The Accidental Courtesan (26 page)

“And him?” Her voice was small and weak. She frowned as if trying to clear her head. “I think I know him.”

“It's Mister Crawford, love. I believe we discussed this. I hope the two of us can force some information from our friend.”

“Mister Crawford,” she breathed, “of course.” Appearing satisfied with the answers, Noelle lay back on the pillow. Her face was still marked with worry.

“What is it, love?” He gripped her hand tighter. Her fingers were cold in his palm.

Her amber eyes darted to Crawford. “Can I speak to you privately?” she said softly to Gavin. The investigator nodded and left the room. It was a moment before Noelle spoke, and she stared at the kidnapper. “Did he, ah, touch me in any way?”

Tears sprang to her eyes. Never in his life had he hated anyone so desperately as he did her attacker at this moment. All the fire and feistiness that drew him to Noelle had been extinguished with the shame of thinking she'd been brutalized. She was like a beaten child, helpless. He never wanted to see her like this again; he needed to assuage her fears.

All he wanted to do was protect her, care for her, take away her hurts, and make her smile again.

“He did not.” Gavin hoped it would be enough. He didn't need to tell her about her rumpled clothing or that he suspected the man had touched her in some fashion. All she needed to know was that her innocence had not been breached and she was safe. “I got to you in time.”

A grateful smile crept over her mouth. “My hero.”

He brought her knuckles to his lips. “I am no hero. I'm responsible for this mess. Everything that happened tonight was my fault. I should never have forgotten the danger and left you unguarded.”

Noelle rested her hand on his arm. “No. I got myself into trouble. I forced you to take me to the ball. You asked me to allow you and your investigator to handle the matter, but I wanted to have an adventure. The fault was mine.”

Their eyes met. “There is plenty of blame to share.” He leaned to press his mouth to her forehead. The sweetness of her skin was marred by the scent of fish. As soon as she was well, he would see that she was scrubbed free of the smell of her ordeal. “I don't know what I would have done had I lost you.”

 

N
oelle's heart fluttered. There were several ways to interpret the comment, but she hoped it meant he cared for her. In her muddled mind, she couldn't think of anything more. Her head hurt desperately. She felt like she'd been kicked in the temple by a horse. It was difficult to remain alert and not succumb to the pull of darkness.

It was Gavin's warm hand keeping her from the abyss. Her unrequited love for him aside, if they could not be lovers, then perhaps friends. Outside of the kidnapping, he was the most fun she'd ever had. He made her laugh, and cry, and want to put her trust in him and see where he would take her.

“Be careful what you say, sir.” She pressed a hand to the side of her head where she'd been cuffed. Pain pulsed in her temple. The room shifted, and she felt her stomach roll. “I have been known to get into mischief when left to my own devices. Spending time in my company has been documented to be hazardous to one's well-being.”

Gavin's teeth flashed. “I shall take my chances.”

The room pitched, and she slumped back on the settee. She heard Gavin call out and then felt herself lifted into his strong arms. The room turned to shades of gray as Gavin's face swam before her face in a whirl of color.

“Noelle?” His voice came from a far-off place. It was the last she could remember as the world faded away.

S
he suffered a vicious blow,” Gavin said. He kept his face averted from the duchess's accusing eyes. Her Grace sat next to her sister on the bed, her face awash with worry, but her eyes promised his untimely death. “The footpad downstairs cuffed her when he took her. She was awake for several minutes once we arrived here. The physician said it was a good sign her brain isn't injured.”

He looked at Noelle. It was impossible to see how deeply she'd suffered when the only outward sign was four knuckle bruises lined up in a row on her skin. “I sent word, as I knew you'd want to see her for yourself.”

Noelle was pale as death. His chest tightened. Despite the physician's assurances, and his positive assurances to the duchess, he was terribly worried. It had been hours since Noelle first came around, and with every passing minute, he feared she would never awaken from her deathly sleep.

Her Grace clasped Noelle's hand to her chest, but her gaze was locked onto him. “I should horsewhip you for getting her into this fix, but I know much of this situation happened because she is intensely stubborn. I told her this was a terrible idea, but she cannot see reason when her mind is set.” She looked down at Noelle and bit her lower lip to stop its trembling. “However, should she fail to recover, I
will
hold you responsible.”

It didn't take Her Grace's admonition to make him feel guilty. The weight of his part in this debacle was like an anvil. “I should've made good my threat and locked her in a wardrobe.” He cursed under his breath. “She trusted me to watch over her, and I failed.”

Noelle had been lying there still as death for over fourteen hours while Gavin anxiously focused on her every shallow breath as proof she lived. If there was a pause between breaths, he shot to his feet and pressed his fingertips to her neck. He never left her bedside for more than a few minutes, certain his vigil was what kept her alive.

No amount of pummeling the man whom Crawford watched downstairs could assuage his guilt or rage. Eventually the responsibility came back to him. If he hadn't kissed her, or rather, allowed her to kiss him, she wouldn't have been frightened off by his desire and fallen into the arms of the footpad.

“I want her brought to my home,” Her Grace said sharply. “I can better care for her there.”

“No.” Gavin slumped into a chair. His temples pulsed and pain shot through his brain. “The physician said she shouldn't be moved. To do so could cause greater harm.”

The duchess frowned. “I cannot leave her unattended and under the care of two unmarried men. I'd attend to her myself, but having me living under this roof would draw attention to this house, and there would be an irreparable scandal if the gossips took notice of our presence here. There would be no reasonable explanation.” She sighed. “Though I know and trust Mister Crawford to a small degree, and don't think either of you will harm her while she is ill, it is unseemly. And you have her attacker a floor below!”

