It was not the response Garrick had expected.
“I have seen your scars,” Nora said. “I have pressed my lips against your wounds, and I have wanted to hurt those who caused you pain.” The confession seemed to trouble her.
He touched her cheek. “You are noble.”
She shook her head. “I am trying to survive. I am trying to help my daughter survive. I lived with a man half the ton feared for that very purpose.”
“You married me because I could offer you protection.” If that were so, he was by no means offended by it.
“No, I married you because Ebba forced me.”
Garrick swallowed.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 1
* * *
Garrick watched as Nora caught his breath and knew his future hung on her next words.
“Ebba forced me into doing something I already wanted to do.”
He stilled. “For protection.”
“No.” She smiled. “For you. I wanted you. I just didn’t think you’d ever…”
He could bear it no more. He needed to touch her. He needed her close. He gripped the back of her head far rougher than he planned and pulled her into a kiss. But it wasn’t enough. His tongue inside her mouth. Her small gasps and moans. Nothing was enough. He needed more. He needed to gorge on her like the glutton he was, until there was nothing left of her, until her very scent was of him.
She was a silly woman, mad to think he hadn’t wanted her. Nothing he’d done merited her for a wife. Nora could be nothing but mercy for his wretched soul, sent by a God who gave to both the wicked and good.
He was wicked but wanted to be good. He wanted to be good for her. To be better. To truly be the strongest man in the world, or at least the strongest she knew. Yet right now, he was so very weak.
She pulled back and caught his eyes. Her body felt as warm as the gaze she sent him. “I love you.”
It was not possible.
He was defective.
He couldn’t speak to her.
He was a murderer.
She could not love him. Such things were not possible. There were few who loved him. His family had to. Blood was an exception, but it was not required of Nora. He’d never required it of her. He’d never asked her for her heart, even though he’d longed for it. Greedy men always wished for more than they should.
Yet it was his. He could see it in her eyes.
There was acceptance for all he was and wasn’t.
“What do you require in exchange for this gift?” He was used to even exchanges, though he had no idea of the price of love.
“Nothing,” she whispered. “Nothing at all.”
His hand tightened in her hair and the tightness that forever filled his chest vanished. “Then... I accept.”
* * *
“Perhaps, one thing,” Nora said as they got into the carriage.
Garrick grunted and pulled her to his side. He’d barely stopped touching her since she’d confessed her feelings upstairs. This made her happy.
“We have to seek justice without causing death.”
He turned her to him. “There is no other way. With this man, it does not exist.”
“I won’t believe that,” she whispered.
Even shrouded in shadow, his eyes were the most compelling she’d ever seen. “If he is arrested, people will be hurt.”
“How?”
There was a grinding sound and then their carriage turned sharply and lurched to the side. Garrick grabbed Nora to his side as the carriage crashed into a wall. The sound of horses shrieking was met with the screams and grunts of men.
Nora gasped. “What’s happening?”
“Run, my lord!” someone shouted. “We’re surrounded.”
∫ ∫ ∫
5 2
* * *
Garrick opened the door closest him and looked out.
The night was dark, but he caught sight of the two men who fought the driver and Andreas. Two more were a distance away. They sat on horses and observed the fighting. Garrick didn’t recognize them, but he was certain since neither had gone for the authorities that they’d come for him.
And his wife.
They wouldn’t get that close.
“Stay,” he shouted at Nora before he closed the door behind him.
He looked for the man in charge. Had Lord Gregory sent them? If he had, he likely lurked in the shadows and would only come out when he was certain Garrick was dead.
Garrick had gone to see Van Dero last night and to ask him the same questions he asked every time. Who was the final name? But the old earl had been different last evening. Less fearful. Garrick should have known what the man would plan. Garrick now had leverage. A wife and daughter he cared about. Miriam was currently with Lord and Lady Ganden, spending time with George, and Garrick was sure all three would protect her before they let anything terrible happen to her.
Nora wanted to hire a governess for Miriam, but Garrick trusted fewer people these days. He knew Kent and Lucy and while Miriam and George were becoming of an age where they’d have to part for propriety's sake, Kent’s home was still the safest place for her.
It meant all Garrick had to worry about was Nora. He only needed to live long enough to see his family to safety.
“Garrick, let’s run,” Nora whispered from the window.
“Hide,” he instructed before he stepped away from the carriage and faced the two men who were heading for him. He heard a final grunt from his driver as the man crumbled to the ground. He was still breathing for the moment, so Garrick didn’t worry too much. Andreas got the best of the man on him and came over to stand by Garrick.
Then the two men on horseback finally got down and started their way. Guns were drawn.
The fight would be three against two, since the large man who’d been fighting the driver was coming their way as well. He had a blade.
There was no way to beat guns, and Garrick didn’t have one on him.
Two men. Two guns. Two bullets.
He’d not have Nora hurt.
“Take Nora,” Garrick said.
“You can never win against three on your own.” Andreas pulled up his bloody blade to ready. His shirt was bloody. He’d already been cut and had done his own damage. The man he’d fought was no longer breathing.
