“Stand up, father, and it will be my pleasure to plant you a facer,” Eva growled, her fists at the ready. Spencer stayed down.
“You are still hurting, love, and I’m sure he yields.” Daniel wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her out of his way before delivering a few final words to her family.
“I have a rather esteemed list of ancestors that would suggest I am, indeed not a bastard, sir. My advice to you is to leave London and take a long break in the country. However, if you choose not to follow my advice, then make very certain that where your daughter and son go, you and your other offspring do not.”
Simon led Reggie while Daniel collected his wife and together, they then left the room.
Daniel kept Reggie upright as the carriage took them home. Overcome, tears slipped silently down the boy’s cheeks. “I…I would l-like to thank you…Daniel.”
“For what?” Daniel questioned as his eyes begin to itch.
“F-for rescuing us.”
Eva started crying silent tears that rained silently down her cheeks. She reached for her brother, pulling him close and the two siblings wept softly while Daniel put his arms around them both. He murmured words to the tops of their heads - small words telling them both that they were safe. Simon swallowed several times and cast his gaze firmly out the window.
Wernham sprang into action as they entered the house, sending someone for the doctor.
Daniel watched as his wife looked her brother over, checking his face, then prodding his stomach, her face pale with worry. “Careful, love, he is hurting.” He placed an arm around her waist as she leaned toward him.
“I am very glad you thumped my father, Daniel.”
“Yes,” he said, unsure how to respond to that remark.
“I hope their pain is tenfold compared to Reggie’s,” she added. “I wish my father had stood up.”
“Fiery little thing aren’t you.” Daniel smiled down at her.
She said nothing further; instead, she put her hand into his pocket and retrieved a neat, white square of linen. Dabbing the small cut on her brother’s lips, she stopped the trickle of blood. She then turned to order the servants to organize a bath, some food and prepare a room.
Daniel stood, quietly supporting his brother in law, more than happy to watch his wife order everyone around. It seemed her worries about fulfilling the role of Duchess were unfounded
“Eva, Wernham will help you with Reggie as I need to talk with Simon before he leaves.”
“Of course, Daniel,” she said, moving to her brother’s side again and helping him toward the stairs.
Daniel watched until they had disappeared from sight. Only then did he face Simon.
“Huxley must be found.”
“Agreed.” Simon looked grim.
“Tomorrow I will start making enquiries of my own amongst his acquaintances.”
“And I shall do the same, my friend.”
“Eva will not be safe until he is found, Simon. I believe he sees her as unfinished business and his arrogance allows him to believe she should be his.”
“And you believe he will stop at nothing to get her?”
Daniel nodded. “I do.”
“Then we will look until he is found and then you and your duchess will be safe to enjoy the love you both now share.”
Daniel gave his friend a steady look before he answered. “Yes, I believe we will.”
Simon clapped a hand on his shoulder and then departed the house, leaving Daniel to wonder how he was to protect his wife from the threat of Huxley, when he had no idea how to find the man or when he would strike next.
“Reggie is sleeping now, Daniel.”
