Rose held up her hands. “Okay, I get it. You weren’t the only one.”
His countenance softened. “I know, and that’s why I think we need a rest. We can’t keep going at this pace. What if the next time we’re confronted by guards shooting or chasing us and we’re even more than exhausted? We won’t have a chance.”
“You think they’ll hunt us down.”
“No, I think we’ll hunt them down. It’s time the game changed.”
Her brow creased at his comment. “You think this a game? You have a funny way of thinking, Nathan. My father is no pawn in a game of chess.”
“I didn’t say that. What I meant was that so far these bastards have had it all their own way. No more. It’s time the tide changed.”
* * * * *
Harry Biggins welcomed them with open arms, a twinkle in his eye as he recognized her with Nathan. “Ah, I thought my boy, Nathan, would catch up with you.”
“All thanks to you, my friend,” Nathan said.
“Come on in. Ye looks like it’s been a mighty tough time for ye both.”
“You could say that.”
“Well, the wife has a stew on, and I’ll get you both an ale.” Harry guided them through the pub and behind the counter out back to a small room.
Alice stood at the fire, a ladle in one hand as she stirred the contents of a huge black iron pot. Hearing them enter, she turned, a bright smile plastered across her cherry-red face as she spied Nathan. “Oh, my darling boy.” She dropped her ladle into the pot and quickly wiped her hands on the checkered apron tied around her matronly middle, and then wrapped her thick arms around him, hugging him to her ample bosom.
“It’s good to see you again too, Alice.” Nathan kissed her cheek, and she flushed even a brighter shade of scarlet. “You’re looking bonny as ever.”
“Oh, you are a scalawag with the words, my boy, but do not stop.”
“I won’t.”
Alice pulled away from Nathan and turned to Rose. She held out her hands. “My dear, you look exhausted.”
Rose’s lips curved ever so slightly. “A little,” she said with honesty, glancing at Nathan. Actually, she was more than exhausted. Nathan, to her chagrin, had been right. They needed to rest, then they would be the hunters! “We’ve had a rather rough twenty-four hours or so, Alice, and your stew smells delicious.”
Alice bustled to the fire. “Sit ye both down, and I’ll dish up a bowl. Then I expect a bath would be what ye both want.”
A bath. Rose’s eyes shuttered. Warm water, soaking her aching muscles. Relaxing. Such bliss.
“By the look of my partner in adventure,” Nathan chuckled, “I would say bathing would be a temptation she cannot deny.”
Rose’s eyes flashed open, only to witness Nathan’s humor-filled ones staring down at her. She turned to Alice. “I must admit, the chance to bathe would be wonderful.”
Alice placed bowls in front of them both, and Harry returned with two tankards of ale for them also. “Take a seat, miss, before you fall down.”
“My name is Rose.”
Alice rested a gentle hand on Rose’s shoulder in a motherly gesture, “Well, Rose, sit and eat your fill while I get the water heated for your bath.” She waved at her husband. “Harry, get the tin tub out in the spare room upstairs, and let’s leave these two in peace.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” he responded with a wink and a salute. “Best thing for a marriage is to do what you’re told. Much more peaceful that way.”
Alice shooed him away with a flutter of her apron. “Be off with you, then, before I take the broom to your backside.” She hustled her husband out of the room, leaving Rose and Nathan alone.
Silence suddenly superseded everything as exhaustion took hold and Rose found she could do no more than stare at the delicious beef stew in the wooden bowl.
“Eat up. You need your strength.”
But she couldn’t. She had so many questions still unanswered. She lifted her gaze to Nathan. “You promised to tell me the truth.”
“I will.”
“When?”
“When you’ve eaten and bathed and rested. Only then.”
“You promise.”
“I do.”
* * * * *
Nathan didn’t want to tell Rose anything, especially not the truth. What would she think of him then?
Does it matter?
Actually, and oddly so, it did matter to him. A lot.
What he also wanted was to sleep. And find the bloody diamond and Alex Valetta. He had to do that. There was no other option but success.
“Come on.” He urged Rose to eat, picking up his spoon himself and tearing some bread he began to eat. He knew it to be delicious, but in truth, he was so tired he could barely function, let alone taste the food in front of him.
Rose speared him with her violet gaze. “Who’s the bossy boots now?” Suddenly she offered a tiny smile, and Nathan exhaled a soft pent-up breath.
It would be all right. Rose not smiling and not countering his comments with wit of her own worried him. But now, as he watched her pick up her spoon and ladle her first mouthful, he breathed his relief. It would be all right—he hoped.
Eating without conversation, neither able to utter anything that made any sense, they finished their meal a short while later. Alice had returned, busily heating water, requesting the cellar man carry it up to the tin tub in a room upstairs.
Rose pushed her empty plate away. “That was delicious, Alice. Thank you.”
Their hostess beamed. “Glad you liked it.”
“More than liked it. I must get your recipe.”
