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a whisper. “Haven’t I proven that I can be trusted? That I’ll protect you? And your secret?”
    The hurt in her voice cut him deep. But there was no help for it. “This is for your protection,” he said. “You can’t be made to tell what you do not know.”
    Elizabet searched his eyes and finally nodded. “All right.” She sighed and dropped her hand. “As you wish.”
    He reached up to cup her cheek. “What I wish is of no consequence. It’s just how things must be.”
    She nodded, swallowing as though a lump had formed in her throat. Her eyes looked suspiciously moist and he regretted having caused her pain. But it would save her greater pain later on.
    “Come, lie down,” he said. “It’s been a long night. And we’ll have to leave at sunrise.”
    “What? Where are we going?”
    He gently pushed her down on the bed and dragged the coverlets over her. “It’s far past the time I took you back.”
    She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head. “I’ve enjoyed our time together. Far more than I expected. But you have to go back. You don’t belong in my world.”
    She flinched at that and he tried again. “The soldiers might be returning. You’ve shot one of them. Even if you didn’t kill him, that isn’t something they can allow.”
    “And if they return for me, that means my presence is now a danger to you.”
    “Yes. I suppose it is. But more importantly, you are in danger. I would fight for you, my lady, until my dying breath. But even I cannot win against so many.”
    He caressed her cheek and leaned down to gently kiss her. “Get some rest. I’ll watch over you tonight.”
    She looked like she’d protest. He understood completely. He’d rather spend their last moments together finishing what they’d started. But that couldn’t happen. John moved off the bed and sat in the chair by the fire, turning the clothes drying there. He noticed her chemise swimming in the cauldron and fished it out, laying it out to dry with his clothing. Elizabet rolled to her side and watched him until her eyes began to close.
    John remained awake for hours, just watching her. He didn’t want to sleep, but they were as secure as he could make them and sleep dragged at him. But instead of retreating to the pallet on the floor where he’d been sleeping each night, he climbed into the bed and lay next to her. His arms wrapped around her from behind and pulled her close to his chest. He pressed a soft kiss to her head and she settled back against him. He still ached for her touch. Still longed to kiss the lips that were pleasantly swollen with his kisses.
    Perhaps someday. If things were different. Only he wouldn’t pull away when she touched his mask. He’d let her remove it. And then he’d finished what they’d started.

Chapter Five
     
    Elizabet watched Jack ride off with a sinking heart. Her real life beckoned. One that included familial obligations, rules, and etiquette. Most definitely no romantic highwaymen who could set her blood to fire with a mere brush of his lips. Jack would only live in her fantasies now. Perhaps she should take to riding around in carriages full of treasure and see if she could instigate another meeting. Though she’d probably only succeed in encountering an outlaw with a much smaller sense of honor and gallantry. Jack was a breed unto himself. Any other highwayman she might meet would mean only danger or death for her.
    Jack had left her in the dark of night near the main road within sight of a respectable inn. He’d given her more than enough money to hire a carriage and keep the innkeeper from asking too many questions. He’d promised he’d watch her from the tree line until she was safely inside, protecting her still. But he of course couldn’t accompany her all the way to her home. Or risk being seen at all.
    Arriving home in the wee hours of the morning had garnered the expected reaction. The sleepy butler had taken one look at her and sent a squealing