Page 94 of A Little Bit Dangerous
Christian was running, pushing men and chairs aside to reach Isabella.
Two shots were fired. Two people hit the floor. Neither seemed to move. It happened in a split second—his hope of Isabella escaping alive instantly shattered.
“Isabella!”
Despite the chaos left in his wake, he vaulted onto the stage and dropped to his knees beside the woman he loved. He moved to touch her, but his hands shook violently, and he was too scared to check her pulse.
No! He’d sell his soul to the devil if he lost her.
Aaron was beside him, choosing to help rather than making sure Lawton was dead. “Both shots hit Lawton. I’m certain. Daventry said his man made the bird call.”
He grabbed Aaron’s arm and firmed his jaw. “Make this right. She’s not gone. Tell me she’s not gone.” Tears gathered behind his eyes. His throat was so tight he could hardly breathe.
But then Isabella moaned weakly and moved her limbs.
Christian did cry then.
Relief poured from his body, soothing him like healing waters.
He dared to grip her arm and haul her onto her back.
Her eyes flickered open. “Christian!” She reached up and cupped his cheek, but her hands were so damned cold. “I feared I’d never see you again.” She touched her abdomen as if something pained her.
“Are you hurt?” He could see no sign of a wound or blood. Why the hell was she wearing red? “Were you shot?”
She shook her head and heaved a breath. “The fall knocked the air from my lungs. I must have fainted.” Then, as if remembering something important, she sat up. “Hurry! Help me to my feet.”
Fearing she wasn’t strong enough to stand, Christian scooped her into his arms. He glanced at Aaron, crouched beside Lawton’s lifeless body. The look on his brother’s face was unreadable. A complex fusion of sadness, relief and crippling disappointment.
“I can walk.” Isabella pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “But I need your help with something else. Will you undo the clasp on this ruby necklace?”
Amid the disorder in the ballroom and Daventry’s demand that every man remain seated, Christian did as Isabella asked.
“Wait here. It’s best you’re not involved in my reckless decision.” She turned on her heel and darted through the thick red curtain without sparing her father a fleeting glance.
Christian followed her into the garden, where she hurried to catch Ethel Cartwright and a group of foreign women.
He listened to the conversation but did not intervene.
“Take these.” Isabella thrust the ruby necklace and earrings into Ethel’s hand. “Hurry. Go now before the magistrate arrives. You’ll hang for the part you played. I know how manipulative my father can be. I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t fired the fatal shot.”
Ethel looked at the priceless gems in her hand. “I can’t take your jewels. You’ll need them. You could go to Egypt and study those ugly figures you love.”
Isabella glanced at Christian, her gaze softening. “There’s nothing for me in Egypt. Take them. Go now before the authorities arrive.”
Christian stepped forward. “Keep away from the main roads, Miss Cartwright. There’s a pawnbroker in Compton Street, St Giles. He’ll buy the jewels. Tell him I sent you. Tell him diamonds never lose their lustre.”
“Go!” Isabella shooed Ethel away. “There’s no time to lose.”
“You can’t use the front gate or the boats moored on the river,” Christian said. “I’m sure I saw a door in the west wall.”
Ethel nodded. She used a series of hand gestures to force the rescued women to remain in the garden. Then she took to her heels and disappeared into the verdure.
Having spent hours longing to touch Isabella, Christian cupped her elbow. “I thought I’d lost you. I’ve tried to remain focused these last few hours, but I’ve been out of my mind with worry.”
She met his gaze, her watery eyes conveying the depth of her fears. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have opened the door. I kept my promise and never crossed the threshold, but the conte’s men were lurking in the darkness, waiting to pounce.” She came up on her toes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “Once I’d given Mrs Maloney her port, I planned to return to your bed.”
Christian wrapped his arms around her. He poured everything of himself into a tender kiss. Every sensual stroke of their tongues served as a reminder of what they’d almost lost.
