Julianna hesitated at the door of the inn. She might have little pride left after her various falls and she was more than desperate at this point, but she could safely claim she had never stepped foot in a building in such a state. In truth, she had never once had her dress and face caked in mud. But chills shook her to the bone and if Drake was going to take her to her brother, she had to follow him.

She swung a look at his profile, lit by the glow of two lanterns on either side of the door. With a strong jaw, intense eyes, a slightly crooked nose and curling hair darkened by the rain and brushing his collar, he was a far cry from the men she usually associated with. A scar cut across his lip though it was not unsightly. Somehow it added to the character of his face and made him look far too devilish.

She could not say she had never understood the appeal of dangerous-looking men. Some of her friends had been prone to swooning over such men, and she had no doubt they would swoon over Drake. But she was far too sensible to do such a thing over a man like him...was she not?

“You do know how doors work, do you not?”

The words were said with wry amusement. His lips were twisted in a look that she was growing familiar with.

“Yes, of course.” She pushed open the door and a sigh escaped her as instant warmth struck her face.

A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, reaching its inviting fingers out to her. Most of the patrons had dispersed or were asleep in chairs or slumped over tables. Three old men huddled in one corner over a game of cards that was being played with such sluggishness that she imagined the game would last until dawn.

“I shall fetch Louisa. She can arrange a room and bring you up some water to”—he glanced her over— “wash.”

A flicker of something in his gaze had her stomach twisting in a way that felt far too delicious. Nothing like when her fiancé tried to touch her. A shiver trembled through every inch of her and she could not blame the cold for that. John was enough to make her shudder even if she were sitting in front of the fire with clean, dry clothing on.

Julianna put a hand to his arm. “Wait. I...” She bit down on her bottom lip. “I cannot pay for another room.”

He waved her words away. “I can cover it.”

She shook her head vigorously. “I do not need your charity.” She had depended on men her whole life and look where that had led her—covered in mud in a part of the country she had never stepped foot in. Unfortunately, she would have to rely on her brother for a little longer, until she figured out what to do. But that was different to having a stranger pay her way. “If you take me to my brother, he shall cover it.”

“Not going to happen.” He strode over to the bar and she followed. Drake leaned over and snatched up a bottle of whiskey from behind the bar, pouring himself a generous helping into an empty glass. He lifted the bottle and offered it to her.

Julianna shook her head and propped hands on hips. “Why is it not going to happen?”

“He’s away on business. He won’t return for another few days.”

“But you said—”

“I said I can take you to your brother.” Drake eased himself up on a stool and peered around. “Although I suppose I should have said, he will come to you. Once he returns, the Ship will be his first port of call.”

“Oh.”

He grinned. “Yes. Oh. Now, why do you not sit and have a drink? If you really are Knight’s sister, he will have my head if I let you freeze to death.”

“Only men think whiskey will save a person from freezing.”

“Whiskey has saved me many a time.”

“And will likely be the death of you too.”

Drake shook his head and laughed. “You have me all figured out, do you not, Princess?”

She folded her arms. “I think so.” Julianna frowned when he did not respond and continued to eye her. “What is it?”

“Knight’s sister,” he mused. “No, I cannot see it.”

“Well, it is true. There are quite a few years between us, but we were born of the same mother. Not that any of this matters. I still have to find a way to pay for my lodgings if my brother will not be returning anytime soon. If what you are saying is true.”

“I am many things, Princess, but I am not a liar.” He threw back the whiskey and slammed the glass down.

Drake moved from the stool. She did not miss the wince that he tried to disguise. His war wounds clearly caused him pain. Perhaps that was why he had acted so strangely after the fight.

“Louisa must be in the kitchen.” He jerked his head toward the door to one side of the bar. “Come with me.”

She hesitated. This evening had not gone at all as planned. She had anticipated finding her brother quickly, being able to explain all that had occurred, and talking over what she might do next. Instead, she had been attacked, soaked, covered in mud, and forced to rely on this rogue of a man.

“Princess?”

“My name is Julianna,” she protested, following him into the kitchen.

