Page 44 of A Raven Reformed

Isaac blew out a long breath as he nodded. “It was. But to be fair, that was partly your own fault.”

Michael snorted. “By all means, enlighten me. How was it my fault that you shot me?”

“I had actually decidednotto shoot you, but then you clipped that clay pigeon, sending it crashing down on top of me, and the gun accidentally went off.”

“But why did you want to shoot me in the first place?”

He closed his eyes for a moment, looking as exhausted as Michael felt. “I thought you were hurting her.”

Michael groaned. “You were the source of the rumors.”

Isaac nodded in confirmation.

“Jesus Christ, man. You have caused me so much headache.”

“I know. And now that I realize the truth, I am sorry.” At least the man had the decency to look penitent.

“I don’t understand. Why all the subterfuge? Why didn’t you just ask her? Belle could have simply told you she wasn’t being abused.”

“If you really were abusing her, and you saw her with me or knew that she had told me, it would have put her in danger. That’s why I took the position in your household during your house party. I thought I was being diligent.”

“So why had you decided not to shoot me?”

Isaac shrugged. “I was afraid that might just cause more trauma for Belle. Or perhaps I was just too much of a coward.”

“But if you’re not her lover, then why did you lure her to that cottage?”

“I amnother lover. I was going to get her away from here. Away from you. But when she came, she told me the truth of it.”

Every answer just brought more questions to the fore. “Why did you come back with her rather than just sending her home on her own? You easily could have escaped without being caught.”

“Of course I could have. I grew up on the streets of Boston. I’ve dealt with worse than the likes of you and your muscle.” He shrugged. “She didn’t actually know I was following her, but I needed to make sure she was safe.”

But then suddenly, Michael understood. “You came with her so that if she was caught sneaking back, I’d focus my anger on you, rather than her.”

Isaac didn’t say anything. Michael closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “Why are you here, Isaac? Why did you cross an ocean to come and save her?”

“I made her a promise,” he said. “She came to me that night. You had just appeared and, well, turned her whole life upside down. She was scared and begged me to take her away. She even suggested I could marry her. But I could never see her as my wife, and I could never provide her the kind of life she deserves. Certainly not the lavish lifestyle a nobleman could. So I sent her back to you with the promise that if she was unhappy with you, I would come and rescue her.”

“That’s an impressive level of loyalty you have to some girl from the neighboring property.”

“Yes, well, like I said, she reminds me of my sister.”

“What happened to your sister?” Michael heard the man’s swallow even from feet away.

“I failed her. We were orphaned young, and I tried to take care of us on the streets of Boston. But clearly, I didn’t try hard enough. After—” He slowly inhaled a shaky breath and didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t have to. “I left Boston. Then one day, Belle appeared in my life. A happy kid with an infectious smile and a need for adventure.” A small smile tried to grow on his injured lips. “I swore I wouldn’t fail her the way I had Alena.” He looked Michael in the eye then. “For what it’s worth, my lord, I am sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

It had cost him to use the words my lord, but it had served its purpose. “I think you probably are. Which leaves me with quite a conundrum. What am I going to do with you?”

“If you could see your way to not killing me, I’d be ever so grateful.” Isaac laughed cynically, a hand shooting to his ribs from the pain.

“I’m not going to kill you, Isaac. And I’m not going to have you sent to the gallows for shooting me, either. We’ll call it even.” Michael waved his hand at the injuries he’d given him.

Isaac’s breath whooshed out in a rush of relief. “Truly?”

Michael nodded. The man had crossed an ocean and condemned himself to death all to keep Belle safe. There had to be some value in that. “Unfortunately, until I figure out what I am going to do, you’re going to have to stay in there. I will have some food brought down for you, though.”

“Did I mention I grew up on the streets of Boston? This is positively luxurious compared to that.”

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