should investigate Victoria, Isobel’s stepmother. The other Libertine Scholars could deal with the rest of the list.
“Can we discuss this tomorrow? I need to see to Evangeline first. One bloody problem at a time.” He didn’t miss the flash of anger passing over Arend’s face. “Come back at a decent hour tomorrow and we will work on a strategy. For what it’s worth, I agree with you. Lady Victoria is looking a likely candidate.”
Arend sighed but rose from his chair. “Fine. I can wait one more night. Watch your back.”
“It’s you who should be careful. I’m home and I’ve alerted the staff to take turns guarding the house, and I’ve sent word to employ an army of Bow Street Runners for here and Evangeline’s house. You’re welcome to stay the night if you wish.”
“You sure you don’t want me here simply to stop yourself from doing something stupid with your patient?”
He wished her could knock the smug look off Arend’s face, but there might have been a bit of truth in his words.
Arend clapped him on the back. “Breakfast here tomorrow, then.”
“Good night, Arend.”
“I shall leave you to your nursing. I hope you have a better bedside manner than you showed her earlier tonight. Remember, she was shot because of you.”
He rose to walk Arend to the door. “It’s not something I’ll likely forget. I’m pretty sure she won’t let me forget it either.”
Before Arend took his leave he said to Hadley, “I hope Lady Evangeline recovers quickly. It would be safer for her to be in her own house.”
Hadley swallowed down his fear. “Would she? I’m concerned I have pulled her into this debacle. If De Palma thinks she means something to me…”
Arend cursed. “The bitch might use her to lure you out or worse.”
He nodded. “That’s what I have been mulling over the past half hour. What do I do with Evangeline?”
“She’d be safer here.”
She would, but he would not. “She can’t move in here without repercussions. Neither Augustus nor I is married.”
“It could solve your other problem if she was compromised and you
had
to marry her.”
Claire.
He’d forgotten he was all but engaged, and that Augustus would be upset if Hadley put that alliance in jeopardy.
“I would have to ask my mother to come back to town to act as chaperone, and can you imagine the gossip? The
ton
believe I left Philomena because of her.”
Footsteps sounded above them. Someone was coming down the stairs.
Arend nodded. “I’ll send word to Sebastian. His aunt, Lady Alison, might agree to act as chaperone.”
“Good idea. See if she can come first thing in the morning. We’ll speak more then. Take one of the Runners with you. Good night.”
With that, Arend left into the dark night. Hadley prayed he would get home in one piece.
He moved to greet the doctor at the bottom of the stairs. The doctor’s face was not showing any signs of being overly concerned. Hadley hoped that was good news.
“We’ll talk in the study,” he told the doctor, indicating that he should follow.
Once they were seated he offered the doctor a brandy. “There is a chill in the air. It will keep you warm on your way home.”
“Thank you, my lord, most thoughtful.” The doctor took a sip. “Her ladyship was very lucky. The bullet grazed her shoulder. It took a chunk of skin out, though. I needed to administer a few stitches to stop the bleeding, but it’s not life-threatening. I’ve dressed the wound, but it will need changing regularly to lower the risk of infection.”
Hadley let out the breath he’d been holding, his guilt easing slightly. “That is good news.”
“The lady is in robust health, and although she’ll have a small scar, there should be no further repercussions.”
Hadley sat in silence listening to the doctor explain exactly what the bullet had done, anger building at the knowledge that she’d taken a bullet meant for him.
“May I enquire how this happened, my lord? I tried
“Can we discuss this tomorrow? I need to see to Evangeline first. One bloody problem at a time.” He didn’t miss the flash of anger passing over Arend’s face. “Come back at a decent hour tomorrow and we will work on a strategy. For what it’s worth, I agree with you. Lady Victoria is looking a likely candidate.”
Arend sighed but rose from his chair. “Fine. I can wait one more night. Watch your back.”
“It’s you who should be careful. I’m home and I’ve alerted the staff to take turns guarding the house, and I’ve sent word to employ an army of Bow Street Runners for here and Evangeline’s house. You’re welcome to stay the night if you wish.”
“You sure you don’t want me here simply to stop yourself from doing something stupid with your patient?”
He wished her could knock the smug look off Arend’s face, but there might have been a bit of truth in his words.
Arend clapped him on the back. “Breakfast here tomorrow, then.”
“Good night, Arend.”
“I shall leave you to your nursing. I hope you have a better bedside manner than you showed her earlier tonight. Remember, she was shot because of you.”
He rose to walk Arend to the door. “It’s not something I’ll likely forget. I’m pretty sure she won’t let me forget it either.”
Before Arend took his leave he said to Hadley, “I hope Lady Evangeline recovers quickly. It would be safer for her to be in her own house.”
Hadley swallowed down his fear. “Would she? I’m concerned I have pulled her into this debacle. If De Palma thinks she means something to me…”
Arend cursed. “The bitch might use her to lure you out or worse.”
He nodded. “That’s what I have been mulling over the past half hour. What do I do with Evangeline?”
“She’d be safer here.”
She would, but he would not. “She can’t move in here without repercussions. Neither Augustus nor I is married.”
“It could solve your other problem if she was compromised and you
had
to marry her.”
Claire.
He’d forgotten he was all but engaged, and that Augustus would be upset if Hadley put that alliance in jeopardy.
“I would have to ask my mother to come back to town to act as chaperone, and can you imagine the gossip? The
ton
believe I left Philomena because of her.”
Footsteps sounded above them. Someone was coming down the stairs.
Arend nodded. “I’ll send word to Sebastian. His aunt, Lady Alison, might agree to act as chaperone.”
“Good idea. See if she can come first thing in the morning. We’ll speak more then. Take one of the Runners with you. Good night.”
With that, Arend left into the dark night. Hadley prayed he would get home in one piece.
He moved to greet the doctor at the bottom of the stairs. The doctor’s face was not showing any signs of being overly concerned. Hadley hoped that was good news.
“We’ll talk in the study,” he told the doctor, indicating that he should follow.
Once they were seated he offered the doctor a brandy. “There is a chill in the air. It will keep you warm on your way home.”
“Thank you, my lord, most thoughtful.” The doctor took a sip. “Her ladyship was very lucky. The bullet grazed her shoulder. It took a chunk of skin out, though. I needed to administer a few stitches to stop the bleeding, but it’s not life-threatening. I’ve dressed the wound, but it will need changing regularly to lower the risk of infection.”
Hadley let out the breath he’d been holding, his guilt easing slightly. “That is good news.”
“The lady is in robust health, and although she’ll have a small scar, there should be no further repercussions.”
Hadley sat in silence listening to the doctor explain exactly what the bullet had done, anger building at the knowledge that she’d taken a bullet meant for him.
“May I enquire how this happened, my lord? I tried
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