Zach arrived and grabbed Logan. He forced his fist into the man’s gut, and Logan released his hold on Beth.
Nathan quickly swam her to the surface. She gasped in a breath, as did he. Zach’s head appeared beside him.
“I don’t see Logan.”
“Hold her,” he rasped, thrusting Beth at his brother. He dived down again. He did so twice more but found no sign of the man.
“He’s gone,” Nathan said, surfacing for the last time.
Gabe hauled him on board, and he just had the strength to help him.
“Breathe slowly, Nathan,” Gabe said.
He ignored his brother, his eyes turned on Beth.
“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice was remarkably calm, considering his throat hurt and he was not entirely sure his lungs would work properly again.
“You promised not to go after him without me,” she said, her teeth chattering.
“I did not promise.”
“You bloody well did!” She glared at him. The bruise on her jaw seemed to have almost gone. “I-I woke to find you gone. You left no note.”
“We had to attempt to stop the King of England from being assassinated; there was no time for anote.” He bit out the word. “And do not swear in public.” He was so tired, it was an effort to glare at her. He had not slept last night and was now feeling the effects.
“I had a right to be here,” she whispered, looking bedraggled and pathetic.
“And it is my right to protect you. Last night you were nearly killed, for god’s sake!”
“Loath as I am to put a halt to this entertaining argument, you may wish to put it to one side for the moment, considering polite society is watching avidly from the bank and we have already provided quite enough amusement for one day,” Gabe said.
Zach snorted. He’d pulled on his jacket over his wet clothes.
Nathan snapped his teeth together, and Beth looked away from him, her shoulders shaking with cold.
He turned to look at the boat that held Logan’s men, but it was being boarded by Michael and other members of Alexius. Of Logan there was no sign.
“The riots?” Nathan asked.
“The ringleaders have been captured, and the mob will disperse, although there may be damage done before that happens,” Gabe said.
He climbed out when they reached the bank, holding out a hand to Beth; she ignored him and scrambled out unaided, then got tangled in her skirts and fell face-first on the grass.
He grabbed her and lifted her to her feet. She struggled for release.
“Be still,” he growled into her ear.
Dimity and Abby rushed to surround her.
“Beth, dear Lord, I saw that man take you under,” Dimity cried, hugging her close.
“I have never been so scared,” Abby added.
“Hello,” Nathan said. “Brother here, who was also in the water.”
Abby came to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and held tight.
“I’m glad you are all right, but you were wrong to leave without telling Beth. She has lived with this; it was her right to be here.”
