Louisa clenched her eyes tightly shut and tried counting her breaths. One, two, three, four...She huffed. Sleep eluded her while the memory of that kiss surged through her mind over and over. She’d never experienced a kiss like it. How could he push her away after that? 

She tossed onto her side and rearranged the tangled bedding around her legs. Her stomach grumbled. Although she had brought dinner up just as she had vowed, she’d been unable to eat much of it and regretted that now. Her stomach had been a jumble of regret and need. If Knight would only talk to her, explain why he was so reticent. But the blasted man was so set on keeping his strong jaw shut she doubted she would ever understand what was going through his mind. She understood that they’d agreed to remain friends but he had kissed her.

And she’d seen it—the need in his gaze. It was easily as strong as hers, and he was a fool to deny it. She did not much like being a fool, so she was done fighting it. After all, there were few reasons why they could not give in, and after the day she’d endured, she could think of nothing she wanted more than to be wrapped in his arms.

But, of course, he was insisting on playing the martyr. She thumped a fist against the pillow. Stupid, stupid man.

She stilled and frowned. Something scraped against the door to her room. Drawing her next breath in slowly and silently, she listened carefully. Another scraping sound. Her heart gave a little judder, making her careful breaths harder to draw in. It could not be Knight, she was certain of that. The stubborn man would not give in now.

The door flew open suddenly, crashing against the wall and sending splinters flying across the room. The haze of candlelight illuminated the imposing outlines of several men. Louisa screamed and scrabbled to stand as sheets tangled around bare legs. Three men barged into her room, one coming straight for her. He clamped a hand across her mouth and nose before she could utter a word, making it hard for her to breathe. She lashed out, scratched and kicked at anything within reach. Her toe connected with the bedstead and sent a wave of pain through her. Her cry was muffled against the huge, sweaty palm.

A flash of light catching on a blade sent her heart racing anew. Oh God, they intended to kill her. She clawed at her captor’s arms and released his pinching hold over her mouth long enough to draw air. The scent of old sweat fouled her next breath, but the brief reprieve allowed her to scream again and bite down on his hand.

“Bitch.”

She hardly saw the movement but she felt it—a blinding light surged across her face when the back of a palm struck her cheek. Knuckles met her cheekbones and the strength in her legs left her. She sagged onto the bed.

Through clouded vision, she spotted the knife once more, looming over her. Louisa slid off the bed, her limbs heavy and her mind thick and muddled. All she knew was that if she did not do something, these men would kill her. She crawled a mere few inches when a rough hand latched around her ankle and forced her to a stop. Groping for something—anything—to protect herself, her fingers met air.

Another man charged into the room, broad shoulders highlighted by the sputtering candlelight of the hallway. The fingers around her ankle released, and she kicked out, even though there was no longer anyone there. When she realized she had her freedom, she huddled into the corner of the room, arms around her knees, away from the fray.

The steady pound in her head continued, but her vision gradually cleared. “Knight!” Relief washed through her.

Knight knocked the knife from one of the men’s hands with ease and laid out another with a fist. He grabbed the third and paused. “Bastard,” he spat and thrust a punch into his gut. The man retched and collapsed, lying fetal on his side while Knight loomed over him for a moment, drawing in ragged breaths.

Knight rushed over and gripped her arms, aiding her to her feet. “Are you hurt?” He ran hands over her face and her body, and she felt the tremble in them. Or perhaps that was her shaking?

“Tell me you are not hurt.”

Louisa shook her head, unable to find any words. Her cheek throbbed and her elbows hurt from when she had rolled off the bed. She had no doubt she would be left with a few bruises from the ordeal. But nothing that would not heal.

She peered around Knight at the three men. Two were knocked senseless while the third remained curled on the floor, coughing and fighting to draw breath. She narrowed her gaze at him.

“Bastard!” Gathering the loose strings at the neck of her nightgown in one hand, she strode over and thrust a finger at him. “You swore on your mother’s grave you could tell us nothing more.”

Eli Jones groaned and gave a weak smile. “Don’t have no mother. Orphan, you see.” He sniggered then coughed.

Knight came up behind her. “I should kill him.”

“Perhaps you should,” Louisa agreed.

Knight raised a brow.

“No, no!” Eli lifted his hands briefly then moaned, wrapping them back around his stomach.

Louisa crouched next to him. “Perhaps I will prevent him from killing you, if you tell me why you tried to hurt me.”

“I told Hugh this was a bloody fool’s errand, but he don’t listen to no one.” Eli eased himself up against the wall, an arm banded around his waist. “Hugh was going to send coin if we helped him.”

“Help him how?” Louisa pressed.

“Ensure that people still thought he was Ralph.” Eli sent Knight a wrathful look. “Of course, he didn’t tell us there would be questions asked by someone like you.” Eli snorted and looked to Louisa. “He said we’d only have you to deal with and you’d hand over the inn with ease. We couldn’t have you going back to Cornwall and telling the truth.”

