“Charming.”
“Anyway,” he continued, “our traitor took the bait. Came sneaking in with a blade tucked in his coat. Poor bastard thought he’d take another shot.”
“And?” Marina asked, eyes wide.
Rowan shrugged. “I caught him before he got far.”
“And the constables?” Jean pressed.
“They were on alert since yesterday and waiting just outside the estate. Once Rowan signaled, they came straight in,” Simon responded.
“It was quite the fight,” Rowan cracked his neck.
“You shouldn’t have fought at all,” Rachel said gently, stepping forward.
Rowan looked at her with surprising seriousness.
“If I hadn’t, you’d have walked back into this house with a knife waiting for you. I wasn’t about to let that happen.”
Rachel offered him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“Always at your service, Your Grace.” Rowan gave her a slight bow.
”You were brave, and you were brilliant.” Simon extended a hand toward him. “But for heaven’s sake, next time just wear a shirt.”
“Oh come on, a little bit of display will not kill you all,” Rowan replied, clasping his hand.
Aunt Jean folded her arms and looked between them. “Well. I don’t know whether to be scandalized or impressed.”
“Relieved is the word I would use,” Simon suggested.
Rachel looked around her, at Marina still clutching her and at Rowan folding his arms over his chest now that he was decently dressed. Simon’s hand found hers again.
The look of relief on everyone’s face was blatant. They had finally made it through.
The last of the constables tipped his hat, murmuring a polite farewell before disappearing through the front doors. Marina followed close behind Aunt Jean, who was already halfway through recounting the scene in scandalous detail to one of the maids.
Rowan lingered. Shirt now properly buttoned. He glanced between Rachel and Simon, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Well,” he said, clapping his hands once, “I’d say the duke and duchess have earned a few hours to themselves. No more theatrics and no more murder plots if we can help it.”
“Is that your way of taking your leave?” Simon raised a brow.
“That’s my way of being charming,” Rowan quipped. He turned to Rachel, “Your Grace.”
“Rowan,” she said with a tired smile, “go lie down.”
“A sound idea,” he said, already turning to the entrance, “If you need me, I’ll be sleeping for the next week. Do not wake me unless someone else tries to die.”
“Shall we go now as well?” Simon offered his wife a hand.
“Please,” she nodded.
It had been a long day, and all she wanted now was to be with Simon alone. Simon did not let her hand go while they walked through the hallway. The house felt lighter now.
When they got to his chambers, Simon opened the door and let her in first.
Already, Rachel could feel her heart beating fast. It was the very first time in days that she was with Simon like this alone.
