When Harry and Littleton crashed through the door and Littleton beat him to Penelope, Harry nearly fell to his knees in panic. Instead, he took up a relaxed stance and used words to stall for time. He knew reinforcements would come soon. He just had to stall the baron long enough for them to arrive. Keep him talking. Make him believe he still had a chance to get out of there without being taken into custody. Stupid man.
When his men came into the room it was the perfect time to make his move. Littleton had relaxed his guard for a moment, and Newbury took advantage by charging him, using his hand to knock the knife from Littleton and bring Penelope down to the ground safely. Ever since that frightening incident, she’d been unfocused, too distracted to notice he’d wrapped the new handkerchief she embroidered for him around his hand, which had been sliced good and deep from the blade. Even now the blood seeped through the fine linen cloth.
“What happened?” she said with a frown as she reached for his arm. He kept it out of reach. She didn’t need his blood all over her.
“Cut by Littleton’s knife. I’ll have Edmond stitch it up and I’ll be good as new in no time.”
Silence. Why was she staring at his hand and saying not a word?”
Finally, after several torturous moments, she spoke very softly. “Do you do this sort of dangerous work all the time?”
How to answer the question truthfully? “Sometimes. Not always. Most of my time is spent watching and waiting. Confrontations like this happen rarely.” Well, rarely did they involve one’s wife. He hadn’t actually lied. “Let’s go home and when you’re rested, we can talk.”
Talk. Penelope wasn’t sure she ever wanted to talk about what happened. Or rather, what could have happened if things hadn’t gone their way. A chill creeped up her spine as she sat in the sitting room that connected her bedchamber to Harry’s. She pulled tight on her dressing robe, hoping it would help alleviate the chill. Unfortunately, the flames from the hearth did little to warm her. Perhaps because it was the middle of the night, and she hadn’t slept in some time, which added to her chill. Being drugged with laudanum and unconscious didn’t count as sleeping.
What was taking her husband so long? He said he would meet with her here after he freshened up. That was hours ago, and she wanted to see him and be reassured his injury was minor. That he wasn’t hiding something from her. It didn’t bode well for their marriage if she believed he was hiding truths from her. Ever since Hadley’s employ, trust didn’t come easy to her.
The creak of a door and soft footsteps had her head turning toward her husband. He looked relaxed in his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, trousers, and bare feet. Recently bathed, if his damp hair was any sign. His hand was newly bandaged with clean linen.
“Hello, my dear,” he said as he strolled toward her and took a seat on the settee beside her. “You look well. How do you feel?”
His concern for her warmed her heart, which helped expel the chill from her body. “I’m fine, now that I’m safe at home.” She gently reached for his injured arm. “How is your hand? Did you need stitches?”
“It’s fine and yes. Edmond does superb work.”
Tension was a living, breathing thing between them. Penelope wondered when it would vanish and be replaced with relaxation for good. Being tense all the time wasn’t good for either of them. It was no way to live within a marriage. She would take the first steps now in helping their marriage along. “I understand why you deceived me in being both Harry and Hugh. Today was eye-opening into the life you lead.”
“Please don’t think it’s always like this.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She snuggled against him, feeling calm spread throughout her body for the first time since they arrived home. “Thank God it’s not usually like tonight. And I promise you, I will let no one kidnap you or use you to get to me ever again. I will never let my guard down. You will be safe. I promise.”
Penelope knew it would take time for the events of the day to fade into her memory. Meanwhile she would trust her husband to keep her safe.
Harry made love to her on the settee in front of the warm hearth before he took her hand and led her to her bed where he spent the night holding her tight as she slept.