Page 52 of Fortune’s Final Folly

Kate skirted the room, staying out of Pierce’s reach even though he groaned in a heap on the floor and, with Joshua’s arrival, proved no further threat to anyone, especially Kate.

“Joshua.” Kate threw herself at him, and he opened his arms wide to catch her. She didn’t fear for even a moment that he wouldn’t bundle her close and press a kiss to her forehead, her cheek, and finally her lips. After a few moments, she pulled back and cupped his face between her hands. “Joshua Stuart, I am utterly, completely, and madly in love with you! I don’t want another minute to pass without you knowing that my whole heart belongs to you.”

“And he’d best take great care with it,” her mother called from behind Kate. They both turned to catch her mother’s wink. “I wouldn’t relish bashing him over the head with a pot, but I will not hesitate if the need arises. So, what do you say, my lord?”

“I love her with complete abandon.”

“Do not tell me. Tell my daughter, you charming lord!” Her mother chuckled.

“Burns!” Pierce pushed to sit, his back against the leg of the table as he craned his neck to stare up at the well-dressed gentleman who’d followed Joshua up the stairs. “Burns! Send for the magistrate at once. This wench”—he pointed a shaking finger in A’laya’s direction—“whacked me over the head with that copper pot.”

“Fortune was on your side, you scoundrel. I only caught you in the shoulder.” A’laya stepped toward her treacherous husband, and Kate feared she might finish the job she’d started. “If you give Katherina any more trouble, I will not miss my mark again.”

“I said, send for the magistrate, Burns,” Pierce seethed. “I have been attacked and will not stand for it. I am to be given my father’s title soon enough, and assaulting a peer is not acceptable.”

Now out of danger, Kate took a closer look at the man who was her father. She didn’t see even an ounce of herself in him, yet she recognized the man from when she and the school children had walked to the bookseller before the fire. He had been outside the cobbler’s shop.

He had set the fire. It had nothing to do with the cobbler and their argument.

“My lord.” Burns scurried over to assist Pierce to his feet. Once he’d dusted the man off, he turned back to Joshua, but his penetrating stare landed on Kate. Immediately, the man’s stare softened. “Lady Katherina De Vere?” He gave her a curt bow, not waiting for her acknowledgement. “Your neck, it is bloodied.”

“That blackguard hit her and held a knife to her throat.” A’laya took a menacing step toward Pierce. It did not matter that the man was twice her size with wide, barrel-like arms.

“I am sending for the magistrate this instant.” The man spun on his heel and started for the door before pausing. “Stuart, you will do me a great service if you would hold the earl here until I return with the magistrate. We will need to take written statements from Lady Katherina and…” He glanced over at Kate’s mother in question.

“The Countess of Holderness,” Joshua filled in. “Lady Holderness, Lady Katherina, allow me to introduce Mr. Daniel Burns, Solicitor.”

“My lady,” Burns nodded in respect. “We need to gather their statements for the magistrate before he takes the earl before the Lord High Steward.”

“Take—take—take me where?” Pierce stuttered.

“I will see you held responsible for these crimes, my lord.” The steely edge to Burns’ voice had Kate instantly liking the solicitor. Without another word, Burns departed the room, and his footsteps could be heard hurrying down the stairs.

“This is a travesty. The likes of you do not have any right to hold me.”

When he attempted to follow Burns, her mother took hold of the copper pot and shook it at him while Joshua grabbed the earl’s arms and wrenched them behind his back.

“I suggest you remain silent and do not attempt to flee,” Joshua warned. “I can say I am not above allowing the countess to have another shot at you.”

Kate crossed her arms, blocking the doorway as they waited for Burns to return.

It took only a few minutes before Joshua’s driver and assistant rushed up the stairs and took over the watch of her father, freeing Kate, Joshua, and her mother to return to the office across the street.

Until that point, Kate hadn’t allowed the danger of their situation to sink in. However, by the time Joshua closed the door behind them, and they all sat to await the magistrate, her entire body trembled with shock, and her hand felt for the shallow slice at her throat.

She was fortunate…they were all lucky.

Joshua pulled her into his side, wrapping his arms about her waist as she leaned her head on his shoulder. In truth, she’d never doubted that Joshua would come for them, even if her mother hadn’t managed to get hold of the copper pot.

Between Joshua and her mother, Kate had the family, the love, and the connection she’d felt lacking all these years.

She loved her mother in the natural way any daughter would, despite their many years apart.

And Joshua, she loved him with a depth and zeal she hadn’t thought possible.

As if he could hear the thoughts swirling in her mind, Joshua slipped his finger under her chin and lifted until she met his stare.

“How did you know something was amiss?” she asked.