Page 37 of Shining Knight
“I think it is rather obvious,” Graham retorted.
“Is it? Because when I arrived, you were rolling him off her.”
“Good God, man, what are you suggesting? She had to fight him off with a knife!”
“What lady has a knife to hand?” Lady Augusta asked derisively.
“Thank goodness she did!” he barked.
“Perhaps, when Lady Eugenia feels able, she may explain,” Farnsworth said with grating calm.
“Both of you should be defending her,” Graham growled. “Her aunt and I are taking her back to London immediately.” He turned to leave. “Let me know if he lives, because when I am through with him he will wish he hadn’t.”
“Be reasonable, Tinsley. There is no sign of forced entry. Perhaps she changed her mind,” Perth remarked with a frown.
“You heard the blackguard say he needed an heiress, and she is the wealthiest of them all. She made no mention to me of him courting her, other than to say that nothing would induce her to marry him.”
Perth shook his head in disbelief.
“I believe you have had a narrow escape, my lord,” Lady Augusta said, sidling up to the earl.
“No, I believe Eugenia has. Frankly, this disgusts me. You are not worthy of her.” He stepped over the wreckage he had made of the door and directed the servants to gather Eugenia’s trunks and load them into the carriage.
Dawn would soon be coming over the horizon and they could make the return journey to London before noon. He hoped Knighton would arrive soon, because this was not going to end well for Eugenia. None of this was her fault– in fact, Ravenhill had set it up that way– but now it would be she who would be ruined. He had no doubt Knighton would also see Ravenhill ruined if he lived, but nevertheless word would spread that she had been violated and Perth no longer wanted her.
Perth was certainly not the man Graham had thought he was. After he had come forward to help save the duchess, he would have expected better from him. Had Lady Augusta poisoned him against Eugenia? Had she said something while he himself had been in the other room?
When the carriage was ready, Graham carried Eugenia downstairs and laid her across one of the bench seats. Her maid and aunt took the other. When he released her, she began to shake and he debated tying his horse to the back of the carriage in order to hold her. Instead, he took a flask from his pocket and held it against her lips. “Drink. It will help you sleep.”
“What is it?”
“Brandy.” She took it without a fight, wincing a little when she swallowed, but then turned over and tucked the blanket around her. Lord willing, she would sleep and not dwell on what had just happened. Hopefully, Knighton could find a solution quickly.
Graham did not know what he would do if Knighton did not arrive soon. Pray God he was already in London. He had little doubt the news—whether accurate or not—would spread like fire. The journey to London was not far enough to rid him of the pure fury he felt against Ravenhill and the injustice that was being served to Eugenia. She had not encouraged the scoundrel’s attentions, yet she was to suffer as though she had. Graham vowed he would do whatever it took to right this wrong.
They reached London before most of Society would have awakened, but workers were already about, making deliveries, and vendors were setting up for their day.
Eugenia was still sleeping, so he scooped her into his arms and carried her into Hambridge House, up the wide staircase to her chamber and placed her in her bed.
When he descended the stairs, Lady Hambridge was waiting for him.
“What do you mean to do?” she asked.
“Go home and change and then see if Knighton has yet arrived.”
“He is on his way?” she asked.
“Indeed. If there is a God, he will be here already.”
“Please let me know. Otherwise, I will go out tonight and mitigate as much of the damage as I can. These things have a way of traveling faster than light.”
“Knowing Knighton, he will wish to do whatever possible to keep this quiet. Perth made it rather clear that he considered her compromised.”
Lady Hambridge gasped. “I cannot believe it of him!”
“I heard it with my own ears.”
“And Farnsworth?”
