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Nonetheless, known for his wicked charm, Broden attempted to lighten the situation and wipe the solemn expressions from everyone’s faces.

“The good news is, thanks to yer sister, the gunman missed his mark.” Dizziness assailed him as he turned his head to glance at Kendra. “I’m surprised she warned me, considerin’ how she feels about me.”

Shock registered on her alabaster pale features, and something more glimmered in her wide, dove-gray eyes, the sooty lashes lowering to half-mast to hide the emotion.

Hurt? Disbelief? Accusation?

Her pretty, plump mouth compressed into a thin ribbon as she accepted her brother’s assistance from the saddle. “Someone needs to go for the physician at once.”

The fact that she didn’t blister his ears or offer a sharp retort bespoke much of his weakened condition. Kendra would never kick someone when they were down. But just wait until he’d recovered.

“I’ll see to it, Miss.” Simmons rushed to a hovering footman who nodded briskly before setting off toward the stables at a full run.

Dowager Penderhaven called to Simmons. “Have Mrs. Pottager prepare a chamber at once. We’ll also need hot water and bandages. And whisky.”

Aye. An entire bottle will do.

With a brisk nod, the butler disappeared inside the house.

Laying a palm atop Broden’s forearm, as if he feared he might keel over at any moment, Liam asked, “Can ye walk?”

Nae.

Not without falling face-first into the drive.

“Aye.” Broden’s male pride wouldn’t let him show weakness in front of Kendra. Well, further weakness, that was. “If ye can give me a hand…”

He swung his leg over the saddle and pretty much crumpled into an undignified heap as he slid from Sheik. Liam caught him, and Broden couldn’t prevent the groan from filtering past his meshed lips. “Can ye let my mother ken? Also, I dinna want her to stay home alone until we ken who did this.”

He already had a pretty damn good idea.

“Aye.” Liam slanted his chin at a stable hand. “Ready a coach and make for the McGregor’s straightaway. Fetch Mrs. McGregor.” He glanced at Broden, swaying on his feet. “Dinna tell her Broden’s been shot. Just say there’s been an accident, and she needs to be prepared to stay at Eytone Hall for a few days.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Take four men with ye to remain and act as guards, too.” Liam looped his arm behind his back, and a footman did the same on the other side. “Why would anyone want to shoot ye, Broden?”

Attempting to ignore the increasing buzzing in his ears and the thousands of black and gray dots cavorting before his eyes, Broden summoned a cocky grin. “Why, because I’m the newly titled fifth Earl of Montforth.”

Liam jerked his head around to gape. “Are ye serious? Ye’re an earl?”

“An earl?” repeated Kendra, astonishment mixing with the anxiousness in her soft, smoky eyes, that cloud of dark hair billowing around her in the persistent wind.

“Aye, an English earl,” he muttered through thick lips, as he, at last, gave in to the weight of his eyelids and slid into nothingness.