’re not still there. Me uncle took ill hours before the false charges were dropped, and they were to be released. He passed away in Da’s arms.”

She cupped the side of his face. When his eyes met hers, she murmured, “I wish I hadn’t hurt my wrist. I’d be able to cup your face with both hands.” Feeling bold, she slid her hand around to the back of his neck and watched his emerald eyes deepen to forest green. Her heart nearly stopped when he captured her lips in a devastating kiss.

“I won’t be kissing ye again until we arrive at the inn. I need to be on the lookout for trouble, lass, and ye’re a distraction.”

“I understand. I can wait.”

He snorted and muttered, “That makes one of us.” A shout from behind them had her clinging to the arm he wrapped around her. “’Tis just Flaherty spouting off because he doesn’t have a beautiful woman in his arms to kiss.”

As if he could tell she was looking up at him, his gaze dipped and then returned to diligently scanning the area surrounding them as they rode toward the inn.

“Ye don’t believe me.”

She sighed. “No one except Emily has ever said that to me before.”

“Garahan married a wise woman. Believe Emily—ye are beautiful, lass. Never doubt it.”

Helen felt tears stinging the backs of her eyes, and dug deep to will them away. “You are the one who is beautiful.”

His deep, rumbling laugh warmed her heart. “’Tis the curse we O’Malleys have to bear in life, being handsome as sin. Close yer eyes for just a bit longer, and before ye know it, we’ll be there.”

Helen did as she was told and felt her stiff limbs begin to relax. The warmth of O’Malley’s big body wrapped around hers, and the promise of more drugging kisses in her future, lulled her to sleep.

*

O’Malley hated to wake the lass, but knew the noise from the inn yard up ahead was bound to rouse her. “We’re here, lass.”

Helen stirred in his arms, and he wondered what it would be like when they shared a bed. O’Malley imagined watching her sleep. He’d slowly wake her with his lips, and tongue, and teeth.

Before his body betrayed his thoughts, he called her name, and had the pleasure of watching her thick black lashes flutter open, revealing the eyes that had captivated him from the start.

“I’m glad ye were able to fall asleep.”

“I did not mean to.”

“Ye’re awake now. We need to find four people.”

“Four? I thought we were only looking for the duke’s coachman.”

“We are, as well as the footman and the two ladies Widow Dawson mentioned seeing.” He murmured to his horse and gave a slight tug on the reins, signaling for the animal to stop. “I’ll set ye on yer feet as soon as I dismount.”

“Thank you, that would be—”

Helen’s gasp of shock had him struggling to contain his laughter. He wouldn’t want her to think he was laughing at her. He gently set her on her feet and settled his coat more firmly around her when it started to slip off one shoulder. “Can’t have ye catching a chill.”

Her eyes were round with wonder.

“Something wrong, lass?”

“That’s the second time you’ve done that. How can you possibly swing your leg over a horse like that, dismount, and not drop me?”

He grinned at her. “I’ve had lots of practice, and before ye start thinking the way a female is bound to, ’twas with me cousins. Though I’m usually carrying one of them over me shoulder.”

“Injured?”

O’Malley nodded. “Oftentimes bleeding.”

Her face paled, but she didn’t waver on her feet. “I did not realize how dangerous it would be to guard the duke until I watched Aiden and the others, although I don’t believe they were part of the guard.”

“Ye’d be right on both counts. ’Tis dangerous, but that is part of the appeal. Working for a man of His Grace’s integrity, honor, and dedication to his family is a privilege. I believe it was Tremayne and Bayfield who were originally tasked to assist Garahan. They are part of Captain Coventry’s group of retired military men, who have assisted both the duke and Gavin King on more than one occasion. His Grace has connections.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you, Eamon, for finding me—rescuing me. Marrying me.”

Unable to resist, he kissed her forehead. “Ah, lass, we aren’t married yet. To be honest, I look forward to after we’re wed and ye can properly thank me.”

Her expression of desire-laced shock was a pleasure to watch, but he’d best leave off. He’d teased the lass enough for the moment.

O’Malley was still smiling when the hostler approached them. The man was staring at him intently, and O’Malley wondered if Flaherty had mentioned him.

“You must be O’Malley.”

