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Gently, she stroked his matted hair. Her heart was so full she thought it might burst. It had been so very close. She could be sitting here now, cradling his lifeless body.
“Why?” she whispered suddenly. “Why did Lord Cardigan do it?”
He shuddered. “It was old business between us, Patricia.” He was silent for a moment. “He was the one who gave me the scar on my face. I discovered that he was a traitor that day on the battlefield, you see. He tried to kill me then but did not succeed. And so he was trying to shut me up forever; he was frightened that I would one day reveal his treachery to the world.”
She gasped. “He gave you the scar? He hates you that much that he plotted this?”
Jackson nodded. “It would seem so. He has been trying to undercut me in business matters recently and he was trying to take you from me as well.” He sighed. “That was his grand plan, Patricia. Once I was dead, he was going to make you his wife and get the duchy. He wanted everything that was mine.”
A stab of anger entered her heart. That man was the vilest creature that she had ever encountered. She had never liked him right from the start, but she hadn’t realized how truly evil he was. A traitor who was trying to cover his foul tracks with murder and sabotage.
“He will hang for this,” she said slowly, her voice shaking with rage. “Lord Reading assured me of it, and I shall make very sure of it. He will never blight our lives again, Jackson. Your nightmare is over.”
He nodded. “Itisover, Patricia. In more ways than one. For not only is Cardigan going to get his just desserts, but I am finally free of the memory of what happened that day. It has come full circle.” He paused, gazing at her ardently. “It is your love that has healed me. Your love has set me free.”
Her heart flipped over in her chest. Slowly, she bent her head and brushed her lips against his. The kiss was tender and gentle and full of the promises between them. A kiss to seal their love, forever.
It was the sweetest kiss she had ever had.
Suddenly, there was movement in the doorway. It was the two gentlemen, dragging Lord Cardigan, by the scruff of the neck. The Watchman trailed them with his pistol drawn and held against the captive’s head. Cardigan was panting and he looked scared. Patricia could see the beginning of a black eye swelling on his face.
“Is this the man who abducted you and was about to kill you?” asked the Watchman, staring at Jackson.
Jackson nodded slowly. His face was twisted with hatred. “It is. God rot his black soul.”
“That is all I need,” rapped the Watchman. He turned to Cardigan. “In the King’s name I am placing you under arrest for crimes against this person.”
Cardigan struggled, trying to break free. His eyes were wild.
“I am a baronet!” he shrieked at the man. “I was trying to save him from those ruffians!”
“I advise you to stop, Cardigan,” hissed Lord Reading, tightening his grip. “We may not have caught the ruffians helping you, but you were unable to escape. We witnessed what you were about to do. You cannot lie your way out of this. It is over.”
“No!” screeched Cardigan, struggling anew.
“You are a traitor as well as an abductor,” cried Jackson. “I have no witnesses to what you did that day on the battlefield, but your goose is well and truly cooked this time, Cardigan. I hope you hear the screams of all the men you sent to their deaths that day when it is your time to hang.”
Cardigan blanched.
“Let us take him away,” said the Watchman curtly.
The gentlemen nodded. “We will be back as soon as he is in lock up,” said Lord Reynolds. “And then we will get you home. I shall send for a physician after we get there to tend to your injuries, Merriweather.”
Patricia nodded, gazing at them gratefully. “Thank you.”
Jackson stared at the men, his eyes misting with tears. “And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you, as well. You saved my life.”
The two gentlemen looked abashed.
“We are glad to come to the aid of a man who has defended our country, no need to thank us Merriweather,” Lord Reynolds nodded with respect.
The Watchman grabbed at Cardigan’s collar and announced they would take him to the magistrate immediately, and the next minute they were gone, leading Cardigan down the stairs as he continued to curse and yell.
Slowly, they turned to each other again. Gently, she stroked his poor injured face, her heart swelling with pity. She couldn’t wait to get her husband home and care for him. She couldn’t wait to get out of this foul place and put this horrific night behind them.
Adam entered the room, watching them with a smile on his face. Patricia’s heart softened. What a courageous and good boy he was. Without him, none of this might have happened.
“I am so very proud of you, Adam,” she said, a lump in her throat.
