The Damnation Affair

faced with this? And why did the man have to be so outright infuriating?

Boiling water splashed. She let out a shaky breath, and finished filling the pot. Thank God one could find tea in this benighted place, even though it was not of the quality her mother would have found acceptable.

“I intend to, if you get yourself into trouble down there.”

What does that mean? “You’re refusing an invitation to tea, then? I shall be pouring momentarily.”

“Sit down.” He had her shoulders, big work-roughened hands that had probably touched the thing out front, and she let out a tiny piping sound, rather like baby Jonathan’s satisfied little noise when Li Ang set him high on her shoulder and patted his back. “I ain’t gonna hurt you, but I am gonna make you listen. We need to have a talk.”

There was no use in fighting, so she let him push her toward the kitchen table and her usual seat. She sank down, her corset stays digging in abominably, and glared at him from under her knocked-askew hatbrim. Her hair was too loose, as well, curls falling in her eyes and brushing her shoulders.

Hazel eyes, bleached to a gold-green shine most odd, shadow of stubble on his jaw, his own dark hair mussed. At least he’d taken his hat off. He pulled out Li Ang’s chair and dropped down, heavily, and she had the sudden gratifying vision of wood cracking and the chair spilling him to the floor. He rubbed at his face, scratching his cheek, and let out a long sigh.

He was too big for the chair, too big for the room. The dun-colored coat, the guns at his belt, everything about him was too big and dusty and foreign. Her heart hammered, because he smelled of healthy horse and heat and healthy male, leather and tabac and a verdant green note of mancy. An overpowering aroma, but not at all an unpleasant one.

Shh. Easy there. And his fingers in her hair. His hand at the small of her back, and the sense of being enclosed, held safely away from something howling and snapping. Quite comforting, and not at all proper, now that she considered it.

The cottage was deathly silent, except for the stealthy creaks of Li Ang moving upstairs. Had the new crib arrived today? Cat really should have arranged for that beforehand, but it had all happened so quickly. And there was still the question of other items that should have been delivered, and arrangements to be made—

“I can’t watch you all the time. I got other work to do.”

Her annoyance mounted another notch. Her cheeks, no doubt, were scarlet; they were hot enough to boil the kettle afresh. “I do not recall asking you to do so, sir.”

He refused to take offense. How could he be so d—ned imperturbable? “No, ’cause it’d be easier if you did. Simmer down.”

“I am perfectly calm.”

“No, you ain’t. I ain’t, either. So just simmer down, Catherine, and we’ll do some plannin’.”

“I do not intend to do any planning. I’ve done far too much of that, and not enough…” Shut up, Cat.

She did, closing her mouth with a snap.

He merely nodded, wearily. “I could put you on the next stagecoach for Poscola Flats, and you could be on a train to Boston in two shakes.”

“No.” Not until I have Robbie’s locket. Then I will find him, no matter what condition he may be in.

Could that be the warning? Did someone in Damnation know, or suspect? It was very likely, and the trembling going through her mounted another notch.

Oh, Robbie. What on earth are you suffering right now? Or are you…no, you cannot be dead. You simply cannot be.

Jack Gabriel held up one callused hand, as if to halt an obedient dog. “I figure you’ve got a reason not to go back East. Well, no matter. If you’re gonna stay in Damnation, we’ll—”

Her temper almost snapped. “You have no right to order me about or dispose of me in any fashion, sir.”

“No, I ain’t got a right, yet. But I’m powerful interested in keeping that pretty neck of yours out of trouble. You could try thankin’ me.”

“I am sure I am very grateful.” She made it as prim and unhelpful as she could, which was quite.

“You’re a bad liar.”

I hope not. Oddly enough, though, she felt better. Why? “If you have finished insulting me—”

“Are you the marryin’ type, Miss Barrowe?”

“What?” Her shriek would probably wake little Jonathan, all the way upstairs.

Jack Gabriel leaned forward in the chair, his elbows braced on his knees. He was staring at her, and the faint smile he wore was not calming or humorous in the least. “I mean, are you sweet on anyone, back East or here? Some poor bastard who don’t know how to handle you when you get all prickly and proper?”

I’m dreaming. There’s no other explanation. This is all a nightmare. “I most certainly am not, not that it’s any of your business—”

“Good. Because I’d hate to have to kill a man over you. Now you listen to me. From now on, you stay in sunshine. I’ll get Russ Overton to bring the wagon ’round to take you to the schoolhouse, and I’ll walk you home in the afternoons. Tell me you will.”

What is he on about? I shall never get a chance to acquire Robbie’s locket if you keep crowding me in such a manner. “I don’t see the need for Mr. Overton or—”

“There’s a need.”

His tone was so grim she leaned back against the chair, and found her hands were not so steady now. She clasped them together—where had her gloves gone? Her head was a-whirl. If she could merely gather herself for a few moments, perhaps this would not seem so overwhelming.

It did not appear he would let her. “Now, are you gonna give me your word, Catherine? ’Cause if you ain’t I’m gonna have to do something you might not like.”

“Do not threaten me. I will observe all proper precautions. Including seeking legal redress and charter protection against whoever—”

“You just leave that to me.” He sighed, rose a trifle stiffly, and settled his hat over his tousled hair. With it on, the steely glint of his eyes lost under the shadow of the brim, he was not quite so comforting. “Do I have your word?”

“Certainly.” Fancy that—she had gone from being grateful for his presence to wishing she could heave him out the door with exceeding force. “I shall go with Mr. Overton in the morning, and you may be allowed to accompany from the schoolhouse to my domicile in the afternoons. When it is necessary.”

“Good enough.” He settled his hat, turned on his heel, and strode for the back door. “Bar this behind me. And for God’s sake, be careful. That wasn’t a May bouquet sitting on your porch.” The drawl had evaporated, and he sounded clipped and precise. “Ma’am.”

With that, he was gone, the night outside breathing its dust-spice in for a brief moment. Cat pulled herself to her feet, made it across the room on unsteady legs, and settled the bar in its brackets. She turned the lock too, for good measure. The kettle hadn’t even finished steaming, and the teapot sent up fragrant veils as well. Everything else, she decided, could bloody well wait for morning to be sorted.

I’d hate to have to kill a man over you.

Dear God. Did he mean there was a chance he would?

Chapter 17