What was wrong with him? He had never been so affected by a girl before. He sensed Rose was different. Rose was special. Rose needed to be traveling with an escort west through the forest. An overwhelming urge to protect her shifted through him. In the morning, he would ask her to ride with him.
He heard rustling overhead and stood, glancing upward and wondering if she needed help. Then a thud followed by a muffled, feminineoof. Then more rustling. What was she doing up there?
A moment later, she bounded down the stairs with an armload of fabric, a bright smile on her face.
“Look what I found!” In her arms were blankets and a pillow. “Clean linens.”
She pushed them into his arms. He had no choice but to take them.
“The nights are still chilly,” she said. “You’ll want a blanket or two.”
He stared down at the woolen blanket, the feather pillow, and his heart melted a little. Then he glanced back at her. Her cheeks were still pink but this time from exertion.
“What about you?” he asked.
“The mattress is lumpy but it’ll do. I found more blankets and a pillow. I’ll be fine.” She looked at the dusty chair with dismay. “Are you sure about that?”
“Well, since there’s nothing else…”
She marched over to the chair and surveyed it, her hands on her hips. Then she pulled the seat cushion off and smacked it with her hand. A cloud of dust plumed. She sneezed. They exchanged a look, then a laugh. She dropped it on the floor and spun around, looking at the remaining furniture.
The sofa had seen better days. The seat cushions were leaking stuffing. But there were seat back pillows worth saving. She grabbed them all and trotted over, dropping them on the floor by the fire, creating a make-shift bed.
“How’s that?” she asked. “Better than that old chair.”
He was awestruck by her caring and consideration. “It’s wonderful.”
Rose reached for the blankets she’d given him, taking them back. She took one and spread it over the three cushions. Then placed the feather pillow on one end. Finally, the second blanket she folded neatly and laid at the foot. A tidy little bed by the fire.
“That should keep you warm, especially by the fire.”
She brushed nonexistent dust from her hands. When their eyes met once again, it was difficult to ignore the warmth spreading through him and his quickened heartbeat. Here was this girl who had shared her bread and apple with him and made him a bed by the fire. She was adorable.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You’re welcome.” As she said it, her cheeks turned pink again. “Good night!”
And then she bounded up the stairs to the loft. He stood a moment, letting his racing pulse slow to normal as he sank to the floor. He removed his sword and dagger and placed them on the floor, then removed his boots.
He stretched out on the cushions, his feet dangling over the edge, then pulled up the blanket to cover himself. He watched the flickering flames of the fire and came to a decision.
In the morning, he was definitely going to encourage her to travel with him.
Chapter 11
Rosamundsprinteduptothe loft, her booted feet clumping on the wood steps. Her heart pounded in concert with her steps. When she made it to the top, she halted, her breath see-sawing in and out. Her hands shook.
What was she doing? Was she out of her mind?
She cast a quick look at the carnage she’d left behind to take him blankets and a pillow. The wardrobe in the corner stood open, the contents haphazardly tossed about as she looked for something to take to him. If only to speak to him again.
She was right about one thing. His eyeswerethe color of honey with such depth and emotion that it made her pulse skitter. She had never seen eyes that color before.
The way he looked at her made her heart sing. She didn’t know why she couldn’t bear the thought of him sleeping in that rickety old chair. But something deep inside her made her want to make sure he was comfortable. Her mind went into action as she pulled off the cushions and placed them by the fire.
When she glanced at him, he had an amused look on his face that switched to adoration. She shoved that thought aside, unable to believe he had such a thought about her.
She pulled the dusty coverlet off the bed and dropped it on the floor at the foot. Then she made her bed. In the wardrobe, she found more clean blankets and pillows. She fluffed the pillows and then sat on the bed, pulling off her boots. She sat a moment, thinking of the kind woman, Anne, and how she had helped her.
