“So, Ignatius Burke is not the opera singer?”
“If he is, I never met him tonight.”
“Are you certain the performer is not lying, Miss Littleton? Perhaps we should let his uncle know so he can look at him.”
“If you think it’s necessary, then do what you wish. However, the man I visited with this evening at the party was not the man you are after. So please, be on your way. It’s very late, and having you on my doorstep is improper. I would hate for you to waste more of Mr. Matthew Burke’s precious time on someone who doesn’t know his nephew.”
In a flash, the bulky stranger scowled and stiffened. “How did you know my employer’s full name? I did not tell you.”
Panic flowed through Nash, but he kept still and waited. If that man touched her even one time…
“I’m certain you did tell me,” she answered with a quiver in her voice. “How else would I know?”
“No, Miss Littleton. I don’t give out my employer’s first name.”
“Then how would I know it?”
He lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “Because I think you have been talking to his nephew, Ignatius.”
The moment she cried out, Nash sprang into action. He tripped over a bush but righted himself before sprinting toward the man standing on the porch.
“Please, sir,” she begged, “you’re hurting me.”
“Tell me where I can find Ignatius Burke,” he demanded.
“I…don’t know.”
Gleason raised his arm to hit her, and she flinched. Nash grabbed the man by the shoulders before whipping him around. When Gleason’s gaze met Nash, he gaped. Nash didn’t give him much time to recover from surprise before plowing his fist into the stranger’s face, hitting his nose dead center. A sickening crunch echoed through the night before blood poured from the wounded man’s nose, causing him to crumple to the ground in a motionless heap.
“Is…he dead?” Maxey whispered shakily.
Nash knelt beside Gleason and touched the side of his neck to feel for a pulse. A slight beat pounded against Nash’s finger. “He’s alive.”
She sobbed and quickly covered her mouth. Nash stepped toward her and took her trembling hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Are you all right?”
“I am now,” she answered breathlessly.
She moved closer, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her loosely. His shoulder braced her head as she took deep breaths.
“What will we do if he awakens?” she asked.
“My first thought is to find the local constable, but since I know he is out of town, that attempt will be pointless.”
Her body quaked, and he rubbed her back and arms. Several silent minutes later, she relaxed and lifted her head to look at him.
“I know what we can do,” she said. “We’ll put this man in the wagon out back, and you can drive him to an empty field—or perhaps lay him by a busy road, and then someone will spot him.”
Nash arched a brow. “I suppose that is the best option right now. Not to worry, my sweet Maxey. I will take care of him, and then I will leave you alone.”
After he said the words, pain sucked the breath from his chest. Although he really didn’t want to leave, staying with her was not safe, either. The longer he remained by her side, the more danger he put her in.
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean you will leave me alone?”
“I have dragged you into my problems, which is not right. You do not need to be on the run as I am.”
“But Nash, I’m the one who came looking for you.”
He smiled and caressed her chin. “Indeed you did. However, this situation is more dangerous than we have realized, and I will not imperil you any longer.” He kissed her forehead and reluctantly stepped away. “Go into the house and lock the doors. I will find someplace to leave him.”