“Oh, I don’t have one of those. ’Tis a bit of this and a bit of that. All in me head, though that Harry of mine says there be nowt in there. Rude bugger.” A rumble of deep laughter rocked her, the woman’s ample belly shaking as much as the rest of her. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Now, missy, you head upstairs. ’Tis the door on the right. The water is ready, and I put linens out for ye.” Her brow creased as she looked at Rose’s bedraggled clothing. “I don’t know what we’ll do about your gown, though. ’Tis in need of a wash.”
“I don’t have anything else.”
“Hmmm.” Alice rubbed her chin with chubby fingers.
“Do you have a pair of trousers?”
“Trousers! Whatever for?”
“I could wear them.”
Alice shook her head. “But you’re a woman.”
“She’s done it before, Alice, so don’t worry about Rosie’s propriety,” Nathan interrupted.
Shock colored Alice’s soft gray eyes. “You haven’t?”
Rose nodded, cheeks tinged pink. “It’s easier to get around.”
“Aye, I’ll agree with you there. All these petticoats and layers, I’m sure they’re man’s invention to slow a woman’s pace. Maybe it’s the way they catch us.”
“Not if I can help it.”
Nathan held up his hands, laughing. “Help, I think the male species is under attack.”
Rose shot him a glare. “I just don’t want to be a man’s property and be told what to do.”
“That you’ve already made perfectly clear. I haven’t seen any suitors hanging about. Have you scared them off?”
“It’s none of your business.”
Actually, Nathan wanted to make it his business. Seeing Rosie again had brought back good memories of times when he’d felt safe, was off the streets and determined to get his life the way he wanted it.
Having to flee England to save his neck had been the only a blip in his plan.
“Right, missy,” Alice intervened. “You go up, and I’ll send some more hot water in a moment.”
Rose kept silent but swished past him, tilting her nose up in the air as she did.
Left with a singing A
lice as she heated more water, Nathan stepped back into the bar, catching Harry’s eye. “Do you have a moment?”
Harry tossed aside the cloth he’d been using to wipe the top of the counter. “Aye, it’s a bit quiet, though I expect the evening rush any time.”
“It won’t take long.”
Harry sat on a stool behind the bar. He wiped his hands on the once-clean apron around his girth. “I can see you’re troubled, lad.”
Nathan chose his words carefully, and though he needed information, he didn’t want to reveal the whole truth. It was still imperative that the news of the Pasha Star’s theft be kept secret. “Someone has stolen something from me, and I need it back.”
“Any clues?”
“It’s to do with the royal house of Zarrenburg.”
Harry let out a long, low whistle. “You’re mixing in high circles since your days on the street.”
“They contracted my company to help them, but someone has ah…helped themselves.”
“So you gotta ask yourself who wants to play dirty with the royals.”
“Oh, I already know who.”
Harry wiped a hand across his bristling whiskers. “So what’s the problem?”
“I need to get to them, and I don’t know exactly where they are. Several of his bruiser goons hauled Rosie and me off to somewhere. We managed to escape, but have no idea where we were. Just that the flag of the country was flying high.”
“Zarrenburg’s flag? That don’t make sense, especially since you’re saying it’s Zarrenburg royals who you’re doing business with.”
“You’d think so, but it’s the truth. Someone wants to pull them down.”
“Aye, not surprising. Word on the street is much of Europe is in disarray, people arriving from them countries by the boatload. So how’d you get back?”
“By boat. There was one ready to cast off, so I convinced him to take us.”
Harry’s whiskey-coated chuckle rumbled from deep down in his belly. “I bet you did. I remember you were a formidable opponent.”
“Definitely past tense, Harry. Those days are long gone, thanks to Alex Valetta.”
Harry’s tired eyes narrowed, and he cast a glance over his shoulder to the closed door to his and Alice’s quarters, and then back to Nathan. “Valetta. I’m guessing that’s his daughter, then.”
“It is.”
“A pretty little thing. You keen on her?”
Nathan’s gut twisted viciously. “Hell, no. Squirt’s a wildcat.”
“But it sure is good fun taming them. My Alice was hell-bent on tossing me to the roadside years ago.” He offered a knowing wink.
That surprised Nathan. Alice and Harry were like two peas in a pod, destined to be together. “I guess she succumbed to your charm in the end.”
“Yep, sure did.” Just then, several customers came in, and Harry got busy serving drinks and chatting. He was good at that and surprisingly often came up with a bit of useful information. Back in the bad old days, Nathan had used Harry on occasion, and hoped he might come up trumps this time too.
While Harry was busy, Nathan realized he was the focus of a few intrusive stares and decided it best to keep out of the way. The fewer people who knew he was back on home turf, the better. When he headed into the back room that worked as both kitchen and lounge for the couple, Alice cornered him.
“Where’s Harry?”
“He’s serving customers.”
Alice’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Darn it. Just when you need a man, and Charlie’s gone off to his wife. She’s due any day now.” She hefted the heavy bucket of steaming-hot water from the fire.
“Can I help?”
Alice wheezed as she deposited the bucket on the wooden table. “Well, since that no-good husband of mine is idling his time behind the bar, guess it’s up to you, my lad.” She handed him a thick padded cloth. “You’ll need this. The handle be hot.”
Nathan took it from her. “Where do you want it?”