The woman Julianna had met earlier looked up as they entered. She paused in her work of beating pastry into submission. A serving girl stood by the sink washing glasses and plates. Another swept the floor. Julianna lingered in the doorway, feeling as though she was intruding into another world. Entering the servant’s quarters at home was frowned upon and the servants did not generally like being watched over by their employers.

“Drake, you survived,” Louisa declared, spinning the dough over and slamming it back down onto the floured surface. “I wondered if those brutes might have had the better of you.”

“Never.” He walked into the room as though he owned it and spent many a day in it. Leaning against the wall, he picked up a peeled carrot that was waiting patiently in a pile to be diced, Julianna assumed, and bit down on it.

Julianna looked between the two. Could they be lovers? She had assumed Louisa was the innkeeper’s wife, but it seemed she was the only one in charge here. If she were not married, there would be no reason for Drake not to take her as a lover. With honey-colored hair and an ample bosom, Louisa likely had her fair share of attention from men.

But why on earth did the idea of them being lovers make her stomach twist with annoyance?

Louisa paused in beating the dough when she finally glanced over in Julianna’s direction. “Good Lord, what happened to you?”

Julianna gave a weak smile. “I can hardly explain.”

“Julianna needs work,” Drake announced.

She blinked. “I do?”

He nodded. “And board too.”

Louisa eyed her. “Can you clean floors? Wash pots?”

Opening her mouth to declare she had never done either, she shut it again, and looked at the women doing just that. It did not look so hard. Julianna lifted her chin. “Yes, I can do anything you need of me.”

Louisa nodded. “I can always use an additional hand, and it’s a slow time of year so you can have one of the guest rooms.” She motioned upstairs with a floured hand. “Show her upstairs, Drake. She can stay in the one facing the sea.”

Drake took another bite of carrot and nodded. “Will there be water?”

“Yes. Though I’ll have Amy bring you up some hot water. I think you need it.” Louisa gave Julianna a warm smile.

Julianna smiled back. “I really cannot thank you enough.”

Louisa dismissed the words with a wave of a hand. “All I ask is that you work hard.”

“I will,” Julianna vowed.

“Follow me.” Drake turned and led the way upstairs.

“Have you known Louisa long?” she asked, traipsing after him.

“Ever since I came to Penshallow.”

“And when was that?”

“A few years ago.”

“Why did you come here?”

He paused at the top of the stairs. “I am not the stranger here, Princess. You are. I think I should be the one asking questions.”

“You can ask away, but it does not mean I will answer.”

“Then why should I answer yours?”

She pursed her lips and scowled. “Just take me to my room.”

“Why of course, Princess. Anything you say.” He gave a mocking bow and led her along a narrow corridor lined with doors. He stopped at the end room, twisted the key in the door and eased it open. He pulled the key out of the door and handed it to her, pressing it into her palm.

“Lock the door. There are all sorts of rogues around at night.”

“Rogues like you, you mean?” She closed her fingers around the key.

His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Far, far worse than me.”

“I—” She pressed her lips together and tried again. “I am grateful for your help.”

He gave a flash of teeth. “There, that was not so hard now, was it?”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “A gentleman would not be so smug about it.”

“Well, as you have already pointed out, I am a rogue, and not a gentleman.” He turned. “Sleep well, Princess.”

Julianna could not quite fathom why, but the urge to ask him to stay burned in her throat. Likely because he was the only friend she had here. If she could call him a friend. She forced any words down and waited until he had vanished into the darkness of the stairs before stepping into her lodgings.

Simple but clean, the room overlooked the sea. The inn was set back from the cliffs, exposed to the brutal weather of the coast. Though the rain had eased, wind buffeted the windows, making them creak and rattle. She could make out the white tips of rolling waves in the inky darkness of the ocean. Julianna clutched her arms about herself. Northumberland could be known as unforgiving, being so close to Scotland, but it was not nearly as wild as Cornwall where it was known that pirates and smugglers controlled much of the coastline.

She had always wondered why her brother had come here, but she understood it now she was running away. This wild place really was like the end of the earth. Perfect for those who did not wish to be found.