“He hit Daisy,” Gilbert answered. He was pale as a ghost but standing taller than she’d ever seen him before.
Alastair glowered.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Now that you’re here.”
Her hands trembled, and her knees felt as though they might give out beneath her. For the first time in her life, she truly understood why ladies fainted.
Alastair, still restraining the stunned villain, glanced between them, concern still haunting his eyes. “You were amazing. Both of you.”
Daisy exhaled, trying to steady herself. “You came.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, but Alastair heard it. He met her gaze, unwavering. "Best grow accustomed to it."
And then, before she could say more, the kitchen was suddenly swarmed with uniformed men.
“Good show!” A burly, broad-shouldered man stepped forward, clapping Alastair on the shoulder before jerking hischin toward the now-subdued Giles. “We’ve been trying to get solid evidence against these two for months. Looks like today’s our lucky day.” He reached into his coat and produced a polished badge. “Inspector Barrington. I’ll have my sergeants take this one back to Scotland Yard, but I’ll need statements from all of you.”
Daisy forced herself to nod. She wasn’t the kind of person to collapse in the face of adversity. She never had been.
She was her aunt’s niece—the girl who had learned that the best way to get over adversity was to move on to the next challenge. She had built a life, a home, a future.
And so, she would hold firm now.
She would not fall to pieces.
“Of course. We can talk in the dining room.”
But her feet didn’t move.
Alastair was beside her in an instant. He pressed his hand gently against her back. “You’re shaking.” His voice was for her ears alone. He wound his arm around her waist. “Are you up to this?”
She nodded, even though she wasn’t sure. But what choice did she have? This needed to be done. And after that…
After that… She didn’t know…
Inspector Barrington gave her a kind look. “This will only take a moment,” he assured her. “But it’s important.”
Gilbert, who had barely spoken, let out a breath and grinned up at Alastair. “Good shot.”
Daisy let out a shaky laugh, the sound both normal and absurd in the aftermath of all that had happened.
Gilbert was safe.
Alastair all safe.
So why was she on the verge of hysteria?
“This way.” Alastair led them from the kitchen, guiding Daisy with the same confidence he always had, as if he knew her house as well as his own. She hadn’t even realized she wasclutching his hand until she felt his reassuring squeeze in response.
They were fine. The villains had lost. And Alastair had most of his memories back.
Still, her insides trembled at the near-tragic turn of events.
And she had questions.
Many questions.
Alastair pulled out a chair for her, and Daisy sank into it gratefully.