If Nora was to live, she needed to leave now. He would not die and leave her vulnerable.
“Go. N-now.” Garrick pulled two blades of his own before he stepped in front of Andreas.
Andreas sighed and then turned to the carriage. “Come. We must hurry.”
The carriage opened and Andreas said, “You’d do well to run as well.” But he didn’t stop for an answer.
“Where are we going?” Nora asked as she went to Andreas. Garrick didn’t turn back to look at her or comfort her.
He didn’t have time. The man with the blade struck, and Garrick caught the hilt against his own and with a shift, brought his elbow up and knocked the man back. It would daze him for a moment, but he’d come back.
He heard rushing feet in the distance and his name being called.
Garrick moved just in time to hear the first gun go off. The bullet hit the road not far from his body. The man who’d shot would need long minutes to reload and Garrick had no intention of giving him that.
The man with the blade stepped away and Garrick knew the other man with the gun was taking aim. The shot went wild because the shooter was attacked from behind. He crumbled to the ground with a grunt to reveal Clive. He spun his wooden stave in his hand and then tossed the instrument and struck the other gunman in the back of the head. He hit the ground quickly.
Garrick turned to concentrate on the final man but saw that he was already down. Luke stood over him.
“Sorry we’re late.” Luke kicked the weeping man, likely for pleasure, and then walked over him to stand by Garrick.
Garrick put his blade away. “I didn’t even know you were coming.”
Clive
translated for him and then said, “I found Luke.” He wasn’t even winded from his short fight. His eyes shone brilliantly. He looked ready for more. “Where’s Nora?”
“With Andreas.”
Rushing footsteps had Garrick and he caught Nora just as she reached him. “Garrick! Are you all right? Were you struck? Are you hurt?”
Garrick cupped her face and felt tears seep into his hands. He kissed her and then looked at Andreas, who also came to stand in the circle. He put his wife to the side, “You were supposed to take her away from here.”
“She wouldn’t go far,” Andreas said. “I allowed her to stay around a corner if she promised to be silent and run if things got worse.”
“Worse? I would have died if Clive and Luke had not arrived. That was not something I wanted her to see.”
Nora stepped forward, weeping. “If you don’t want me to see it, then you should have run with us.”
He said nothing more. He simply held her. Garrick looked at Clive and then nodded to Luke. “Where?”
“That was easy enough,” Clive said. “He was following you around.”
Garrick didn’t understand.
Luke answered quickly. “I was in the alley a few nights ago and heard men plotting to take you. So naturally, I followed them and then saw that they were following you.”
“Who?” Garrick asked.
Clive said nothing, but a glance at Nora told Garrick everything.
“What?” Nora straightened away from Garrick. “Who hired them?”
“Home,” Garrick said. He looked around for Andreas and found the man knelt by the driver. With everything that had taken place, he’d completely forgotten about his driver, a former soldier who’d had no family. Thankfully, he was still alive, but that was not the case for a few others.
Garrick turned to keep Nora from seeing them. She didn’t fight him.
His wife was clinging to him again. Her face was buried in his jacket. The tenderness flooded his heart with emotions. It was strange to have someone truly care if he lived or died, someone besides Clive and the others. Nora cared. She loved him.
Clive said, “You both can take my carriage. Andreas, Luke, and I will see to your horses.” It wouldn’t take three men to see to some horses, but it would take that many to see to the bodies on the road. Some still breathed. Some not.
“Thank you.”
Garrick helped Nora into the carriage.
“I need to see Miriam,” she said.
Garrick nodded. “Stay here. Don’t look outside. I’ll be right back.” His driver usually carried a gun. Garrick would ride with it loaded on the way to Kent’s home just in case they were attacked again. His driver likely hadn’t pulled it out before because it would take too long to load.
It was likely better that Miriam stayed with Kent anyway, Garrick thought as he went back to his carriage. Nora would stay as well, since he would not be home tonight.
Lord Thinbrook had come after them, and though Nora had reason to believe Lettie was alive, Garrick knew it wasn’t the case. He’d never met a man quite like Lord Meriweather Holden, but he knew enough to know the man could barely keep a dog alive, much less a girl for eleven years. He’d almost hurt his own sister. Lettie did not live.
And after tonight, neither would Meri.
He pulled up his pistol and loaded it.
Clive grabbed Garrick before he left. “Luke has some other information about Thinbrook.”
Garrick could only imagine what it could be.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 3
* * *
“Where are you going?” Nora asked Garrick the moment she opened the door from Miriam’s room. Kent and Lucy hadn’t changed anything about it. Miriam slept in her bed just as easily as she would have a few weeks ago. Nora, on the other hand, would get no rest tonight. She’d seen the men laying on the ground as she ran to Garrick and she would never forget it.
She didn’t understand what was going on. While she’d explained everything to Garrick, he’d yet to tell her everything pertaining to Lord Van Dero. Clive hadn’t said who’d hired the men, but he looked at her with meaning.
