The Pursuit (10 page)

“Are you going to let the police know about the robbery attempt?” Edward was suddenly standing across the bed from Niki, looking for an answer.

“I can’t exactly do that,” she said, meeting his look squarely.

“Why is that?”

“They’ll naturally wish to know why we weren’t robbed, and I’d rather not go into it.”

Edward nodded, but he wished there was some way to report it.

“Why is it important to you?”

“We didn’t do anything with the pistol that was left on the ground. The men are free to stop the next coach. I’d hate to see someone else go through that.”

Niki nodded. She’d had some of the same thoughts, but no solution on how to go about bringing the men to justice presented itself. At this point she didn’t feel she had a choice.

“I would be sorry for anyone put in such a position, but right now I have to think of Denley’s and my safety. All else comes second.”

Not for the first time Edward found himself asking,
What is it that drives you, Niki Bettencourt? At what price have you chosen this life?
He had never known anyone like her. The desperation she felt was almost tangible.

An uncomfortable silence fell between them, lasting until the doctor arrived. His command of English was poor, but the innkeeper’s young son stood by and did his best to translate. Niki found out what she’d known all along: Denley needed rest and fluids.

Paying the doctor, she took up a seat by the bed, seeming to forget that Edward was present.

“I’m going to head out and look for a room.”

Niki’s head sprang up.

“There’s nothing here?”

“No. Did you not hear him tell you this is the last room?”

Niki shook her head no, guilt swamping her for having given so little thought to this man who had helped them.

“Will you be leaving from here?” Niki suddenly asked, assuming he’d had enough of the whole situation.

“Whenever you go.”

“I won’t be out much,” Niki told him when he started toward the door. “I’ll have my meals here and keep Denley as quiet as possible. When he can rouse a bit, we’ll try to make Porto and find a ship.”

“I believe that’s the most information you’ve given me. Why the sudden trust? I could be hunting you myself.”

“You’re not,” Niki said, her head dipping as she broke eye contact.

Edward studied her bent head for a moment, the perfectly cut dark, straight hair. He thought it must be very nice when it was long.

“I shall probably be across the street. Send word if you need me.”

Niki watched him leave. He did not look back. She sat for a long time and worked to figure him out. It would have been easier if Denley had been awake and had needs that could distract her, but he was very still, leaving Niki alone with only her thoughts for company.

Edward gave Niki and Denley the rest of the day on their own. He wasn’t trying to distance himself, but she was tense with him, and the room was a little too small for comfort. Indeed there had been only one chair. They could have requested a second, but there was barely room.

Edward dined alone that evening and retired late. For that reason he slept later than he planned. After a quick shave and a bath, he made his way down to the common room but stopped short of sitting down at one of the long tables.

Standing just outside the building, a man, his clothing and looks very English, was watching the inn where Denley and Niki had their room. Edward studied him, thinking that traveling with Niki was making him paranoid, but the man never moved or altered his gaze.

Edward went ahead and sat down. He was offered strong coffee and breakfast, which he accepted. Doing nothing to hurry his meal, he took note of the fact that the man never moved from his place.

“It there a back door?” Edward asked the woman who came to refill his cup.

She didn’t understand at first but eventually smiled knowingly and showed Edward the way.

Walking ever so nonchalantly, Edward skirted the buildings around him until he’d landed himself at the rear of Niki’s inn. He wasn’t certain he would find a rear door to the lobby, and he was right—there was none. However, on the far side, away from his lodging, he found a portal. Opening it, he realized it led to the kitchen area.

Making his way quietly through those rooms, he found the back stairs as swiftly as possible and hunted down Niki’s door. No one had questioned him. He knocked and waited.

“You’re still here,” Niki said the moment she saw him in the hall.

Edward stepped inside, shut the door, and leaned on it.

“This building is being watched.”

“Are you certain?”

“Fairly so, yes. A British-looking chap is stationed outside my inn.”

“And you sauntered across the street to tell me.” Niki’s voice was dry with chagrin.

“Not at all!” Edward looked excited. “I exited out the back of my building and found my way to the rear of this inn. I’d wager he never saw me.”

“You’re enjoying this!” she accused him, her mouth open in surprise.

“No,” Edward denied and then hesitated. “Maybe a little.”

Niki turned away, knowing she would laugh otherwise. His eyes had a way of speaking volumes, and she often wanted to laugh at the child she saw there.

“How is Denley?” Edward remembered to ask.

“Resting easy. His fever is down.”

“What will you do about the man across the street?”

Niki went to the window to spot him. Standing in the shadows, she stood for a moment in thought.

“If he’s there all day, we’ll assume you’re right. We’ll leave before morning and probably not be spotted.”