“Why, upstairs, of course. I’m sure that little friend of yours will need some more hot water.”
“Rosie?” Nathan croaked.
“Aye, now don’t dilly-dally. Take it up while it’s hot.”
Take it to Rosie. In the bath. Bloody hell!
He took the stairs, heat rising to all parts north and south as he did so. Outside the closed door, he hesitated. “Rosie?”
No response.
“Rosie, I’ve got more water.”
Still no response.
He put his ear to the door. His chest tightened, concern escalating. He heard nothing. No voice. No splashing water.
What if she’d fallen asleep?
Drowned?
Fear spiraled irrationally out of control, and he elbowed the door open. “Rosie!” The bucket of water sloshed across the wooden floor. “Rosie…”
Everything in him stilled, words silenced, lungs compressed. No, not everything. One part of him was very awake as Rosie jumped up in the tub, eyes wide and cheeks scarlet. Soapy bubbles slid down her slick skin.
Oh, sweet Jesus. Trouble.
Rosie gasped. “Get out. Get out.”
“But I thought…”
“Don’t think, just get out.”
“Here’s more water.”
She sank back into the water, and despite himself, Nathan was disappointed it covered her fully once more.
“Nathan, turn around and stop staring.”
“Hard not to.”
“Oh, shut up.”
His body fired, and, despite telling himself he shouldn’t look, he looked and liked what he saw. He set the bucket of water on the ground and turned round.
Facing the wall, he eyed the bucket now only half-full of rapidly cooling water. “Do you want any more?”
“No. I’m getting out. You can go now.”
He didn’t move.
“Oh, bloody hell.”
Nathan heard rather than saw Rose fumbling as she exited the tub.
“Need some help?” he asked.
“No! Um…yes. I can’t reach the linen.”
The linen lay on the chair beside him, and if she had to reach it, well, then she’d have to stand naked beside him.
Hmmm. Nice idea that certainly had merit, but he also knew if he played that card, his life would not be worth living with Rosie bending his ear nonstop. He scooped up the linen and shoved it behind him.
She didn’t take it, and he chanced a quick glimpse over his shoulder.
Bad move. He’d thought his body had stopped working. Wrong! Every inch of him worked overtime!
“You did that on purpose, Nathan Hawk.”
“What?”
“Oh, don’t play innocent with me.”
“I am innocent. You wanted the darn linen, I simply passed it.”
“You didn’t need to look.”
She was right. He didn’t, but he couldn’t resist. He should get out of there. Really. But it was as if his feet were glued to the floorboards.
He turned away like a gentleman but stared at her reflection in the small mirror above the dresser. He screwed his eyes closed, willing away the thoughts rioting through his brain.
His libido wouldn’t obey, though, and those raging thoughts stirred, heating, enticing. “Shit! Right, there’s the water.” Nathan opened his eyes and fell toward the door, yanking it open.
As if the devil were on his heels, he scooted out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him and raced away from temptation.
Rosie had been just a child all those years ago. But those years had passed, and Rosie wasn’t a child any longer, but a young woman, a woman with glorious auburn hair, and, even wet from the bathtub as it slid across her dampened skin, he wanted to run his fingers through it.
Bloody hell!
/>
He swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to breathe as visions of her naked body roamed through his brain, a sight behind his eyes he could not eradicate. Sweet mercy. He was in big trouble.
Nathan fled the room and took the stairs two at a time. Distance. He needed distance from temptation. That was all.
Do I really believe that?
He had to. There was no other option.
Actually there was, but he would not, could not consider that. He wasn’t staying in England. He’d only come home to prove he’d changed, left his youth behind him.
Fool.
Back downstairs, Nathan yanked at his shirt collar and undid a few buttons. Damn it. He needed to breathe. He strode into the bar and fell to the stool beside it. “A whiskey, Harry, and make it a large one.”
“You look like you seen a ghost.”
“The past, Harry. It’s catching up.”
“Has a habit of doing that.” Harry passed him a large tumbler of golden-hued whiskey.
“More’s the pity.” Nathan downed a good portion of his drink in one gulp. The liquid burned his throat, settling in his stomach and instantly warming him. A gurgled cough choked his airway.
“You do that too often, my lad, and you’ll not have a past to consider. A good malt, this is, and it should be relished.”
“Probably.” He took a cautious sip. “Though I’d rather it burned away the thoughts crashing through my brain right now.” Thoughts of kissing Rosie. Holding her. Touching her glistening bare skin.
Yep, definitely big, big trouble.
Chapter Eleven
Heat trailing a path from head to toe, Rose stared at the door for a moment, too shocked to move. Shocked because of the way her body responded as she’d witnessed the gleam of desire in Nathan’s darkened eyes. Shocked because she had reveled in that desire, understood it and felt the very same in return.
Rose snatched up the linen that had fallen from her fingertips and roughly scrubbed at her skin to dry herself, when in truth she wanted to rub away those tingling sensations. She should not think such thoughts of Nathan naked too. Of his body touching hers.
Her stomach muscles clenched, her knees buckling beneath her. She snatched at the back of a nearby chair. What was wrong with her?
To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) Page 12