His Wallflower White by Tammy Andresen

Chapter Three

Millie staredat the breadth of his back, as he stood a foot in front of her, blocking her like an actual wall.

Normally, she found male displays tiresome but not him. Whatever his name was. They hadn’t gotten that far.

She’d no idea who approached, but then again, this man seemed like he could handle whoever it was and keep her perfectly safe.

How odd she trusted a complete stranger. But clearly, she did. She’d spoken to him, had an entire conversation. She hadn’t spoken to anyone new in…years. But she pushed that thought aside for a more pressing one.

How did he know her?

“You’re late,” he called into the darkness.

“Sorry,” another man grunted. She knew that deep growl. It was Justice. The cad.

She made to step out and tell her brother what she thought of this meeting when the mystery man’s hand shot behind him, holding her in place.

How had he known she’d moved? Part of her wanted to declare them both beasts but then another thought occurred to her.

Even though she didn’t like to be told what to do, she had to acknowledge that Justice would be furious if he realized she’d stolen one of the groom’s clothes and snuck out into the night, travelling the streets of London alone.

And besides, she might learn a great deal listening to this conversation. Millie relaxed her shoulders, pulling back into the shadows.

“My sister-in-law kept me a long fucking time discussing the merits of silk versus damask drapes. Apparently, she’s redoing the bed drapes in the townhouse. I don’t fucking know. Nor do I understand how Dez and Ben have married. Is that what they do all day? Talk about lace and sewing, and…” Justice made a snort of disgust.

Millie pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. She’d asked Chloe to occupy Justice. And wonderful friend that she was, she hadn’t asked Millie what she’d be doing that Justice needed to be distracted.

“Missing Sayden?” mystery man asked, amusement lacing his voice.

Her brows rose. Mystery man knew all her brothers? Even Sayden who Millie herself barely saw? Why would he be following her then if he were familiar with her family? But then the reality hit her like lightening. He was watching her. To keep her safe. Out of trouble? Like she wasn’t coddled enough.

As if to her confirm her suspicions, Justice shrugged. “Sayden isn’t much for company either, but at least we discuss guns and ammunition and explosions. Not curtains. Though, I suppose, Chloe is nice. All Millie does is frown at me. It’s a wonder I do anything to protect that girl. Would she appreciate it if she knew I hired you? No. She’s yelled at me for taking away her personal freedoms.”

“You’re practically a saint,” mystery man said dryly. But his tone was lost on Justice.

“Right?” Her brother shifted, partially coming into view. Millie ducked further behind her wall of a man. “Just today, she gave me some lecture about women being trapped in their homes or some fucking stupid shit. Can you believe that Cranston?”

Cranston? Mystery man had a name.

“Interesting,” Cranston replied. “I’d never thought of it like that, but she has a point. We’re out prowling London at all hours of the day and night while women are tucked at home.”

“For their safety.” Justice fired back. “You’ve seen her. She’s small, easily broken. She was a peanut of a child. Little with big dark eyes. Our father was fond of switching her hands, leaving these giant red welts across her beautifully pale skin.”

She nearly gasped out loud, but she slapped her hand over her mouth. The bitterness in Justice’s voice took her completely by surprise and she pressed her other hand over her racing heart. Her father’s abuse had bothered him? She’d never have known.

Cranston’s back expanded in front of her. “He hit her?”

“Often.” Justice’s hand slashed through the air. “It’s no wonder she doesn’t talk.”

“Not talk?” Cranston asked.

Millie’s fingers dug deeper into her cheeks. She’d expected to learn information but not of this kind. She shuddered to think of all that was being revealed about herself but also all that Justice so easily shared with this man what he’d never told her.

But Justice shook his head. “I digress. The real question is what have you seen as you’ve watched? Anything?”

“Nothing,” Cranston shook his head.

“Anyone suspicious?”

“Nope.”

Cranston took a half step back, coming even closer. Instinctively, she put out her hand to keep him from backing into her. He shivered at her touch which made her brows draw together. Why would he have such a reaction?

Heat radiated from his back as she spread her fingers out, feeling muscle rippling under her touch.

“Shall we get this search over with?” Justice asked.

Search? What were they looking for? But she couldn’t ask as Cranston answered, “Yes. Give me just a moment. I’ll be right there.”

