“It isYour Grace, and we have nothing to discuss. You broke into my home. You threatened my wife.” In three long strides, he clutched Gavin by the neckcloth and hoisted him against the wall. He was magnificent in his fury, a fierce warrior worthy of the dark knight of my dreams.
“Are you all right?” Colt appeared by my side, and I stifled a shriek, tears blinding me. Lord Golden, the true Lord Golden, had joined the dark knight in their quest to save Lady X. He slipped the gun from my nerveless fingers, his eyes a tender caress. How and why he was there was utmost in my mind, but now wasn’t the time to ask the questions.
“It isn’t loaded,” I said, wanting to throw myself into his arms. It was time for me to stand my ground and not give in to my fears. My fierce heroes had come to my rescue. I owed them strength, not weakness.
“You owe me,” Gavin said, his face turning purple from the pressure against his neck. The man deserved to be punished, but Kendrick might go too far.
“Let him go, Lord Kendrick. There are better ways to solve this little dilemma. Killing him isn’t the most reasonable option,” Colt said, trying to defuse the situation. His customary calmness radiated from him, projecting a sense of well-being.
After a telling moment, Kendrick dropped his hold on Gavin. His chest rising and falling from the effort, he crossed his arms and glared at his ex-lover. “You’re lucky Colt is here.”
Gavin coughed into his sleeve, the color returning to his face. His shirt collar was askew, and his jacket was wrinkled from where Kendrick had clutched it. “You tried to kill me.”
Kendrick cocked one strong brow, the tick in his jaw more pronounced. “Did I? Who here will attest to your claim?”
“I think it is time for Gavin and me to have a few minutes alone to discuss a certain gentleman’s agreement he signed with me,” Colt said, motioning to the door leading into the hallway.
“That isn’t binding,” Gavin said.
Colt offered a telling shrug. “Isn’t it?”
“I need some air. Lillian, will you accompany me outside?” Kendrick held his arm out to me, a sheen of intense emotion in his direct gaze.
“Yes, of course.” I glanced over my shoulder, unsure if it was wise to leave Colt alone with Gavin, clearly a desperate man. My husband decided for me. The strength of his hand was welcome, for my knees were weak from the trauma of the last half an hour.
The second he opened the door leading into the foyer, three of our servants hopped back, concern etched on their faces. Frank held a walking stick with a sharp blade at the tip. The new maid a pair of scissors, and the chef a meat cleaver.
“It appears you had plenty of protection from our dedicated staff. Our thanks to you and your bravery,” Kendrick said, guiding me past them.
“Thank you,” I said, smiling at them all. Contentment cut through my earlier trauma. Kendrick was by my side, and Colt was where he belonged. Home.
It was night, and a mist hung over the garden. He guided me to the kiln, the embers still stoked despite his absence. I was glad for the warmth, but more so, the support of my husband.
“Lillian, I—”
I threw my arms around his neck, the tears beginning to fall. His strength bolstered me, and I ached to lose myself in the safety of his arms. The entire week he was gone had seemed like a lifetime. He was back, and I had to put my fears aside if I ever hoped to build a future with him. “Oh, Kendrick. I missed you. I love you. I love you so much.”
“I’m sorry you were subjected to his horridness. I didn’t kiss him earlier. He caught me by surprise. Regardless, you have every right to be angry. I was a fool to trust him.” He patted my back, his arms squeezing me tightly to his long frame. Although he uttered no words of love, I sensed them in his tight embrace. Joy bloomed inside my chest. He held me close to his heart, where I wished to remain until the end of my days.
“I’m just glad you are home.”
“When I saw you with that gun ... forced to protect yourself against a man bent on harming you because of me ... I, oh Lillian, I couldn’t bear to lose you. You are the light in my darkness.” He palmed the back of my neck, his fingers buried in my hair. He pressed a soft kiss to my temple, cheek, and jaw, each gentle caress strumming my heartstrings.
“And you are my dark knight. I’m in love with you, Kendrick, and I’ll not apologize for it.” I was proud that my voice came out strong and purposeful.
“I love you, Lillian.” He pulled back and cupped my cheek. Warm lips played over mine, his tender kiss full of reverence. I had been kissed by him before in friendship and passion. Never with love. A tear traced a path down my cheek, followed by another. Bliss radiated from inside my core, encompassing my entire being.
My dark knight had come to my rescue. Yes, he had flaws, and while he might stumble and fall along the way, I would walk the path beside him until my last breath.
