They both turned.
“Well, well, Lord Raine. Now this is handy. We no longer need to find a way to get rid of you,” the other said. “If you shoot him, that will leave me to shoot you.”
“Think again.”
The pistol appeared first, then the woman. Gabe didn’t look her way, but he would have several heated words to say when this was done. He should never have given her back that weapon.
“Two on two,” Gabe said. “Move your family behind us, Henry.”
Only when the family had done as he directed did Gabe strike out with a hand, so quickly no one saw, and dislodge the gun of one man. He then put a bullet in the leg of the other, who dropped to the floor in agony.
“I told you to stay!” he roared at Dimity as he tore off his necktie and threw it at Henry. “Tie one of them up.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” she said, pulling the ribbon out of her hair and hurrying to tie up the moaning man.
Gabe watched as she nudged him over with her boot, then stood on his chest. God’s blood he lo-likedher, he corrected silently.Where the hell had that thought come from?
“We are so grateful, sir,” the elderly woman Gabe guessed was Henry’s mother said. Pale faced, she clutched her daughter to her side.
“It’s all right, ma’am,” Gabe said. “But it is no longer safe for you to stay in London.”
“I can protect my family,” Henry said, looking terrified at the prospect.
“Which is commendable,” Dimity said. “Hello, Mrs. Ding, do you remember me?”
The woman nodded, her lined face smiling. “You brought us food and clothes. You and that other one.”
“Hogan. Yes, we did. Now you need to listen to the earl. He will ensure you are safe.” She turned her eyes on him, and he saw the absolute certainty in them that he would do the right thing.
It humbled him that although she was not pleased with him, she trusted him.
“Here’s what is going to happen,” he said.
…
“Thank you,” Dimity said as they watched the hackney carrying Henry and his family roll away. “They will be safe now.”
“Yes.” Gabe had organized for the family to go to his hunting box three hours from London. They’d stay there until it was deemed safe for them to return. “Does this make me more receptive and approachable now?”
She snorted, then began to walk away.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to see if I still have a position as a companion,” she said as he drew alongside her. “I ran out on the duchess, and as you know, she is not the most forgiving woman.”
“I will put in a good word for you.”
“I can look after myself.”
“I know that, and you promised me you would not use your gun again.”
“I didn’t promise you actually. You asked if I would, but I never agreed.” She sighed, that little sigh he’d heard from her before.
“Let me look after you.”
“No.”
He turned her, pressing her body to the wall, holding her there while he kissed her. She didn’t fight him. In seconds, her hands were in his hair holding him close.
