Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Anger like he'd never known before welled in his chest as he stared at Adam. He was going to kill him slowly.
Caroline was so pale, she was the color of the bedding that tangled about her legs. Her large, beautiful, brown eyes were hollow with fear.
Luke would take each second of her suffering out on the other man's skin. His fists clenched as he charged into the room, every muscle tensing.
Adam released Caroline and she crumpled to the floor as he lunged at the other man.
Distantly, he felt the crop come down on his back, but he didn't even register the pain as his shoulder landed in the man's stomach. Both his arms came around Adam's middle as Adam flew back, landing hard on the floor, Luke's weight coming down on top of him.
He felt the breath rush from the other man's lungs as he pushed up and raised his fist.
Adam recovered enough to bring to whip hard across Luke's face even as he sent a fist crashing into Adam's nose.
He felt the bone break, heard the crunch as blood began to gush down Adam's face.
With a roar, Adam brought one of his hands to his face.
Luke raised his fist again, ready to strike when Mrs. Banks called, "Don't."
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the small pistol in her hand. He froze.
"Mrs. Banks," Caroline gasped as she began to crawl toward them.
"I should have known," Mrs. Banks mumbled. "You can't trust any of them. Not one."
"Not one what…" he asked. But Mrs. Banks had distracted him long enough that Adam gave him a good shove, sending him back.
Suddenly the man was on top of him, the crop raised again.
He lifted his forearm to block the blow he knew was coming when the gun went off. The bang rang in his ears even as acrid smoke filled the air, thick sulfur coating his tongue.
Adam crumpled to the floor.
"Mrs. Banks!" Caroline screamed. "What have you done?"
"I won't let them hurt you. Any of them!" And then Mrs. Banks trained the pistol on him.
Had she forgotten she'd have to reload? He still raised his hands easing up onto his knees.
A brief glance at Adam confirmed that the man was dead. Good riddance.
But now he had a deranged housekeeper to contend with. "Mrs. Banks," he said in his smoothest voice possible. "Thank you for your assistance."
"Don't thank me," Mrs. Banks sneered. "I was trying to protect my lady from you."
He grimaced, staying on his knees. "I appreciate what you're saying. But I would never hurt Caroline or my child. I want?—"
"Men are all the same. Users. They hurt us for their own gain and then insist that we be grateful." Her voice rose with every word.
"Mrs. Banks," Caroline softly said the name, her tears making her voice break. "Please put down the gun."
"If I do, he'll get rid of me and then there will be no one to stop him from hurting you."
"Mrs. Banks, I'm not getting rid of you," he started, though that wasn't really true. The law would do the job for him, though.
"Lies!" she screamed.
"Mrs. Banks." He met her gaze, holding her stare. "You've already fired the lead ball. The gun is useless without another. I am still on my knees because I hoped to calm you."
Her gaze widened as she stared at the pistol in her hand. And then she slowly sank to the floor.
A cry ripped from her lips, and he crawled forward, gently removing the weapon from her grip.
Her sobs built, her body crumpling as she leaned against the bed.
Caroline crawled to her side, reaching out a hand to Mrs. Banks, who clutched her fingers in both of hers. Caroline pressed the other woman close, wrapping her in an embrace.
Luke grimaced.
Caroline's gaze met his, her eyes clear again, as she winced. "Luke. Please. She's saved my life. Twice."
He gave a near imperceptible nod. He was well aware that Mrs. Banks had allowed Adam into his house, but she had been trying to protect her mistress.
With gentle arms, he scooped up Mrs. Banks and lifted her off the floor.
"Where are we going?" Mrs. Banks cried, stiffening.
He looked down at Caroline. "I love her, Mrs. Banks. Very much. And anyone who protects Caroline is a friend of mine. Understand?"
Mrs. Banks eyes widened. "You can't mean that. I…"
"We can discuss how to proceed, but I will protect you as best I can."
"Thank you," Caroline whispered, slowly standing from her side of the bed. "For everything."
* * *
Caroline was going to marry Luke the moment it was possible to do so. Because…
With startling clarity she knew what being with him meant. He'd just forgiven her housekeeper who'd held him at gunpoint, simply because her safety was more important to him than her own.
What more could she ever ask for?
With what man would she be safer? More cherished?
She followed behind Luke and Mrs. Banks as he brought her back to her room and placed her in her bed. "Sleep, Mrs. Banks. When you wake, we'll discuss how to proceed."
And then he turned to Caroline. Wrapping his arms about her waist, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to their room.
"I can walk. You just carried Mrs. Banks up two flights of stairs."
"I like carrying you."
Oh this man…
"Are you really going to help her? Keep her out of trouble?"
"She just tried to kill me."
"Is that a no?" She nipped at her lip. "I think he did horrible things to her Luke. Worse than what he did to me."
"The earl?"
"Yes."
His eyes closed for a moment. "I'll help her."
Her throat closed with emotion. "Some people tear others down and some…" She leaned down to kiss his lips. "Some build others up."
He stopped walking, kissing her several times. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, sweetheart."
She kissed him again, more tears running down her cheeks. "I want to get married."
He smiled against her lips. "Much as I appreciate those words…"
Was he going to reject her?
"Let's discuss tomorrow when you're not fresh off a scare."
Some worry niggled through her. "Have you changed your mind?"
He held her gaze, giving her middle a squeeze. "No. I haven't changed my mind. I just want to make certain you're making the best choice. I know I've pushed my agenda in the past. I won't do that this time. I'll give you all the space and time you need to make the right choice. For you."
Her breath caught. "Luke." He had an angry welt on his face, but no man had ever looked more beautiful.
She dropped her forehead to his, her nose pressed to the tip of his.
"Are you all right, my love? You must have been so frightened."
She had been. Her hands wrapped tight around his neck. "I'm fine now. Because I've got you."
He smiled then. "You always have me. No matter what you choose. I'm yours, Caroline."
"I'm yours too," she whispered back. "Which is why I insist we wed."
He laughed then, giving her a spin. "If it's what the lady wishes."
Despite everything that had happened. She laughed too.
Because she was home. In his arms, she had everything she'd ever need. He wasn't easy. He wasn't the man she'd thought to marry.
But he was hers.
Now and forever.