The Kidnapped Bride (Redcakes Book 4) by Heather Hiestand Page B

bed with you.”
    “I’ve always been afraid I’d smother her.” She coughed.
    “I had a quick look at her. She’s old enough to fight back, I think.”
    She smiled. “Do you have experience with small children?”
    “I have an aunt with nine children. My parents only managed the two of us, I’m afraid, but we see a great deal of my aunt’s family. Her children range from age five tae eighteen, so I’ve watched them grow up.”
    “I was rather isolated until recently. I don’t have much experience with little children.”
    “I’m sure ye are a natural. You have guarded your secret fiercely. A lot of our conflict now makes a great deal more sense.”
    She sighed wearily. “I wanted all the other women rescued, you know.”
    “I know; so did I.” He patted her arm. “I’m sorry the ship has left.”
    She sank onto the mattress. “Do you think the woman who died with us was better off?”
    “I think the woman who escaped with us was better off,” he replied. “But it is possible death is better than slavery.”
    She shivered. “I think I’ll just rest a little until your brother returns.” She lay back.
    He saw the pistols peeking out of the cloak. She looked sheepish when she caught him looking.
    “I was nervous.”
    “Understandable.” He helped her remove the gun belt and took it into the other room, to keep the weapons far from baby fingers. Then he broke off the jagged back of another chair and sat down in the front room to wait for his brother.
    An hour later, John returned and Dougal went into the bedroom to wake Lady Elizabeth.
    He said her name.
    “Beth,” she corrected him sleepily. “I’m not a lady anymore.”
    He shook her shoulder. “Beth.”
    “Freddie?” She sat up, knuckling her eyes, looking pink, adorable, and young, except for her haunted eyes. When she focused on him, she didn’t look disappointed.
    “Dougal,” he said, gratified. “If I’m tae call you Beth.”
    She yawned. “I was half-asleep, but yes, no need to stand on ceremony. I scarcely recognize my old title.”
    “My brother is back. I’m afraid we’ll have to take ye down to see Mrs. Shaw. If two strange men show up at her door, even bearing food and money, she’s probably not going tae speak to us.”
    “That’s fine. I feel much better.”
    She had a gentle flush to her face now, but he didn’t know how much energy would survive a trip up and down the tenement stairs.
    “Can you afford to give her a little money?” she asked. “I’m sure she would keep Hester one more night. Although I do feel better, and Hester could sleep next to me, as you said.”
    “Better not tae risk it. What if you’re contagious?”
    She yawned again and sniffed experimentally. “I feel fine. Do you think the slavers will return?”
    “The ship was gone, remember?”
    “I was so tired before. Now I remember.” A smile of surpassing sweetness widened her mouth. He’d thought her attractive before, but her smile transformed her into a young woman of great beauty.
    He felt himself twitch, harden, then ruthlessly pushed his lust away, tried to put it in a box and lock it. Why did she have to be so lovely, spirited, and adventure-loving? He might go so far as to say she was a female version of himself, with much worse luck. Of course, she’d been ill-prepared for her first attempt at adventure.
    She sat up and untied the cloak. As it dropped from her shoulders to puddle on the bed, he wondered if she knew how dangerous it was to disrobe in front of an aroused male. Thankfully, his brother was playing unwitting chaperone in the next room, and the door was open.
    He stared at her toes, peeking out of ruined stockings. She probably had blisters. “Poor lass. Do you need help with your shoes? Never mind, let me help. I don’t want ye getting dizzy again.” He found her shoes at the foot of the bed and slipped the damp, cracked disasters back on her feet. “We need to get you new shoes.”
    She scoffed. “You