“What happened in there?” Bella asked Aidan.
“Unfortunately, I could not carry Gwinnie. I was trying to coax her down the stairs. A piece of wood cracked above us. I tried to shield Gwinnie and put up my arm to ward the falling wood away. That worked, but it broke my arm.”
“And you caught on fire!” she said.
“A little, but Lake came up and kicked the wood away, slapped at my clothing to put out the fire, then picked up Gwinnie because he is big enough to carry her. It was but a moment. I’m amazed at my head-in-the-clouds writer nephew.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be. You have a capable family. Let them be capable,” she said. She looked at his arm dangling. “That can’t be good, for a broken arm to be hanging down like that. I’m going to remove your neckcloth and try to create a sling to support that arm,” she said, and fussed with the cravat knot.
He lifted his chin to give her more access. “How did you end up escaping with the others still locked in that room?”
“We took our stockings off, tied them together along with Mr. Gladely’s neckcloth. With our makeshift rope, Gwinnie held one end while I climbed out the window and down the side of the house.” She pulled his neckcloth loose. “This will probably hurt for me to pull your arm up and tie the cloth around your neck.”
“Let me help,” said a voice behind her. It was Lord Malmsby. “I’ll hold his arm up while you tie the cloth. Grit your teeth Aidan, this will hurt,” he said, as he and Bella positioned his arm into a sling.
Aidan leaned against a coach wheel when the sling was secured. “How did you come to be here?” he asked his brother, his voice raw.
He nodded toward the Bow Street Runner. “Mr. Martin came shortly after you left. He’d interviewed Reggie Stafford. The lad said he saw the flutist come out of the room on the left, the one he thought was closed. After the shot was fired.”
“The Lady Margaret Parlor,” Aidan said.
His brother nodded.
“Why didn’t he say anything that night?”
“Didn’t connect him to the shot.”
“Bloody Hell.”
The Duke nodded. “I decided it was highly probable that the Vizconde would try to attack her here, out of London. I had Gwinnie’s horse saddled and came on as fast as I could, leaving Mr. Martin to find his own mount.”
“And got here just in time.”
Lord Malmsby shrugged. “A duke has to have his uses,” he said.
Aidan laughed weakly. He straightened. “We have to get the women home, I’ll—”
“Stop,” said Lord Malmsby, holding up his hand. “The Duke isn’t done yet,” he said, winking at Bella. “Aidan, you’ll ride in the coach with the women. I’ll ride Tintagel back and let Mr. Martin ride Gwinnie’s horse. We’ll tie that bone-shaker brute he rode here on to the back of the coach. Lake, how are you doing? Can you ride ahead to warn Merlin he has patients coming?”
Lake grinned, “Yes, your grace,” he said, bowing stiffly. Lord Malmsby grinned back at him and cuffed him gently on the head. “On your way, then.”
Lake mounted his horse and turned back toward the city as Lord Malmsby organized the others.
Aidan and Bella sat together on the rear-facing seat. He kept her close to him, not caring it was his mother and niece who sat across from him. He would not let Bella escape again. He sighed deeply. Ultimately, no one was seriously hurt, and—to his amazement—they had all worked together. Though Bella’s house was a total loss, it could be rebuilt, but if he had any say in the matter, she would never live there. Richmond was too far from his gallery.
Aidan felt the happiest he had in years. An enormous weight had fallen off of him, and all because of Bella, the wonderful woman at his side. He smiled down at her.
“When are you two going to get married?” Lady Malmsby asked in a raspy voice, raspy now for the emotions that clogged her throat.
“As soon as I can get a special license,” Aidan declared.
“What?” said Bella. “But you haven’t even asked me yet, nor have I answered,” she said playfully.
“Special license!” objected his mother.
“Yes, I’m not willing to let anything, anyone, or any time come between us again! Bella, love of my life, will you marry me? And remember, we now have witnesses,” he said with mock sternness, nodding at his mother and niece.
“In a heartbeat,” declared Bella, “for my heart has been yours for three years.”
