“Coo-ee.”

Julianna snapped her attention to Louisa who was waving a hand in front of her face, and grimaced. She clutched the broom and began sweeping again. “Forgive me.”

“Are you well?” The innkeeper paused, a tray of ales in hand. “You have been strange ever since yesterday.”

Julianna forced a smile. “I am fine.”

Louisa gave her a disbelieving look but shrugged. “Far be it for me to interfere, but you know where I am if you need to talk.”

“I am fine,” she repeated. “I promise.”

She was. Really. Even though she knew John was out there, hunting for her. Even though she was falling in love with an utter rogue. Even though she had run away from home and was working as a maid in an inn. She was utterly, utterly fine. And that was the strange thing of it. Her chest was full and her head, giddy. She could not stop recalling Drake’s mouth on hers or how his eyes darkened every time he looked at her.

Yesterday, she had seen a side to him she doubted anyone knew. He’d been vulnerable and frustrated. And all she had wanted to do was wrap herself around him and tell him everything would be all right. After everything he’d done for her, it was the least she could do.

Though, where the blasted man was, she did not know. Considering he’d vowed to protect her from John, he was doing a fine job of steering clear of the inn.

She glanced up when the door opened, her heart doing a little jig before sinking. Not Drake. Two men entered and headed toward the bar, followed by Knight. He spotted her and came straight over.

“Do you have a moment?”

She nodded. “A quick one, though. We are getting busier.”

Knight drew her out into the stairway and shut the door to the taproom behind him. “I have a solution, a way to keep you safe from John.”

“I cannot help hope he has returned home already and given up.”

“If I know John, he will not. And if he does not, it could be our father. I will do everything in my power to protect you, Julianna, but you need to be gone from here.”

“Gone?”

“I have an acquaintance who will take you in—the Countess of Redmere. The countess has family in Hampshire. She can take you there and keep you safe.”

“Hampshire? No. It is too close to London. Too close to people who might know me.”

“The countess will not be taking you out into London society. She has an aunt who can look after you out in the country. No one will know you are there apart from the earl and I.”

She scowled. “Why would this countess wish to help me anyway?”

“I am...friends with her husband, as you well know.”

“So I am to just wait in Hampshire for how long?”

“For as long as it takes me to organize a match.”

“A match?”

Creases appeared between his brows. “Yes, Julianna, a match. A good one. With a man who can offer you protection. Once you are married, neither John nor our father can touch you. You will be another man’s property.”

“Property? But...” A multitude of thoughts flurried through her mind. She could not leave here, she was happy. She liked Cornwall. She did not even mind the work. And how could she...how could she leave Drake? No, it was impossible.

“I will ensure he is a good man, I promise.”

She eyed her brother and folded her arms. “No.”

“No?”

“I’m not leaving. I like it here. Besides, I am surely safer here with you and...and Drake.”

Knight narrowed his eyes. “Drake?”

She avoided his gaze. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said softly.

“This is all about him, is it not?” Knight’s voice rose. “Drake? You want to stay with that man?”

Her gaze shot to his. “So what if I do?”

“I already told you to stay away from him.” He thrust a finger at her.

“You might be my brother, but you cannot dictate my life to me. I came to you for help, not to have you act like our father and order me about!”

“I am ordering you about for good reason. Do you not think that I want the best for you? Trust me, Julianna, Drake is not what is best for you.”

“How do you know? You do not know him like I do, you do not—”

“He’s a smuggler, Julianna.”

The words cracked through the narrow corridor, beating a path directly to her heart. It gave a painful judder.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice fragile.

Knight sighed. “He’s a smuggler. We both are. Believe me when I say I know Drake well enough.”

“But...”

“I would not lie to you.”

Julianna stared at her brother. It explained many things. Why he wanted her gone from here. How Drake appeared to have money yet did little work. Why her brother was always vanishing. The man who had wanted Drake to take him to France must have known too.

“Why...why did you not tell me?” she demanded.

“You were better off not knowing. Then you could deny all should you ever be asked.”

“Because you are criminals.”

“There is risk involved, yes.”

“Why would you do such a thing? Smugglers are...they are terrible people.”

Knight shrugged. “We hurt no one, I can promise you that. But there are little opportunities for disgraced gentlemen to make money. This was a fine one.”

“I do not know how you can be so calm about this, how you can think this is fine!”

“I’m not arguing with you. You can understand why I want you far from here now, can you not? Have your belongings packed by tomorrow and I shall escort you to the countess.”

“But, Knight—”

“Do not argue with me, Julianna. Be ready.”

Julianna stared at the door as it slammed shut. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms. How could her brother lie to her? How could Drake? They both had plenty of opportunity to tell her. To think she had been feeling...well, it did not matter. Drake had lied. After everything they had talked about yesterday, why had he not told her?

Well, he would lie to her no longer. As soon as her work was over, she was going to march down to his ship and demand an explanation. She was tired of these men keeping secrets and trying to tell her what do. First, she would get Drake to tell her the truth and then...well, she did not know yet, but it would not involve her brother making a match for her. She had not come all the way to Cornwall only to have her fate dictated to her once more.