Page 56 of Ruthless with a Rogue
She opened her mouth again, her shattered blue eyes searching his.“Derek.”The slurred word, like she’d had too much drink, had his pulse spiking again.“Need you,” she mumbled.
His eyes slid shut, and he brought her against him, into him.His body shook once, a violent tremor wracking through him.He couldn’t begin to understand why.Perhaps the shock of seeing her like this, of thinking about what she’d just been through.The fear of the what-ifs still swarming his mind.Or perhaps…it was the cage he’d built around his black heart cracking.From finally being the person someone needed.
“I’ll stay.”He glanced at Doctor Jones.
The man nodded.“Just have her head in your lap so she’s mostly flat.”
Derek swallowed.“Done.”He met Livy’s cloudy blue gaze again.“Hear that?I can stay right here.You just lie down; rest on me.”
She relaxed, and they lowered her, so she was lying between Derek’s legs, torso lightly propped up in his lap.
Ryker reappeared, pushing a cart with linens, towels, and a steaming bowl of water.Kozington followed hot on his heels.Ryker flashed a grin.“My servant.Figured it’s best we have as few eyes and ears in this room as possible.”
The next hour passed in a blur.The physician, despite his appearance, was professional and thorough.The worst of Livy’s injuries were on her face, where she’d been hit.She had some handprints from Pennington’s attempt to restrain her, but otherwise the man hadn’t succeeded in following through with his disgusting plan.She was to be monitored throughout the night.They’d changed the bedding, gotten her into a fresh gown, and she’d drunk a small amount of tea—and kept it down—which pleased the physician.Broth and plain bread had been brought up for later, once she seemed ready to tolerate it.
When Derek had informed the physician of his suspicions she’d been drugged, Ryker had disappeared only to show up later to inform them Bruiser had been able toconvincePennington to admit he’d administered half a teaspoon of laudanum into her claret.
The physician had assured Derek and Lady Elliot that Livy should have no long-term effects from the drug.Just a headache, nausea, the usual side effects of opium.The fact that she’d already awoken and rid most of it from her system was a good sign.
The loss of consciousness after Ryker had saved her was more concerning, but Doctor Jones didn’t find any signs of contusion or injury to Livy’s skull, just the single injury to her cheek.His hypothesis was that she’d fallen unconscious as a combination of shock and lingering effects of laudanum.
Derek ran his fingers through Livy’s blonde tresses, down now so Doctor Jones could examine her head.They were like spun gold sifting through his fingers.Their beauty a stark contrast to the harsh ugliness of the night.She’d fallen asleep long ago, chest rising and falling in a slow, even rhythm.The most soothing sound Derek had ever heard.Safe.Alive.Well.
“You and your niece can stay as long as you need,” Ryker was saying.“Dunmore, are you ready?”
Derek’s gaze flew to Ryker’s, and his body instantly steeled over.Muscles taut, poised, ready.“Yes,” he said quietly, as to not disturb the woman in his arms.
He carefully disengaged himself from Livy and headed for the door.
“Lord Dunmore.A moment?”
Derek froze and looked back over his shoulder at Lady Elliot.
“I’ll wait outside,” came Ryker’s reply just before the door clicked shut.
Derek turned as Lady Elliot approached him.She studied him, her blue eyes assessing, trying to find something—Derek had no idea what.
Her brows pinched, and he didn’t understand what was glimmering in her eyes.It looked like concern, but he had no idea why she’d be looking athimthat way.“Are you well, my lord?”
He blinked dumbly.What was it with this family?Always asking him if he was well.“I…of course.I’m well.I wasn’t the one a-attacked.”He stumbled slightly and hoped she hadn’t caught the slip.“I’m fine.”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
He lowered his voice.“I’mfine.”
She winged a brow.“I believe that as much as I believe you haven’t kissed my niece.”
Derek froze.
She deflated with a sigh.“That’s a topic for another time, my lord.As for now, addressing Livy is my only concern.However, tonight was traumatic for all involved.I have no idea what is going on between you and my niece—”
“Nothing is going on between me and Miss Forester.I am simply assisting her in improving her position in society.Nothing more.”
The woman had the nerve to hum.Like she didn’t believe him.He had no idea why she’d think otherwise.Derek would have acted as he did tonight if anyone were abducted and harmed by a reprobate like Pennington.There was nothing Derek hated more in this world than those who abused the power they held.Derek ran a foundling home that specifically employed women who were victims of what Miss Forester had been subjected to tonight.It was nothing personal.
“If you insist,” she said quietly.“I’ll leave you to it then.”
Derek spun on his heel and strode to the door.