“Aye, and ye just answered the question I was about to ask. Flaherty will be joining us shortly. Miss Langley and I rode ahead, as we were not encumbered by having the prisoner tethered to us while he walked.”

The hostler laughed. “I like the way you and Flaherty think. I’ll water your horse while you take Miss Langley inside. The inn isn’t full, but there are two women who arrived a short while ago who would no doubt enjoy the company.”

“I won’t be leaving the lass alone, but would not mind meeting the ladies and introducing her to them. Thank ye for the suggestion. I’ll be inside when Flaherty arrives.”

“I’ll send someone to fetch you.”

O’Malley whispered words of encouragement to his horse, patted the animal on the neck, and turned him over to the hostler. “He’s a fine stallion and would enjoy a cup of oats along with a bit of hay, if ye have it.”

“I do, and promise to treat him like the fine Thoroughbred he is.”

O’Malley nodded, smiled at Helen, and placed his hand atop hers where it rested on his forearm. “Yer hand feels warmer than before.”

“Thank you for letting me borrow your coat. I think the chill I felt lying on the floor in the cottage must have seeped into the marrow of my bones. I can’t recall being that cold in quite some time.”

“Well now, we’ll have to see that ye have something warm to eat. Maybe a hearty stew, or meat pie. Let’s see what they’re serving.”

They stepped in through the door to the inn and were greeted by the scent of savory spices and freshly baked bread. O’Malley drew in a breath and sighed. “Smells of Heaven in here.”

“Thanks to Mrs. Bertrum’s culinary talents,” a tall, bald-headed man greeted them. “Bertrum, at your service. Welcome to our inn.”

“Thank ye, Bertrum. Me name’s O’Malley. I’m one of the Duke of Wyndmere’s guard. May I present Miss Helen Langley, me intended.”

The innkeeper smiled at the couple, then noticed the lass’s sling and that she was obviously wearing O’Malley’s frockcoat. “Let’s get Miss Langley over by the fire. One of my daughters will be out in a minute to take your orders. We’re a family-run inn. Lucky for me, we have three daughters and two strapping sons to help us, as my wife is a very talented cook and we keep her in the kitchen as often as possible.”

As if the red-headed lass had heard her father call her, she hurried over to join them. “My name’s Meghan. I’ll take care of them, Papa. If you’ll follow me, I was just about to ask the Misses Hinkle if they wanted more tea. This way, please.”

O’Malley scanned the taproom as they passed through it to one of the private rooms on the other side of the inn.

“Here we are. I brought company for you, ladies. Would either of you care for a fresh pot of tea?”

The two women sitting by the fire greatly resembled one another and were garbed in identical outfits, the only difference being the color. One woman was dressed in pale blue, the other in pale pink.

The woman in blue answered, “That would be lovely. My name is Josina Hinkle, and this is my twin sister, Jeannette. And you are?”

“O’Malley. This is me intended, Miss Helen Langley, and by the way, I’m a twin meself.”

“How fascinating. Do sit down and join us, won’t you?” Josina asked.

“I’m afraid I’m on duty, waiting for me cousin to arrive. When he does, we have business to attend to, though I know Helen won’t mind sitting for a bit.”

If her frown was any indication, Jeannette—the woman in pink—seemed to notice the scrapes and bruises on Helen’s face and her arm in the sling. Her frown intensified. “Would you care to explain how your intended seems to have either had an accident…or has been treated abominably?”

O’Malley admired the older woman’s spunk and immediate defense of the lass.

Helen answered, “O’Malley rescued me—and, as a matter of fact, was sent by His Grace the Duke of Wyndmere to find me.”

Both women were drawn in by her statement. “Is that so?” Josina remarked. “Were you set upon by brigands traveling? My sister and I were a bit concerned about the possibility of being set upon as we journeyed closer to the border between England and Scotland.”

“Actually—”

Whatever Helen was about to say was interrupted when Meghan returned with the promised tea, additional teacups, and a plate of teacakes. “Here we are. Aren’t you joining the ladies, Mr. O’Malley?”

“Just O’Malley, if ye please. I will, after I’m off duty.”

The innkeeper’s daughter smiled. “Just let me know when you are ready for tea and something sweet, or a meal. Will anyone else be joining you?”

