Page 117 of The Moonstone Pirate
Nor could she let down her guard, for she heard more footsteps on the stairs, and knew she needed to keep up the fight. Scared and exhausted, she was about to take a swing at this new assailant when she recognized Draco bursting in. She tossed the shovel aside and ran crying into his arms. “Draco, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry!”
“Butterfly, it’s all right.” His voice was achingly gentle, his tone forgiving, as he drew her into his arms and held her fiercely. “You are safe, sweetheart. Blessed saints, I was so worried. But it seems I need not have been. How did you manage to knock him out?”
She had no time to answer before William Angel tore up the stairs and came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. He stared at her, momentarily speechless. Then he shook his head and laughed. “You did this, Lady Imogen?”
She nodded.
“Impressive,” William murmured.
Draco tucked her slightly behind him, no doubt out of protective instinct rather than any apparent need, since William was a friendly party. “I’ll pay for the damage, William. FindMcTavish—he’s the gent I was talking to in your establishment a short while ago. Tell him to pick up this piece of offal.”
“At once, my lord.” William ran off to do his bidding.
Imogen was still trembling, but she took a moment to slip out of Draco’s arms and kneel beside Parrot, who was stretched out on the floor and not making a sound. “Draco,” she said, struggling to hold back tears, “he came at Parrot with a knife and then tried to punch him. Oh, I’ll never forgive myself. I shouldn’t have been here. It is all my fault.”
“Imogen, you are not to blame.”
She wanted to disagree, but this was no time to bicker. Saving Parrot was all that mattered. “He may be badly hurt. Let’s get him to the hospital and have Dr. Hewitt look at him.” She was prepared to insist on it when Parrot suddenly bounded to his feet and wagged his tail.
Draco knelt beside him and carefully ran his hands over his dog’s limbs and body. Both of them were surprised when Parrot never yelped once. “He seems all right,” Draco said, letting out a relieved breath. “How are you feeling, you little scamp? Did he hurt you?”
Parrot licked Draco’s face, and then ran in a circle around him.
Imogen had never seen a sweeter smile on Draco’s face. She clapped with glee. “Thank goodness. I was so worried.”
Draco rose and drew her up along with him, wrapping her back in his arms. “Parrot may have cried out more from surprise than anything. The bastard could not have landed more than a glancing blow. I couldn’t find so much as a scratch on him. But how are you, Butterfly?”
“I’m fine, now that I know he did not hurt Parrot.”
“Thanks to you.” He shook his head in wonder. “How in heaven’s name did you manage to fell that giant? Never mind—I can guess. A blow from that iron shovel would knock out anyman. I have to get you out of here before others come upstairs asking questions.”
“All right. Draco, I’m so, so sorry.” With the worst now over, the strength seemed to wash right out of her, and her tears began to flow. “I was trying to be so careful. That horrible lout couldn’t have seen me by the window.”
“I believe you. It would not have taken much for him to guess where you were. Someone might have mentioned they saw you enter the tavern. It doesn’t matter. You’re safe now, Imogen. This is all I care about.”
“I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I would not blame you if you hated me and never wanted anything more to do with—”
His mouth crushed down on hers in a soft but devouring kiss, a hot, swift claiming that was over too soon. “Imogen, you gave me the top man in this rebel plot. It was Eldridge after all. You were right—McTavish confirmed it. He might not have said anything to me had I not tossed out his name and made him think the rebels were about to be arrested. He gave me a list containing the names of all the men working under Eldridge and locations where Eldridge is storing his weapons. Those solicitors presently staying at the inn are involved. Their wives, too. One is related to Lord Eldridge.”
She looked up at him with big, watery eyes. “How do you know she is related to him?”
“A wild guess that McTavish inadvertently confirmed.”
She cast him a halting smile. “Draco, you’ve done it. Broken up that rebel plot. Does this mean your assignment is over?”
He kissed her soundly on the lips again. “Just about. All that’s left is to lock up Eldridge when he arrives.”
“But how can you be sure he won’t simply send one of his men to collect the horse?”
“That Friesian is the most valuable horse in England. He will come for it himself. He may have a contingent of men with him, but he will be in the lead. I haven’t a doubt.”
“Then what happens?”
“Constable Angel will arrest him. I’ll have him arrest the solicitors and their wives right now. Major Brennan will take them all into his custody and hold them for the Crown agents.” He gave her cheek a light caress. “Do you know what this means?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “You have saved the day.”
He shook his head. “To be accurate,youare the one who brought this result about.”
