Page 53 of Indecently Daring

Harry looked down at himself then, and exclaimed with mortification. “I do beg your pardon, ladies. I quiet forgot myself. If you’ll excuse me….”

He ran off, no doubt in search of his clothes.

“Don’t apologise on our behalf,” Cat murmured, watching him go and then glancing at Alana with a smirk.

Alana was too tired to reprimand the wicked creature. Besides, she could hardly blame the girl for doing as she’d done herself.

Once they had arranged Jeb in the back of the cart on a thick bed of straw and wrapped in a blanket to sleep off the opium, Cat climbed in beside him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll look after him. Just get us home without any more excitement, please,” she said, smothering a yawn.

Harry nodded and tied Pirate to the back of the cart, giving the horse an affectionate pat before climbing up on the driver’s bench beside Alana. He took the reins and got the pony walking out, the soft clop of hooves on the road and the jingle of tack the only sounds now darkness had fallen. Someone had lent them—or more precisely Cat—a lamp to help light the way somewhat, and the pool of golden light just reached them, a little oasis in the night's impenetrable black.

Alana dared a glance at Harry. His jaw was badly bruised, his face dirty and streaked with blood, and one eye was swelling shut. He looked entirely disreputable.

“Are you all right, Harry?” she asked.

He nodded, meeting her eyes for a moment before returning his attention to the road.

“You came after me. After us,” he amended quickly.

Alana smiled. “Of course I did.”

He shook his head and slanted a look at her. “You’re the bravest person I ever met, Alana Cadogan.”

Her heart swelled at the praise, even as the blush rose to her cheeks. “I couldn’t let him hurt you, Harry. I was so frightened. I… I thought he meant to kill you.”

“So did I,” Harry said ruefully. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They carried on in silence for a while as Alana grew increasingly anxious. Would things go back to how they were now? Was she still a problem he wanted to get rid of? She supposed that must be the case, for he’d not said otherwise. There was no reason to believe the admiration shining in his eyes now was anything but gratitude for helping him. Uncertain, but needing to know where she stood, Alana cleared her throat.

“My aunt’s ball is on Valentine’s night. Will you be there, Harry?”

“I’ve been invited, yes,” Harry admitted. “Though I’m not sure I ought to go now. I’ll likely still not be a pretty sight.”

He gestured to his battered face and Alana winced with sympathy.

“Arnica and witch hazel. You have some?”

He nodded.

“Good. Well, anyway, after the ball, my aunt will close the house up. We’ll be going to town after that. The season, you know. I’ve got to catch myself that earl, haven’t I?” she said, rather too brightly. She felt Harry turn to look at her, but she couldn’t return his gaze, staring away from him into the darkness. “So, I’ll not be a thorn in your side any longer.”

There was silence for a long moment and Alana blinked hard as she relinquished any last hopes she’d held on to.

“That’s a pity.”

Something in her snapped.

“A pity!” she exclaimed, turning to glare at him. “A pity? Really, Harry? That’s all you’re going to say to me?”

She studied his face. The devil was grinning at her, which only made her angrier still.

“So that’s it? You’re just going to let me go?”

Harry returned his attention to the road. “I never said that.”