Page 18 of Lady Gambit
“We don’t know why the men shot your brother,” Dorian said.
Aaron Chance had many enemies.
Dorian had more than a few himself.
“They came for me, Mr Flynn. I should have gone with them.”
“Had you been foolish enough to do so, we’d have found you floating in the Thames.” What did a band of thugs want with Delphine Chance? Why had they not shot her in the street? “Did they mention you by name?”
“No, but?—”
“It’s not the first time someone has planned to kidnap her,” Theodore mumbled, his face twisting as he battled the pain. He tried to speak again, but the effort proved too much for him.
“I need to remove the lead and close the wound,” Dorian said, steadying his hand. “We can discuss the incident later. Feed him the opium tincture, then use brandy to clean the wound. Hold him down, Miss Darrow. Keep all your weight on his legs.”
“I shall do my best.” A blush touched the modiste’s cheeks as her dainty hands settled on the man’s muscular thighs.
Miss Chance ignored her brother’s sharp hiss as she poured liquor on the wound. “Be brave. You’ll be up again in no time.”
The man’s pride had likely taken the brunt of the damage. Such a dangerous fellow would need to prove he could stillpound his opponents to a pulp. The wound would heal. The assault on his character might do irreparable harm.
Dorian braced himself as the carriage bumped through ruts in the road. He inhaled deeply, digging the blade into the torn flesh and using the tweezers to free the ball.
Theodore cursed. “Damn you to Hades!” He jerked violently. “Get the damn thing out! I swear, I’ll kill you for this, Flynn.”
“Hold still.”
“He’s trying to help you,” Miss Chance interjected. She met Dorian’s gaze. Even amid the strife, something warm and enticing swirled between them. “I assure you, Mr Flynn. He is most grateful for your efforts. He will tell you so when he’s of sound mind.”
He smiled to reassure her. Nothing would be the same after this. The Chance brothers would go to war. She would return to her impenetrable tower, the guilt a heavy burden to carry.
He pulled the lead free and used the bandage to soak up the blood. Miss Chance watched while Dorian set to work with the needle and thread.
“One might wonder where you gained such a skill, sir.” Miss Chance’s large brown eyes seemed to drink him in.
“Chasing the truth comes at a price.” He had been in many scrapes since school. “When one finds blackguards for a living, it pays to be prepared. Daventry could tell you a tale or two about our escapades.”
Her gaze moved over him as if she could see the scars beneath his clothes. “Aaron almost died once. His body is like a journal of his life. Each mark and blemish tells the story of his endless battles.”
Everyone knew of Aaron Chance’s pugilistic skills. He began fighting at the tender age of twelve when his disreputable father forced him to brawl with men twice his age. Being the sons of selfish prigs, they had something in common. In siring abastard, Dorian’s father bore some responsibility for the ugly scars onhisbody, too.
“Most women disapprove of violence.” He took another bandage from Miss Darrow. “Yet you speak with a semblance of pride.”
“Along with honour, courage is the greatest quality of the mind.”
“You quote Aristotle.” He was equally well-versed in the ancients. When a man had a buffoon for a father, he sought guidance elsewhere.
She gave an embarrassed shrug as she watched him secure the bandage over the neat stitches. “I could quote many philosophers. Their message is often the same. My brothers refused to be defeated. Against the odds, they built an empire. That takes courage, Mr Flynn. How could I not be proud?”
He studied her for a moment, compelled to discover what else lay hidden behind those intelligent eyes. What delights lay beneath her fashionable blue dress?
He became aware of how close she was. So close he felt the soft breeze of her breath on his cheek, warm like summer air and just as enticing. He could smell her lilac soap, feel lust’s undercurrent coursing through his blood.
Miss Darrow’s discreet cough broke the spell. “It seems the opium is taking effect. Do you have a blanket, sir? We should ensure Mr Chance is warm while he sleeps.”
“Sadly, a blanket is the one thing I don’t have.” He glanced out the window and noted they were passing the alms’ houses in Newington. “We’ll reach our destination soon. We’ll see to his every comfort while awaiting a physician.”
Miss Chance stroked her brother’s forehead. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for him, Mr Flynn. I’m sure you know to expect Armageddon when my eldest brother arrives. But you’ve saved Theo’s life. As silly as it sounds, I shall be your protector.”
