“No,” she whispered, one hand going to her chest. No one in the family would attempt to smash the windows. She glanced back to the bed. In her drowsy state, she couldn’t remember if she closed the shutters or not. She had and the little window over the bed was fastened.
The rapping continued like a message tapped out in Morse code, but one of dread and fear that echoed through Dawn’s body. Mouse’s muzzle curled up as he snarled, and saliva dripped off his sharp canines. His eyes tracked something outside that travelled along the wall. His muscles bunched as he prepared to pounce as soon as the intruder gained entrance.
Dawn froze while her heart pounded frantically in her chest. There was nothing she could do. There was no weapon in the bedroom apart from the heavier books. Mouse blocked the only entrance and exit. She could only hope that somewhere out there, one raven still kept a lazy watch on the cottage from its perch in the surrounding trees.
Then silence fell as though a sudden storm had blown over. Mouse licked his lips, and he took a step forward out into the parlour. His ears swivelled as he scanned for any sound. His nose wrinkled and his head swung back and forth as he sought any trace of the invader.
Dawn followed for a step but stayed at the bedroom door. The only sound was the thrum of blood in her ears.
A quiet tap came at the door and Dawn glanced to her protector. The fur on his back dropped, and the tail gave a slow wag back and forth that signalled family, but could it be a trap?
The rap sounded again and a familiar voice called out, “Dawn? It’s Jasper. Are you all right?”
Relief shot through her body, and both woman and dog rushed to the door. She pulled back the bolt and turned the key. For a second she hesitated and glanced to the dog. Would he know if trickery were afoot? Would he sense if a creature beyond masqueraded as Jasper? The dog’s head turned to her and his expression seemed unconcerned.
“Please truly be Jasper,” she whispered, and then in a moment of bravery, she pulled the door open.
Jasper stood on the step. A rich blue velvet robe was pulled around his naked torso, loose linen trousers enclosed his legs, and his feet were bare. From under tousled hair, worry tugged at the corners of his eyes. “Are you all right?”
“It was her, wasn’t it?” She peered around him but saw only the silver-washed wall across the way and the lime chip path that gave off a dull luminescence.
Jasper stepped inside and shut and locked the door behind him. “Yes. The raven saw her trying to find a way into the cottage. I came as quickly as I could.”
Her heart still pounded in her chest and the long shadows cast by the moon made her shiver. “Would you stay a while, please?”
His eyes were silver in the dark, liquid as mercury as his gaze dropped to her shoulder. “Yes.”
At that point it occurred to Dawn that she was only wearing a light nightgown. The neck had dropped over one shoulder and exposed her collarbone. She tugged the soft fabric back up. Fear shifted in her body and bloomed into something hotter, but it still made her shiver. This was something she wasn’t ready for. Not yet. She needed to do something to occupy both hands and mind before she made a mistake fuelled by residual fear and a need to have another person with her.
Etiquette demanded tea for unexpected visitors, even if they were deliciously under-dressed with a tantalising glimpse of exposed chest. “If you light the lamps, I will boil the kettle for tea.”
She knew the way in the dark with only the slivers of moonlight to guide her way. First, she padded to her bedroom and fetched a cotton robe that she knotted tight around her waist.
Jasper lit the two lamps attached to the wall on either side of the fireplace, and a soft yellow light flared and chased away the shadows.
She made two mugs of tea and carried them over to the worn but comfortable armchairs. Jasper had coaxed the small fire in the hearth back to life, and Mouse sat at his side. The earl took a mug from her cold hands and then Dawn curled up in one of the chairs. She tucked her feet under her and wrapped her hands around the mug, letting the faintly bergamot-scented steam warm her face.
“Do you think she knows what I plan to do and is trying to stop me?” Dawn addressed the tea rather than the man at her side.
Jasper dropped into the empty armchair. “Yes. Ava doesn’t like losing, and she is rather possessive. But you don’t undertake this endeavour alone, Dawn. I will stand beside you throughout.”
Jasper couldn’t save Julian, and he won’t be able to save you. She shook her head to dispel the words and sipped her tea. Had the war begun before she even knew there was a battle? “Could Ava have locked me in the pineapple pit?”
Jasper frowned and stared at his tea.
“And she was on the roof of the glasshouse the day the pane was dislodged.”
The frown grew into a scowl and his fingers tightened around the mug.
“It has been fortunate that so far either you or Elijah have been nearby. But you cannot be everywhere, all the time.” Had Ava disrupted the dirt on the hill that Dawn fell through or had that, at least, been entirely an accident? Her wrist throbbed, but Dawn didn’t have the energy to rub the unquiet wound.
“I don’t have to be everywhere, just where you are.” His voice was rough like gravel and was weighted with concern.
They both stared at the flames, struggling to make light conversation. Some words were too heavy to be said in the quiet of night. Yet that companionable silence told her as much about the man as a full afternoon of conversation. There was no need to say anything, he simply kept her company and let her know she was not alone. When she needed him, he had appeared.
When she yawned for the third time, Jasper spoke. “Why don’t you go back to bed? Mouse and I will keep watch while you sleep.”
“Thank you.” She dropped the mug to the side table and rose. Jasper took her hand as she passed and she paused. He raised her knuckles to his lips and brushed a kiss over them. “Sleep well and I’ll see you in the morning.”
At first light Dawn pulled on her robe and peered around her bedroom door. Jasper still sat in the armchair although his shoulders were slumped. Mouse lay at his feet, keeping his master’s bare toes warm as the fire guttered and burned low.
He tracked her with tired eyes as she crossed to stand by the fireplace.
“Good morning,” she said to both man and canine. She felt as worn as the earl looked.
Jasper pushed himself upright and ran a hand through his hair. Dark stubble covered his jawline. He looked unkempt, tired, and utterly delicious. “Good morning. I should probably return to the main house. I’ll send Elijah or Hector to keep your company if you like?”
She managed a wan smile. “I’ll be fine now that it’s light and the estate is waking up. The workmen will arrive soon, and I have a busy day planned. You look like you could do with a few hours of sleep.”
His robe fell open as he rose to his feet, and Dawn’s gaze dropped to the lines etched between the muscles of his abdomen. Did all noblemen hide such physiques under their fine clothing, or was it a Warder trait?
He pulled the robe closed and tightened the belt as his lips quirked in the ghost of a smile. “The raven is on watch should you need anything. Keep Mouse by you. He will alert you if Ava approaches again.”
He reached out and folded her into his arms. Dawn tilted her chin and met his gaze. In case he didn’t get the hint, she rose on the balls of her feet. The smile broke over his face as his head dropped and he kissed her. He pressed a light, gentle swipe on her mouth and then he let her go.