Louisa shared a look with Knight. “It seems you underestimated me, Mr. Jones.”

“I don’t like killing women,” Eli said weakly.

“Whereas I quite enjoy killing men who try to harm women.” Knight’s stare was cold and sent a shiver even through her. She’d seen the vicious side of Knight before and it was easy to forget that underneath that there was a man with feelings and insecurities. However, she was certain now that there was such a man there.

Louisa rose. “What should we do with them?”

“I shall take care of it.” He put an arm around her shoulders and eased her toward the door. “Wait in my room.” He handed her the key. “Lock the door and do not open it unless you hear my voice.”

She nodded and let him lead her to his room. With one candle lit and the bed untouched, she had to utter up a thank-you that Knight had not been sleeping. “I am glad you heard me.”

“I would have heard you even if I was asleep.” He shrugged as she peered at him. “A trick I learned in the Army. To go from sleeping to awake at the slightest sound in an instant.” He stepped out of the room. “Lock the door, I will not take long.”

Louisa dutifully locked the door behind him and sank onto the bed. Arms wrapped around herself, she focused on taking steady breaths and not listening to what was happening in the hallway or a few rooms down. Doors opened and shut and there were voices but she could not make out what was occurring.

She waited in that position until her limbs were stiff. Her heart had slowed but her cheek continued to throb painfully. To think those men had been willing to kill her over the inn. It meant Hugh was more dangerous than simply being a swindler. They would have to move with caution when they revealed who he was.

No. When she revealed who he was. Knight had an estate and a title to claim.

A tap on the door made her heart skip back into her throat.

“Louisa.”

She exhaled and released her arms around from her waist. Barefoot, she padded across the room and unlocked the door. Knight slipped in and locked the door behind him.

“What happened?” she asked, swallowing the knot that seemed to have wedged itself permanently in her throat.

“The innkeeper aided me in clearing them out and sending someone to fetch the local constable.”

She nodded. The thought of them locked up made the tightness in her chest ease.

“The innkeeper shall ensure they see justice. He can press charges for them entering his property.” He glanced her over. “You are cold.”

Until he hauled his jacket off the back of a chair and slung it across her shoulders, she had little idea of what he meant. When the warmth surrounded her, tinged with the scent of soap and musk, she finally noted she’d been shivering. She huddled into the heavy wool gratefully and forced a smile.

“I suppose we had—”

A hand to her cheek trapped the words in her throat. He skimmed a finger down her face, his expression grim.

“If I had been with you, this never would have happened.”

He stepped away before she responded and dipped a cloth in the washbowl atop a slim washstand. Knight wrung out the water and urged her to sit on the bed. With the sort of tenderness she would expect from someone half Knight’s size, he dabbed her cheek then pressed the cloth to the swelling. She sucked in a breath as the cool fabric met the heat in her face.

Meeting his gaze, she curled her fingers around his wrist and lowered his hand. “Knight, I—”

“Forgive me,” he murmured and leaned in to kiss her.

She had no time to decide whether he meant for what had just happened or whether he was apologizing for the kiss. Either way, he needed no forgiveness, but she found herself unable to say as much when he moved his mouth to her swollen cheek and dropped a tender kiss there, then one on the bridge of her nose and another to her forehead.

Louisa closed her eyes and absorbed his tenderness. Rain pattered gently against the window and the bed creaked as he cupped a hand behind her head and eased her onto it. She coiled her arms around his neck, clinging like a sailor to a shipwreck. The feel of him, strong and secure against her body, made her mind swirl.

He kissed her lips again, and she opened her eyes to view him while she pushed her fingers through the soft strands of his dark hair then brought them down to cup his bristled jaw. An unbidden smile curved her lips. The candlelight warmed one side of his face, casting the other side in shadow. His gaze searched hers, a question lingering there. He might be a man of few words but she knew what he wanted.

“Please do not deny me again,” she pleaded.

Knight grunted. “As if I could.”

He touched a finger to her lips and she parted them, drawing in a breath thickened by need. Hitching up her chemise, he eased her legs apart and let his fingers linger on her thigh. She clutched him tight while his hand trailed up to her center, and she rose up to meet his touch.

“Oh.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head back while his fingers danced over her, sending delicious whorls of pleasure through her. He kissed her neck and drew her lobe between his teeth, making her shudder.

The sheets rustled beneath them while he freed himself from his breeches. Opening her eyes, Louisa lifted her head to meet his kiss and drew him fully onto her. His gaze latched onto hers as he joined them, inch by inch, moment by moment. She gasped at the sensation and felt the heat of tears in the corner of her eyes. He rocked into her, and she buried her head against his chest until the pleasure broke and washed over them both.

Knight said nothing as he tugged the blankets over them both and took her in his arms. Louisa smiled to herself. Of course she expected no different from him, but at least he was not running away from her this time.