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amusing to you,” Alec said, sounding like an old spinster aunt to his own ears. He would have a soft spot for old spinster aunts from this day forward. The poor dears must be the most put-upon souls in the land.
    When Sorcha had caught her breath, she said, “Because I have an unconscious groom in the carriage. And I have a Lycan scoundrel who couldn’t be considered a scoundrel at all, or at least not with me, because I had him carry a body and ruined any chance he’d find me enchanting. And I have a vampyre who’s playin’ nursemaid.” She wiped at her eyes again. “Ta me, that’s quite amusin’.”
    “Who’s to say you ruined any chance with me, Miss Ferguson?”
    “Oh, ye may call me Sorcha, Lord Radbourne,” she said with a breezy wave of her hand.
    “He may do no such thing!” Alec growled.
    “In that case, Sorcha,” Radbourne drawled, “do call me Archer.”
    No, Alec had no choice. He would have to murder the Lycan right here, right now. “Absolutely not! There are some lines that should not be crossed.”
    Sorcha narrowed her eyes at him. “Why no’? Ye seem ta be crossin’ one or more of them at this very moment, Alec.”
    “Who else would protect the Lycans of the world from you, Sorcha?”
    An infuriating smile lit her lips. “Does he look like he needs protectin’ from me?” She turned to Radbourne. “Do ye fear me at all, Archer?”
    Alec bristled at the use of the man’s Christian name.
    “Not a bit,” Radbourne replied smoothly.
    “Oh, you should fear her,” Alec said. He shook his head in dismay. God, he already feared her. “You may go, Radbourne. I’ll see her back to the castle.”
    “Is that what you want, Sorcha?” the Lycan asked, and Alec was certain that was just to needle him.
    “Well, I assume my plans for the night have been thwarted by my nursemaid,” she said, flicking her wrist in a most annoyed manner at Alec.
    “We will discuss your plans,” Alec bit out, “as soon as we’re alone.”
    She put her hands on those hips again, and he had an absurd wish that his hands were holding her hips instead.
    “Oh, ye can feel certain we will discuss it, Alec.”
    Blast and damn. He was trying to save her virtue. Why on earth did she have to look so annoyed with him? She’d called him her nursemaid, for God’s sake. Well, he might as well play the part.
    Alec scowled in Radbourne’s direction until the blasted Lycan tipped his head in farewell. “Until tomorrow, sweetheart,” the wolfling said and then he started off toward The Knight’s Arms.
    Tomorrow was several hours off, and Alec would have to make sure Sorcha had regained some sense before her eyes landed again on the Lycan or his younger brothers.
    “Well, I hope ye’re satisfied.” Sorcha folded her arms across her chest. “It wasna easy gettin’ all the way ta Folkestone alone.”
    Most likely not, especially for a lass who didn’t have the power of enchantment the way he did. “Well, what does that tell you, Sorch? That perhaps you should have stayed at Castle Hythe like you were supposed to?”
    Her dark locks bounced as she shook her head. “If somethin’ is worth havin’, it’s worth workin’ for.”
    She sounded just like her father. Always a man of business, even though a gentleman. Alec sighed. How could one reason with Sorcha? How could one get her to see the danger she’d put herself in? He’d probably have a better idea if he had a sister of his own. As it was, he had no clue. “Well, you’ll have to work on it some other time. I’m taking you back.”
    Sorcha sighed and reached for the carriage door. “I’m pretty sure Johnny is out for the night.”
    Alec pushed on the door to keep her from opening it. “Sit up in the box with me, and we can continue our conversation.” Perhaps inspiration would strike him before they reached Castle Hythe.

Chapter Five
    Sorcha settled into the coachman’s box and waited for Alec to assume the place beside her. Why was he being so