Her fingers trembled slightly at the ugly memories, but the sight of Harrison standing unharmed before the washbasin provided much needed reassurance. Stripped down to his cotton undershirt, he met her questioning gaze. A haunted expression darkened his eyes to the hue of a forest at first light.
“Are you certain you’re all right? I need to know.”
“I’m fine,” she said, the words not quite a lie. Yet not quite true. Physically, she was unharmed. But after enduring the horrible fear that had permeated every cell of her body as she’d prayed for Harrison’s safety, she sensed a part of her would never be the same.
“And Belle—she is unharmed?” He shrugged on a clean shirt and began to button it.
“Yes.” Grace swallowed hard at the thought of what might have happened. “It’s a miracle you got there in time.”
He’d tasked a young footman with riding over the grounds to make contact with the Antiquities Guild operatives who’d been stationed at the perimeter of the estate. Grace had not even known the agents were there, ready to spring to action in the event of an emergency. They’d rushed to the scene and had taken charge of the investigation, ensuring that Raibert was securely behind bars in the jail at Stirling.
“Indeed.” Leaving his shirt partially unbuttoned, he came to her. His arms enfolded her, warm and strong and gentle. His lips grazed her temple. “I could not have lived with myself if you’d been harmed.”
She stroked the curve of his face with her fingertips. Did he have any idea how dear he was to her, how very much she cherished him? She silenced the troublesome thought.
“They tried to drug me,” he said. “Mrs. Carmichael’s drink was also tainted. The fools were too intent on their games to notice we discarded the liquid into one of the unused tankards when they weren’t looking.”
“How did you realize what they were up to?”
“My suspicions about Raibert were heightened when I spotted the necklace Belle was wearing. I can’t be sure yet, but I believe he stole the necklace from a merchant he attacked in Glasgow. Mrs. Carmichael and I needed to keep our wits about us in case Raibert made a move.”
“Good heavens. She adored that necklace. He’d given it to her before they were betrothed.” Grace swallowed against a rush of emotion. “When we left that room, Belle had no idea what Raibert and the others had planned.”
A vein pulsed in his temple. “If I’d known they dared to attempt such a thing, I never would have allowed you to leave my sight.”
“I feel so badly for Belle. Raibert broke her heart.”
“The bastard,” Harrison said, grim disgust coloring his tone. “When I saw him threatening you, I wanted to kill him. I still don’t know if I made a mistake leaving him alive.”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek, almost chaste. “The blackguard will see justice. You did the right thing.”
He stared down at her, holding her so near to his body she could feel the steady pulse of his heart against her breast. “I wanted to toss the cur out of that window. Seeing him hurt you was a pain like no other.”
“It’s in the past now. Mrs. Carmichael bandaged my injury. It was actually rather minor, nothing to worry over.”
“I’ll have to examine it. I won’t rest until I’m positive you’ve been well cared for.”
“There will be time for that later, once we’re back in Stirling.”
He nodded his agreement.
“Leading Raibert to believe you’d found the dagger was a brilliant strategy. But drawing his rage to yourself was a risk you should not have taken.”
“There was no choice. I had to get him away from you. I could not take the shot when you were trapped so close to the line of fire.”
“What you did was exceedingly brave. But I do pray you’ll never do anything so courageous again.”
“With any luck, I won’t have to,” he said with a wry smile.
“Did the agents find the dagger?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. But it’s here. Raibert wouldn’t have been in a panic when I suggested I’d taken it if he’d hidden it somewhere else.”
“Where do you think it might be?”
“Given the vastness of this structure and the grounds, there’s no telling where he stashed it.” His shoulders lifted and fell in a little shrug. “But we’ll find it. The agents will comb this place until they do. As Raibert’s lawful wife, Belle has given her permission for whatever inspection of the premises we deem necessary.”
“Recovering that dagger will be a triumph for you.”
He shrugged again. “I can’t say that I give a damn.” He drew her closer. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
Dipping his head, he claimed her mouth in the sweetest of caresses. His kiss was tenderness and passion and love, blended in one delectable kiss. She’d never tire of the feel of that touch that spoke far louder than words.
When he spoke, his voice was rough and husky with emotion. “I adore you. You know that, don’t you?”
“I’ve had my suspicions,” she said with a little smile.
A cloud swept over his features. His expression shifted, suddenly somber.
“Ah, Grace… Letting you go is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