Garrick had removed his jacket and cravat, but she knew he had no intention of staying in Kent’s home. A maid had come to Nora half an hour ago to tell her that her room had been readied for her. She hadn’t even known she would be staying. “Are you going home?”
He shook his head. The hour was very late, yet he seemed more alert than a few hours ago. He seemed readied. Prepared for something.
That distant darkness rested in his silent gaze.
Nora’s stomach flipped. She closed Miriam’s door behind her as she stepped into the hall.
Garrick took a step back. The action made certain they didn’t touch.
Nora wrapped her arms around herself. “Don’t do this.”
“Don’t leave the house. Not for any reason.”
“Garrick, promise me you won’t…” She lowered her gaze. “Did someone call the authorities and report those men?”
“What men?”
She looked up, startled. “The men who wrecked your carriage and injured your driver.”
“A carriage wheel broke. It fell. The driver was injured in the accident. There was no one else there. Only you, me, and the driver.”
“What are you talking about? The wheel didn’t break and the others…”
He touched her chin and held her eyes. “There… was… no one else.”
He wanted her to lie. She understood, but she didn’t know why. “What happened to the others?”
He straightened. “They will be questioned.”
“And then?”
He bent down and kissed her head. “Go to bed.”
She leaned away. “Don’t treat me like a child. I want to know what’s going on.”
He only shook his head.
She grabbed his arm. “Stay with me. Don’t do something you’ll regret. Let’s figure this out together. Who attacked us? Was it Van Dero?”
“No. To bed.”
“Was it Lord Gregory? He said he looked into me.”
Garrick’s eyes flashed. “When did Lord Gregory say this?”
Nora stilled. It wasn’t Lord Gregory her husband planned to visit tonight. She couldn’t think of anything else then. Who else wanted him hurt? Who else…?
Nora struggled to breathe. “You’re not going after my brother, are you?”
Garrick’s eyes remained distant. Neither his hands nor his lips moved to give her a response.
Nora took her hand back and pressed it to her belly. “Don’t.”
He started down the hall and she followed.
“Don’t hurt my brother.”
He stopped and turned to her. “He attacked us tonight. He attacked me. He attacked you.”
“Then we call for a runner. The police. We don’t do this. You can’t kill my brother.”
“I can and I will.” Anger flickered to life in his gaze. “He could have hurt you tonight. He could have killed you.”
“Meri would never hurt me on purpose.”
“If you died by accident, you would still be dead.”
He was right. She knew he was right. “Please, don’t do this. I still don’t know where Lettie is.”
“Lettie is dead,” Garrick said.
“You don’t know that.”
“Luke told me,” he said. He had no trouble with his words when he separated himself from his humanity.
“Luke? The man from behind the brothel? I thought he looked familiar tonight.” But not really. He’d looked cleaner. Almost like a gentleman. “Why would you believe him?” Her heart raced.
“Your brother hired men to kill me. He also heard those men talking about a dead girl and her tiara. They laughed about it.”
Nora covered her mouth and struggled to keep the bile down. “No.”
Garrick nodded. “I’m sorry. I know it hurts.”
“Johanna will be so distraught.”
> “Not just Lettie. I know you care for your brother. I know that is what this is really about.”
Nora covered her face. She did care about Meri. She loved him. He was her brother, how could she not? She didn’t want him to die. “Please, Garrick.” If he knew how much Meri meant to her, how could he do this?
Garrick touched her arms. “I’m sorry.”
She snatched her hands from his arms and glared. “You can’t do this. If you do this…”
He lifted a brow and waited.
Nora pressed her lips together and then shook her head. “I won’t threaten you the way I did before.”
He grunted and looked away before he looked at her again. “You were wrong. Your love does cost something and if I have to choose between your love and your safety, you can keep your body from me for eternity.” He left the hall.
Nora followed seconds after she came into a full understanding of what her husband had said. He was going to do it. He was going to kill her brother.
She watched him walk out the door and didn’t waste time going for her cloak and leaving out the back door. Miriam was safe at Kent’s home. She would go to her brother, beg him to turn himself into the magistrate, and then all would be well again.
And Garrick wouldn’t mar his soul with her brother’s death.
She couldn’t let Garrick do this.
He had no idea how much this would ruin their lives. Meri was hers to deal with. If Garrick killed her brother, it would break something in Nora. She’d never be able to forgive him. She knew it made no sense, but Meri was her brother. He was the first friend she’d ever had.
The thought of him dead caused a pain in her so great that it was hard for her to see straight.
There was laughter by the servants’ entrance and Nora smelled something in the air. With another breath, her mind felt as though it had been cracked open to allow air through. A giggle left her lips and then she grew dizzy and unsteady on her feet.
She gave out a scream when her feet slipped from underneath her. Thankfully, a pair of arms grabbed her.
She couldn’t see where she was going and soon she didn’t care. She could fly. She’d never flown before. The wind whisked her away, and she floated into the night stars.
Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 26