Free The Pursuit by Lori Wick

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.”
    Niki’s look was long-suffering and a bit mutinous.
    “Go ahead,” Edward commanded, making a circular movement in the air with his finger.
    “No,” he said when she spun for him, still sounding like a man on a mission with little emotional attachment. “That jacket won’t do at all, much too short.”
    Niki stood mute.
    “Take it off so I can see how we did with the vest.”
    Niki obeyed, a sense of unreality stealing over her.
    “Perfect,” Edward declared.
    “It’s huge.”
    “Not for a servant’s servant.”
    “Is that what I’ll be?” Niki sounded slightly horrified.
    “Of course. You’d be a lousy gentleman’s gentleman. You’re too used to being waited on. You’ll answer to Denley and he’ll answer to me.”
    “Denley is sick,” she reminded him patiently.
    “We’ll give the appearance of your answering to