Page 55 of A Duchess in Ten Days
Lavinia's heart pounded in her chest. "You're pathetic," she whispered, though the words felt like daggers in her throat. "You've been consumed by this need for revenge, for control. You're not a victim, Robert. You're just...broken. And you want to drag me into your madness."
Lavinia barely had time to register the movement before Robert's hand collided with her cheek. The force of the slap sent her head jerking to the side, her skin stinging from the impact. Her breath hitched, the shock reverberating through her, but her eyes remained defiant. Not only was she tired of everything, but she was also angry at everything.
"You can hit me, threaten me, but you'll never win," she retorted. "Men like you never win."
Robert lifted his hand again, but the moment was shattered by the forceful bang of the door slamming open. A man dressed like a butler came flying through the door and crashing on the floor.
"I'm sorry, my lord," the man said to Robert, stuttering. "The duke threatened that he would?—"
"Oh, shut up and get out," a voice came from outside the door.
Lavinia recognized that voice, even before the figure strode into the room. She blinked in surprise, her heart racing at the sight of him. She hadn't expected him to find her, let alone break down a door to get to her.
She sighed in relief as she saw him take in the state of the room and then, more importantly, the sight of her. He made his way to her side, having to walk past Robert to get to her. Once by her side, he scanned her face, and the moment his eyes settled on her red cheek, she saw the flicker of something dark pass across his face. His jaw clenched, and the fury that simmered in his features intensified.
His hands hovered near her face, but his eyes remained fixed on her cheek. He flinched, like he could feel the sting too.
"You have some nerve, Hargrave," Robert said and scoffed. "You think you can waltz into my home—my chambers—and walk back out safely."
"He hit you?" Andrew asked Lavinia, completely ignoring Robert's rants.
Lavinia nodded.
Andrew's eyes flickered dangerously, narrowing into slits as he took in the sight before him. "I'm sorry," he whispered to her.
Lavinia smiled faintly. "You have nothing to apologize for."
It was odd how happy she was to see him. Even the predicament that they found themselves in didn't matter. She had run away from home to avoid him, but now, with him here, she felt a strange sense of relief.
Robert's voice cut through the room, harsh and mocking, as he continued his tirade. "I haven't even started my plan. You walked right into my trap. I will have my people here in minutes and I will finally have my revenge on you."
Andrew stroked Lavinia's cheeks as he rose from where he squatted. He lunged at Robert, his fist connecting with his face. The sound of the punch echoed through the room, followed by another, harder strike to Robert's gut. The force of the blows left Robert stumbling back, his face twisted in shock and pain.
Lavinia would have been lying if she claimed she hadn’t seen that coming. Andrew practically lived in the boxing arena, always practicing with his friends, honing his skills as a hobby.
Andrew followed Robert as he staggered around the room trying to regain his composure. But Andrew didn't give him an opportunity to. He threw another punch, and this time, it sent Robert to the ground. Still not stopping, Andrew climbed on top of him and continued to land precise, heavy blows on Robert's face.
Lavinia struggled with the rope, trying to stand up so she could see what was happening on the ground. She could only hear the punches. Robert was silent now and that worried her. The last thing she wanted was for Andrew to have another man’s death on his hands.
"Andrew, that's enough," she called out. "You'll kill him."
Andrew froze mid-punch, his hand still suspended in the air. "I don't see how that's a bad thing, my love."
"You're not a murderer," she said to him. "Also, Robert really isn't worth your time. He's just a bitter, evil man."
He turned to look at her, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. Slowly, he lowered his fist, his gaze never leaving her face.
"You have made your point," she said to him. "In all honesty, I don't even understand why he thought he could take you in a fight."
Andrew let out a soft chuckle. "Lavinia, now is not the time for jokes," he said and rose to his feet.
Lavinia heard Robert sneer and mutter underneath his breath as Andrew pried himself away from him. She sighed in relief, knowing that the embarrassment Robert had just faced had to be enough to keep him out of their lives forever.
Andrew rushed to Lavinia's side, his hands steady as he untied the ropes binding her. His fingers moved quickly, but his eyes never left her face, searching for any sign of hurt. The moment she was free, he placed a hand on her arm and shut his eyes, as though to reassure himself that she was safe.
But before they could speak, Robert, now on his feet again, lunged toward Andrew, his fists clenched.
"Andrew, look out!" Lavinia yelled, lifting herself from the bed to shield his head with her body.
