Chapter Twenty-One

P atience woke with a start. Something had disturbed her sleep, but she wasn't sure what the cause was. Now that she was awake, she took a moment to adjust her awkward position. Sleeping in a chair in Asher's bedroom wasn't exactly conducive to a good night's rest. She rubbed at the back of her neck and then went to check on her patient who was still sound asleep.

Another sound downstairs echoed throughout the house. Patience grew concerned that a burglar was ransacking the downstair floors when she heard the distinct sound of breaking glass. She looked around trying to find something to protect herself and Asher with in the event the prowler made his way upstairs. The book she had been reading earlier wouldn't be much help but the poker standing next to the hearth might do the trick. She ran toward the object and picked it up, holding it before her like a Viking Shieldmaiden protecting herself and her loved ones.

Footsteps came closer along with the sounds of doors being yanked open and slammed shut as the perpetrator drew near. Whoever it was, they were clearly looking for something—or someone—in particular. With both hands gripping the poker, Patience held her stance at the foot of Asher's bed who continued to slumber on. The door burst open, and Patience took a swing at the unsuspecting foe. But her aim was off, her wild swing failing to connect. And worse, the poker was easily wrenched from her hands. Her arms were taken in a firm grip, and she was brought forward to stare at none other than Oliver Pitt.

"There you are, my pet. I was wondering when I would find you," Oliver sneered, and Patience turned her head from his offensive breath. He had been drinking and heavily.

"Let me go," she ordered but Oliver only tightened his hold on her arm.

His eyes traveled down the length of her body. He ignored her struggles, but the slight movement on the bed succeeded in drawing Oliver's attention away from her. He pushed her away and went to stand at the foot of Asher's bed.

"Protecting your man like a lioness, I see," he snarled. "But no matter. I came to finish what I started the other night."

"You?" Patience said aghast. "You did this to Asher?"

"He's been a thorn in my side for most of my life. I saw an opportunity to get rid of him and I took it," he replied with a leering grin. "Too bad he didn't die in that alleyway but I'll finish him off for good this time."

Patience didn't even think about what she was doing and instead shrieked in outrage. Flinging herself at Oliver, she raked her nails down his face and had a moment of satisfaction when he heard him howl in pain.

"You bitch," he screamed holding his wounded cheek with his hand before he swung his open palm in her direction. His slap echoed in the room while Patience went flying onto the bed with her cheek burning from the impact of his slap. Asher moaned when she landed upon him.

"Patience?" Asher whispered her name in confusion.

"Not now, dearest. We have company," she said while sliding over to his uninjured side.

"What are—"

"I'll kill you both just to shut the two of you up," Oliver howled before he stepped forward. Patience leaned over Asher to protect him with her body.

But Pitt didn't get far as a loud clang resounded. A low grunt echoed in the room and then the sound of a body thudding as it fell to the floor. Patience opened her eyes to see Cassandra standing there in her night rail holding a cast iron skillet in both hands. Her chest heaved as she took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself.

"No one breaks into my house and threatens my guest and best friend," Cassandra said lifting her chin. Her butler poked his head into the room. "We have a burglar in the house, Higgins. Please send word for a constable to come fetch this man."

"Right away, Mrs. Vaughn," Higgins replied before he left.

Cassandra went to the drapery and pulled at a curtain cord. Giving it a tug, she held one end out to Patience. "Let's tie this beast up before he wakes up and tries to cause more havoc."

Asher took Patience's wrist before she got up from the bed. "Be careful, my love," he said quietly.

Patience nodded and went to the man who had been knocked out cold. The two women quickly tied the villain up. Patience went around the room to light the candles so they could see better.

Higgins returned faster than expected with a constable in tow. The man came through the door and took one look at Oliver on the floor who was beginning to awaken.

"Is everyone unharmed here?" the officer asked looking around the room.

Patience helped Asher sit up in the bed and then pulled a chair next to the bed.

Asher now saw who was on the floor. "I remember," he said turning his gaze to Patience. "Pitt is the one who stabbed me outside of the Lyon's Den after he had his goons beat me up."

Patience squeezed Asher's hand. "Apparently, he was here to finish the job, or so he was boasting. I'm not exactly sure what he had planned for me but I'm glad nothing will now come of it."

Higgins and the constable took Oliver under his arms and began to drag him to the door. "I'll send someone over in the morning to get a full statement from everyone."

Cassandra began ushering everyone out the door, but Patience rushed over to her friend and gave her a hug. "I can't thank you enough for saving us."

"You'd do the same for me," Cassandra said softly before giving Patience a wink. "I think I'll leave the two of you alone, now."

The door closed and Patience went to blow out the candles before going back to Asher's bed. Instead of sitting in the chair, she went to lay down beside him.

"Patience… this is not a good idea," Asher protested even though his arm still went around her as she laid her head on his chest.

"I'm never leaving you again so you might as well get used to me sleeping beside you," Patience replied resting her hand over his heart.

"Sleeping isn't exactly what I have in mind with you this close, my dearest," Asher murmured before leaning forward and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

She playfully swatted him. "You're injured and need to mend."

"I'm not that injured, my love," he said and when she leaned back to peer into his face, there was a truly wicked grin spread across his mouth. Her heart flipped in her chest at the evidence of his desire for her.

She continued to stare into the face of the man who had won her heart the first time she laid eyes on him. "Then you missed," she said pointing to her lips and giving him her own knowing grin.

She waited for his lips to press against her own, but he took her chin instead. "We'll marry as soon as we can make all the arrangements without offending half the ton ," he said as he ran a finger down her cheek.

"I don't give a fig about what Society thinks and you know it," she retorted softly.

"Then we'll marry as soon as we can without angering my mother and your parents. I would hate to be the cause of another family rift between you and your family," Asher said bringing her close to his side. "You did reassure your father that you were here nursing a patient and nothing was happening between us, didn't you? I'd hate for him to dislike your soon-to-be second husband."

"Yes, I managed to talk him around, though he did not like the idea of me not being under his roof during your recovery. To pacify him, you had better ask my father for permission to marry me, Asher. I don't think he could stand us running off like I did with my first marriage."

"I will do so as soon as you allow me out of this bed."

"Then that might take a while because now that I'm here, I don't plan on letting you out anytime soon," she teased causing a chuckle to leave him.

"Then you will marry me, Patience?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll marry you, Asher. You are the only man that will do to make my life complete, and I love you," she answered with a confidence she had never felt before.

"As I love you, my dearest lady. I will love you today and for all of eternity," Asher said as he turned and took possession of her mouth.

Asher was true to his word about showering her with his love. Today was only the beginning of their days together and Patience would be thankful to the Widow of Whitehall who had made this all possible. Patience had found love with a reformed rogue and she couldn't ask for anything more in life than to have Asher by her side. Her life was complete.