The room explodedwith screams and shouts as everyone seemed to understand that a challenge was brewing and didn’t want to get in the middle of it. Within minutes they were the only ones standing in the midst of the once crowded atmosphere.
This is… unfortunate.
Lexie had imagined this evening going much differently, where she and Dominic surprised Lindley and took him down amidst a burst of fanfare and applause. Well, perhaps, not quite tothatextent, but she didn’t foresee a circumstance where she was going to be facing down the barrel of a weapon either.
Thankfully, she hadn’t come ill-prepared. She had learned that from Dominic. All she had to do was wait for the opportune moment.
“Let her go. Your quarrel is with me.” The quiet tone in Dominic’s voice sent chills up her spine. It sounded more menacing than if he’d shouted a demand for her release.
“I don’t think I will.”
As Lindley started to drag her backward, she wondered if she should act now or wait. In the end she decided that there was no time like the present.
She removed the knife she’d tucked into the bottom of her corset at the same time she rammed her other elbow into his stomach. He gave a grunt of pain and while he was still recovering, she spun around and lashed out with the blade. She could feel it make contact with something soft, followed by an angry howl, but she didn’t get to see what she’d cut as Dominic grabbed her around the waist and all but hauled her out the door. It nearly shut behind them before a bullet shattered the edge of the frame and sent shards of wood raining down on them.
Once they were in the alley, the shock of what had almost transpired started to sink in. Lexie found that the noise around her started to dim and become suddenly hollow and distant. She could tell that Dominic was yelling orders at someone and there was a flurry of movement as several men rushed back into the club. However, when Dominic came over to ask how she was doing, she couldn’t seem to make sense of her own words.
What was happening to her?
She slowly started to sink, and then she realized that her legs were giving away beneath her. She was going to fall.
Strong hands came up to her shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. It did nothing. Suddenly, a terrible scent came up to her nose and all the sounds around her came rushing back.
She blinked and waved a hand in front of her face as the toxic fumes caused her eyes to water. But at least her legs were steady again.
“Have you never had to use smelling salts before?”
She looked at him curiously. “You are asking me that?” She glanced at the vial before he settled it back in his vest pocket. “My question is why doyouhave it? Are you prone to fainting spells?”
He snorted. “I keep it handy for damsels in distress.”
She rolled her eyes. “You surely don’t mean me. It must have been for all the ladies that fell at your feet before now, I suppose.”
He looked at her in a tolerant manner. “Let’s just agree it was fortunate I had it with me tonight or I would be scooping you up off of the dirty ground right now.”
She crossed her arms. “At least I would have my dignity.”
“That is not in question,” he stated firmly. “It took courage to act as you did.”
“I just hope it doesn’t cause any lasting damage.”
“I do,” he replied uncharitably. “He threatened you. That is enough for me. But considering the slash you gave him was along his cheekbone, the only thing he will suffer is some woundedpride. At least, until he is tried for the murder of the true Lord Lindley.”
She gave a slight shiver. “Do you really think he was responsible for the earl’s death?”
“Unless someone else has a better motive.” He put an arm around her shoulders as Amos returned to join them in the alley. “Graden and the others have Lindley subdued. Do you want us to… question him here or take him to Bow Street?”
Dominic shook his head. “Bow Street can deal with him.” He glanced at her. “We’ve done what we needed to do tonight. I’m going home and sleeping next to my lovely betrothed. Tomorrow, we finish this.”
By the timethey returned to his townhouse, Dominic was feeling the effects of an exhaustive night. But at least he could rest a bit easier knowing that Lindley would soon be in irons and Lexie was safe.
His heart had stuttered in his chest when he’d seen her reach for the back of her corset and when she’d brought up and knife and moved with such skill and precision—he hadn’t known whether to be horrified or impressed by her fearlessness. She was everything he hadn’t known he’d wanted in a partner. In a wife. But she was the perfect fit for him.
As they returned to his townhouse and made their way through the back entrance and trudged up the stairs, Lexie started to part ways at her chamber, but he wasn’t having it. He kept a firm hold on her and said, “I meant what I said about us not being apart tonight.”
She didn’t resist but went willingly.
When they entered his chamber, she glanced around. “I didn’t get a chance to appreciate the sheer enormity of this room earlier.”She looked at him over her shoulder with a coy lift of her brow. “Quite impressive.”
