Gavin: “What? Get her out of there. Give me the key. Now!”
Scuffling. Fists connecting with flesh and bone. A thud. Cursing. Struggling. A yelp of pain. Keys jangling.
A crash.
“Evangeline, I’m going to get you out of there. Stay strong.” More jangling. “Damn it.” Hollow clicking. “Not this one either.Damnit.”
The door swung open and Evangeline tumbled out into the hall.
Gavin caught her before she hit the floor, stared at her in horror. “What the hell did he do to you?”
She could only shake her head and cling to him.
“Come on,” he hugged her tightly. “Let’s get you out of here.”
“You can’t.” Neal hauled himself up from the floor. “I’m her legal guardian.”
“Not for long.” Gavin swept Evangeline into his arms, carried her to the receiving room by the front door, laid her on the sofa closest to the crackling fire. “Please,” he said softly, kneeling before her. “Will you marry me?”
She nodded, touched his hand. “I would love to.”
It wasn’t until she saw his eyes widen that she realized even now, even under these circumstances, he hadn’t been completely convinced she’d say yes.
“Gavin.” She smiled up at him. “Youarea good person. I love you.”
He grinned. “I loveyou.”
“Touching,” Neal drawled as he lounged against the doorway. “But she shan’t marry you without my permission.”
“Then you shall give it.” Gavin searched his pockets. He pulled out a pistol, set it on the cushion by Evangeline’s feet, then pulled out several sheets of folded parchment.
She stared at the parchment, the pistol, then Gavin. He was so calm, so rational. Not railing at top volume or throwing vicious punches like the murderous madman he’d been made out to be. Which was good. One madman in the room was enough.
Her stepfather stepped closer, knife drawn. “What the hell is that?”
“Marriage contract.” Gavin rose to his feet. He held the papers out to Neal, who snatched them immediately.
Evangeline blinked up at Gavin. “When did you have time to draft a marriage contract?”
“I didn’t,” he confessed. “This contract was supposed to be for Nancy and Teasdale. Heatherbrook was making copies of it that night in my office. I brought pen and ink in the carriage and changed a few details. Like the bride. And the groom. It’ll serve as intent until I can have my solicitor draw up another. By tomorrow, at the very latest.”
“Assuming I sign,” Neal interrupted. His face twisted in distaste. “Why would I?”
“Money,” Gavin answered simply. “I have plenty. If you keep her here, you’ll see none of it. So name your price.”
“You’d pay for her?” Neal sneered, but his eyes lit with greed. “Like a whore?”
Although his jaw tensed, Gavin lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’d give her my life. What’s money? Sign.”
“Hmmm.” Neal cast Evangeline an appraising look. “If I keep her, I can use her as a witch and make far more money than whatever you’re offering.”
“I am not your plaything.” Evangeline picked up the pistol Gavin had placed at her feet and aimed it at her stepfather. She would never hurt another human being…but Neal Pemberton hardly counted.
Eyebrows raised, Neal glanced from Evangeline to Gavin, then back to Evangeline. “Put the gun down.”
She kept it trained on her stepfather’s chest.
“See here,” he said, backing up a step. “I can’t sign if I’m dead. I won’t sign either copy until it says exactly how much money I have coming. Ten thousand pounds?”
