Sloan shrugged. “There are only truly two reasons why someone would want someone else dead. The person knows something that threatens another or the person wants to do harm to the other one. And neither appears to explain this situation.”
“Unless there is something in Dawn’s past that now threatens her.”
“Do you know much about her past?”
“I know that her father is dead and that her mother brought her here, though I don’t know how long ago that was.”
“Lila or Paul would know,” Sloan said. “I could talk with them.”
Cree nodded. “And I will talk with Dawn about it.”
“She does communicate well for one who has no voice,” Sloan said. “She helped me find someone to fill the position for a head servant for the keep. And I must say the woman, Flanna has been at it only a few hours and she has everyone hopping.” He grinned. “She’s also dealing with Turbett.”
“A relief for you, I’m sure,” Cree said and sat his tankard on the table then turned a scowl on Sloan. “Now about failing to protect Dawn.”
~~~
Cree returned to Dawn’s cottage later than he had planned. He had spent a good hour berating Sloan for his mistake, though he couldn’t entirely fault him since Dawn had seen fit to go off on her own without making certain a guard went with her. Still, Sloan had had a duty that he had failed to carry out and that was unacceptable to Cree and it was to Sloan as well. They both knew the value and necessity of being able to depend on each other, but then they had never faced a situation with a woman like Dawn before.
In the end Cree had been lenient, though Sloan had offered numerous apologies and swore on all that was holy that he would never allow it to happen again. And if necessary he would give his life to protect Dawn.
Cree didn’t have to hear anymore. With that promise he knew he need not worry that it would happen again. He had been about to leave after that when Flanna entered the Great Hall and Sloan introduced her. Within minutes the woman was praising Dawn and blessing the day that she and her mum had arrived at the village, which he had learned was ten years ago when Dawn was nine.
Cree wondered where Dawn had spent the first nine years of her life and how old she had been when her father had died. He planned on asking her after they made love. He couldn’t wait to bury himself inside her. It had been a long, tiring day with too much left on his mind to think about. Once inside her, his thoughts would vanish and there would be only the two of them and the exquisite pleasure they would share.
Neil nodded to him as he approached the cottage.
“You’re relief will be here shortly,” Cree said.
“I can stay the night, my lord, if you wish,” Neil said with a bob of his head.
“I prefer that you get a good night sleep and be here bright and early so that you can keep a watch on her all day tomorrow. She can be quite a challenge.”
“No worry, my lord, she’s safe with me.”
“Good to hear,” Cree said and entered the cottage. The room was quiet and Dawn was nowhere to be seen. He panicked for a moment and then took stock of the room. A bucket sat near the door with a cloth in it and her clothes were draped over two chairs. The food on the table had been picked at and Cree smiled.
He walked to the other room knowing he’d find her in bed, tired after her ordeal, though taking the time to refresh herself with a wash and some food first. He stopped just inside the room. She lay in bed asleep tucked under the warm wool blankets and he wondered if she was naked.
He shed his garments fast and eased beneath the covers a smile spreading across his face when he wrapped himself around her warm naked body. He grew hard instantly and was about to tease her awake when she turned in his arms and snuggled against him resting her face on his chest.
Her body relaxed against his and he felt a jab to his gut, his heart lurch, and his arousal thickened. Her actions showed just how much she trusted him, felt safe with him and as much as he wanted to wake her so that he could make love to her; he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
She was exhausted from the day’s events and needed to rest. He wrapped his arms around her, tucked his leg over hers and though he thought he’d lay awake for hours unable to sleep, he didn’t. He closed his eyes and was asleep in no time.