The Shadow? William frowned, the name ringing a bell. Then, it hit him. Nelson had spoken about meeting with the Shadow when last he’d seen him. And he had been the only one who’d known about Elizabeth being at his manor.
“Damn it,” William cursed under his breath. He should have known Nelson would have sold him out. That man would do anything for money.
“She’s mine, Your Grace,” Lord Horenwall kept going. He stalked up to William, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I will not let her ruin me. I’ve worked too hard to be where I am now and I will not let her ruin my chances! Now, you shall hand her over before I truly get upset.”
The finger poking into his chest only stoked the flames of fury within William. But he held himself back, only saying, “I’m afraid I can’t do that, My Lord.”
Lord Horenwall gritted his teeth, a growl sounding in the back of his throat. Then, the next moment, he swung his fist. William had been in enough fights to see it coming, but he didn’t have the time to do anything other than block it. Stunning the Earl for just a moment, William punched him square in the jaw.
It sent him staggering back a few steps, clutching the side of his face. William felt dark satisfaction at the blood that dripped from the Earl’s nose, even though he knew this was escalating far too quickly.
“There is no need for us to fight, My Lord,” William said, but the Earl was already coming after him. With a roar, he threw his body against William and sent them both crashing to the ground. William caught a glimpse of the Earl’s crazed eyes before he raised his forearms before his face to block the incoming barrage of punches. They each met their mark, but William bade his time, let the fury smolder within him until he could see his opening. Then he swung another fist at Earl’s chin and his satisfaction surged at the way his head snapped back.
The blow dazed the Earl, giving William the chance to push him off and get to his feet. He checked his side to make sure his pistol was still secure before he faced the man already getting to his feet. He didn’t bother to say anything, knowing very well that there was no chance of them being able to talk their way out of this.
The Earl raised his fists before his face, prancing back and forth on his feet as if he were fencing. William stayed grounded, watching the Earl’s shifting movements to ready himself for what he would do next.
Lord Horenwall, though William doubted that was the case, fought as if this was not his first time. He feinted left, and then swung right, nicking William’s jaw before he had the chance to dodge it. He kept coming, not giving William enough of an opening to parry. Each time he blocked one of the Earl’s blows, he was pushed back on his feet, barely keeping up. And then, one slipped through and collided in his midsection, knocking the wind from his lungs. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lord Horenwall drove his elbow into William’s back and sent him crashing to the ground. He didn’t stop after that, kicking William in the face, rolling him onto his back.
“Look at you,” Lord Horenwall spat. “This sort of pathetic man is who Lady Elizabeth wants? It was foolish of her to think there was a better match than me.”
William swung his leg around, tripping the Earl. Once he crashed to the ground, William was upon him, sailing fist after fist into his face until it was nothing but a bloody mess. “Be quiet,” William mumbled when he stopped at last, getting to his feet.
His entire body was in pain, but Lord Horenwall groaned on the ground as if he were dying. William brushed himself off, wiping at the line of blood trickling from the side of his mouth. With a sigh, he walked away, letting the adrenaline rush out of him.
“William!”
The voice sent fear shooting through him like daggers. William swiveled on his heels in time to see Lord Horenwall on his feet, pointing a pistol at him. He, too, seemed surprised at the sound of the sudden voice before a small figure came crashing into him, knocking the pistol out of his hand.
“Elizabeth, no!” William shouted, but it was too late. Even as he reached for his pistol, leveling it at the Earl, Lord Horenwall had already grabbed her with a strong arm and positioned her in front of him.
“I’d think twice about shooting,” Lord Horenwall growled. Despite Elizabeth’s struggling, he didn’t budge.
William gritted his teeth, his heart racing. Slowly, he lowered the pistol to the ground and kicked it away. “Let her go, Lord Horenwall,” he said, as calmly as he could despite the rage curdling with him. “She takes no part in this.”
“She’s my wife!” Lord Horenwall spat. “I can do with her whatever I wish to! Isn’t that right, Lady Elizabeth?” With a disgusting grin, he ran a finger along her cheek.
Elizabeth froze. The fury that took hold of William nearly consumed him whole, nearly had him charging after them had he not been afraid of what Lord Horenwall might do. He curled his hands into fists, willing himself to think straight.
“You must be out of your mind!” Elizabeth shrieked suddenly. Then, she bit down on his arm with all her might.
Lord Horenwall exclaimed, letting her go. William overcame his surprise quickly enough to run towards them, intending to bring Lord Horenwall down once and for all. But he was still too late. He could do nothing to stop the Earl from slapping Elizabeth across the cheek, couldn’t stop him from picking up her small frame and tossing her as far as he could, despite her scream of horror.
He saw red. William didn’t care to be lenient, didn’t care to spare him. He didn’t care to reach for his pistol. The fury within him yearned for blood on his knuckles, to have the Earl suffer for his actions. He was upon him in a second, knocking him down with ease. William grabbed him by his lapels and pummeled him with his fist.
