Anna’s stomach rose to her throat, but she forced a smile and took a shirt from the basket. Whatever he did, she would do. That wouldn’t give too much away, would it?
He grabbed a pair of breeches and stepped to the edge of the water. He crouched and soaked the pants before rubbing the fabric together in his hands. Anna neared and lowered beside him, doing the same with a shirt she’d grabbed. Relief coated away the tension in her muscles. How had she imagined it to be so difficult?
After a minute of silence, she peeked at him briefly, allowing her mind to enjoy more pleasant things, such as trying to decipher if his hair was always so light or only happened to be so in the sunnier months.
He must have sensed her gaze and looked up. “No soap, but this should be sufficient.”
“Of course.” She allowed a quick smile to light her face before focusing on the wash in her hands, her cheeks burning. Had he known she was staring?
He remained mute, dipping the breeches fully under the water then ringing them out. He gave her a brisk look and stood to rest the cleaned breeches over a nearby branch. His deep voice floated like a leaf on the water. “There is something I’ve been wanting to speak with you about.”
Anna’s stomach churned. “Oh?”
He walked over and snatched another article from the basket then returned to the water. His gaze narrowed before again turning his attention to the wash. “As you mentioned before, we both had our reasons for marrying.”
“True.”
Too nervous to focus on what he might say, Anna trained her thoughts on the wash, her tongue against her teeth. She attempted to wring out the sopping shirt for a third time. With a long exhale, she rested it over her knee and massaged her aching fingers until she realized he’d stopped talking and was looking directly at her.
His mouth tilted up in a half-smile that made her insides flip. He motioned to her. “Let me.”
She froze. He extended his hand and wiggled his fingers as a boyish smile lifted his mouth. She offered it, embarrassment singeing her face.
With one large twist he wrung it until it no longer dripped. But her shame did, falling from her like the very water on her hands. Was she really so incapable?
“There.” He handed it back and his fingers brushed against hers, however briefly, igniting a heat in her hand that traveled up her arm. She turned and focused her jumbled energy on opening the fabric and laying it over the nearest branch. The quicker they finished, the quicker Anna could find her place of solitude in front of the fire with needle and thread in her hands.
“Anna?”
She spun round. “Aye.” He’d taken to using her first name most of the time now, though ’twas still as if he disliked the taste of it.
He stood and flapped the newly rung-out sheet then placed it over the next available branch. Nearing, he released a soft sigh. “We both have secrets, that much is clear.”
She swallowed and the muscles in her neck tensed. His eyes roamed her face. Anna stared down at her hands as he continued. “There are some things you must know. This land is crawling with spies—redcoats and otherwise. Do not talk to anyone unless you trust them.” His timbre dropped and carried such a weight it pulled her spirit with it.
She looked up, brow folded. “What do you mean?”
“We know someone is looking for you. And the fact that you’re married doesn’t mean they will let you stay if they find you.” His blue eyes darkened, mirroring the evening sky. “If ever you feel threatened, the rifle is above the hearth, loaded and ready. Don’t be afraid to use it.”
Anna bit her lip and looked toward the creek. Did he really think it would come to that? She glanced at him again, startled by the sternness in the cut lines of his face.
He stepped closer, putting a hand on her arm. “I will do my best to keep you safe, but you must use caution.”
“I understand.”
“But there is more.” He dropped his chin and his volume. “To others, speak about me as little as possible.” He lowered his voice even more and Anna’s skin shivered. “You are not the only one being hunted.”
The revelation jarred to life a thousand terrifying questions that culminated in one. Who was he hiding from?
When she didn’t respond, he must have felt the need to soften his statement. “Nothing to worry over, really. ’Tis simply best to keep to ours
elves for a while, that is all. For both our sakes.”
Anna nodded, a blade of relief cutting away only a sliver of the rising anxieties. “What should I do if—”
He sliced the air with his hand and cut off her words. His features hardened and his eyes searched. Chest pumping, he lunged for the path then stopped.
Quickly crouching, he raced back to her. “Someone’s coming.”