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In his room, Geoffrey held Angel tightly in his embrace.
How close it had been. He could have so easily lost her.
Perhaps, even tonight, someone would have spirited her away into the brothel to be used against her will. Or she might have endured more beatings at the hands of the monster who worked there. His stomach lurched at the thought, and he tightened his hold yet again.
Angel moaned, and her eyes opened. She stiffened, realizing someone was holding her; until she looked up into her husband’s face.
“Oh, Geoffrey,” she whispered, relaxing. “It is you. I told her you would find me…” and with that, she once again closed her eyes.
“Yes, my love. And I shall never again allow you out of my sight.”
She smiled at his words; but her eyes remained closed.
“I shall lay you on the bed, but I’ll be here at your side. If not, Hannah will be in the room with you.”
She nodded, and relaxed onto the pillow as he lowered her gently down. A small tap at the door sounded, and he stood up straight and went to open it just a crack. Miss Hazel stood outside.
“Burton is here, and awake, my lord. I thought you’d like to know.”
“Can you bring Hannah down to stay with Angel while I go down to see him?”
“I’ll stay with her for a moment. Then I’ll get Hannah.”
Geoffrey nodded as Miss Hazel stood at the edge of the bed. He doubted she realized he was still standing there as she moved quietly to the highboy to retrieve the hairbrush. Moving to the bed, she looked down at his sleeping wife.
“Poor lamb,” she breathed as she leaned over and gently began to brush out Angel’s long curls. “Poor lamb.”
* * *
Burton was leaning back on several pillows when Geoffrey entered the room and tried to rise.
“No, lie still, Burton,” he ordered. “You are lucky to be alive. And I owe you an apology. Had I been there, I might have been able to help.”
But Burton shook his head. “No, my lord. There were four of them; they were watching for us. Had you been there, you might have also been shot.”
“Four? But they found only three.”
“There was a fourth man. I caught sight of him only once, hiding behind an oak. He stood back and let the others do the attack. I don’t know what happened to him.”
“So one got away,” Geoffrey said quietly, nodding. “What happened, Burton? Do you feel like talking?”
“Yes. They came from the east. They wore masks; I could only see their eyes. Lady Wellington lowered the window; I shouted for the ladies to get down. Oliver had been shot by then and had fallen; I feared he was dead. When I heard the door to the coach open, I looked behind me. I heard Lady Angel begging Oliver not to die. She must have either picked up his pistol, or she had one with her.” He put a hand to his shoulder, wincing.
“Burton, just rest.”
“No, my lord. Please, let me continue. I shot one man. She shot a second, but he was just injured. Then she shot the third, and he fell dead.”
Geoffrey’s eyes widened. “Angel killed him?”
He nodded. “She did. I tried to lean back and see if she was all right, but a bullet hit me in the shoulder. I saw the Sheriff’s posse approaching, and then I heard one more shot. It went behind the coach. I remember someone rising up to look inside the driver’s box; then I remember nothing. And I don’t know if the other young lady saw anything.”
“Who is she, Burton?”
“Her name,” he paused, putting a hand to his shoulder again. “Her name is Miriam Hanner. Lady Wellington called her Miri. She was waiting on her stage to arrive from Frederick, but heard it had been attacked. My lady asked if we could give the girl a ride as far as Strasburg. I know I shouldn’t have allowed it, my lord. My deepest apologies.”
Geoffrey shook his head. “I doubt you could have stopped it, Burton. One thing I’ve already learned about Lady Wellington? She can be a very determined young lady when she puts her mind to something.”
Burton looked away. “She looked up at me with those pleading eyes, my lord, and I… I went soft. It’s my fault. If you feel the need to dismiss me—”
“You must be delirious, Burton. What makes you think I would let you off that easily?” But Geoffrey was grinning. A moment later, he continued. “I know those pleading eyes of hers, already, so don’t claim the blame as yours. I’m just very pleased you’ll be all right.”
“And Lady Wellington, my lord? Will she recover?”
“She will. She was not well treated while she was in the clinic. I shall never forgive myself for not waiting in Philadelphia to ride down with her. You’re tired, Burton. I shall go back and check on my bride. Please rest.”
“I shall, my lord. Thank you.”
* * *
Next, Geoffrey sought out Miss Hazel and went to the Library where the walls did not have ears.
“Yes, my lord?”
“Please be seated, Miss Hazel. I haven’t yet been able to notify Oliver’s family.”
“Henson offered, my lord. He asked me to relay that to you. How is Lady Wellington?”
“She’s still sedated; from the smell of it, with ether. It was in the room where I found her.”
Miss Hazel’s mouth became a flat line. “It sounds like the action of Elva Grimm.”