“Me cousin should be arriving any moment.” He glanced out the window. “Here he is now.”

Jeannette looked out the window. “Is your cousin the one leading a man with a rope tied around his waist?”

Josina gasped. “The man has his hands tied behind his back. Oh dear, just look at the bruises on his face.”

O’Malley noted the lass did not turn around to look. She shivered. “Ye have nothing to fear, lass. I will not let him near ye, or harm ye again. Ye have me word.”

Helen lifted her head and met his eyes. “Thank you, Eamon.”

The sisters turned back and smiled at Helen. From the hint of concern in their eyes, he had a feeling the sisters had reasoned out for themselves that the lass’s injuries were caused by the man being led into the inn yard.

“You are more than welcome to keep us company as long as you like, Miss Langley,” Jeannette said. “We were in the middle of discussing where we will head next when you arrived. Are you familiar with the area? Do you have any suggestions?”

“Summerfield-on-Eden is a lovely village,” O’Malley told them. “As a matter of fact, that’s where we’re headed. Baron and Baroness Summerfield are related to His Grace. Me twin Thomas and two of me cousins—also members of the duke’s guard—are stationed there.”

“I believe we have heard of the village. It has marshes and ponds for those that enjoy studying the habitats and lives of birds and other creatures,” Jeannette said. “You remember my suggesting we visit, don’t you, sister dear?”

“I do, but we decided against it because of something that occurred there recently. Those awful rumors.”

Jeannette frowned. “A terrible business involving a family, of all things, who treated one of their daughters—I do apologize. We do not normally stoop so low as to gossip, but when we hear of injustice, well…”

“It lights a fire inside of us,” Josina finished for her. “Doesn’t it, Jeanette?”

“It does.”

Belatedly, the sisters must have realized O’Malley’s connection. “Please forgive us if we have inadvertently been discussing your family or someone that you are acquainted with,” Josina said. “Do pour a cup of tea for Miss Langley before it goes tepid,” she told her sister.

Jeanette did as bidden, then asked O’Malley, “Would you care for a cup before you leave your bride-to-be with us?”

“No, but thank ye. I am grateful that ye’d welcome the lass and keep her company.” He smiled at Helen. “I won’t be long.”

“I promise I not to go anywhere, unless I send word to you first.”

O’Malley did not like the sound of that at all. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his duties without her promise not to leave this room until he came back for her. “Lass, I need yer word that we won’t leave this room.”

She frowned at him, and once again he could not help but notice how adorable she looked. “I may have no choice.”

“There’s always a choice, lass. Yer choice will be to stay here. I cannot be in two places at one time and need yer word.”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot accommodate you.”

O’Malley folded his arms across his chest. “I cannot protect ye if ye won’t listen to me.”

“Are you really so single-minded that you do not realize why I would have to leave this room?”

“Is that a polite way of saying I’m thickheaded?” The sisters had their hands over their mouths to muffle their laughter. “This is no laughing matter. I will not go into detail, but the lass’s life depends on her staying put!”

“I beg your pardon,” Jeanette apologized.

“I hate to be rude and bring up a topic that is normally private in nature,” Josina said, “but you are not thinking past your worry for Miss Langley. You have our word that both Jeannette and I will accompany Miss Langley to the necessary, if she needs to make use of it.”

O’Malley wasn’t often caught off guard. “Thank ye kindly.” Turning to Helen, he asked, “Why did ye not just tell me?”

“It is rather personal, O’Malley.”

He squatted beside her chair. With the tip of his finger, he turned her to face him. “We’ll be married in two days’ time. There’s nothing that ye should be too embarrassed to confide in me, lass.” When she didn’t speak right away, he brushed his lips to hers. “I’ll return shortly.”

She blew out a breath that sounded irritated, though her voice did not when she answered, “I’ll be waiting.”

He’d never had trouble walking away from a woman before—not that he made a habit of it, but he’d had more than one lass who captured his interest over the years. Walking away from Helen felt as if he were leaving a part of himself behind…his heart .

Lengthening his stride, he walked through the taproom and stepped outside in time to hear Flaherty’s warning: “Shut yer gob or I’ll shut it for ye.”

O’Malley had the feeling that this would take longer than he’d anticipated.