Page 113 of The Siren of Sussex

They were none of them very worthy opponents. Their blows were imprecise, their balance affected by too much rum.

It was over in seconds.

The first two sailors limped away into the fog, supporting the third between them.

Ahmad climbed into the carriage, sinking down beside Evelyn. The coachman sprang the horse into a trot.

Evelyn looked horrified. “Did you fight them?”

“It wasn’t a fight.”

“You’re bleeding!”

He touched the side of his mouth, surprised to find a trickle of moisture. “A trifling thing. It’s no matter.”

She withdrew a handkerchief from her sleeve. “Here. Let me.” Leaning closer, she gently dabbed away the blood. “I don’t know what you were thinking. They might have killed you.”

“There was no chance of that.”

“There were three of them.”

“They were drunk.”

“There were three of them.” She blotted the side of his mouth with renewed vigor.

He caught her hand, stilling her ministrations. “I was in no danger. Dealing with situations like that . . . It was my job for nearly half of my life. It’s nothing to me.”

She stared into his eyes. “That’s what you did at Mrs. Pritchard’s? Fought men like that?”

“I told you. It’s not fighting.”

“What, then?”

“They were making a nuisance of themselves, so I dispatched them.” His fingers curled around hers. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It was those men who scared me. Shouting at me that way—and at you. What was that name they called you?”

Ahmad inwardly grimaced. “Nothing.” He released her hand. “A stupid slur Englishmen like to call people who are part Indian.”

Her brows knit. She looked as though she wanted to say more on the subject. To ask him what the slur meant, no doubt. But she didn’t.

A fact for which he was grateful.

She folded her handkerchief before putting it away. “I’m sorry you must be subjected to such things on my account.”

“I would endure a great deal more to keep you safe,” he said.

Her gaze found his in the dim light of the carriage lamp. There was something inexplicable in her eyes.

His chest tightened. He wished he hadn’t said anything.

“You’re very good,” she said. “To bring me here like this, and to deal with those men on my behalf.”

“I fear all of this excitement has taken away from your reunion with your sister.”

“Ah. That.”

“Was your errand successful?”