by Darcy Burke
She struggled to find her feet as she searched for Jimmy. At last, she found him, not far away. He was fighting his way toward where Ethan lay.
She clutched the knife in her hand and wove through the melee. Jimmy spun and saw her, his gaze falling on the blade. His lip curled and he struck fast and sure, knocking the knife from her hand and forcing her backward. He advanced on her, a knife in his own hand.
“Audrey!” Jason called her name from behind Jimmy. He dodged between two men and tossed her a pistol.
She caught it with both hands, cocked the hammer, and fired. At this range, there was no missing and thankfully there was also no misfire. She watched Jimmy’s eyes widen as the bullet slammed into his chest.
He fell back. Jason stood over him and pressed his boot into his neck.
Jimmy sputtered. Blood gurgled from his mouth, came forth in a greater torrent as Jason applied more pressure.
It was more than Audrey needed to see. She dropped the pistol and ran to Ethan.
Teague held him in his lap, his hand pressed to the wound in Ethan’s shoulder. “Help me.”
She squatted down and lifted Ethan by the bicep of his unwounded arm while Teague hefted him. When Teague had gained his footing, he lifted Ethan over his shoulder.
Jason came forward and led them through the throng. Audrey followed Teague, her gaze fixed on Ethan’s ashen face.
Vaguely, she was aware of someone close behind her. A quick look back revealed it was Sevrin.
They wound their way from the crowded street, down a narrow alley to another street. What should have been a difficult passage was surprisingly easy.
“The hack is up there,” Sevrin said close to her ear.
She looked ahead and saw a hackney coach waiting. The Earl of Saxton was standing outside, though he was dressed liked one of St. Giles’ roughest men.
Teague got to the hack and Saxton helped him lay Ethan facedown on one of the seats. However, it wasn’t long enough to hold his entire frame and his legs slumped off the side. Audrey went to climb in after him, but Teague grabbed her arm.
“I’m done. Tell him ... tell him thank you.”
Audrey nodded and looked at Saxton, who helped her into the hack. She lifted Ethan’s head and shoulders and eased into the corner of the seat, settling his head on her lap. Jason entered behind her. He bent Ethan’s legs so they’d fit onto the seat and then installed himself opposite. He handed Audrey a kerchief, which she pressed to the wound in Ethan’s shoulder.
She looked down at Ethan’s face, so pale against the lurid scarlet of her skirt. With her free hand, she stroked his dark hair back and tried to swallow through the lump in her throat.
His eyes blinked and he looked up at her. “Are you an angel?”
She choked through a laugh. “No. But I think there must be one on your shoulder. The uninjured one.”
Jason leaned forward. “Ethan?”
Ethan closed his eyes again. “Is that my brother?”
She stroked his head. “Yes.”
He flinched from where she held the cloth to his shoulder. “What happened to Jimmy?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Audrey shot him,” Jason answered. His gaze found hers across the hack and he nodded approvingly, gratefully.
Ethan opened his eyes again and twisted his neck to get a better look at her. “Is he dead?”
“Yes.”
“Are you all right?”
Her heart swelled with love for him. “Yes. I feel ... unremorseful.”
His lips curved into a smile and his lids shuttered his eyes once more. “Good girl.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Once they arrived at Lockwood House, North met them and helped Jason carry Ethan inside. It was then that they realized the bullet must’ve gone straight through, as he was also bleeding from the front of his shoulder.
Jason and North conveyed Ethan upstairs to the bedchamber Audrey had slept in the day before. They sat him on the edge of the bed where Audrey quickly cut his clothing from his torso.
Jason held a cloth to his back while Audrey pressed one to his front and prayed the doctor would arrive soon.
North gave Ethan a glass of whisky, which he downed in one swallow. He thrust it back, his hand shaking. “Another.”
As Ethan finished the second glass only slightly more slowly, the physician arrived with Scot.
