could demand he release me, but I seriously doubt that he would. And what if he did? Did she really want that?
This is ridiculous,
she chided herself. Forcing her gaze to the path, she nodded and said, “Shouldn’t we get back? Maybe you could just put me down now. I’m feeling much better.”
Logan gave her a little toss upward to get a better hold. She let out an audible gasp and tightly gripped her arms around Logan’s neck.
“Don’t!” she squealed with the abandonment of a child. Logan looked at her strangely and Amelia tried to calm her nerves. “I—I’ve always been afraid of falling,” she offered lamely. “Please put me down.”
“Nope,” he said and started for camp. When he came to the edge of the clearing it was evident that everyone else was still collecting firewood. Logan stopped and asked, “Why are you afraid of falling?”
Amelia’s mind went back in time. “When I was very young someone held me out over the edge of the balcony and threatened to spill me. I was absolutely terrified and engaged myself in quite a spell until Mother reprimanded me for being so loud.”
“No reprimand for the one doing the teasing, eh?” Logan’s voice was soft and sympathetic.
“No, she knew Jeffery didn’t mean anything by it.” Amelia could have laughed at the stunned expression on Logan’s face.
“Not Sir Jeffery?” he asked in mock horror.
“None other. I think it amused him to see me weak and helpless.”
“Then he’s a twit.”
Amelia’s grin broadened into a smile. “Yes, he is.”
“Amelia! What’s wrong?”
“Speaking of the twit,” Logan growled low against her ear and Amelia giggled. His warm breath against her ear, not to mention the mustache, tickled. “Amelia’s fine, she just overdid it a bit. I’m putting her down for a rest.”
“I can take her,” Jeffery said, dropping the wood he’d brought. He brushed at his coat and pulled off his gloves as he crossed the clearing.
“Well, Lady Amhurst, it’s twits or barbarians. Which do you prefer?” he questioned low enough that only Amelia could hear.
Amelia felt her breath quicken at the look Logan gave her.
What is happening to me? I’m acting like a schoolgirl. This must stop
, she thought and determined to feel nothing but polite gratitude toward Mr. Logan Reed. When she looked at each man and said nothing, Logan deposited her in Jeffery’s waiting arms.
“Guess your feelings are pretty clear,” he said and turned to leave.
“But I didn’t say a thing, Mr. Reed,” Amelia said, unconcerned with Jeffery’s questioning look.
Logan turned. “Oh, but you did.” As he walked away he called back to Jeffery, “Put her in her tent and help her with her bedroll. I’ll have some food brought to her when it’s ready.”
“He’s an extremely rude man, what?”
Amelia watched Logan walk away. She felt in some way she had insulted him, but surely he hadn’t really expected her to choose him over Jeffery. He was only a simple American guide and Jeffery, well, Jeffery was much more than that. If only he were much more of something Amelia could find appealing.
“Put me down, Jeffery. I am very capable of walking and this familiarity is making me most uncomfortable,” she demanded and Jeffery quickly complied. She knew deep in her heart that Logan would never be bullied in such a way.
“Mr. Reed said to have you lie down.”
“I heard him and I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. Now shouldn’t you help get the firewood? Mr. Reed also said we were to expect a cold night.” Jeffery nodded and Amelia took herself to the tent, stopping only long enough to give Logan a defiant look before throwing back the flaps and secluding herself within.
“Men, like religion, are a nuisance,” she muttered as she untied the strings on her bedroll.
Chapter 6
M orning came with bone-numbing cold and Amelia was instantly grateful for her sisters. Snuggling closer to Penelope, Amelia warmed and drifted
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