but many moved toward Sarah's wagon, which was now illuminated by bright torches. Elise stared at the darkened place where the cage had been erected, wondering what Sterling was doing. She noted that a few women also stared in the same direction. Would they seek out his wagon? No wonder he had thought she was there to find amusement with him that first night. He was handsome, devastatingly handsome. He would draw women like moths to the flame.
She would not stay and witness the fawning. Elise thought it was a perfect time to slip to the inn and secure a room. Most of the patrons were still milling about. She needed her valise, however, so she moved toward Sterling's wagon. She had only stepped into the darkness when a hand grabbed her arm.
"Hello, Gypsy girl," a voice slurred. "I saw you in the crowd and thought we might have a roll together."
She couldn't see the man, but his breath reeked of liquor. "Unhand me this instant," she snapped. "I do not wish to share your company."
The stranger yanked her up close to him. "Whether you're willing or not makes no difference to me. Who cares what happens to thieving scum like you?"
"I care."
The voice belonged to Sterling, and Elise was never so happy to hear it.
"Go about your business, man, and leave me to mine," the stranger said.
Elise tried to twist away from the drunken man's hold, but his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her arm.
"Let her go."
Sterling did not raise his voice, but his tone was deadly. A low growl sounded in the darkness and rose the hair on the back of her neck.
"Say, who's there?" the man asked, a tremor audible along with the slur. "Be you a man or a beast?"
No answer. Another low growl. The man released her and ran away. Elise might have relaxed, but the growl? What was it?
"Sterling?' she whispered. "Are you here?"
The silence stretched. Her heart began to beat at an alarming rate. She lifted a hand to her throat. A tall shadow suddenly stood next to her.
"Are you all right, Elise?"
"Sterling," she sighed. "Yes, I'm fine. The man..." Her voice trailed off. It was impossible, but when she glanced up she swore she saw the glow of an animal's eyes staring down at her. She shivered in the chilly evening air, blinked, and when she looked again, all she saw was Sterling's tall shadow against the night.
"What about the man?"
"He's run away," she answered. "I was trying to make my way to your wagon in order to fetch my valise."
"So, you are leaving?"
She had no choice in the matter. She'd paid for the privilege of sharing his wagon until nightfall, and night had fallen. "Yes. I am leaving."
He took her arm and guided her toward his wagon. "Best you go now while most of the patrons are still gawking at the sights and having their fortunes told."
"That's what I thought, too," she said. "Now I'm not so certain I want to make my way to the inn alone."
"No, I will escort you," he assured her.
"You are a noble man beneath the skin," she teased. "Even if you refuse to act the part."
"You have no idea what I am beneath the skin. But I won't see you molested."
They reached the wagon and Elise scrambled inside. She grabbed her valise; then they went off into the night, toward the muted glow of the inn.
Part Four CHAPTER 8
As they walked, she said, "Must you stick your head inside of Raja's mouth? You nearly took ten years off my life."
Sterling chuckled. "You didn't find my performance thrilling?"
"Well, yes," she admitted. "But really, Sterling, you should be more careful. The tiger attacked you tonight!" She felt his regard and asked, "What?"
"It's been a long while since anyone has fussed over me, and Raja attacking me is part of the performance. He loves to wrestle."
"Oh," she sighed. "You could have told me. I was frightened for you."
"It's been a long while since anyone cared what might happen to me, too. It's... nice."
A rush of pleasure washed over Elise. It had been a long time since she'd been allowed to fuss over or care about anyone. But Sterling was not the proper man to bestow her feelings upon. They were ill suited for each other... she supposed as were her mother and father. Of course Elise had closed a considerable amount of distance between their stations when she ran away from her uncle. She kept forgetting