He didn’t know how long he did that for. It felt like only seconds before he heard shouts breaking through the haze that had gone over him. Rough hands pulled him away from the Earl, keeping him at bay even though William struggled, even though he was not yet done.
The orange glow of oil lamps lit the area and men flooded the space. William recognized them as the authorities, a few of whom were holding him back.
Then, he remembered. “Elizabeth!” He pulled away from their arms, rushing to her side. Someone else was crouched before her, but William only had eyes for her, watching as she slowly sat up, wincing in pain.
Her eyes lifted to him. “Are you all right?” she asked worriedly. “Did he hurt you?”
“Is that of any concern right now?” William shouted. He wanted to tell her how worried he was, how he’d feared the worst. But those words came out inside. “What were you thinking, following me like that? You could have gotten killed!”
“Had I not followed you, you would have died yourself!” she shouted back. She reached out to touch her leg and winced again. “You should have known I wouldn’t have let you go alone.”
William let out a shuddering breath of relief. “God, what am I going to do with you?”
Elizabeth’s lips tightened, then her eyes shifted over to the man by William’s side. William suddenly noticed he was staring at him. It took him a moment to recognize him.
“Lord Gillet,” William greeted, not knowing what else he could possibly say.
“Your Grace,” Lord Gillet responded, his eyes filled with scrutiny. He studied William for a moment longer before he said, “Come and help me carry her to the carriage. She’s injured.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
William did just that, putting aside all other thoughts. For now, the only thing that mattered was Elizabeth’s health. He could deal with the aftermath of his actions later.
Chapter 23
The pain was excruciating. Most of it was shooting up and down her left leg, but her entire body ached from her horrible fall. Even though she was sure her leg and taken the brunt of the damage, Elizabeth was sure there were a few more cuts and bruises on her body.
The carriage ride didn’t make it any better. Sweat washed her skin as she struggled to hold back her hisses of pain with every bump and jostle of the mov
ing vehicle. Her injured leg was propped on her father’s lap and he was clutching her hand tightly in his own, his face contorted as if he felt every bit of her pain. Across from her was William, his hands clasped tightly together and his jaw clenched so tightly, she was certain his teeth hurt.
Once again, she was happy she thought to explain what she could in the letter before sending it. Had she not told him what was going to happen, William might have done something he wouldn’t be able to live with. Later, she knew she would have to clarify what had happened to both William and her father.
“Relax,” she pushed through gritted teeth. “It isn’t like I’m dying.”
Elizabeth noticed her father’s surprise at her words, but it was William who answered her. “If you thought of yourself for just a moment, you wouldn’t be in so much pain.”
“Physical pain, perhaps not,” Elizabeth mumbled, certain he would understand what she meant. Had she not arrived when she did, had she not thrown herself against Lord Horenwall at that moment, William might not have been alive to berate her right now. The emotional pain would have torn her to shreds. It would have been like she’d truly died.
William only clenched his jaw even tighter, which made Elizabeth sigh under her breath.
Lord Gillet squeezed her hand, overcoming his surprise. “We’re almost there, Elizabeth. Hang in there.”
“You shouldn’t worry either, Father,” Elizabeth told him. She forced a smile onto her face despite the pain. “It truly doesn’t hurt as badly as it loo—” The carriage fell into a rut and Elizabeth gasped in pain. William shifted closer to the edge of his seat, looking as if he wanted to take her other hand. Had it not been for Lord Gillet’s presence, he just might have.
Her father brushed the hair sticking to her temple aside, his concern clouding his features. Even so, Elizabeth couldn’t miss the way he studied her as if he couldn’t recognize the person he saw. She couldn’t blame him, but right now, she was in far too much pain to explain exactly how she’d changed while she’d been gone.
At long last, they pulled into the driveway. William was the first to exit, reaching tenderly for Elizabeth as Lord Gillet guided her out. The others who helped her were just a blur of faces that assisted in carrying her into the house with as little jostling as possible. It didn’t ease the pain, however, and Elizabeth gripped William’s coat in her effort to hold back her groans.
When she was brought to her bedchamber, Elizabeth caught sight of a very worried Patience standing by the door. Elizabeth wished they could have reunited under better circumstances but her heart still warmed at the sight of her dear friend, even though Patience was already rushing off at an order by the housekeeper and Elizabeth was being brought into her room.
They laid her gently on the bed and the men began to filter out until it was only her father and William in the room. Elizabeth relaxed against the pillows that had been propped behind her and looked at the two men. William had crossed to one side of the bed, fretting over her by pacing back and forth. Her father stood on the other end, watching William warily.
