Brianna felt a wave of fresh dread as the ship docked at Port Royal. Nicholas stood at her side, his arm around her waist. She should have resented it, felt there was some subtle message of ownership behind it, but right now it was the only thing that comforted her enough to keep her sane.
The last three days had changed everything. She’d gone from hating him to using him to needing him. By the third day, he’d left his pallet upon the floor empty and tucked himself around her, and she’d held on to his arm wrapped around her waist as though it was the only thing that kept her grounded. He hadn’t tried to seduce her into bed, hadn’t suggested passing the time with pleasurable distractions. He’d only kissed her cheek, sweetly, comfortingly, before giving her what she’d needed—a sense of comf