He allowed Audrey to assist as he probed the wound, cleansed it, and then sutured both the front and back. The physician proclaimed him lucky since the bullet hadn’t done significant damage and then told them all to pray infection wouldn’t set in. He dispensed laudanum, instructed Audrey on how to bandage the wound, and said he’d return the following day.
Ethan touched the puckered wound on his chest and winced. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to get some of that poultice from the innkeeper’s wife in Hounslow?”
“Unnecessary,” said Sevrin, stepping into the room. “I stopped by the Black Horse and brought some of Tom’s. Works wonders.” He handed it to Audrey.
She accepted the small pot with tears in her eyes. “Thank you.” She looked at each of them in turn—the Carlyles, Saxtons, Sevrins, Scot, North, Lydia, and Jason. “I’ll be forever indebted to you for saving Ethan.”
“We. We’ll be forever indebted.” He held his hand out to her.
She went and took his hand, squeezing his fingers. “We.”
She didn’t look away from him as she heard the room empty. When the door clicked shut, she opened the pot and wrinkled her nose. “What a horrid smell.”
He let go of her hand. “If it’s going to drive you away, leave it off.”
“Never. Now, lean forward a bit.” She set about liberally applying it to his back. “I was surprised to see Teague today.”
“I wasn’t. I asked him to come.”
She paused. “You did?”
He turned his head to look at her. “He was part of my contingency plan.”
“You asked for help. And you put your faith in him.” She didn’t bother masking her surprise—or her delight. “I’m glad. Now I understand why you leapt in front of him. He asked me to tell you ‘thank you.’”
His head drooped forward. “He lost his sister, and he risks his life to do good. He deserved to live.”
“So do you.”
“I’m not quite as certain of that, but I will try.” He did his best to straighten as she applied the ointment to his front. “What I would like to know is how we escaped St. Giles.”
“I’m not quite certain of that, but it did seem remarkably easy. It was as if people helped us along the way. They moved, they ushered us along, they wanted to see you safe.” She wiped her hand on a towel and grabbed the linen North had brought for bandages. It was quite long, so she was able to wrap it around him several times. He sucked in air and cursed under his breath as he lifted his arm to aid her efforts.
When she was finished, she helped him lie back against the pillows. She sat on the edge of the bed facing him. “Do you know what I think?” At his questioning look, she smiled, feeling confident that she was right. “I think you were never really alone. You thought you were without friends, but you’ve always had people who cared about you, even in that world.”
His face darkened. “Like Gin Jimmy.”
“No.” She touched his face and ran her thumb over his lips. “Not like Gin Jimmy. People who genuinely cared about you.” She closed her eyes and swore.
“Audrey, did you just curse?”
She looked at him and gave him a lopsided smile. “Apparently I did. But with good cause. I forgot about Nan. She’s a maid at the Cup and Burrow, and I said I’d take her out of there with us.”
“I remember Nan.”
“Of course you do. You helped her. You showed her kindness and mercy when no one else would. And I’m willing to bet she wasn’t the first one.”
He turned his head and pressed a kiss into her palm. “Your faith in me has made all the differ
ence.”
“Maybe, but I still think you were doing something right all along.”
His eyes found hers. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I definitely got something right now.”
“I would say so.” She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his. He tried to prolong the kiss, but she drew back with a smile. “You need to rest. I don’t even know how you’re conscious after what happened.”
He clutched her hand. “I’ve spent too much time in the dark, my love. I want every moment with you that I can grasp.”
“And you shall have them. I promise to be here when you wake.”
His forehead creased with doubt. “You won’t leave me?”
She brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead. “Ethan, my dearest love, no one is ever going to leave you again.”
Epilogue
July 1819, Wootton Bassett
The summer sun beat through the linen of Ethan’s shirt, heating him to the extent that he sought the flagon of water beneath the tree twenty yards distant. As he slaked his thirst, he watched the men dig the foundation for the new school at Stipple’s End.
