He snorted.
“I’m serious.”
“All right, next time I shall grab your little body and plant it in front of me to use as a shield,” he said with obvious sarcasm. “Sure, let me break my sacred vows to honor and protect you. No problem.”
She sighed. “I think Havers or one of his constables shot the woman. She wasn’t moving, so I think she might be dead.”
“Too bad he couldn’t stop her before she managed to get off her shot. Did you see who it was? The maid, Flossie? Or her sister?”
“I couldn’t tell. I’m sure we will hear the entire story once we get home.” She smiled at the remark because the Thorne townhouse was now her home, although she expected Julius would insist on their acquiring a residence of their own in the coming months.
Dr. Farthingale gave Julius some apple cider to drink, had him rest for a little while longer because he had lost quite a bit of blood, and then put his arm in a sling to keep it from getting knocked about for the next few days.
Only then did he allow Julius to be taken home.
“Gad, we look a mess.” Julius cast her a pained grin as they settle together on the seat bench opposite Ambrose.
Ambrose groaned. “An understatement. Well, it makes for exciting storytelling, something to tell your grandchildren in later years. Although, I would not encourage them to have such wild adventures when their turn comes to court and marry.”
“I’ve ruined Adela’s gown.” Gory sighed as she glanced at the bloodstains on it, for it was one thing to ruin her own gowns, but to also destroy Adela’s? And this tea rose silk was so lovely and delicate.
“I’ll buy her a dozen more,” Ambrose said, shrugging it off. “She’ll chide me and insist she doesn’t need any. But this is what makes the three of you – Adela, Syd, and you – so perfect for us. It is our hearts you treasure, and that is something priceless.”
“Gory also treasures the Huntsford forensics laboratory,” Julius teased. “Stop her if she pulls out a scalpel and tries to dissect me.”
“Julius!” But she knew he was starting to feel better if he had the wherewithal to tease her and toss jests. “I think you have been cut up enough for a lifetime.”
He laughed but soon sobered. “Gory, let me take you away from London. We needn’t attend your uncle’s funeral. Ambrose and Adela can represent us there.”
She pursed her lips, wanting to agree with him.
It was an impossible situation, but she had to attend the funeral and allow the last of this ordeal to play out. Also, she wanted to pay proper respect to her uncle. They were both meant to die that night, and this formed a sort of bond that had never existed between them while he was alive. “Do you think Havers will arrest my aunt and her cohorts now? Will this latest incident provide the proof to bring his investigation to a close?”
Julius released a breath. “I hope so. Three attempts on your life are more than enough. Besides, I have no more arms to give to their wayward aim.”
Gory’s eyes began to tear.
She had held herself together in Dr. Farthingale’s surgery, but it all suddenly felt too much for her.
Julius leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Stay strong for me, love. Do not falter now that we are almost at the end.”
Almost.
But not ended yet.
“Havers might be waiting for us at home, ready to give us a full report,” Ambrose said.
Julius nodded. “Let’s hope so.”
They rode on through the busy streets, the three of them now silent and lost to their thoughts.
Gory listened to the din of pedestrians and carriages converging on each other, of drivers shouting to each other to watch where they were going, and bystanders dodging out of the way. Hawkers could also be heard on occasion selling their wares.
The ride along the park was quieter, and Gory was relieved when they finally turned onto the pretty square where they resided and Ambrose’s magnificent townhouse came into view.
Julius insisted on stepping down from the carriage on his own, scowling at Octavian when he rushed out of the house to help him. Wisely, Octavian backed away and allowed his brother to manage on his own. “Stubborn arse,” Octavian muttered with a sigh of sufferance before turning to Gory and helping her down. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Yes, just a bit shaken.”