“You should have pissed while you waited,” Justice said but he was already turning toward the door. She peeked around Cranston to watch Justice deftly pick the lock on the large cargo door.

“I’ll be right back,” Cranston whispered. “Sink deeper into the shadows and crouch down.”

“Fine,” she softly replied. “But I’ve got questions when you’re done.”

“Whites,” he sighed as he followed Justice, the two men slipping inside the warehouse.

She did as she was told. No one passed by and within a quarter hour, her brother and Cranston returned to the alley. “Damn,” Justice grumbled. “I thought for certain we’d find stolen goods.”

“Place was clean as a whistle,” Cranston returned with a frown. “Parricide is good. You have to give him that.”

“He’s been a thief long enough. He should be. You remember Parricide’s description?”

“Yes,” Cranston answered.

“Good.” Justice said even as his coat rustled. She heard the faint jangling of coins as Cranston reached out his hand. “Keep watch and stay out of sight.”

Millie shook her head. Justice had just paid Cranston. Ridiculous.

Then again, Justice wasn’t her most sensitive of brothers. Despite his comments earlier, he was the least likely to worry after her safety. How serious was the threat? This was one of many questions she needed answered and she knew exactly who might be able to answer them. Cranston.

She waited for Justice to say his goodbyes and as his boots faded into the night, Cranston spun. Her hand skimmed along his skin as he moved, landing on the flat of his stomach.

Which was hard as stone. The intimacy of the touch made her breath catch and she drew her hand away as though it had been burned.

“We need to get you home.”

She sighed. “Do we?”

“Yes,” he returned, his fingers slipping around her elbow. “Thank you for staying out of sight. If Justice realized you were here tonight, I’d be out of a job.”

How interesting. “Does that concern you? Do you need this job then?”

His silence was the only answer she got but that was plenty of information. He did need this position, whatever the job description was, and that was information which could work to her advantage.

She grinned, realizing she had the upper hand. That was until he pulled her into an alley between two of the massive buildings. Then she stopped short. Because, while she didn’t always like the position of a woman, she had to confess that Justice was right. She was small and vulnerable compared with this man.

He stopped, too. “What?”

“This isn’t the way home,” she whispered, hearing the catch of fear in her own voice.

* * *

Patrick softened his grip,her fear palpable in the air between them. “Millie,” he soothed. “Was it not clear that my entire focus is your protection? I’m not going to hurt you.”

She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t move forward either. “This is a dark alley.”

He smiled, despite himself. “They’re all dark. It’s the middle of the night. And this one, happens to hold my horse. The one that will transport us out of here and back to your home, hopefully before Justice arrives.”

As if in answer, his horse whinnied in the night and he felt Millie relax under his fingers. “Oh.”

He led her to Achilles as he untied the beast from the hitching post where he’d left him. He was a fine animal, one of the few things he’d bought with his earnings. Most of his money went to the basics of living, the rest saved for the future, but horseflesh was one of his greatest passions in life and he’d been unable to resist when Achilles had come for sale from a failing baron. Achilles had not disappointed.

He lifted Millie into the saddle, then swung up behind her. Which had several advantages. The most important was her derriere, pressed neatly into the cradle of his hips.

“Oh,” she said again. “Is this how it feels to ride astride?” She turned to look back at him as he started Achilles out of the alley. The horse’s movement, even with two riders, supple and clean. “It’s wonderful.”

He laughed, a low chuckle close to her ear. “You like it, do you?”

“It’s so…” she looked up into the night sky. “Liberating.”

He grimaced; his joy gone. Because he sensed a theme. And it wasn’t his business to get to know Millie, only keep her out of trouble. Still, he was intrigued. Had been since the first time he’d met her and the more he knew, the more he wanted to know. “You want to be…free?”

She drew in a long breath. “Who doesn’t?”

That was true. He’d been trapped by his need for money. Though he was getting close. Close to having enough funds to start his own business. He wrapped an arm about her waist as he kicked the horse faster.

For a minute there was silence and then she looked back at him. “Tell me, Mr. Cranston. Why were you at that warehouse tonight and what do you know about my brother Dez’s ship and the men who destroyed it?”

For a moment, her words set him back on his heels. “Why do you wish to know?”

“I have my reasons.” She turned forward again. “And I’d like you to help me find out more.”

He nearly choked. “Impossible.”

