Obviously, he’d been roused from his bed.
“Logan, you lucky fool! You caught the blackguard?” His smile was wide.
“I don’t know.”
A shadow of confusion dulled Harry’s ebullient face. “What do you mean? I heard you caught the scoundrel in the act.” He walked to a chair and sat. “What happened?”
Heaving a sigh, Logan answered, “I was restless, so I took Gehenna for a ride.” He took the chair opposite Harry, and sighed heavily once more, even more restless than he’d been before his ride. “Fortunately, I came upon someone in the southern pastures.Unfortunately, the person dashed into the woods before I could see them clearly. I gave chase and caught up before the trespasser could get too far. As soon I was close enough, I sprang from Gehenna’s back and tackled them.”
Harry shot from his seat. “Huzzah! You caught the dirty bastard. That is quite heroic. Did you take him to the magistrate?” he asked in a loud voice. “Have you questioned him? Did he confess all?”
“Sadly, no confession is forthcoming.”
“Why the devil not?” Harry rumbled, his brows pulled together over his eyes, and his lips pinched in a sour moue.
“Well, I launched myself headlong from Gehenna’s back, which, consequently, launched the perpetrator headfirst into a large rock.”
Harry’s eyes doubled in size. “Is he dead?”
“No. Unconscious.” Logan drew a deep breath. “And it isn’t ahe.”
Harry’s eyes grew larger. “It was a woman?”
“Yes.” The memory, fresh and hellish, surfaced, making the already aching muscles in his body stiffen.
“After a thrilling and much needed dash across the estate, I crested the hill overlooking the southern pastures and pulled Gehenna to a stop. Only seconds after I’d reined her in, a bright flash of light exploded in the corner of my eye.”
“Lightning strike?” Harry interjected excitedly.
Logan shook his head. “The light wasn’t the only thing I saw; there was a lone dark figure just before the tree line, not even two yards from the flock.”
He paused to swallow.
“Spurring Gehenna into motion, I raced down the hill, but the woman made a break for the tree line. She was trying to get away,but I bent lower over the pommel and dug my heels into Gehenna’s side. As I gained ground, the woman turned to look behind her, and I jumped from the saddle—keep in mind I didn’t know it was a woman at the time—and collided with her. She landed hard.”
As the memory crashed into him, Logan paused in his recollection. After he’d landed, he’d caught his breath, and pulled himself into a crouch, rolling the unconscious man over to inspect him.
He didn’t know what startled him the most; the fact it wasn't a man or thatshewas stunningly beautiful, even with blood smeared on her forehead.
Shock pealed through him as he’d peered down at the bloodied face of the female. Gasping, he’d suddenly recognized the soft, lush curves under his rough hands. He’d wet his lips and whistled for a grazing Gehenna. Once he’d deposited the woman onto the saddle, he’d made his way back to the Manor.
Forty-five minutes later, he’d strode through the kitchen doors calling for hot water, clean linens, and a footman to fetch Dr. Blige.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he’d carried his captive to one of the smaller guest rooms in the rear of the east wing and laid her on the bed. Within moments, Mrs. Roomer, the capable housekeeper, was hurrying about the room.
Two hours later, it was near midnight, and he was, as yet, not allowed entrance to the room. The doctor was still performing his examination.
“A woman? Are you sure?” Harry’s incredulous tone worked its way under Logan’s skin.
“I cannot deny what I have seen with my own eyes.”
Or felt with my own hands.
“Also…” Logan began.
“Please tell me there’s more.” Harry’s smile came to the fore.
“There is. She’sRoma.” He held his breath.
