The Pursuit (7 page)

“A woman was here,” he managed quietly.

“The innkeeper’s daughter. A good woman.”

“Osborne?”

“Right behind me.”

Edward watched the man’s eyes go to Niki.

“Are you all right, sir?”

“Yes,” Niki said quietly, and added, “worried about you.”

“I’m so thirsty.”

Edward didn’t move out of the way so Niki could reach him but went ahead and gave Denley something to drink. The ill man lay back, his eyes on the two of them, and knew that something had gone on. Alarm rose within him, but he had no strength to act.

For as long as he could keep his eyes open, the servant watched Edward’s face, silently begging him to be a man of honor. His thoughts were still tormenting him when he fell back to sleep.

Niki surrendered her vigilance and went to sleep in the chair by the bed. Edward had gone across the hall and returned with his Bible, only to find no answer to his knock. When he quietly entered, he found both Denley and Niki asleep. Something told him this was highly unusual for this woman and that he would startle her if he woke her suddenly. Moving as quietly as he could manage, Edward took the other chair and opened his Bible. He’d been reading for 20 minutes when he heard Niki stir.

“What are you reading?” she asked, coming instantly awake and seemingly aware of everything around her.

“My Bible.”

In an unconscious move, Niki sat up a little straighter.

“Which book?”

“Isaiah.”

“What does it say?”

This surprised Edward, but he answered.

“I’m in chapter 66. Some of the word pictures are incredible.”

“What, for instance?’

“The first verse says that heaven is God’s home and the earth is His footstool.”

“Do you think that’s meant to be literal?”

“No, I don’t. The picture just helps us to understand how huge and powerful God is. The verses go on to say that no house could contain Him and that He made everything.”

Niki nodded but said nothing more.

“Have you spent much time studying the Bible?” Edward asked.

“Not as much as I’d like.”

“You’re welcome to borrow mine.”

Niki stared at him.

“Do you doubt my sincerity?”

Niki looked slightly embarrassed before admitting, “No, I’m just unaccustomed to trusting so quickly. I’ve had to be cautious, and that makes me wonder why you would be so kind to complete strangers.”

Edward smiled. “At times I’ve wondered myself.”

It was meant to be a joke, but Niki didn’t laugh or even smile. She looked at Edward a moment longer and then turned to Denley, touching his brow and reaching for the cloth.

Edward did not interrupt her. He’d been completely honest with her. Indeed he’d been utterly candid with her since they’d met. But he would have to let her figure that out for herself.

Bending his head again, he went back to studying his Bible. He sensed that Niki looked at him from time to time, but he didn’t look up. There was no precedent in his life by which he could judge this situation. He read on, deciding to take things one moment at a time.

Chapter Four

“He knows,” Niki said quietly.

She and Edward had just finished dinner. Edward had retired to his room, and she’d gone back to the room she shared with Denley. After thanking Rosario and paying her for the day’s work, Niki saw her to the door. She found Denley awake and asking questions.

“How do you know he does?”

“He asked me to tell him why I’m dressed like a man.”

Denley’s eyes closed in pain—emotional pain.
I know I talked on the ship. I don’t remember what I said, but I must have given her away.

“Are you all right?”

“Is that why he’s hanging about?” Denley asked, ignoring the question. “Is he hoping to hold it over you?”

“No. He said you told him that I had needs and that until you were back on your feet to look after me, he was going to stay.”

“This is all my fault.”

“No, it’s not,” Niki said, her heart turning with tenderness for this dear man. “You were only doing what you’ve always done: taking care of me.”

“What if he gives you away?”

“I don’t think he will. I don’t know why I trust him right now, but I do.”

“Have you explained?”

“No, and I don’t plan to.”

Denley nodded, still so weak he wanted to die. He was not convinced that the blame for this did not lie at his door, but the job was done. Much as he wished it, he could not turn back the hours on the clock.

“What day is it?”

“Still Tuesday. We left the ship this morning.”

Denley became restless, his head tossing in torment. “I’ve got to get out of this bed. I’ve got to get you back.”

Niki said nothing. She laid her hand on his shoulder and waited. It was not an issue that needed to be debated. Yes, she needed to be somewhere—she needed it desperately—but she was no longer in control and neither was Denley.

