In spite of knowing he would not want anything to do with her after this, she had to be honest. The truth always came out. He'd want to know why she'd been taken.
"My husband is dead. I just found out. Billy Charles, the man that took me, is the eldest brother. He happened to see me in Silver City. I think he was looking for information about you."
It was strange for Lucas to remain so quiet. Instead of reassuring her, it made Camille more nervous about his reaction. But already having said as much, it was best to continue. "Bill Burns thinks you killed Timothy. Did you?"
His nod was slow. "Yes. Just before I brought Brogan to Silver City, looking for a doctor, we'd been in a shootout with Bill Burns' gang. They killed two Marshals. Brogan and I were both in pretty bad shape."
Camille kept talking. "If I go back to Silver City, he will find me. Eventually, he will have me killed. I believe they are headed there now to kill you and Brogan."
"We are aware of that. Brogan and I were just at Blairsville. I spoke to your aunt, that's how I found you. Brogan went to Silver City to take care of the situation. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Once again, he kept his gaze forward and her spirits sank. "I should probably go somewhere else. I don't want to bring any more problems for you."
Lucas reached over and brought her horse along with his to a stop. He dismounted and rounded the animals. Camille held her breath, unsure of what he planned to do when he reached up and helped her down.
"Come here." He pulled her against his broad chest, enveloping her with his strong arms. "Stop worrying so much," he whispered and kissed her temple.
She lay her head on his chest and let out a sigh. If only she could remain against him, safe and protected.
"We will take care of Bill Burns and his gang. You and I are returning to Silver City because everyone is worried about you. Besides, I don't want to spend even one day without you."
Tears sprung at his words. Camille sniffed. "Are you not concerned about the fact that I allowed intimacy between us thinking I was married to someone else? Surely it has occurred to you."
"Not at all." His reply was casual and his shoulders lifted and lowered. "There was no way for you to resist me. I am irresistible."
Camille laughed and shook her head. "I'm being serious, Lucas."
"So am I," he quipped, once again kissing her face. "Think about it, Camille. I came to you seeking to be with you. Hoping anyway. I knew that once we were intimate you and I would be together forever. Whether a piece of paper was involved or not, it would not have mattered."
She looked up at him only to be shocked at the sincerity in his eyes. "Truly?"
"I was hoping for quite a bit. Yes." He pulled her against him once more. "Let's go home and see what's waiting. Stop worrying about things."
Reassured beyond measure, Camille allowed Lucas to assist her to mount again. They had time to talk and decide what they'd do next.
However, she couldn't ignore the fact that Lucas had not asked her to marry him.
CHAPTER TEN
CAMILLE COULD ALMOST CRY with relief at seeing Silver City in the distance. Her back, bottom and legs ached from riding so long and as hard as she tried to remain straight, the hours of slumping forward had cost her.
A few hours earlier, Lucas had convinced her to ride with him so he could hold her and it helped considerably yet, at the same time, it was still hard.
Trepidation at what awaited them began to creep into her and she searched frantically for any signs of trouble.
Lucas also tensed, straightening and slowing the horse. "It all seems normal, people mingling about and such. I'm going to leave you over by those trees." He motioned to a copse of oaks. "Let me see if everything is all right before we ride in."
"No." She clutched his arm and burrowed into him. "Please, let’s just face whatever it is together. I won't hide."
He let out a long breath and she waited for whatever he would say forming a rebuttal. "All right," he finally said.
Lucas kept to the back of the buildings, going directly to his house. He brought the horses to a stop and dismounted, then helped her down. Her legs wobbled, but she managed to stay erect.
They entered the back of the house and he led her to a sofa. "Get some rest. I'll go see about the horses and come back as soon as I have news. Don't open the door for anyone and stay away from the windows."
He pulled a blanket over her. "Get some rest," Lucas repeated.
Once he left, Camille couldn't stop the tears. As unstable as the situation was, the fact that she was in love felt bittersweet. Her heart filled with so many emotions, it threatened to burst.
Lucas guided the horses behind him to the jailhouse and entered the building. Brogan jumped to his feet and rushed toward him. For a second, both stood awkwardly facing each other. Then with chuckles, they embraced and released so fast, it made them both laugh again.
"I was worried." Lucas cleared his throat. "Not sure why, you are more than capable of taking care of yourself."