Merely the Groom (Free Fellows League 2)

The woman stirred in her sleep, moving closer, seeking warmth as she pressed her back to Colin’s front.

Colin’s body responded immediately. He was fully clothed, down to this tall leather boots, and he lay atop the covers rather than between them, but he felt her through the layers of fabric and instantly regretted his impulsive decision to share his warmth.

“Colin? Is that you?”

Colin nearly leaped from the bed as she called him by name. He knew she couldn’t see his face in the darkness, but she had him at a complete disadvantage. She knew his name. And he hadn’t a clue about hers. Who the devil was she? And how in Hades had she come to know his name?

He breathed in the scent of her. The fresh, lemony fragrance emanating from her hair and her skin seemed woefully out of place at the Blue Bottle Inn. The light, delicate scent teased his nostrils and filled his senses, urging him to recall the face of the woman who wore it, but the only impression he had—of a pale, oval face framed by thick, dark hair—came from the glimpse he’d caught of her standing at the window and failed to produce any names or mental images, or memories of intimate moments.

“Colin?” she queried once again.

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

“You were sleeping.” He spoke in a hushed whisper. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You sound different,” she mumbled sleepily.

Colin cleared his throat and told as much of the truth as he dared. “I’ve caught a chill.” He didn’t like lying to her, but until he knew who she was, Colin couldn’t do otherwise.

“Move closer,” she urged, inhaling his scent. “Hmm…you smell like sandalwood. And something even nicer. Don’t worry. I’ll keep you warm.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he answered honestly, moving away. “I’ll stir the fire and add some more coal.”

“Don’t bother,” she replied. “The fire’s been out all day, and I haven’t any coal to add.”

No wonder the room was like ice. “Why hasn’t the innkeeper brought coal for the fire?”

“Because I couldn’t pay for it,” she whispered. “I have no money.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter,” she told him. “What matters is that you’ve come back.”

Colin took a deep breath and then blew it out. “I haven’t come back to stay.”

She took a moment to digest this information, and when she spoke, Colin heard the disappointment and the resignation in her voice. “When do you leave?”

“I’ll be gone by the time you awake.”

“I see.”

He breathed in the scent of her. “No, I’m afraid you don’t. But at the moment, there’s no other way.”

She recognized a note of what sounded like genuine regret in his voice and swallowed her pride in order to ask, “Can you take me with you? Away from this place?”

She couldn’t see him, but she felt the movement when he shook his head. “I wish I could.”

She sighed. “Will you do something for me before you go?”

“If I can,” he said carefully.

“Don’t leave without saying good-bye.”

It wasn’t very much to ask, and Colin found himself agreeing. “I won’t.”

“Thank you.”