“What do we do now?” she asked.
“He’s favoring it, so we will need to get him reshod before we can go on. We’re another day’s ride from where we’re going. We’re better off getting a room tonight and traveling again in the morning. If memory serves, and it’s still there, there’s an inn just a short ride from here.”
He hopped up on the seat beside her. She tensed when his arm brushed against hers. Her fear of him had dissipated now, but she still shuddered at his touch. A smile twitched on his face when he realized it wasn’t fear that was causing her recoil now... it was something else. Was it possible he was wearing her down?
He clucked the horse on. After riding for less than an hour, the warm glow of lights and the sweet smells of freshly baked bread wafting through the trees, confirmed his suspicions... the inn was right where he remembered. He guided the horse down the trail, the growl in his belly deepened as the smells grew stronger.
“Ho,” he said, pulling the gelding to a halt in front of the inn. “I think we should stay together. I don’t want to leave you unattended.”
Nora agreed and extended a hand. He climbed down and took her small hand in his. He felt her tremble when their skin touched. Her eyes met his as he eased her to the ground. A pang punched him in the gut when she looked at him. He yanked his hand away, staring at her like she had three heads.
“What? What is it?” she asked, her eyes searching his own. He struggled for an answer, an explanation to give her for his abrupt reaction. He had none. He had no idea how to explain the foreign feeling he just had, and no desire to try. He’d only felt it once before, earlier today when she had thrown her arms around his neck. Something kept happening to him when they touched, and he had no more answers now than he did before.
“It’s nothing,” he said, straightening his back. “We need to find a room and a blacksmith.”
Nora turned her head and shrugged. Viktor scanned the sparse woods around them for any signs of danger. When no threats appeared, he walked her to the inn’s door.
“Stay close, don’t speak, and keep your head down.”
She pulled her scarf snug under her chin. Viktor opened the door and stepped inside. It took his eyes a moment to adjust from dusk outside to the warm glow of the fire inside. Several tables sat empty; only two had seats filled. Several sets of eyes looked up to meet them. They fell back to their food almost instantly. Viktor felt no sign of threat from anyone here, no hidden assassin lying in wait. Years of hunting men and stalking prey himself had tuned his instincts to perfection. He could sense danger long before he could see it. These were likely passing travelers, too. There were no towns within miles of here and this was a known stop on the way from London to the sea. These people were safe.
“Can I help you?” the barkeep asked, his rag wiping the rim of a mug.
“Good evening, sir. We are looking for a room for the night and a blacksmith. Our horse threw a shoe.”
“I can help you with both. I’m a blacksmith and the proprietor here.”
“A man of many talents,” Viktor said. “Are you the cook as well?”
“That part I leave to my lovely bride. Will you be needing dinner?”
“We would love dinner. It’s been a long journey for us. Do you think we could take it in our room?”
“Of course, sir. Here is a key and I will have your horse tended to and stabled for the night. I’ll have him reshod by early morning.”
“You are a savior, sir.” Viktor tossed his coins on the bar. The barkeep accepted them with a smile, passing him a key and a lit lantern.
“I’ll send up two specials as soon as they are prepared.”
“My wife and I thank you.” Viktor smiled. He saw Nora flinch and it took a moment to contain himself from bursting into laughter.
One more scan around the room and Viktor felt secure that they would be safe here. At least for now. Nora’s eyes remained fixed on the floor as he led her up the stairs to the first room on the left. The key unlocked the door and he pushed it open. Nora swept past him and went inside. He tossed one last glance over his shoulder and closed the door behind him.
“Your wife?” she said the moment the door closed. She stood with her hands planted on her hips.
Viktor flashed a smile. “I couldn’t resist. I’ve never said that before, nor will I likely ever again. I just wanted to see what it felt like. Not to mention the joy I felt in making you squirm.”