“Until we get to the next inn.”

“What do you mean?” Niki finally turned back to him.

“I mean, you can’t keep on as you are. We have to find you a new set of clothes.”

“What will that accomplish?”

Edward looked patient.

“You act and dress like royalty, making you far too noticeable. You’re remembered everywhere you go. We’ll find you something more suitable to the look of a servant. Something like Denley wears.”

“What good will that do?”

“Well, it’s not at all unusual for a man of my station to travel with several servants.”

Niki’s mouth gaped open. “And you would do that—pose with us?”

Edward nodded calmly. “Until Denley is on his feet, yes.”

Watching him, Niki felt breathless with fear and excitement. She wanted to trust, but there had been no room for such luxury for a very long time. Yesterday she had felt so sure; now the doubts were flooding in.

“I’ll head out,” Edward said, not having caught her tortured thoughts. “I’ll find some clothes and come back.”

“How will they fit?” Niki asked the inane thought, the only one to come to mind.

“They might not, but we’ll keep at it until we find something. If we’re not leaving here until daybreak tomorrow, we have all day.”

This said, he turned for the door. Niki’s voice stopped him.

“Edward.”

He looked back.

“Thank you.”

Edward smiled the warm smile that came so easily to him, briefly held her eyes, and went on his way.

On legs that would barely support her, Niki went back to the side of Denley’s bed and the room’s only chair. She was nearly sick with fatigue and worry, and very real tears came to her eyes.

Please God,
her heart whispered,
I’ve never understood the part about making You more than just my Savior, but I don’t have anywhere else to turn. Please help me. Please help me to get home, and I’ll learn. I’ll do anything I can to make You my God.

Wishing desperately for the luxury of a good cry, Niki knew it would be a waste. Instead she checked on Denley one more time before laying her head near the end of the bed. It wasn’t comfortable, but her body was too weary to notice. Wondering where Edward would find suitable clothing in this unfamiliar Portuguese town, she fell asleep.

“Let me see that shirt,” Edward requested, charming as ever, as several shop employees rushed to serve him and be understood. Taking his time, Edward examined the cut and then asked for a smaller size.

Nearly an hour passed before he exited the store, a young man carrying his bags. He returned to his own room, compacted the things he bought into one bag, making everything as small as possible, checked on the man who was still out front, and used the back exit.

Once he was safely at the back of the inn across the street but before he entered, he stopped to think. She had accused him of enjoying this escapade, and to an extent he was, but just now the gravity of the situation hit him.

Denley was ill. Niki was running, quite possibly for her life. Edward had made something of a game out of finding her clothing, but there were still so many unanswered questions. If she was in trouble with the law, he would never be able to explain his innocence.

Please, Lord, let me be wise,
he prayed as he made his way inside.
I don’t want to leave them alone. I want to help and be a light. Help me to find out a little more. Help me to aid them without jeopardizing myself.

Even to Edward’s own ears the request seemed outrageous, but in his mind it was too late now. He had said he would help, and he would stand by his word. So far he’d not been asked to deny his principles. He prayed it wouldn’t come to that, for in that moment, he would leave Niki and Denley, helpless or not.

Chapter Six

“Here you go.” Once in the room, Edward handed Niki the bag. “Go over there and try these on,” he commanded.

Niki looked in the bag and saw shoes, pants, shirt, jacket, and a vest. She looked from the bag back to Edward.

“Are you leaving the room?” she asked him.

“No, I’ll just sit here.”

Without hesitation Niki shook her head.

“You’ll have to leave.”

Edward frowned. “Don’t be silly. I’ll sit here with Denley, my back to the room, and you’ll change. I can’t go out again until we see how these fit.”

“You can wait in the hall.”

“To anyone who cares to notice,” he replied, his voice holding the patience of Job as he attempted to explain how odd this would appear, “there are two men staying in this room. Why would I need to exit while you change?”

Edward held her eyes for just a moment. He then repositioned the chair and sat down, his broad back toward her.

Niki stared at the width of his shoulders, just five feet away. She might not look like a woman, but she was one. If he ever decided to do something against her will, she would have only her sword as a defense, and at the moment it wasn’t close by.

“Are you done?” Edward asked, his back still to her, fairly certain she hadn’t made a move.

“No.”

“Well, get going.”

Niki saw no help for it. Rushing so that she nearly tore her fancy clothing, her eyes on Edward at all times, she changed as swiftly as she could. The pants were a good fit, as was the shirt, but the vest was on the large side, and she suspected the jacket was too short.

“All set?” Edward asked when she stopped moving.

“Yes.”

Edward stood and faced her.

“Not bad,” he commented, his voice detached. “Turn around.”