Kitty’s brother stopped, attempting to take in the scene. Lord Grayson got to his knees and said, “Dell, be so good as to grab a rope from that confounded ship and tie the villain up. He breathes despite Miss Dell’s valiant effort.”
Frederick sprang into action; the baroness rushed to Kitty’s side. “Are you all right,” she said. “Are you unharmed?”
“I am perfectly fine,” Kitty said, though she was not certain that was true. She had dropped the oar and her empty hands now shook. “You are alive,” she said in wonder, staring at Lord Grayson.
“Very,” he said, rising and rubbing his head. “Thanks to you.”
“But your head,” Kitty said, watching the lord rub it.
“Sir John complimented my head with a brick,” Lord Grayson said. “Though he did not realize how hardheaded I actually am.”
“I am afraid I’ve been hardheaded myself,” Kitty said. “I did at first think, when I got the note…”
“That I had written it,” Lord Grayson finished.
“Yes.”
“But I would never…”
“No, I know,” Kitty said.
Frederick had tied up the still-unconscious Sir John. He directed the footmen to haul him into a room well away from the guests and send for the magistrate. All the while, Kitty and Lord Grayson gazed at each other.
The baroness, now assured that her daughter was unhurt, looked interestedly back and forth between her daughter and the lord. “It seems you have defeated the villain together,” she said. “Two people of different strengths combine to victory.”
“I cannot say what strengths I brought to the case,” Lord Grayson said, “other than a foolhardy idea to come out here alone.”
“It was very brave, though,” Kitty said.
“Was it?”
“Oh, I think so.”
“But then, you were so brave with that oar!”
“Well, perhaps.”
“I wonder, Miss Dell, if one were to improve. If a particular gentleman who was perhaps not quite up to snuff were to…apply himself. Well, what I say is there is no reason in the world I could not read every book in Lackington & Allen. If I had reason to.”
“Or,” Kitty said softly, “I might say that a certain lady might not study absolutely all of the time. That lady might make room for other things like poetry and plays. Perhaps science is not to be one’s constant companion.”
“Is it not?” Lord Grayson asked.
The baroness smiled and had the good sense to move away from the couple. Frederick returned from disposing of Sir John, but Lady Penderton caught him halfway there and halted his progress.
Lord Grayson grabbed Kitty’s hands in his own. “I know I am not worthy, but if you’ll have me, I will improve! I’ll force Crackwilder to tutor me all the day long.”
Kitty squeezed his hands back and said, “You’d better not harass poor Mr. Crackwilder in such a manner. Further, I do not see where any particular improvement is necessary.”
“But you would not mind that I so rarely know what you’re talking about,” Lord Grayson said, coming closer to her.
She could feel his warm breath on her cheek. Kitty looked up and whispered, “Perhaps I should not talk so much then.”
Lord Grayson’s lips touched hers to stop her talk. After a gentle kiss he said, “There is no one in the world I love so much as you.”
“Shakespeare?” Kitty said.
“Yes. Much ado about nothing.”
