Read Closer To Sin for Free Online Page B

the barn. ‘Will we both be sleeping there?’
    She resisted the urge to look away as Sin regarded her for several long moments. ‘Yes, mon fleur , we’ll both be sleeping in the cottage,’ his voice soft and reassuring. ‘I need to know you’re safe.’
    Heat flooded into her face. ‘Ah, I see,’ she gurgled. ‘Are they expecting us?’
    ‘No, but colleagues of mine have stopped here before and report that the facilities are more than adequate. There’s always clean linens on the beds, the fireplace set and fresh bread and eggs in the larder. More importantly, no questions are asked. We can shelter in that far cottage with no fear of being disturbed.’
    Liliane steered her horse to the rear of the cottage where a lean-to doubled as a storage area and makeshift stable. It was probably too much to expect Sin to sleep out here. She stifled a yawn. Provided the cottage was warm and dry—and they each had their own bed—she didn’t mind where she slept. She gratefully dismounted and handed the reins to Sin, who indicated for her to go inside while he saw to the horses.
    The farmyard was quiet, but she still couldn’t shake the sense of disquiet, that someone was following them. She was being ridiculous and letting herself read more than was warranted into Sin’s refusal to elaborate on the purpose of his new mission.
    Liliane walked around to the front of the cottage. With one last look over her shoulder at the empty farmyard, she pushed the door open and paused at the threshold to peer into the black interior. She had a distinct aversion to darkened rooms and she was beginning to think she should have volunteered to stay and assist Sin with the horses. Drawing a deep breath, she groped her way forward and prayed no other living creature was there to greet her. ‘Damn it,’ she cursed as she stumbled against a large bench that dominated the centre of the room. At least she could be grateful it was inanimate.
    A little fumbling revealed candles and a flint and when the flame flickered into life after the third attempt she breathed a sigh of relief to see the darkness melt away.
    She turned slowly and examined her surroundings with a critical eye. In reality, the cottage was little more than a hut. Against the far wall a fireplace was laid with kindling, a basket of firewood beside it. To the right was a small cupboard she surmised to be the larder, and above the fireplace a set of shelves was stacked with an assortment of crockery and cooking implements. Glancing around, she gratefully noted the wooden pallets on either side of the room. A privacy screen in the far corner completed the cottage’s amenities.
    Dropping her valise onto one of the beds, she made her way to the hearth and knelt down to place the flame of the candle against the tinder. Small tendrils of smoke drifted upward and the soft scent of a wood fire combined with the crackle of flames to bring life to the little cottage. Ah, this was what she had been longing for this past hour. She leaned over the fire and smiled softly as its heat started to warm her hands. She closed her eyes and the knot in her belly eased.
    Lost to her thoughts she didn’t hear Sin enter the room. A shadow passed across the doorway and loomed over her, blocking the outside light. ‘There’s a well outside—’
    Liliane gasped and spun around, her heart hammering loudly against her chest. Good grief, as if her imagination wasn’t jumping at ghosts as it was.
    Sin placed a large bucket of water beside her. ‘I thought you may appreciate some water to wash up with, and perhaps a cup of tea.’
    Holding her hand to her throat she smiled weakly. ‘That’s kind of you, I’ll hang the kettle in the hearth.’
    Oblivious to having startled her, he nodded and returned outside, presumably to further tend to the horses.
    Liliane busied herself filling the kettle and hung it to heat. Sin was right, a cup of tea would be divine. After a little extra poking around the larder