Free Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) by Cynthia Luhrs Page A

inched closer for a better look. “Why she’s no wearin’ any clothes!”
    Robert chuckled. “Aye, she wouldn’t take a bath with her clothes on, now would she? No worries, she’s not dead, just suffered a bad cut and now she’s sleeping.”
    Seemingly satisfied, the boy looked to Robert for his orders. “Do ye want me ta bake her a cake?”
    “That would be very nice but first I require your assistance. You see the bandages?” Seeing the lad nod, he continued. “We cannot let them get wet but we must wash her hair. Do you think you can protect her wounds from the mighty water?”
    The boy stood up straight and looked Robert in the eye. “Aye, Cap’n. I swear I won’t let a bit o’ water get on the lady’s Band-Aid.”
    He smothered a chuckle at the solemnness of the vow. “Come then.” As Jamie supported her shoulder, Robert washed her hair, carefully pouring the water over her stunning red hair.
    Sweet Jamie wrinkled his nose, “Something stinks. Smells like poop.” The lad leaned over to sniff near the woman’s hair. “Ugh, it’s her. She reeks.”
    This time he couldn’t help it, the ridiculous situation, the bloody week ahead…he lost it and threw back his head roaring with laughter. “You’ve got that right, Sweet Jamie. The lady stinks to high heaven. Me thinks she crawled through the sewers. We’ll get her cleaned up, won’t we?” He reached out, ruffling the boy’s dirty blond hair.
    “We will, Cap’n. Then she won’t stink no more.” The youngster screwed up his face in concentration. “Why was she in the sewers? Was a bad man after her?”
    Robert’s voice was quiet when he answered. “I’m not sure lad. We’ll find out when she wakes, but she’s safe now, just as you were. Don’t worry, I’ll protect her too.”
    Bloody hell. He meant it. The thought startled him. She’d unwittingly ruined his entire existence, but he’d be damned if he’d let some lowlife hurt her. Sweet Jamie nodded, biting his lip in concentration as he held a towel over her bound shoulder to keep it dry.
    The only sounds in the dining room were the sound of water tricking down the edge of the copper tub, splashing back into the water as he finished washing her hair. Sitting back on his heels, Robert rubbed his throat. It was still raw and sore from the noose.
    “Alright lad, help me get our lady out of the tub.” The boy handed Robert towels to wrap her in as he lifted her out of the gray, grimy water. He carried her back into his room. Jamie preceded him bringing the borrowed clothing. While they were in the bath, Ian had stripped the room clean. There were fresh sheets on the bed, the window closed against the cold night air and a pot of water simmered above the fire. Vanilla and cinnamon filled the room to banish the odor from the cabin.
    Jamie put a towel on the pillow for her wet hair as Robert finished drying her off. ‘Twas rather a challenge to dress an unconscious woman. He was used to undressing women, but had never dressed a woman. Usually he was leaving their chambers before dawn or they managed on their own. His lip quirked…the lady in question would probably be mortified to know he’d stripped her, washed her and clothed her all whilst she was dead to the world. He was amazed she hadn’t woken yet and a bit worried if truth be told. But her breath was even, her pulse steady so he felt certain she’d come to when her body had healed enough of its own accord.
    “Jamie lad, ye did well. Go ahead now, off to the galley for something to eat. I thank ye.” Robert was born in Wales but spent so much time in the UK and sailing to exotic ports, his accent was a mishmash of all the places he’d been. He scrubbed a hand over his face, tired.
    Jamie blushed, “Thank ye, Cap’n. I’m going to bake a cake for our lady so she’ll have a sweet when she wakes. She will wake, won’t she?”
    “Aye, she’ll wake. Oftentimes the body shuts down the mind so it can heal. Like when you