Page 18 of Brigand
Pip stepped over Craig and knelt at her side. “Are you allright?” he asked, his voice unusually high and sharp. “Did he…?”
Violet shook her head. “No.” But her lips only formed thewords. Her voice refused to cooperate.
“God.” Jessie stroked her cheek, reminding Violet of thatpain. She’d almost forgotten the thudding agony in the ensuing panic. Now itflooded back and she groaned. “He whacked you a good one.”
“That’s gonna bruise like hell.” Pip glared at Craig.
“Come on.” Jessie took her hand. “Let’s get you out of herebefore he wakes up. He’ll be in a right fury.”
Between the two of them, they helped Violet to her feet andsupported her as she stumbled into the hall. They took her to Pip’s smallchamber off the kitchen, which turned out to be a cheery room with a warm glowand a soft down tick. They helped her wash and Pip prepared a cold compress forher cheek. Jessie gave her a dress—it wasn’t much but it had a bodice, one thatwasn’t ripped to shreds. And then, bless him, Pip brought her a plate of food.
“We’re not supposed to feed you until you’re done with yourchores,” he said with a grin as he presented her with a chunk of bread, a slabof pork and a cup of warm broth. “So don’t tell anyone.”
“And don’t worry about the laundry,” Jessie said. “We’llfinish it for you.”
Pip winked. “Don’t tell anyone that either.”
Violet tried to smile but it was a wobbly effort at best.“T-thank you.” A croak. Her throat still burned from the bile, still ached fromCraig’s crushing grip.
“And here.” Pip slipped something long and cool into herhand. Violet gazed at it as though from very far away. A knife. “Keep this withyou. At all times. It’s not much but it will hold him off for a bit at least.”
Violet’s heart stuttered. “Do you…do you think he’ll do thisagain?”
Pip and Jessie exchanged a glance. Jessie frowned. “Justcarry it.”
“And try not to be alone if you can. We happened to bepassing by this time. Next time you may not be so lucky.”
Violet nodded. “I will carry it.”
“Take my advice.” Jessie lowered her voice. “Don’t hesitateto use it.”
Pip nodded. “And whatever you do, never let him see yourfear. He feeds on it, that one.”
Violet shook her head but only to bring order to herthoughts. Blood still rushed in her veins but it was waning. And with it,absolute exhaustion set in.
She knew the McCloud was a brigand—Kaitlin had told her asmuch. But why did Ewan have such a foul monster on his crew? What kind of evilendeavors was he engaged in?
The possibilities scored her soul. She couldn’t think on it.She just couldn’t. She closed her eyes, hoping against hope she could shut outthe world.
“Poor thing. She’s all in.” Pip sighed.
Jessie stroked her hair with a gentle touch. “Get some rest,Violet. And don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything.”
Something blossomed in her chest. Something she hadn’t hadcall to feel for a very long time. Something sweet.
Gratitude. She wasn’t so alone here. She wasn’t despised byall. The knowledge was a balm to her battered soul.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and she meant it from the bottomof her heart.
It was too bad the words weren’t loud enough for either ofthem to hear.
Chapter Six
Ewan flicked a page of his account book but wasn’t reallypaying attention. He forgot what he’d just read and flipped it back. Damn it.Where was his legendary sharp mind today? He just couldn’t focus.
He refused to acknowledge why.
He’d done the right thing, demanding that Morna move Violetto the cellar. He should have put her there the first day. She was a prisoner.A servant. She should be locked up at night in an uncomfortable cell, nothogging the covers in his bed and keeping him awake with an aching cock.