Geoffrey’s expression was the same, though he remained silent.
“Have you thought on Oliver’s service if the family doesn’t claim him?”
Geoffrey nodded. “Zeke is bringing Oliver’s body here for burial this afternoon, unless the family comes for him. We can have the service in the chapel.”
She nodded. “I shall inform the staff of his death, my lord. They will miss him. Shall I send Mollie up to check on Lady Wellington?”
He frowned. “I believe unless she runs a fever, it will be all right to wait. Dr. Craig is to come later and check on Burton, but I doubt Angel will want to see him.” He frowned. “The other girl’s name is Miri Hanner. My wife apparently offered her a ride as far as Pembroke from Baltimore after her stage was robbed and the drivers shot.”
Miss Hazel’s brows shot up. “Burton agreed to that, sir?”
“I don’t know that my beautiful bride gave him much choice in the matter. He has accepted full responsibility, but I shall have a word with Lady Wellington when she’s improved.”
Miss Hazel said nothing for a moment. Then, she shook her head. “I’m sure she thought she was doing the right thing, my lord.”
He leaned back and sighed. “Burton explained some of what happened today; but I need to speak with Giles, and with Angel.”
“A word, my lord? I would keep this as quiet as possible, for her sake. Especially regarding her ill-treatment at the clinic. They had something awful planned for her; that’s sure.”
He nodded. “The clinic is now closed. We found two hidden rooms on the top story. Mrs. Grimm was using them to keep young women as prisoners until they could be moved. Marie showed us where they were. If she hadn’t, we’d have been forced to tear the building apart in order to find them.” He rose from his chair. “Again, Miss Hazel, thank you. I wanted you to be aware of what happened. You are my biggest help here.”
The Housekeeper stared at him. “You may think me forward, my lord,” she began.
Geoffrey returned her gaze. “Please. Go on.”
“I realize this is quite an inappropriate time to ask this; however, I’m wondering how much of my household duties Lady Wellington will assume, once she is well?”
“Unless you have other desires, Miss Hazel? None of them.”
“Does she understand that, my lord?”
“She does. Angel and I have spent a great deal of time discussing her duties here. Her hands will be quite full.” He smiled, and rose. “Thank you again. I should return to Lady Wellington.”
Miss Hazel nodded and left the room.
* * *
Geoffrey found Hannah sitting in a chair at Angel’s bedside, her hands in her lap. She looked up when he entered.
“Has she awakened, Hannah?”
“No, my lord. I thought she might, but she fell asleep again.”
“I was downstairs longer than I anticipated. Burton will be all right, I believe. You may go to see about Miri.”
Hannah smiled. “As you wish, my lord. Will you need to speak with her?”
He nodded. “In the morning, perhaps. Miss Hazel is sending a cot to the blue room for you. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. You could, however, sleep in the maid’s quarters in Angel’s rooms, if you’d rather.”
“The cot will do nicely, my lord. I fear Miri might get up and wander about the house if I’m not close by.” Hannah curtseyed and left the room.
Angel stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She raised her hands, looking at her wrists; then raised her eyes to Geoffrey’s.
“You’re no longer tied, my love,” he said gently, reaching out to put a hand on her forehead. “How is your head?”
She frowned. “Better, sir.” She looked up at him. “What time is it? And what day?”
“It grows late in the evening on Tuesday. We rescued you earlier today.”
“Oh.” She sounded surprised. “Should I be doing something now that I’m here?”
“Only resting, Angel. Sleep now.”
She nodded, whispering, “Thank you,” and closed her eyes once again.
Geoffrey sat by her for another few moments. When James came with a light meal Hazel had sent, he could not awaken her enough to eat. He ate a small amount himself and set the tray outside.
At sunset, he lit a lamp in the room. Angel’s whimper caused him to move to her bedside. “My love?”
The word “cold” was all he caught. Putting his hand to her forehead, then her chest, he assured himself she wasn’t feverish. “I shall warm you, then,” he murmured.
Within a few moments, he had disrobed and climbed into bed behind her. He half-expected her to jolt away in surprise, but she didn’t. He smiled when she simply snuggled back against him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Lowering his head down onto the pillow next to hers, he breathed in the sweet scent of her hair, and closed his eyes in watchful sleep.
Angel whimpered only a few times during the night, but calmed quickly when he moved her toward him and wrapped her once again in his arms. He had spent much of the night staring out into the dimness of the room, listening to her small sounds and wondering how long he could force himself to wait before making love to her. When he turned her to face him, she put both arms around his neck and snuggled closely. It was nearly his undoing.
But he must allow her to heal first. He must. There was no other choice.