Then Dubois shouted, “Jamieson! Unless you want your daughter to see her fiancé’s brains blown out all over the floor, you better call your men off.”
Everyone in the tavern froze, but before Jamieson could reply, a shot rang out. Dubois screamed and dropped the gun. Jack swiveled around to find shock etched across Dubois’ features as he looked down at the gaping hole in his hand. Jack punched him in the face and gut in a quick one-two combo that laid Dubois on the floor in seconds, still clutching at his hand. Winters came over and stepped on Dubois’s chest with his boot, neatly trapping him.
“Who shot him?” Winters asked glancing around.
Jack looked to the back of the room. Vivian knelt in front of her table, arms still outstretched with the pistol smoking. She dropped it to the ground, letting out a sob. Jack strode across the room. He scooped her up into his arms.
“I know I wasn’t supposed to do anything brave, but he was going to shoot you.” Tears ran down her cheeks. He buried his face in her hair, holding her close.
“Darling, you did just the right thing. Thank you.”
“Told you she was a damn good shot.” Jamieson came over to them. “Vivian, are you all right?”
She nodded, but didn’t look up from where her face pressed against his chest.
“I am taking her out of here. We will be heading straight back to Stoneleigh even if it takes us all night.” Picking her up, one hand under her knees, he marched out to the waiting carriage.
He tucked her closely next to him on the carriage ride home. Exhaustion from her ordeal overtook her and snuggling in, she fell asleep to the sway of the carriage. Jack, on the other hand, sat reeling from the realization Vivian had just saved his life by shooting a man clear through the hand. Was there anything this woman couldn’t do?
Clearly, she had been distraught at the violence. She’d been shaking like a leaf and in tears. His arm reflexively tightened around her. He put her in that position. He got her involved with Moreau. Otherwise, Dubois wouldn’t have known where to find her. If he hadn’t come back into her life, she would be marrying some nice boring husband like Andrew’s friend, Lord Perfect. A man who would take care of her and certainly not bring her to the middle of tavern brawls.
He needed to step back from her and leave. No matter what he pretended, he was no gentleman. Trouble seemed to follow him like a plague. How could it not as long as he worked for the Foreign Office? He would not risk putting Vivian in danger again.
He looked down at her face relaxed in sleep and sighed deeply. She would be hurt and angry at first, but then she would realize how crazy she had been to want to marry a rogue like him. She would find someone else easily.
Jack leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The pain of knowing they could not have a future together stole his breath. The question was, did he have the strength to let her go?
Chapter Thirty-Five
Though they arrived at Stoneleigh in the early morning hours, the minute they stepped out of the carriage, it seemed to Vivian the entire household poured out the front door. Gabrielle ran across the drive, flinging her arms around Vivian. Tears of relief ran down her face.
“Oh, Gabi, I am all right.” She hugged her friend. “I promise nothing more than a bump on the head and a torn dress. Jack and Papa came to save me.”
Gabi let go of Vivian and threw her arms around Jack. “Thank you for bringing her back safely. Andrew said you would.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh, my dear.” Aunt Grace and Aunt Evelyn hugged Vivian tightly. “After Gabrielle told us about that terrible pirate Dubois, we have been beside ourselves with worry!”
Andrew took in Jack’s torn jacket and knuckles dried with blood. “Looks like I missed quite a fight.”
“Are you all right, dear?” Lady Gilchrest asked.
Jack leaned and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Yes, I am all right. I think we could both use a bath and some food.”
“Yes! A bath would be divine. You can’t imagine how disgusting I feel. I think I’d like to burn this dress.”
Everyone trooped inside. Gabrielle took Vivian’s arm and led her upstairs to her room. A moment later, Caroline burst in. “Are you all right, Vivi?”
“Well, I was kidnapped, kicked in the head, rescued, set a trap for Dubois, and shot him when he tried to kill Jack. All in all, an exhausting couple of days.” Thinking of all that had transpired, Vivian sank straight to the carpet in a pool of torn skirts.
Pearl raced over to jump into her lap. The puppy frantically jumped up to bathe her face with kisses. “Hi Pearl, did you miss me?” She snuggled the pup against her chest, scratching her behind her ears. Gabi and Caroline both settled next to her, and she told them everything that had happened.
“Egad, Vivi! You shot him right through the hand?” Caroline asked.
“Well, it was the hand holding the gun, it seemed the best way to disarm him from a distance. I was terrified I would to shoot Jack by accident. I nearly swooned after I fired.”
“So, Dubois is captured?” Gabi asked in a quiet voice.
Vivian reached for her hand. “Yes, Lord Winters and Mr. Morgan took him into custody. There is no chance for him now. He sold British intelligence to Napoleon. He will for sure hang for his crimes.”
