Page 56 of The Lady’s No Angel

Leo stared at Angel and gave a soft laugh. “I think I love you,” he said, grinning stupidly.

Angel blinked, trying to think past the ringing in her ears, the rushing of her blood in her veins. She was shaking now, but despite everything, his words made her heart erupt, a happy bolt of lightning that surged inside her, making her want to laugh and cry all at once, but then she remembered another of Black Jack’s rather too unvarnished bits of wisdom.

After a fight, men can be excitable and agitated, so you should treat them with caution. They might do—or say—things they might not otherwise do.

In other words, Angel, my pet, keep your hand on your ha’penny, or you might end up losing more than you bargained for.

“We’d best get her tied up quick before she gets her breath back,” Angel said, hurrying to the pickaxe to undo the knot she’d tied, but the rain and her trembling fingers made the job impossible.

“Here,” Leo said, handing her back her dagger.

She took it from him, looking up. “You didn’t use it,” she observed, for though she’d had little opportunity to watch his fight with Bill, she’d never seen him reach for the weapon.

He shrugged. “I don’t like knives.”

Angel shook her head but smiled as she cut the rope. “You’re too good, too honourable, to be around villains. You’ll get yourself killed.”

“I’m still standing,” he observed wryly. “And I did fight in the war, you know.”

“You did?” Angel stood, staring at him.

His eyes grew sombre, the laughter and merriment that always danced there fading for a moment. “I did. And I will never take another life so long as I live, if I can help it.”

Angel gazed at him for a long moment, sensing his regret. She nodded, understanding. She reached up and touched his cheek gently, inspecting the bloody scratches. “So long as you don’t lose your own for being too noble.”

“I’m not as decent as all that,” he remarked, sounding far more like his old self. “I’m rather fond of myself, you know.”

“Oh? I hadn’t noticed,” Angel said with a laugh. Her voice was light, carefree almost, but it trembled a little and she took a breath, forcing her turbulent emotions to quiet as she knelt and tied Mercy’s wrists together. The woman groaned but seemed to be returning to her senses as she tried to kick Angel, who dodged just in time.

“Bitch,” Mercy snarled, and spat blood on the ground at Angel’s feet.

“A charming lady,” Leo observed grimly. “Come, we’d better deal with Bill. I’m in no hurry to subdue him again. Considering he’s injured, he was hard work, and I swear his jaw is made of granite,” he added, rubbing his knuckles with a frown.

Angel nodded, and they made quick work of tying Bill’s wrists and ankles, having no desire to see him get free.

“Next time I’ll shoot him somewhere more incapacitating,” Angel said cheerfully. “Though if I’d aimed for his h-head he probably wouldn’t n-notice—” she stammered, and then, despite her best efforts, burst into tears.

“Angel!” Leo hurried to her, pulling her into his arms. He held her tight, one large hand cradling her head against his chest. “There now, love. We’re all safe. No harm done.”

Angel shook her head, too furious with herself not to speak. “This is all my fault. You might all have been killed—because of me! I ought never to have dragged you all into this.”

Leo grasped her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Now, none of that. You didn’t blackmail any of us into coming with you. Milly and Toby knew what you were about and you tried your best to get rid of me. So, stop being such a pea goose. You’re just a bit shaken up, that’s all. If you want to cry, you go right ahead, but not on our account.”

“I n-never cry!” she said crossly, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

“Well, there’s a first time for everything. I feel a bit overwrought, myself,” he admitted, his voice gruff.

Angel sniffed and looked up at him. “You?”

He nodded, gazing down at her as he cupped her cheek with his hand. “I’ve never been so scared in all my life. Oh, not because of him,” he said dismissively, glancing over at Bill, who was stirring now. “But at the thought I might lose you, before—before—”

“Mr Cleaver!”

They jolted, springing apart as the gig rattled into view. Toby waved at them, beaming from ear to ear as Milly guided the pony into the yard. The lad jumped down and ran at Leo, throwing his arms around him and hugging him tightly. “I knew you’d come!” he said, sounding choked, before giving Angel the same treatment. “I knew you’d not leave me there, not for a moment.”

Angel hugged the lad tightly, closing her eyes and relishing the moment. He was alive. She crouched down to look him over. “They didn’t hurt you?”

Toby shook his head. “Nah. She threatened to, though. Wicked, she is, miss, and I reckon she might have done if you’d not come so quick, but you came and got me before she could do anything.”