Defending the Duchess Read Free Page B

the glimmer of a streak of tears descending down each of her cheeks.
    He swallowed. How was he supposed to raise the question that had suddenly become the foremost on hismind? If she really didn’t want him around, she certainly wouldn’t want to discuss it with him.
    “Did I offend you?”
    She startled and blinked up at him.
    In his exhaustion, his voice had come out a good half octave lower than its usual bass. He probably sounded sinister. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “I’m sorry. You’re supposed to page me if you want to go out.”
    “WhenI go out under guard it seems like such a fuss. I thought it would be easier this way.” The emotion behind her words strained her voice plaintively.
    Linus almost felt guilty for pursuing her. But then, if he hadn’t arrived when he did, her attacker would have carried her off. Obviously she wasn’t going to share more of her feelings right now, and he needed to get her to a secure location.He switched topics. “How’s your leg? Do you need a hospital?”
    “It’s just a surface injury. I can try walking.” She planted her feet on the ground and started to stand, then winced.
    Linus scooted across the bench to her side, ready to help in whatever way he could, but unsure if she welcomed further contact with him. It would be easier if he didn’t find her so charming, if her predicamentdidn’t bring out every protective instinct inside him, even if he knew where he stood with her.
    She rested one hand on his shoulder for just a moment before gulping a breath and letting go, trying again to stand on her own.
    A whimper escaped her lips.
    “You can lean on me,” he offered. They’d lingered too long. He had yet to hear a report of capture, and that wasn’t a good thing.They needed to get moving. If Julia’s attacker decided to circle around to strike again, he could have easily caught up to them by now, even going out of his way. For all they knew, the man might have accomplices.
    “You’re exhausted.” She met his eyes. Tears still pooled among her lashes.
    Linus refused to think about how pretty she looked. “Let me help you. If I need to, I will carryyou all the way to the hospital.”
    Her face puckered and she looked as if she was about to cry. “You don’t need to do that. I can walk.” She straightened and forced herself to take a step.
    Her injured leg gave way beneath her.
    Linus got under her arm in time to prop her up. The woman was too independent for her own good. For her safety, he had to get her off the beach quickly.
    Even if it made her cry.
    “Come on. Lean on me.”
    “I hate to be a burden.”
    “It’s that or I carry you.” To his relief, she relented to leaning heavily against him, half hopping as they made their way toward the boardwalk that led to the marina. From there, they could connect with the sidewalk along the main boulevard.
    They made it a few more steps before the duchess sniffled.
    “Are we hurting your leg? We can stop.”
    “My leg is fine.” Her words came out in a strained whisper.
    The shock of her attack was taking its toll on her. And her leg wasn’t fine—he could feel her shudder in pain with every step she took.
    “Please let me carry you again,” he requested, unwilling to pluck her up against her will, especially after the way her attacker had manhandledher. He’d only provoke more tears that way. “I’ll get you back to your sister.”
    “No!”
    Her sudden insistence surprised him, and he stopped walking long enough to look her full in the face. “Your sister, Queen Monica—”
    “Don’t tell Monica what happened.”
    “She’ll have to know.”
    “Please.” Julia’s grip tightened around his waist, and her free hand clutched his wrist. “She’sbeen through too much lately. She looked so tired today. I don’t want her to worry.”
    “The royal guard was dispatched to look for your attacker. Your leg is injured.”
    The duchess sucked in a trembling breath. Given his proximity