Juliana Garnett (58 page)

“Sssh, now, he’ll be fine,” she said soothingly, stroking the dog’s broad, golden head. “It’s me you should be worrying over, lad. I won’t get out of this as well off as you and your grand friend here.”

Rob touched her arm. “Go up and sit with the others, Ellie. I’m going to change his clothes.”

“No. I’ll help.” At Rob’s grim silence she glanced up. “Brother of mine, I was married for twelve years, you know. A man’s body is nothing new to me. And if I’m going to be alone with this one for a whole month, I’ll probably see more of him than I ever wanted.”

He cursed softly. “I must have been crazy when we decided this plan. A true man wouldn’t let his sister—”

“A true man knows when his sister is the best choice for a job. Now stop worrying!”

“If anything goes awry—”

“I’ll have done what my heart and soul told me to do. Now come. Let’s get this great, vain beast into some practical clothes.”

Together they began undressing Douglas Kincaid. By the time they finished Elgiva was quivering inside from touching him, and she knew for certain that living alone with him for the next month would be more dangerous than she’d ever imagined.