When Denley’s thrashing subsided into sleep, Niki wasn’t certain. Her mind was hundreds of miles away, her heart as well. Trying not to panic over being on her own, she rose slowly and forced herself to think only of the moment, and that meant readying herself for bed.

When Edward woke the next morning, the inn was quiet, telling him it was still early. He thought that if he let himself, he could fall back to sleep, but his mind began to move in several directions, causing all remnants of fatigue to fall away. Would his brother ever believe this situation when he told him? Did Edward believe it himself? Barely. Niki Bettencourt, alias Osborne, was utterly fascinating. One moment she was telling the owner of the inn what she wanted and how swiftly it needed to arrive, and later—with great interest—she was quietly asking him about the Bible.

Edward could feel his head starting to pound. If he gave too much thought to this, he would become distracted and be of no use to anyone.

Reaching for his Bible, he settled in to read for a time. He knew he could take it to the other room, but reading next to Denley’s bed might not prove very effective. For now he needed quiet to study and pray, and ask God for more wisdom than he’d ever called for in his life.

“What kind of a night did Denley have?” Edward asked from across the table a few hours later.

“Not bad,” Niki answered briefly. “Awake some.”

The breakfast tray had been delivered, and the two were seated at the room’s small table. Throughout the meal Edward took surreptitious glances at Niki, but she didn’t seem to notice. He thought she looked tired.

“I was wondering whether you want me to move in here so you could take my room.”

Niki stopped eating. She looked up from her plate and studied Edward.

“Why?”

Edward shrugged a little, still working on his food. “You didn’t share a cabin on the ship, so I assumed this was unusual.”

Niki told herself to calm down. It was a reasonable request. Returning her concentration to her food, she answered him.

“My privacy is not an issue with Denley being so ill, and once he’s feeling better, we’ll be on our way.”

Edward gave a nod and kept eating. He would have liked to ask what
on our way
meant but knew better.

The meal continued in silence. Edward didn’t try to engage her in any type of conversation but forced his mind to relax. He’d set his Bible on the window ledge when he’d come in and glancing at it helped to calm him. He might feel out of control, but Someone else certainly wasn’t.

A knock at the door sounded just as Edward put his napkin down. Niki rose to answer it, and Edward watched as the door opened for one of the young men who worked around the inn.

“The broth you asked for, Mr Osborne.”

“Thank you,” Niki said softly, slipping the lad a coin and shutting the door.

Not wasting any time, Niki went to the bed. She put the tray with its bowl and spoon on the side table and tried to rouse Denley.

“Come along, Denley,” Edward heard her say. “You need to drink a bit.”

“Are we leaving?” Denley mumbled as his eyes opened slightly.

Edward watched Niki try to raise him up and went to help. When Denley’s eyes fully opened, Edward spoke to him.

“I’m going to roll this pillow under your head, Denley. We’ll go easy.”

“All right.”

“There’s some broth you need to drink.”

“I need…” Denley began and then stopped, his eyes pleading with Edward.

Niki rose swiftly and moved toward the door.

Without even glancing at her, Edward said, “Your coat.”

Niki changed directions long enough to grab this garment and fled. The moment she was gone, Edward took over.

He’d never assisted someone with such a personal need before, but the compassion he felt for this helpless, dignified man compelled him to action and little thought. He settled Denley back against the pillow as soon as he could and then began to spoon small sips of broth into his mouth.

Tears came to the prone man’s eyes, but Edward didn’t comment or appear to notice. Weakness was an awful thing for someone capable and usually strong. Edward knew that anything he might say would only sound hollow to the sick man.

The door opened slowly a short time later, and Niki peeked her face in. She came to Denley’s other side, sitting close, her face showing every bit of concern she felt. It had been embarrassing earlier, and not for the first time was she thankful that her face never blushed. Seeing Denley make an effort to drink and keep his head up, Niki put her own feelings aside and stayed close.

Without warning Denley’s eyes closed, and he went limp. Niki paled with fright until Edward spoke.

“He’s just worn out and has taken all he can.”

Niki nodded, unable to speak.

“Would you like me to sit with him?”

“No, I’ll do it.”

“I’m going out for a little while.”

“All right.

Edward left without further word, unaware of the way Niki sat and thought about him for a long time. She then remembered his Bible on the ledge. Hoping he’d meant what he said before, she went for it and returned to the bedside.