Pride and excitement mingled in his veins as he thought of the changes he was bringing to the orphanage. Fox had been thrilled to bring Ethan and Audrey into the fold. Together, they’d planned to enlarge Stipple’s End. Within the next two years, they hoped to double the staff as well as the number of beds, in addition to the new school that would prepare the children for futures they might never have dreamed of.
Like the future Ethan was now living.
The investments he’d begun making eight years ago—right after he’d ventured to Lockwood House and fought with Jason—had made him a wealthy man, and he couldn’t spend the funds on anything other than improving the lives of others. He’d been given a second chance and was committed to giving them to as many people as he could.
A child sprinted across the field toward him. Instinctively, he tensed. He’d relaxed since moving to the country, but some reflexes were still ingrained.
It was Hal, a nine-year-old boy from the orphanage. “Ethan!” The panicked tone of his voice did nothing to ease Ethan’s anxiety.
He set the flagon down. “What is it?”
“It’s Mrs. Lockwood.” The children had learned to call Ethan by his given name, as they addressed Fox so intimately, but they still called Audrey Mrs. Lockwood, as they called Miranda Lady Miranda. “She needs you at home!”
The mild sense of apprehension that had struck him upon noticing Hal coming toward him bloomed into full fear. Thank God he had a horse here. “Is she all right?”
Hal was breathing heavily from his run. “I think so?” He didn’t look certain and that was enough to send Ethan dashing for his horse.
A scant ten minutes later, he was riding up the lane to their small house. Nan, whom they’d rescued from the Cup and Burrow and brought to the country with them as their housekeeper, met him at the door. She smiled. “Good afternoon, Mr. Lockwood.”
Ethan blinked at her lack of visible distress. Was there a problem or not? “Where’s Mrs. Lockwood?”
“Upstairs. She’s just—”
Ethan didn’t wait for further explanation. He ran inside and took the stairs two at a time. He went straight for their bedroom in the back corner, but found it empty. Voices from the opposite end of the house drew him to turn and retrace his steps past the stairs to the large guest chamber they’d only recently finished furnishing.
Audrey stood inside, her hand resting on the gentle curve of her increasing belly. She laughed at something Jason said, then her gaze found Ethan’s. “There you are!”
He gestured to his brother as he went into the bedchamber. “This is why you sent for me? I thought there was something wrong. The baby or something.” His voice trailed off as he realized how unjustifiably worried he sounded.
Audrey slid her arm around his waist. “Of course not. The baby’s fine—and not due for another four months as well you know. Lydia, on the other hand, does not have that much time.” She inclined her head to the corner, where Jason’s wife was sitting with her feet propped up. She and Jason had come to the country to birth their child sometime within the next month.
Lydia’s hands rested on her rather swollen midsection. “Hello, Ethan. Thank you for letting us come to stay.”
“You know you’re welcome anytime.” Ethan moved to hug his brother, happy to see him after several months apart.
As they parted, Jason glanced around the newly refurbished room with its warm gold and ivory hues. “The house looks good.”
“Audrey’s been working on it night and day.”
“Someone has to pay attention to our house instead of the orphans’.” She slid a look at Lydia. “I begin to understand some of Miranda’s frustration about the lack of improvements to Bassett Manor. Fox and Ethan spend the majority of their efforts on Stipple’s End.”
Jason slapped Ethan’s back. “And now there’s a school along with it. How’s that coming?”
“We’re just getting started. It’s amazing how quickly it’s all come together. I’ll show it to you—now, if you’re not too tired.”
Jason grinned. “How can I refuse your eager invitation?” He turned to Lydia. “You’ll be all right?”
She waved her hand at them, smiling. “Go.”
Ethan brushed a kiss against Audrey’s cheek and left with Jason.
When they reached the base of the stairs, Jason paused. “Just a moment. I brought something for you.”
