anyway.”
A wrenching pain speared her heart, making it hard to breathe. How could he leave her arms right after sharing a heated kiss and go get sloshed in a tavern? She wanted to yell at him and give him a sermon on the effects of drinking such vile drinks, but there was no time to act upon her turbulent emotions.
Forcing aside the hurt feelings, she laid her hand on his arm. “I will help you.” Angry voices and hurried footsteps grew louder. “Quickly, lie back and pretend you are sleeping,” she commanded, cuddling beside him.
He circled his arm around her shoulders, pulling her up against him. She rested her cheek against his chest, inhaling his wonderful musky scent. His legs touched hers, and she entwined them with his.
I am in bed with a man who is not my husband!
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, and prayed the Lord would not punish her for trying to help William. The soldiers were right outside the door. Now wasn’t the time to analyze these stirring emotions fluttering through her belly. Was this how she should have felt with her husband? Regardless, this was wrong. Under the circumstances, she was certain the good Lord would forgive her. Squeezing her eyes, she snuggled closer, clinging to him for protection. Within seconds the soldiers kicked open the door.
“Captain Wilkes, I must protest,” Gabriel shouted.
Playing in character, she stirred and rubbed her eyes. Next to her, William bolted upright then cursed.
“What in all that is holy—” He stopped and grabbed his head again.
Gabriel rushed forward. “Mr. Braxton, I tried to stop them, but Captain Wilkes was most insistent.”
One of the other soldiers stormed to the window and yanked open the drapes.
Mercedes squinted and clutched the bed covers to her chin. The men stared at her with wide eyes and mouths agape, especially Gabriel. Her heart sank. She prayed they would believe her.
Chapter Seven
The glare from the sun hitting the window stung William’s eyes as he peeled them open. He scowled at the men occupying his bedchambers, but mainly at Captain Wilkes. “What is the meaning of this?” William demanded.
The soldiers aimed their wide-eyed gaze at Mercedes, seemingly perplexed and at a loss for words. William glanced over his shoulder at his wife. He sucked in his breath. In the light, she created an alluring silhouette. Although her face was scarlet, she looked absolutely beautiful. Raven hair wildly framed her head. Her modest white nightgown was such a contrast to her hair. She looked as pure as newly fallen snow. How could she look that way when she was exactly opposite?
But right now it didn’t matter. He was stunned. He forced away the inappropriate thoughts creeping into his head and concentrated on the uninvited men in his room. “Excuse me, sirs, but have you no decency? Bursting into a man’s private chambers while he and his wife are still under the covers is very ill-mannered.”
“Umm...well...” Captain Wilkes cheeks flushed. “You see, Mr. Braxton, we came to ask you a few questions about last night.”
“And this could not wait until I was out of bed and dressed?” Scowling, he leaned over and pulled the quilt up, bundling it around Mercedes who, thankfully, had the decorum to look embarrassed. He was almost proud of her acting ability.
Gabe stepped forward. “Mr. Braxton, the captain thought it imperative to speak to you right away. Trouble occurred down at the docks last night where a soldier was attacked. They suspect you were part of the mob.”
William inhaled sharply. “I fear you are mistaken, Captain Wilkes. I was home last night, reading stories to my children and enjoying the, er ...company of my wife.”
Gabe cleared his throat as his gaze moved to Mercedes. A blush crept up his neck. “I have already told them as much, Mr. Braxton.”
William turned his attention back to Captain Wilkes. “Well, Captain? What say you now when the proof is right before
A wrenching pain speared her heart, making it hard to breathe. How could he leave her arms right after sharing a heated kiss and go get sloshed in a tavern? She wanted to yell at him and give him a sermon on the effects of drinking such vile drinks, but there was no time to act upon her turbulent emotions.
Forcing aside the hurt feelings, she laid her hand on his arm. “I will help you.” Angry voices and hurried footsteps grew louder. “Quickly, lie back and pretend you are sleeping,” she commanded, cuddling beside him.
He circled his arm around her shoulders, pulling her up against him. She rested her cheek against his chest, inhaling his wonderful musky scent. His legs touched hers, and she entwined them with his.
I am in bed with a man who is not my husband!
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, and prayed the Lord would not punish her for trying to help William. The soldiers were right outside the door. Now wasn’t the time to analyze these stirring emotions fluttering through her belly. Was this how she should have felt with her husband? Regardless, this was wrong. Under the circumstances, she was certain the good Lord would forgive her. Squeezing her eyes, she snuggled closer, clinging to him for protection. Within seconds the soldiers kicked open the door.
“Captain Wilkes, I must protest,” Gabriel shouted.
Playing in character, she stirred and rubbed her eyes. Next to her, William bolted upright then cursed.
“What in all that is holy—” He stopped and grabbed his head again.
Gabriel rushed forward. “Mr. Braxton, I tried to stop them, but Captain Wilkes was most insistent.”
One of the other soldiers stormed to the window and yanked open the drapes.
Mercedes squinted and clutched the bed covers to her chin. The men stared at her with wide eyes and mouths agape, especially Gabriel. Her heart sank. She prayed they would believe her.
Chapter Seven
The glare from the sun hitting the window stung William’s eyes as he peeled them open. He scowled at the men occupying his bedchambers, but mainly at Captain Wilkes. “What is the meaning of this?” William demanded.
The soldiers aimed their wide-eyed gaze at Mercedes, seemingly perplexed and at a loss for words. William glanced over his shoulder at his wife. He sucked in his breath. In the light, she created an alluring silhouette. Although her face was scarlet, she looked absolutely beautiful. Raven hair wildly framed her head. Her modest white nightgown was such a contrast to her hair. She looked as pure as newly fallen snow. How could she look that way when she was exactly opposite?
But right now it didn’t matter. He was stunned. He forced away the inappropriate thoughts creeping into his head and concentrated on the uninvited men in his room. “Excuse me, sirs, but have you no decency? Bursting into a man’s private chambers while he and his wife are still under the covers is very ill-mannered.”
“Umm...well...” Captain Wilkes cheeks flushed. “You see, Mr. Braxton, we came to ask you a few questions about last night.”
“And this could not wait until I was out of bed and dressed?” Scowling, he leaned over and pulled the quilt up, bundling it around Mercedes who, thankfully, had the decorum to look embarrassed. He was almost proud of her acting ability.
Gabe stepped forward. “Mr. Braxton, the captain thought it imperative to speak to you right away. Trouble occurred down at the docks last night where a soldier was attacked. They suspect you were part of the mob.”
William inhaled sharply. “I fear you are mistaken, Captain Wilkes. I was home last night, reading stories to my children and enjoying the, er ...company of my wife.”
Gabe cleared his throat as his gaze moved to Mercedes. A blush crept up his neck. “I have already told them as much, Mr. Braxton.”
William turned his attention back to Captain Wilkes. “Well, Captain? What say you now when the proof is right before
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