“I wish you would have refrained. I am a married woman. And not to you.” She scowled and pulled her scarf off. Blonde tendrils burst free from their constraints and flowed past her shoulders and breasts. Viktor drank in every last inch of her.
There it was again. That pang, the twist in his stomach and the flutter in his heart. His eyebrows snapped together while he tried once more to identify the feeling. Was he ill? Perhaps he was having an ailment of the heart?
“You’re doing it again,” she said, watching him intently. He hadn’t noticed her stare.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You got this look on your face, like something is terribly wrong. Is something wrong? Something you aren’t telling me?” Worry lines appeared on her smooth skin.
“I’m just thinking is all,” he lied. “That’s my thinking face. Just making a plan.”
She pulled a frown, her eyes searching his for answers. He had none to give her so lies would have to suffice.
Viktor set the lantern on the bedside table and fell into the chair on the opposite side of the room. He rubbed the ache in his arms. Two rounds of battle in twenty-four hours had pulled his muscles tight.
“Where can I bathe? I feel filthy,” Nora asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
He responded with a laugh. “There will be no bathing. You are not leaving my sight. Unless you are comfortable with me seeing you in the nude, you’ll have to refrain until we get where we are going. I wouldn’t complain, of course, but something tells me you would rather rot in your own skin than get naked in front of me.”
Her cheeks flushed with color. “You are correct.”
“Well then, we eat, we sleep and tomorrow we leave.”
“Where will you be sleeping?” she asked, stroking the length of her hair as she worked out a tangle.
“In here, of course.”
Her head snapped around. “What? You must be joking. We can’t share a room. I won’t!”
“What part of ‘I’m not letting you out of my sight’ did you not understand?”
“Viktor! You can’t possibly sleep in here with me! It isn’t right!”
“Oh, bollox. What’s the difference between sitting in here now and sleeping in here? You need to unwind, loosen that corset.”
“I will do nothing of the sort,” she seethed.
“Are you worried I will hear you snore?”
“I don’t snore!”
He laughed and nodded. “I beg to differ. You were snoring up a storm when I checked in on you this morning.”
Her mouth fell open. “I was not!”
“Oh, yes you were, love. Don’t fret though, I thought it was charming. My snoring on the other hand, not as charming. You’ll see.”
Nora crossed her arms in a huff.
“Oh, settle down. You’ll survive a night alone with me, I promise.”
She peeked over at him. “We won’t share a bed, though.”
“Only if you ask.” He winked.
“You’re incorrigible!”
“And proud of it.”
The rapping on the door pulled both their attentions. Viktor slipped a dagger from his holster and walked to the side of the door. He leaned up against the wall, dagger ready.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“It’s Marion, the cook. Your dinners are ready.”
He cracked the door, his dagger hidden just behind it. When he peeked around he saw a portly woman standing with two steaming plates of meat and potatoes. They smelled like heaven. He slipped his dagger
back in its sheath and opened the door with a grin.
“Thank you, Marion. It smells delicious.” He took the plates from her hands. She nodded and turned back down the hall.
Viktor pushed the door shut with his foot. Nora’s eyes widened with excitement as she eyed up the plate of food.
“I’m starving! I haven’t eaten since yesterday,” she said, taking the plate.
Viktor’s own stomach grumbled at the smell of the chicken. He grabbed a leg and ripped off a chunk of meat, moaning as the juices filled his mouth. “Marion is a hell of a cook!”
Nora stared at her plate and then looked back at him.
“What’s wrong,” he asked, his mouth full of food.
“I don’t have silverware.” Nora sat with her plate on her lap and a sad expression on her face.
“Just eat it with your hands, like me.” He took another tear at his meat.
“It’s not proper.” Her gaze fell in shame.
“Nora, who cares? It’s just me. You’re starving. Grab your meat and eat with vigor, woman.”
She took a tentative grip on the bone and lifted it to her mouth. A light nibble barely nicked the skin.