What a muddle he'd dropped into. Perhaps sending for the duchess hadn't been a grand idea. She hadn't been happy with him before, because of his indecent attentions to her sister. Now she was fully enraged, and he was wearing a target on his back.

“Crawford will take up temporary residence at an inn and will see to the footpad. He refuses to speak, but Crawford knows a man who can get him to talk.” Gavin rubbed his temple and felt the headache pulse beneath his fingertips. There were men who knew techniques of torture from the Far East that could break a man's spirit and leave him a body without a mind. Gavin found such measures abominable. Still, if it meant saving Noelle from further harm, he'd leave Crawford to do whatever was needed. “I have faith this matter will be resolved quickly.”

“Excellent. Now not only is my sister's situation dire, but we can add torture to the list of crimes.” The duchess turned away and touched her knuckles to Noelle's florid cheek. Deep worry etched tight lines around her mouth. “When you discover the person behind this thievery, I would like to have a hand in the confrontation. My driver has a fine new horsewhip I'd like to try out on his back.”

“If there is anything left to use it on.” The headache was nothing compared to the ache in his stomach. He'd give all he had to rewind the last several hours. All he could do now was flush out the thief-master and care for Noelle.

He refused to believe her state was permanent. His world would be a dismal place without this beautiful and stubborn chit around to keep him engaged.

Gavin's heart tugged. He was startled by the realization he'd grown to deeply care for her. He wanted her to awaken and give him one of her exasperated glares, then smile unbidden under his teasing; as though to do so was a crime against everything she stood for. He wanted to see her scowl at him for his improper behavior, then sigh the instant his lips covered hers.

Deep down, he had the feeling she didn't find him as distasteful as she'd led him to believe. There were times when he'd spoken or behaved outrageously and was certain he caught a glimpse of humor in her eyes. He knew she saw him as little better than a savage. However, it didn't keep her from melting in his arms and kissing him whenever he pressed his attentions.

“The fewer people who know where Noelle is, the safer her reputation will be,” he agreed. His tone brooked no argument. To move her could mean her death. Since he was responsible for this attack, it was up to him to see that she was saved from any further difficulties. “I can care for her myself.”

“Absolutely not,” the duchess snapped, then immediately lowered her voice. “It is like giving the weasel the key to the chicken coop. Why would I trust you not to take advantage of her weakness?”

Now he was shocked and truly offended. Did he look like the kind of man who would paw at her body while she slept? “You cannot believe me such a lowly wretch as to molest her while she cannot defend herself.” He seethed. “I assure you, Your Grace, I prefer my lovers willing and conscious.”

She glared. “Who undressed her?”

Gavin dropped his hands to his sides. The woman was impossible. “She needed less clothing to breathe comfortably. And as I'm certain you noted, she is still covered by her chemise.”

“And what are your qualifications for tending the infirm, Mister Blackwell?” the duchess pressed. “There will be certain delicate needs that will come up. You have no staff here except a housekeeper. Are your prepared for that eventuality?”

More than prepared. “Though my mother had maids to tend to her as she lay dying, I often assisted with her care. I assure you, Your Grace, I can manage quite well.”

Her eyes softened perceptibly when he mentioned his deceased mother. It was a human side of the starchy duchess he hadn't seen until today. And she had every right to be concerned. The conditions here were less than ideal. But he would save Noelle. He owed her that much.

“I'm sorry about your mother.” She leaned to caress the side of her sister's face. “Please make her well,” she said softly. “I would hate to see you hanged.”

Gavin snorted. The sisters were as close to a set of twins as two women born a year or so apart, to different mothers, could be. Both were willful, stubborn, and ill-humored at times. And very lovely, too. There were hints of each other in their eyes and features, but enough of a difference that they could hide their sisterly connection. He hadn't been frightened when he'd been attacked by the trio of footpads. But the thought of meeting the two women in a darkened alley, while they were in a rage, could strike fear in the most toughened heart.

He bit back a grim smile. Noelle would be proud of her sister. She'd enjoy seeing him taken down a peg.

It took another few minutes to convince the duchess to leave Noelle in his care, and a few more to agree to send for her immediately if Noelle's condition changed in any way.

“I will be visiting, and often.” With a parting glare, she left him alone with his patient.

Gavin shook his head. Under other circumstances, he knew Her Grace wouldn't allow this state of affairs. But they couldn't move Noelle, and to bring in a chaperone or servants would risk gossips' getting word of her injury. Once that happened, it wouldn't take long for the stories about Noelle to race throughout the Ton.

Crawford assured him his housekeeper was discreet and lived elsewhere. For much of the time, they'd be alone.

With one last check to see that Noelle was comfortable, he left the room and set off to make final arrangements with Crawford to remove from the town house the filthy piece of cow dung who'd attacked Noelle.

 

I
t wasn't more than an hour or so before a sharp rap sounded on the town house door. A middle-aged woman with a stern face and a sterner demeanor rudely announced herself as Noelle's maid, Martha something-or-other, brushed past him, and took over the majority of Noelle's care with quiet efficiency.

Despite her seeming acceptance of his promise to take great care of Noelle, the duchess had sent a bulldog to nurse her. He'd managed to learn Martha had been with Noelle forever and wasn't about to allow Gavin to hurt “her girl.”