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men advanced slowly as Georgina walked away. But Akna had no time to shoot a glare at Georgina’s retreating back; instead, she found herself being slowly corralled by the two thugs. She backed away, curving back toward the garden path but never letting them out of her sight.
    “Come now, my dear,” one man coaxed. “This needn’t be unpleasant. We’re only curious after all.”
    “Curious men ask questions,” Akna retorted, still trying to edge her way back to the castle.
    “Our questions cannot be answered with words,” the other man cooed. “Only with touch.”
    “I do not like to be touched.”
    The men chuckled, and Akna knew that she had to flee. These men had no intention of giving her a choice. Their long legs brought them even nearer, and her heart began to thud in her chest. They licked their lips like hungry dogs, their hands reaching for her with curved fingers. She tensed, preparing to bolt.
    And then suddenly there was a rush of wind as a body flew past her. Her field of vision was suddenly filled with the sight of a broad back, muscular shoulders shielding her from view.
    “Scoundrels!” the man cried. “How dare you accost a lady!”
    “A savage colonial wench, you mean to say!” spat one of her would-be attackers even as he retreated ten paces. “What is it to you?”
    The man straightened to his full height, and Akna felt something hot and admiring surge through her chest.
    “I am Sir John Frederick,” her saviour announced confidently. “Representative of the king and host to this delegation of Inuit people. Not to mention a baronet and a captain of the Royal Navy.” He paused. “And who are you?”
    Peering around John’s arm, Akna saw the other men pale. They shuffled further away, casting looks around.
    “No one, no one,” one man said contritely. “Please excuse us, my lord.”
    And under John’s imperious glare, the two men skulked back toward the castle. As soon as they were out of sight, John spun about and pulled Akna into his warm chest, his chin over her shoulder.
    “Are you all right, my dear?” he asked, genuine concern filling his deep voice. “Did they hurt you? Touch you?”
    “No,” she answered, her voice muffled by his shoulder. “You arrived just in time.”
    “Thank the heavens!” John exclaimed, pulling back to search her face. “The stable boys found me searching the corridors for you. They warned me something of ill nature might be afoot.”
    His grip tightened on her shoulders, and his gaze grew severe.
    “Why didn’t you wait for me in your chambers as we had agreed?”
    “I was bored,” Akna said, pulling away and feigning indifference. “You are not my keeper.”
    “On the contrary,” John said, pulling her close once more. “You forget that I was appointed to be your host and guide during your stay here. If anything untoward had happened to you…”
    His voice trailed off, and he shuddered ever so slightly as he held her. Akna let herself lean into his warmth. She felt his heart thudding in his chest along with his panting breaths. The man was clearly worried for her safety and dignity. She leaned back, her eyes finding his.
    “I am all right, John,” she said, her tone reassuring. “Thank you.”
    For a moment he seemed gratified—and then anger sparked anew in his eyes.
    “Those men,” he growled, straightening. “When I find them—”
    Akna placed a hand on his arm.
    “No, John,” she said softly. “I’ve no desire to dwell on what happened. Shall we do something else? What had you planned for this morning?”
    John inhaled deeply and forced thoughts of revenge from his mind. Instead, he turned warm eyes to his waiting charge. Indeed, there were far better things to attend to at the moment; vengeance could wait.
    “A morning ride,” he told Akna with a devilish grin.
    “A what?”
    “My horse!” John called out suddenly to the stable hands, who were trotting back. “Ready my horse, boys!”
    “Oh, so that is your