Page 107 of A Rogue to Ruin
Rafe had no idea how the rest of the party had gone, but assumed London would be abuzz tomorrow with the story of Ludlow Mallory and his band of brigands. He didn’t care about any of it, just that Anne was safe and whole.
He wiped his hand over his face and leaned back in the chair beside her bed, closing his eyes. Exhaustion weighted him, but his mind was too busy to sleep. Everything would be simpler now that Mallory was dead. No one would contest his claim to the earldom, at least.
Would it really be simple though?
He couldn’t change the fact that everyone knew about his past. He might never be accepted. Hell, perhaps the Committee for Privileges might decide that Lorcan would be the better earl. Rafe wasn’t sure he could bring himself to lament the loss of the title if that came to pass. Again, it only mattered that Anne was here with him and that their future lay before them.
“Rafe?”
He opened his eyes and bolted forward. “Yes?”
Anne winced as she blinked at him from the bed. “This is the worst headache I’ve ever had.”
One of Mallory’s brigands had hit her pretty damned hard. Rafe wasn’t sure which one, and that was for the best since Rafe probably would have done the same to him in return.
He moved to sit beside her on the bed and gently kissed her forehead. “It will be for at least a day or so, I’m afraid.”
“You’re speaking from experience?”
“I’ve suffered a blow like that a time or two,” he admitted.
She took his hand between hers. “You will never suffer again. Not while I draw breath.”
“My fierce avenging angel.” He laughed softly.
“I told you that you’re mine. I protect what’s mine.”
“Lucky for me. I’d hate to be in opposition to you.” He shuddered, and she laughed.
Lifting her hand to her head, she grimaced. “Ow, don’t make me laugh.”
“I’ll try not to. At least not until you’re healed.”
“When will you officially become the earl?” she asked.
“I have no idea.”
She looked about the room. “Aren’t we still at Brixton Park?”
“Yes.”
“Then ask Ripley. He’s on the Committee for Privileges. He’ll tell you.”
Rafe chuckled. “It’s the middle of the bloody night, Anne.”
“After what would have been one of the best balls of the Season and is now legendary given what happened. I guarantee there are plenty of people up and about, and the host is one of them.” She pushed on his chest. “Go find out.”
“Why is this important right now?”
She stared at him as if he were the one with a head injury. “Because the sooner you become the earl, the sooner you can get a special license, and the sooner we can be wed.”
“Your priorities are astonishing.”
“They’re perfect, and I know you agree.”
She was right. He did. “Fine, I’ll go find Ripley. Shall I bribe him?”
She opened her eyes wider with sharp interest. “Do you think that will help?”