“Bloody hell. You’re so prim and proper you’ll starve to death at this rate. Eat the damn chicken, Nora! Go ahead!” He urged her on.
She looked at him and he encouraged her with a nod. Nora ripped a hunk from her chicken and chewed it with vigor.
“That’s how you do it, love! To hell with all the rules and etiquette. It tastes better this way, doesn’t it?”
She nodded, her mouth too full to answer. She ripped through her meal, eating with a speed that rivaled Viktor’s. Seeing her let loose, relax a little, sent his heart fluttering once again. He’d just spotted a glimpse of her, the girl behind the Baroness. He smiled while he watched her finish the last bite on her plate.
“See? I told you it was good.”
Lifting her plate, she took a long, slow lick across it. Viktor stared in disbelief. She turned to meet his gaze, her face lit up in a way he hadn’t seen before. She broke into laughter, soft at first, then louder until soon her whole body shook and she doubled over. The passionate grit of her pleasure intoxicated him, and he wondered what sound she’d make if she were underneath him. Layers of rigid restrictions rolled off of her, releasing a joyful noise he felt right down in his soul. Viktor joined her, their laughs merging into one as she toppled backward on the bed.
“It was so much better that way, Viktor. You were right.”
“I give good advice. You should try listening to me more.”
“You do, Viktor. I’m so full.”
“You ate as much as a man twice your size in half the time. That will do it to you.”
She giggled and rolled over on her side. In a few moments, her breathing slowed, and a snore reverberated in the back of her throat.
“Weren’t you tired, love,” Viktor said to himself. He rested his chin on his hand and smiled as he stared at her sprawled out before him. She was comfortable enough now to sleep in front of him, or tired enough perhaps. She didn’t hide under the covers, drawing them to her chin. She had shed some of her inhibitions like a snake sheds its skin. Living a life full of restrictions, manners, and expectations must be exhausting. Even this little moment of freedom from that must be incredible. She looked radiant while she snored away in the bed.
Viktor walked over and looked at her one last time. She smiled in her sleep, a soft glow in her face.
“Sweet dreams, Nora.” He leaned down and blew out the light.
“WE’RE ALMOST THERE,” Viktor said, guiding the gelding down the bustling street. He could smell the salty sea air, it called to him like a mistress beckons a man to her bed. “Can you smell it? The ocean?”
“I can,” Nora said, closing her eyes and filling her lungs with a long breath.
She had been radiant since last night. Chattering and smiling the whole way to Scarborough. It was like a light had been lit from within, she shined so bright. She hadn’t complained once since they left, a true feat.
“So this is Scarborough?”
“It is, love.”
“You still haven’t told me what we’re doing here.”
Viktor heaved an inward sigh. He hadn’t told her yet because he feared when she heard the word pirates, she would tuck tail and run. It was better to get her here first and then tell her she’d be on a ship full of pirates for days, if not weeks.
“All in good time, love. First, there is something important we must do.”
She tipped a curious head.
Viktor pulled up the carriage and hopped down. She took his extended hand and joined him on the ground.
Damn. There it is again! Her touch caused the sensation every time without fail. It was downright infuriating.
“What are we doing?” she asked.
“I borrowed this horse when I left here a week ago. I’m just returning him to where he belongs.”
“Borrowed him?” She arched an eyebrow.
“Borrowed so long as I return him. Stole if I don’t put him back.” Viktor smiled and unhitched the horse from the carriage. He led him over to the front of the inn where he had found him tied to a post.
“Thank you, friend. You were an excellent partner.” Viktor stroked the gelding’s neck and received a snort in return.
“Stay with me,” he said, gesturing her to his side.
They stepped into the busy tavern.
“Excuse me, I found a bay horse wandering not far from here. Has anyone lost a gelding?”
An old man lifted his head from the bar. “Does he have a scar over his eye?”
Viktor nodded.