“Is it?” She glanced over her shoulder again, giving him an angelic smile. “I think it’s quite possible.”

“And why would you think that?” he grumbled through clenched teeth.

“Because I would hate for Justice to find out that I was at that meeting tonight.”

His hand tightened around her middle as surprise rendered him speechless. Finally, he managed to speak. “You minx.” She was going to use his need for this position against him. He’d underestimated her, like a fool.

One of her eyebrows quirked as she continued to grin at him.

“You’re blackmailing me.”

“I am.”

He might have laughed if it weren’t so damned annoying. No wonder her brothers had hired him. Despite her angelic appearance, she was trouble. And interesting. He’d give her that.

The problem was, doing the very thing she asked was sure to get him terminated. And he needed this payout. Her brother Ben had offered him a nice sum for keeping his sister safe, enough that Patrick could fund a new venture for himself. He’d dreamed of working with horses full time, providing the elite with exceptional horseflesh and charging handsomely for the service. But that sort of business took capital. He’d earned a great deal as a fighter, but he’d prefer to finish funding his business in a way that didn’t involve getting his faced smashed regularly. “What is it exactly you want from me?”

She shrugged. “I’d like to be able to follow up on any information I might find. And as has been pointed out to me, I shouldn’t go alone.”

He didn’t like the sound of that.

For several pertinent reasons.

“I’m supposed to keep you from danger, not lead you into it.”

“You would be keeping me safe from danger if you want to put a fine point on it.”

“I am a viscount’s son. A poor one.” Well nearly. Even if he realized his dream, he’d never keep her in the same fashion as a dukedom. “You don’t want to get trapped into a marriage with me, Millie.”

She stiffened against him. “I don’t intend to get trapped into a marriage with anyone.”

“If your brothers found out…” he started again.

“I won’t tell them. Will you?”

He had to say no to her request. Despite her threat, it was just too dangerous to take her out alone in London. He opened his mouth to say exactly that, but she interrupted.

“I can pay you.”

That made him pause. Not because he was considering it but because he found her offer amusing. “With your pin money?”

Her nose lifted. “I’ve got jewelry. From my mother. Very nice pieces my father bought for her when they were first married. One diamond in particular is spectacular. And it could be yours. If you’ll help me.”

“Millie.”

“Stop using my given name. I’ve not given you permission nor have you shared yours.”

“It’s Patrick,” he said, breathing in the scent of her. Even here is London, she smelled like a country meadow in full bloom.

“Patrick,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m going with or without you. As you’re my guard, you can try to stop me, or you can help me.”

He shook his head. “You know I’m more than capable of stopping you, don’t you?”

But as her eyes locked with his, he found himself drawing closer. “Justice thinks he’s more than capable as well. And yet here I am, sitting in front of you on your horse.”

She made a valid point.

“I can’t do it, Millie.”

“You have to. My future depends upon it.” Her mouth was so close, and her breath caught as though she meant every word.

Damn. Every protective instinct he had swelled inside him. She would go out. She’d proven she would, and he didn’t want her out alone. But doing this could mean the loss of important funds for him. “You’re not making this easy.”

Her back sunk deeper into him a hair that had come lose from her tight bun at her nape, dancing the breeze and tickling his nose. “Oh, good.”

He sighed. “What are the odds, if I say no, you don’t sneak out again?”

“Very slim,” she answered. Then she paused. “Do you think dressed like this, I could enter a gaming hell? I’d like to play cards with men. I’m quite good with numbers, you know. I’m working on my sleuthing skills. I’ve done all right so far but where I really excel is mathematically.”

He groaned despite himself. “No. Even in candlelight, they’d recognize you in an instant.”

“Too bad.” She frowned. “But that doesn’t change what I need to do.”

He shook his head, the hair sliding like silk over his cheek.

“You’ll help me then?”

He shook his head. “I don’t see that I have a choice.”

She gave him a glowing smile, her body tensing in excitement against his. Which nearly ripped a groan from his throat.

“I’m going to need your address.” She reached around and with a hand on his bicep she gave the muscle a light squeeze. Her hand was so small against the large muscle.

“My address?”

“In case I need to contact you.” Her chin tilted up as she whispered. “In case I find something out that we need to investigate.”

This was a terrible idea. His entire duty was to keep her safe and instead, he’d just agreed to lead her toward trouble. But then again, he couldn’t quite say no to that smile.