Bridget opened her mouth to scream for help, but before she could let out a sound, Victor was shoved away from her. Sounds of fists hitting flesh erupted into the air as Bridget stood still for a moment, dazed and frightened. Mr. Conway appeared in front of her, the wrinkles around his eyes creased with worry as he said something she could not quite hear. Then suddenly everything came into reality.
“My lady, are you all right? Are you hurt?” Mr. Conway begged her to answer.
Panting and terrified, Bridget drew her eyes to the scuffle taking place on the floor. Adrian, whom she had not seen since the night he had left her at the inn in Alfriston, was atop Victor, had his hand wrapped around Victor’s shirt collar, and was throwing another punch into the man’s face with the other. She watched as Victor’s head snapped back from the force of the hit, followed by a snarl of rage.
“Adrian,” she whispered, unable to believe it.
“Who in the devil are you?” Victor growled.
Adrian was not looking at him anymore, though. It was as if he had heard Bridget’s whisper, and he was now looking at her, his piercing blue eyes shining with both rage and worry. He slammed Victor down before getting up, and as he drew closer to her, Bridget could see his hands shaking. He held them up to her face, as if he was going to caress her cheek, then at thelast second thought better of it as his eyes surveyed her face and body.
“Did he hurt you, Bridget?” Adrian said with a shaking breath. “I need you to tell me.”
It took Bridget a moment, still stunned as she was by all that had just unfolded, but eventually she shook her head as her rapid breaths began to slow.
“No, I…” she rasped, then licked her parched lips as her eyes darted from Victor to Adrian. “I am all right now.”
Adrian let out a groan as he bowed his head, his raven locks tickling her lips.
“Thank God,” he groaned.
“Answer me!” Victor yelled as he rose on shaky feet behind Adrian. “Who the devil are you, and how did you get in? Mr. Conway! Apprehend him at once! Have Farley call the constable!”
“I am afraid I cannot do that, my lord,” Mr. Conway answered as Adrian and Bridget still stared at one another. “I work for the lady of the house. Not you.”
“You are sure you are all right?” Adrian whispered, looking imploringly at Bridget.
She closed her eyes and nodded her head, wanting nothing more than the awful night to be over.
“I am Adrian Mason, the Duke of Redgrave,” Adrian stated, then turned to Victor. “And I am here to collect my duchess.”
Bridget’s eyes flew open, her world spinning all over again with Adrian’s words.
“Your duchess?”Victor spat out. “Oh no. I have inherited theentiretyof my brother’s property, including his wife. That woman is mine!”
“She is no one’s property,” Adrian snarled back, taking an intimidating step toward Victor.
To Bridget’s delight, the man shrank from Adrian’s imposing posture.
“And if you value your life, you will keep your hands and your thoughts to yourself,” Adrian directed.
Victor glared over Adrian’s shoulder at Bridget, and though he looked enraged, he kept his lips firmly pressed together, not breathing another word. She glared at him and pushed herself away from the wall, not just to show him but to show herself that she would not be forced into any place.
Adrian turned around then, his handsome features a little less intimidating than before, and he stretched out his hand.
“Bridget, come with me,” he gently implored. “Let us get you outside in the fresh air.”
Her eyes flicked toward Victor, but Adrian stepped into her view, blocking him.
“Do not worry about him,” Adrian assured, still holding his hand out. “He will not dare touch you ever again.”
Though more confused than ever, Bridget slid her hand into Adrian’s, feeling that usual spark that ignited in her veins whenever they touched, and she let him lead her outside.
“You have gone mad,” she said as they made it out to the front lawn.
“Maybe so,” Adrian acknowledged. “But thank God I arrived when I did. If I had not, God knows… I would have—”
He stopped speaking as a look of desperation took over his features.
