Page 46 of The Truth about the Viscount
And then, in one swift movement, Patience bent, picked up the poker, and swung it as hard as she could. It struck Lord Newforth across the side of the head, making him bellow with pain and drop to his knees, his hand going to his head – but Patience did not hesitate. Her breathing coming in quick gasps and the poker still in her hand, she rushed for the door, narrowly avoiding Lord Newforth’s grasping hand, which reached out to grab at her ankles. Flinging open the door which, mercifully, had not been locked, Patience turned the way she had been brought in, hurrying towards the door and to the outside world. Another cry of rage met her ears, chasing her out of the door as she dragged in air. Her heart clamoring in her chest, she twisted to the right, her feet slipping a little on the cobbled streets.
“Patience!” A cry of fright escaped her as her name was called, sure now that Lord Newforth had recovered himself and was hurrying after her. There did not seem to be anyone elsenear her, no other person walking through the streets and, even if there had been, Patience was not certain that anyone would have helped her. “Patience, stop!” Her vision blurred as her breathing grew shallow, her fright biting down hard at her strength and pulling it away from her. Her legs wobbled, but still she pressed on, not sure where she was going, but desperate to put as much distance between herself and Lord Newforth. “Patience, wait, please!” It was thepleasethat gave her pause. Her strength gone, she staggered to a stop, turning her head as she pulled in air, one hand going to the wall as she fought to keep her balance, her other hand still grasping the poker. “It is I.” The familiar face of Lord Hastings came into view as Patience blinked rapidly to clear her vision. “I have found you.”
With a cry of relief, Patience dropped the poker and practically fell into his arms, tears now beginning to fall as she felt his arms tight around her, holding her close, promising her that all would be well. Sobs tore through her frame as the fear that had clung to her for so long finally faded away to nothing, leaving her trembling and weak.
“The maid told me where you were,” he said, his voice close to her ear. “I came at once. I must hope that Lord Milthorpe has been able to stop Lord Newforth from chasing you.”
Patience looked up at him, her breathing growing a little calmer now that she was safe in his arms.
“He is here too?”
“He was with me when the maid came in search of me,” he said, releasing her gently, as though he was afraid that, should he do it too quickly, she might collapse. “Are you all right, Patience?” He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers. “Did he hurt you?”
Patience, recalling the slap, closed her eyes for a moment.
“He struck me when I told him that he would not succeed in his endeavor, that he would do nothing but fail, as he haddone every other time. My words made him utterly furious. But I struckhimwith the poker to escape, so I think that he may have had the more difficult and painful injury.”
Lord Hastings’ eyes rounded.
“You did?”
“I had to escape.” Patience pulled herself close to him again. “His threats were very great, and I found myself deeply afraid. I was not afraid of what would happen to me, but more of what would happen to you. I feared for Isabella’s happiness, for her future, and for the reputation of all of you.”
Lifting his hands, Lord Hastings cupped her face gently, gazing tenderly into her eyes.
“You become more precious to me every day, Patience,” he told her, his words burning into her heart and chasing away the last lingering tendrils of fear. “You think of others over yourself, even when a heavy threat is against you. I would have stood by you no matter what was said, however. I hope that you know that.”
Patience nodded.
“I do.”
“Then let me take you home,” he murmured, putting one arm around her shoulders. “And then, I shall return to deal with Lord Newforth.”
With a small shake of her head, Patience looked up into his eyes.
“Let me stay.”
Lord Hastings’ eyebrows lifted.
“You would be willing to be in his company again? Even after everything that he has just done to you?”
“I will not pretend that the thought of looking into his face again is a pleasurable one, but it must be done.” Patience squeezed her eyes shut tight for a long moment, then with a long breath, steadied herself and gave him a nod. “I want to be there.I want him to see that hehasfailed, just as I said he would, for youdidcome for me, youdidkeep me from him.”
“Only because you escaped first,” Lord Hastings told her, before pressing a kiss to her temple. “Very well, my dear. If you are sure that you wish it, then I will take you with me.” He gave her another searching look and Patience nodded again to confirm to him that she was ready. “Your strength is yet another reason for me to admire you, my dear lady.” Lord Hastings smiled and then let his hand drop to her waist. “Come, then. Let us go.”
Chapter Seventeen
Despite the smile on his lips, Daniel felt nothing but a bubbling anger beneath. He kept his arm tightly around Patience, walking back the way that he had come, and praying that Lord Milthorpe had been able to secure Lord Newforth.
Recalling how the maid had practically flung herself into his drawing room, Daniel went hot all over, remembering how he had been indignant with the maid, and had tried to demand that she leave the room at once. The butler had followed in after her, apologetic and determined to fetch the maid back again. Had it not been for Lord Milthorpe’s interruption, then Daniel might never have heard what the maid had come to tell him. Lord Milthorpe had been the one to give Daniel pause, to suggest that they listen to the lady, given the state of her upset, and thus, with frustration still brewing within him, he had done so. That frustration had quickly turned to fright, and then to fear, as he had practically run from the room, tearing down the hallway and into Lord Milthorpe’s waiting carriage. Lord Milthorpe and the maid had followed closely behind and, within moments, they had begun the drive to where Patience was now being held by Lord Newforth. The maid had, thankfully, known the nameof the street they were to go to, having discovered it from the hackney driver she had used to take her to Daniel’s townhouse. Daniel had fought against his rising fear as the hackney made its way there, fearing for Patience, for what he would discover when he reached there, and praying that Lord Newforth would have done nothing to ruin her.
Sweat broke out on his forehead as he glanced at the waiting carriage, remembering the moment that he had leaped from it, seeing Patience running as hard as she could down the street with Lord Newforth following her – though, for whatever reason, his steps had been slow and stumbling. He recognized now that it had been the strike of the poker against his head that would have caused such a thing, finding himself almost a little glad that the fellow had been himself caused pain, given all that he had intended to do. Rushing after Patience as he had done – and hearing Lord Milthorpe shout thathewould get to Lord Newforth – Daniel’s heart had ached for her, desperate for her to turn and see that it was he who called for her, not Lord Newforth. The moment she had done so, he had seen abject relief on her face and, hurrying to her, Daniel had wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms. She had practically fallen into him and, as he had held her tightly against him, Daniel had silently sworn that he would never let her go from his side again.
“Are you sure that you wish to do this?” Looking down at Patience, Daniel took in the whiteness of her cheeks, aware of just how much she needed to have his arm around her at the present moment. “You need not, Patience.”
Her blue eyes caught his.
“I want to.”
