Sophie didn’t delude herself into thinking that Reese loved her like she loved him, but they had a connection that was deep, intense, and true. Perhaps it was silly of her, but she imagined that maybe years from now, sometime after she was married to Lord Singleton and after Reese had battled his demons, they’d still think of each other.

Maybe they’d remember how they felt on this night and take comfort from the knowledge that they’d been friends … and more. No matter what happened, they’d always share this connection.

“Your eyelids are drooping,” Reese said, his voice affectionately gruff. “Why don’t you rest?”

Sophie sighed, snuggling her cheek against her pillow. “You’ll stay here with me?”

“Yes,” he said. “At least until you fall asleep. And after that, I’ll be in my bedchamber, just down the hall.”

She frowned but was too tired to protest. Reese was with her now … and that was enough.

Chapter 20

Sophie woke suddenly to a bedchamber that was almost completely dark. Reese no longer lay on the mattress beside her, and for some reason, the hairs on the back of her arms stood on end. Instantly alert, she threw off the covers, sat up, and lit a candle on the nightstand.

The house was eerily silent, and her heart raced as she tiptoed into the corridor and headed for Reese’s room.

Earlier that night, when he’d shared a glimpse of the harrowing experiences he and his men had faced, it was clear to her he’d lanced wounds that had only just begun to scab over. She’d seen the raw pain in his face as he’d opened up to her, and she hoped he wasn’t suffering the same way now, hours later.

The door to his bedchamber was slightly ajar, and she moved quietly as she peered into the room. He was sprawled across the large bed, the sheets tangled around his legs as though he wrestled a ghost. As she moved closer, she could see he was still asleep, but perspiration covered his face and chest, and the expression on his face was tortured.

He rolled over, thrashing on the mattress, and his low, anguished moan broke her heart.

“Reese,” she said softly, not wanting to startle him. “It’s me, Sophie.”

But he continued to groan and struggle against an invisible enemy, deaf to her words.

“Reese,” she said more loudly.

He fisted his hands in the sheets and let out a hoarse cry. “No,” he murmured, oblivious to anything, apparently, but the nightmare playing out in his head.

Oh God. She had to do something. Couldn’t let him suffer another minute.

She scrambled onto the bed beside him and firmly placed her hands on the sides of his face.

“Look at me, Reese,” she said. “It’s me, Sophie. I’m right here with you, and you’re safe in your room.”