“I suppose I should give a bit of an explanation,” Elizabeth began. Talking helped to distract her from the pain and so she planned on doing just that until the physician arrived. “Father, thank you for taking such quick action after receiving my letter. I was afraid you would be too late. Or worse, that you would not show.”
“How could I not after receiving word from my daughter, who was missing?” Lord Gillet sighed. For now, he was paying more attention to Elizabeth. “I was surprised by what you’d written but I thought it would be best to act quickly.”
“Thank you again,” Elizabeth breathed. She would spend the rest of her life thanking him for saving William’s life if she must. “But I’m sure you are still filled with many questions. In my letter, I did not tell you how I’d come to be residing at William’s manor, nor why I did not send word. I thought that would be better said in person.”
Her throbbing leg was demanding her attention now and Elizabeth had to pause to shove the pain to the back of her mind. William tensed, looking as if he wanted to step forward but something held him back. She was sure it was her father. Which made what she would say next all the more pertinent.
“I believe I could spend all night telling you what sort of emotions I felt the night I decided to leave, but I’m sure you can already guess. You’ve watched me these past few years, Father. You saw how I regressed more and more as I longed to see him again. I believe you’ve only grown more frustrated with me for turning away potential suitors, one after the other.”
“With good reason,” Lord Gillet stated, crossing his arms.
Elizabeth nodded. “Undoubtedly. And I knew how disappointed you would be if I took action after learning about William’s whereabouts. I decided, however, that it was a risk I had to take. If only to learn the truth about why he’d left me, I had to find him. And so I left on my own and went in search of him. As fate would have it, I happened upon him by complete chance.”
Lord Gillet shifted his gaze to William, who was now standing silently by the window. Elizabeth hoped he would keep silent. This was something she had to say.
“I refused to return home, and considering we were in an unsafe neighborhood, William grew uneasy at the thought of leaving me alone. So he brought me to his home with every intention of returning me to my own home the next morning. But I was persistent. I refused to leave.”
Lord Gillet frowned, drawing closer to her side. “But why? You were betrothed to another gentleman. Why would you risk all that was in place for someone who keeps pushing you aside?”
Elizabeth didn’t miss the way William hung his head at those last words. It was what made it that much easier to say her next words. “Because I love him, Father. I never stopped loving him. I know my actions were careless and that it was what led to this ordeal, but if I had to, I would do everything all over again if it means we will be together.”
Her boldness was taking her father by surprise. Elizabeth hoped he could see the lady she’d once been, could understand just how serious she was about this. She was not the same fearful and reserved girl who had hid herself away in the countryside. She’d bloomed into the woman she always was meant to be.
“Lord Gillet,” came William’s voice. Lord Gillet looked over at William as he stepped closer. “It has been quite some time since we’ve last seen each other. I know I have not left you with a pleasant impression of me, but I’m afraid there is nothing I can do about that. The actions I took all those years ago…I regret them. If I could go back in time and stop myself from leaving Elizabeth, I would.”
The bruises along his jaw were beginning to deepen in color, the shadows dancing from the nearby candlelight making him seem like anything but a Duke. Elizabeth’s heart clenched to see him like this, even as it soared at the words he spoke.
“But,” William continued, not breaking eye contact with Lord Gillet. “I will gladly spend the rest of my life atoning for the wrongs I have committed, if I get to spend it with her. I have loved Elizabeth ever since I was in my youth, and all those years apart never dimmed the love I had for her. She showed me how much of a coward I had become, while she’d been brave enough to go in search of me despite all the odds. I want her to see just how much I need her in my life, because without her, I become nothing.”
William went around the bed, coming to stand next to her father. Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise when William bowed deeply. “I ask, My Lord, that you take pity on us and give us your blessing for our marriage. Elizabeth has already accepted my hand, but I know she would not be happy if she did not have her father by her side. I, too, My Lord, would like to receive your support of our union.”
William’s words hung in the air. Elizabeth held her breath staring at her father. He was turned towards William, who straightened, so she couldn’t see anything but his jaw. The pain sprouted in its intensity but she held back her hisses of pain, not wanting to interrupt wh
atever response her father had.
Finally, Lord Gillet let out a long breath. “I find it difficult denying such a sincere request, Your Grace. Elizabeth’s happiness had always been my first priority, and if that means she must marry you, then there is little I can say in objection.”
Elizabeth didn’t dare to let out her pent-up breath. “Does that mean…?”
Lord Gillet looked at her with a smile. “Yes, I give you two my blessings. I can hardly force you to marry a man who injured you so badly, can I?”
“Oh, Father, thank you so much!” If she could, Elizabeth would have leaped out of bed and thrown her arms around him. Instead, it was up to William to show her true gratitude.
He stuck his hand out to Lord Gillet, grinning from ear to ear. “I promise you, you will not regret your decision, My Lord.”
“Make sure to keep your promise to Elizabeth, and that will not happen,” Lord Gillet said, accepting William’s outstretched hand.
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