“Paddy! You found him!” He leapt up from his chair, moving faster than a man his age should be capable. He pushed open the door, clasping his hands together when the horse greeted him with a nicker. “It’s you, Paddy! I thought you were gone for good.”
“I’m glad that we found him for you.” Viktor smiled.
“I foaled him sixteen years ago and he’s been my companion ever since. I can’t thank you enough,” the old man said, choking back tears.
Viktor nodded and pulled Nora by the hand. He gave the trusty gelding a grateful look when they passed by.
When they were just out of earshot, Nora pulled him to a stop. “Did you steal that poor man’s horse?”
“Borrowed, I brought him back, remember?”
“You’re terrible!” she said, slapping him on the shoulder. “He nearly cried.”
“From joy. Because I brought him back. So, you can actually argue that I brought him immense joy,” Viktor said with a smile.
“After causing him days of agony.”
“’Tis neither here nor there. What’s important is, we’re here.”
“We’re where?”
“Our next hiding spot.” Viktor gestured to the large, black ship floating in the harbor.
“A ship?” she asked, apprehension in her voice. “I’ve never been on a ship.”
“Ah, then you’ve been missing out!”
He pulled her down the docks to the ramp that led up to the substantial ship.
Her mouth fell open as she stared up at it. “It’s huge!”
“The ship is big as well,” he smirked.
Nora shook her head and giggled. “Whose ship is it?”
He scratched his chin. She tipped her head and awaited an answer.
“Captain Viktor!” a voice called from the deck. “Welcome back!”
Nora’s eyes grew wide as she looked to the man and then back to Viktor. He shrugged and flashed a bright smile.
“It’s mine.”
“This is your ship? You’re a sailor?”
He scratched his chin once more. “In a manner of speaking. Just come with me. I will take you out on my ship, far away from harm’s way. We’ll float around until Charlie and John send word you’re safe. You’ll love life on the ocean. You’ll see.”
He didn’t wait for a
n answer, not wanting to give her much time to think about it. He pulled her up the ramp and onto the expansive deck. He breathed a sigh when he planted his feet on familiar ground.
“Captain! Welcome back!”
“Thank you, Sully. It’s good to see you. We don’t have much time. Are any of the crew on land?”
“Everyone is accounted for, Captain. We just had a mandatory meeting,” the rotund bald man replied.
“Without me? I hope you aren’t voting me out,” he teased.
“Nonsense, we would never. We are, however, figuring out shifts to go ashore and visit the brothels. Some men were taking advantage.”
He could see Nora blush at the statement. He could only imagine her reaction when she found out she stood smack dab in the middle of a dangerous pirate ship.
“Please go fetch Simon for me and alert the others that we set sail soon. Take one more head count to be sure we have everyone, then take us out to sea. Once we’re there, sweep again for any stowaways or intruders. I want this ship secured.”
“Aye, Captain.” He nodded and headed off down the deck.
“Follow me, Nora. I’m going to get you set up in my cabin. You can stay there for the duration. I know you’ll be safe onboard, so you can rest easy knowing I won’t be sleeping in your quarters.”
“Finally, some good news.” Her attempts to hide her smile failed.
He moved her across the deck to the red door of his quarters. He twisted the familiar handle and opened it up, stepping aside so she could go in first.
She walked in and stopped to look around. “It’s nice! Not, elegant, but much nicer than my accommodations the past two evenings.”
“Thank you. I try to keep a tidy ship.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a ship captain?” She turned to meet him.
Viktor opened his mouth, hoping the right words would come out.
“Captain!” The sound of his name snapped his mouth back shut. “Welcome back.”
Simon ducked beneath the doorway, the only man on the ship who needed to do so. Viktor teased him relentlessly over his excessive height. His tanned skin was a stark contrast to the lightness of his hair. He kept it short, often complaining that longer hair was too much effort to clean and manage.
Beneath The Assassin's Touch (Daggers 0f Desire Book 2) Page 8