Page 102 of When a Lady Dares
McNaughton stared down at the crimson stain spreading over his linen shirt. Gavin wrenched the gun from his limp hand.
“Go ahead. Pull the trigger.” McNaughton’s taunt was little more than a whisper. “All men do what’s needed to survive. You’re no better than me.”
“You’re wrong.” Gavin shook his head. “Sophie, go downstairs. Find something to bind his wrists.”
“You think this is how it ends, with me dangling at the end of a rope?” McNaughton slowly shook his head, his gaze dripping contempt. “Bloody hell.I’lldecide when it’s over.”
With a sudden jerk of his body, he hurled past Gavin. Over the edge.
Sophie’s scream echoed in her ears. Gavin pulled her to him with his uninjured arm, held her to his chest. So warm. So strong and vital. How she loved him. Tears of relief and shock burned her eyes, but she held them in.
Blast it, she would not weep.
“Oh, Gavin, I thought he’d killed you,” she whispered and pressed a kiss to his mouth.
“Come now, Sophie, I’m made of stronger stuff than that.”
“Indeed. As I recall, I’m the one who pointed out your daring,” she said and kissed him again. “I love you, Gavin. So very much.”
The sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs made it to Sophie’s ears. Matthew Colton threw open the door.
He rushed to her side. “Sophie, are you all right?”
Behind him, Mac Campbell surveyed the scene. “Stanwyck, you’ve been wounded. We’ll get you to a physician.”
Gavin brushed his lips over Sophie’s cheek. He took a step forward, only to stagger as his knees gave way.
“Take good care of her, Colton. I love that brave minx—”
His lids fluttered shut. His head pitched forward. Sophie struggled to support his weight as he sank to the floor.
“Oh, Gavin,” she whispered. “Please…please don’t leave me. I love you.”
Chapter Thirty-One
The housekeeper’s cat was going to be the death of him. Gavin dodged the black mouser as it sauntered over the freshly waxed floor, a miniature predator on the prowl. The creature paused for a leisurely stretch and regarded him with enigmatic golden eyes, seeming to contemplate whether to allow him passage through the corridor or sprawl across the space in an effort to block his way.
Gavin leaned against a doorjamb, bracing himself against a fresh wave of pain. The doctor who’d bandaged the wound had declared his chances of a full recovery were excellent, with the caveat that he rest the affected shoulder until fully healed. Damned if he intended to become an invalid. His arm and shoulder throbbed, but that did not mean the rest of his body was suited to unaccustomed leisure.
The door to Henry’s chamber creaked open. Clothed in trousers that appeared baggy on his frame and a shirt that hung loosely over his bandaged chest, the Scot looked to have regained much of his strength. Thank God. His wound had given them all cause for worry.
Henry eyed Gavin. “Bluidy hell, if this place hasn’t turned into a blasted infirmary,” he said. “The only thing missing is a lovely nurse or two to keep me company.”
Gavin scowled. He’d hired on a topnotch nurse to attend Henry and Avery during their convalescence. The no-nonsense matron certainly did not fit Henry’s specifications, but Mrs. Larkin’s competence was unassailable.
“That’s the last thing you need. I’ll ask Farnsworth to bring you some fresh clothing. Nurse Larkin is due at any moment.”
“Oh, there you are, you naughty scoundrel.” The housekeeper hurried down the hall and scooped up the cat. She shot Gavin a glance.
“Mrs. Edson, would you be so kind as to ask Farnsworth to provide Henry with clean attire?”
She wrinkled her nose. “The gent should be aspiring to time in the tub, provided Nurse Larkin approves. Last time I checked, the plumbing in his bath was functioning quite well.”
“True.” Gavin smiled. “Has Nurse Larkin arrived?”
The housekeeper shook her head. “Not yet. But you have another guest. That’s what I came to tell you.”
“A guest?” He glanced down at his wrinkled trousers, haphazardly fastened shirt, and braces. He rubbed a hand over his jaw, over the growth of beard he hadn’t touched a razor to in days. “I’m in no condition to receive a caller.”
