“Pae!”
Suddenly, her attacker was gone, and the solid crack of a fist hitting bone was the last thing she heard as she sank to the floor.
“Pae, my love.” Richard’s arms came around her, enveloping her in safety.
She clung to him, shivering like one of Cook’s blancmange.
Then her stomach twisted, and a vile gorge rose in her throat. “He was going to—going to . . .”
“I know, my love, but it’s over now, and I’m here. No one will ever harm you again.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Get the coach. We’ll meet you in the hall.”
“Give me one minute to clean up this rubbish, and I shall be happy to.”
“Matt?”
Richard nodded, holding her closer. “When you didn’t return, I went looking for you, and he came with me.”
“Sir Grant”—she took a breath, but she was shaking so hard her teeth clicked together—“knows. Everyone will know. We cannot continue.”
“I agree completely.” He kissed the side of her head. “This state of affairs is not to be borne.”
She heard a man moan in pain.
“There,” Matt said. “He won’t try to harm another woman for a while. I’ll get the carriage.”
By the time she and Richard were in the hall, the Worthington town coach was waiting. There was no sign of Sir Grant.
Richard bundled her into the carriage, then turned to Matt. The men spoke in low tones for a few minutes before Richard joined her. She was thankful it was him and not her stepson. There was no way she could have explained her behavior to Matt.
She was cold, so cold.
Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Richard held her close to his warmth. “I should have not allowed you to go alone.”
“You could not have known.”
“I knew he was a lecher. I did not know he was a rapist. I should have been there to protect you.” Her body warmed as she cuddled against him. “But you are my main concern. Shall I stay with you?”
“I’ll be fine once I am at home. Just hold me.” Tomorrow she would have to tell him they could no longer be together. As much as she loved him, she could not leave her daughters. Nor could she risk a scandal that would harm their reputations. Yet how could she bear to live without him in her life?
Chapter Ten
Richard saw Pae safely into Stanwood House before returning to the Bellamnys’ town house. As neither he nor Pae had actually made an appearance at the party, he decided to make use of the library. A brandy would not go amiss at the moment.
He opened the door. Almeria Bellamny was standing next to the desk. “How is Patience?”
“Well enough, I suppose. Who told you?”
“Worthington found me after you left. He will inform anyone who asks about her that she is still not feeling quite the thing.” Almeria stared at Richard for a moment, her black eyes hard as stone. “I shall ensure Sir Grant is never invited to anothertonparty. However, that will not stop him from attempting to blacken Patience’s name. At the very least, she will be subjected to the improper advances she has successfully avoided for years. What I wish to know from you is how could you have been so careless?”
Richard dragged a hand down his face. “I did not think—”
“Clearly.” She bit the word off.
“No one seemed to be around.” He finished lamely. He should have been more careful especially after seeing Sir Grant at the inn. “Almeria, I love her, and she loves me.”
“In that case, I suggest you do something about it that does not include ruining her reputation.” She swept out of the room, leaving Richard to stew in the juices of his own making.
He poured a glass of wine, but instead of drinking it he held the glass up and watched as the light played on the cut crystal and the red of the claret as they cast myriad colors on the walls. If only he had not been responsible for his estates, he could have made his home with Pae at Worthington’s estate.
