Page 57 of The Viscount of Shadows

There was no response.

He glanced down at the seeping wound. “We need to place pressure on it.”

Mitchell took the wool scarf from around his neck and balled it up. He handed it to Oliver, who placed it against Claudia’s side, holding it tight.

“Claudia!”

This time, her eyelids fluttered, and she looked up. “My lord?”

Thank Christ.

He smiled at her calling him ‘my lord.’ “We are on our way to my place. This is Detective Sergeant Mitchell Simpson. He got me out as per your instructions. And now we have found you.”

“Oliver insisted that we not leave here until we had you. He was most adamant,” Mitchell interjected.

Claudia swung her gaze back to Oliver. “You did?” she whispered.

“Yes. I would never leave you behind,” Oliver replied fiercely. “Not. Ever.”

“When all is settled down, I need to hear the story of what transpired from both of you,” Mitchell said.

“One thing at a time,” Oliver answered as he stroked Claudia’s face. All Oliver cared about? Seeing Claudia well. If anything had happened to her— “Are you injured beyond this stab wound?” Oliver asked worriedly.

“No. A few slaps. Nothing more,” Claudia rasped weakly.

Thank God for that. Yes, they would hear the rest of the story. And if Danaher were the cause of her injuries, Oliver would see to it that he paid—with his very life.

Oliver continued to stroke her cheek and hair. “We found you. That is all that matters. I was bereft to hear you hadn’t turned up. I—” He spoke in an emotional rush, his heart exposed. Oliver glanced up at Mitchell, who had an eyebrow raised at Oliver’s passionate tone.

To hell with someone listening in.

“If anything had happened to you, I would have broken into pieces. I would be a complete wreck,” Oliver continued, looking down at Claudia. “You are safe. I have you.”

Claudia took his hand and squeezed. “Oh, Oliver,” she whispered, her voice raw. Her emotions hovered at the surface, ready to spill over. He could see it.

He leaned in closer, as much as his injury would allow. “I want you in my arms, always. I am falling for you, Claudia Ellingford. I am absolutely smitten. You have captured my heart.”

Claudia closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. A lone tear escaped and trailed down her pale cheek.

Oliver continued to hold her, caressing her hair. He understood if she spoke, Claudia would lose control. In light of that, he would not say any more here.

Forget pain. Forget the fever and other aches.

Claudia was safe and in his arms. That is all that mattered.