Ethan couldn’t imagine what that could be as he followed Jason into the sitting room at the front of the house. A wrapped package stood against the wall. Jason tore the paper away to reveal the painting of their father from his office at Lockwood House.
“I thought you should have it,” Jason said. “You liked him better than I did.”
No mention of whom the viscount had preferred. And Ethan realized it didn’t matter. It had never mattered. What mattered was that he was their father, and it was thanks to him that they had each other. Ethan looked at Jason and nodded. “Thank you.”
As they rode toward the site of the school, Jason asked, “You really are happy out here?”
Ethan cast him a sidelong glance. “It’s shocking.”
“I don’t know if I could do it, at least not full time. I’m happy to visit though, especially since it’s likely to be the only time I’ll see you. Is there any chance you’ll come to London?”
“I’m sure we will—to visit you and Audrey’s grandfather.” Lord Farringdon didn’t entirely approve of Ethan, but he was thrilled to see his granddaughter happily married. Her joy was his, and that was all Ethan cared about.
Her parents, on the other hand, were less pleasant. They’d attended the wedding by special license, but their emotions could only be described as a mingling of disappointment, over her choice, and relief, because she was finally married. Audrey was happy to see them as little as possible, if ever, and Ethan wasn’t inclined to persuade her differently.
“That’s good,” Jason said. “I’m sure the cousins will want to see each other.”
Ethan slowed his horse as they neared the building site. “I’d like them to grow up together.”
They climbed down from their horses, and Jason touched his arm. “I would too.”
Later that night, after a laughter-filled dinner that included Fox and Miranda, as well as the Knotts, Ethan climbed into bed with his wife and drew her into his arms.
She snuggled her backside against his groin as he stroked her belly.
“Are you trying to tempt me, Mrs. Lockwood?”
“Every moment.” She turned her head and pressed a quick kiss to his neck. “It’s good to have Jason and Lydia here. I’m so happy they’re going to have their baby with us.”
They hadn’t wanted to have the baby in London, and Jason’s country seat wasn’t an option since his mother resided there. Her fragile mental condition wouldn’t tolerate the upheav
al. He’d discussed with Ethan that it was perhaps time to move her to a dower house, but he had to build one first. He acknowledged it was past time to do that, now that he had his own family to consider.
“Yes, I’m glad they’re here.” The relationship he and Jason had forged over the past several months meant almost as much to Ethan as his marriage to Audrey.
The baby kicked at Ethan’s palm, startling him. He didn’t know if he’d ever become accustomed to that feeling—the jolt of fierce love and possession that overcame him every time he thought of the child he and Audrey had created.
“Our son is glad too,” she said, turning in his arms.
The moonlight filtering through the gap in the curtains illuminated her beloved face, framed by the dark, haphazard curls he loved so well.
“I am not convinced he isn’t a she, but I won’t argue with you. I’ll be happy with whoever it is. I only pray she takes more after you than me.”
Audrey frowned. “Why? You have many wonderful traits. And I’d be quite happy if she had your quicksilver eyes,” she touched his temple, “or your black-as-midnight hair.” She slid her fingers into his hair and pulled his head down to kiss him.
“Fine, I’ll yield my appearance is my best quality.”
“Ha! That’s not true. You’re charming and hardworking and dependable.” She gazed up at him earnestly. “You have to stop thinking of yourself the way you were. You’re not a criminal anymore.”
No, he wasn’t. He’d once thought it impossible to leave that life behind, but now it seemed a distant memory. “Fine, I will also yield my apparent reformation.” He rotated so that he was leaning over her and he untied the top of her gown. “Do you remember how I used to watch you while you undressed when we were running from Bow Street?”
“Yes.” She’d become a bit breathless.
He pulled the neckline of her gown to reveal the swell of her breast. He kissed her soft flesh, loving the taste and feel of her. “That wasn’t very gentlemanly of me, and I’m afraid I still don’t regret it. Those are the qualities I should hope our child will not inherit.”