Page 80 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
He had to think of something if he did not want Cecilia to be sacrificed in this fight.
"Cuthbert," he said in a cajoling voice, raising his hands, palms facing forward in surrender. "I will let you go. You just have to let her go first."
"You think I am a fool?," Cuthbert chuckled nervously. "I do not trust the lot of you," he hissed, swinging the knife in that direction.
Cecilia must have thought that was her chance because she jerked her head back so it hit his nose, while at the same time, driving her elbow into his chest. He released her in reflex but before she could move an inch away, he grabbed hold of her hair, using it to keep a hold of her while he raised the knife to stab her.
Theo reacted on instinct, throwing himself forward to cover her, hissing in pain as the knife found its mark underneath his shoulder. At least Cecilia was fine.
He could hear Cuthbert cursing, men shouting. It seemed the constables were finally here. Good timing for such tardy fellows.
Realizing that he must be crushing Cecilia beneath his weight, he pushed himself up on his elbows, his strength fading with every breath. His body was shutting down with the accumulated pain of the whole night.
Cecilia was watching him with concern, tears shining in her beautiful eyes. She was stunning now, even with the bruises and cut on her neck. She was alive and that was more than enough.
Raising a shaking hand to her face, cradling the soft skin of her cheeks. He forced a smile, his lips stinging where they were busted.
"You are safe now, my love," he managed to say.
Her face was blurry now and his head felt too heavy. The last thing he heard was the sound of Cecilia sobbing before his vision went dark and he knew nothing.
CHAPTER 28
Theo came to consciousness slowly, his senses first noting that whatever bed that he was lying on was definitely not his, this mattress lacked the firmness of his bed, the air smelt different and his head pounded like a group of drummers were pounding away at it with obvious glee. His throat also felt dry and scratchy and his body ached everywhere. Perhaps he had collapsed drunk somewhere?.
This theory was shot to hell, when he opened his eyes, squinting at the light that filled the room with traumatizing cheerfulness. When his eyes finally fell on the disgruntled face of Magnus where he sat in a chair, watching him. It all came rushing back.
The fight. Cuthbert. The attack. Magnus finding out about his affair with Cecilia.
That last one explained the reason why Magnus was watching him like he was a possibly volatile criminal.
"You are awake," he said simply,
"It appears so," Theo replied, trying to pull himself to a sitting position, but the piercing migraine that shot through his skull informed him on the folly of attempting that maneuver at the moment.
"I would advise you stay put," Magnus said, no hint of sympathy in his voice.
"How long have I been out?"
"Three days," Magnus clipped out. "Cecilia had been caring for you ever since."
The sound of her name must have woken her up, because she opened her eyes now, and when she met his open eyes, hers widened with joy and she shot up, jerking the back of her palm to his forehead to check for a fever.
"Thank goodness," she sighed, her eyes closing in relief. When next she opened them, they shone with tenderness and happiness. "Thank goodness, you are awake."
Theo could offer only a smile in return. He was too busy feasting on the sight of her beautiful face to form a sentence in response. She looked tired, her eyes rounded by giant dark circles. She needed to sleep. He was willing to bet that she had stayed awake most of the time he was unconscious, tending to him.
"You did not have to go to the trouble of tending me. You could have sent me home, the servants at my home would have tended to me."
"It was no trouble," Cecilia replied with a smile, squeezing his hand in hers. "I wanted to make sure that you were well tended to. I would have never forgiven myself if you had taken a turn for the worse. You were wounded because of me, after all."
"I assure you, my lady, I was already injured before Cuthbert's paltry attempt to maim me," he replied, smiling at her and enjoying the blush that claimed her cheeks in response.
"Believe me," Magnus began interrupting the moment. "I would have enjoyed nothing more than to take you home to be tended by your servants, but your uncle's display showed us that your enemies are even closer than you know. I was not willing to send you home to be vulnerable to attacks from any misguided servant that might be loyal to him. Besides, I do not think you would enjoy the gossip that could spread amongst thetonif you arrived at your door, bleeding and unconscious. You have a dark reputation already. I do not think it would serve you to have any more unsavory rumors circulating about you."
"I am most appreciative of your care, Blackmore," Theo replied, sarcasm ringing from his tone. He tried again to sit up and this time, there was no return of the headache, so he pulled himself to sit, his back resting on the head post of the giant queen bed so he could be at the same eye level as Magnus.
"You do not have to thank me," Magnus replied. "I am most grateful that you saved my sister's life. This is the only way I could pay you back. I only request one thing in return."
