Page 118 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

He howled, holding his head and glaring at Evangeline. “I take it back. Yer nothing like my sister, you bloody harpy. I’ll enjoy killing you with my bare hands.”

His face contorted, he advanced on Evangeline and Sophia, stalking past Regina slumped against the wall.

Sophia clung to Evangeline as they backed away.

Regina braced her arm against the wall and stood, a little wobbly now.

“Waa!” Sophia broke into loud, hiccuping sobs, surprising Evangeline and their attacker.

“What the devil?”

Sophia cried harder.

“Stop that!”

Regina crept up behind him and rammed her foot into the back of his knee. His leg folded. He landed hard on the floor with a deep grunt.

Evangeline and Sophia rushed past him, all three of them running toward the front of the villa.

He was up again and pounding after them.

Reaching the front staircase, Evangeline and her sisters clattered down the steps and burst into the courtyard. Wolfe was only a few seconds behind. They headed for the kitchen and rounded the corner of the house. Aunt Beatrice was wrestling with a board jammed between the two door handles. It fell free.

The door flew inward. Xavier burst outside, barreling toward Wolfe with a battle cry.

Wolfe whipped toward him. “Shite!”

Xavier ducked low, driving his shoulder into Wolfe’s stomach. His feet came off the ground. He was airborne a second before landing at the foot of the fountain.

Xavier pounced on him, gripping the front of his shirt.

“This is for my wife.” He punched Wolfe. “And this”—he punched him again—“is for throwing me from the carriage in London.”

Evangeline looked at Regina with raised eyebrows. Her sister shook her head. “I have no idea.”

There was a racket at the back gate. Leda’s sweetheart entered with Mrs. Li and a couple of Janissaries. Mrs. Li pointed at Wolfe pinned beneath Xavier.

The authorities headed for Wolfe.

The household servants gathered in the courtyard while Wolfe was taken prisoner, presumably discussing what was taking place. Joy was at Aunt Beatrice’s side, cradling Cupid against her chest as he tried to break free.

“Cupid, stop,” Aunt Beatrice said as she pulled a piece of smoked meat from her pocket and offered it to him. “You are such a naughty boy.”

As the Janissaries lugged Wolfe toward the back gate, Jonathan and Crispin flew into the courtyard.

Jonathan searched the area. His gaze locked on Evangeline, and he ran toward her.

“Jonathan!” She threw herself into his arms. He squeezed her tight.

“I thought I lost you,” he said.

“Thank God, you’re here.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Did you find Farrin?”

Their questions overlapped.