Page 78 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
“No!” Andrew rushed toward him and grasped his wrist.
“Leave me be, vicar,” Ralph growled, wrenching himself free. “It’s time someone taught this interfering tart a lesson.”
“Do it, then!” Etty said. “Flatten me with your fists and show the world what you really are!”
Ralph grinned and flew toward her, fists raised. But before he could strike her, Andrew stepped between them. Fueled by anger and his fear for the woman he loved, he thrust his fist upward and connected with Ralph’s jaw. Ralph’s eyes widened, surprise in their expression. Then, with a sigh, he crumpled to the ground.
Etty let out a groan, and Andrew turned to see her nursing her fist. He approached her and took her hand, and she let out a low cry as he brushed his fingertips over her knuckles where the skin was broken and already darkening.
She drew in a sharp breath and began to tremble.
Andrew pulled her into his arms, and she softened in his embrace while a sob escaped her lips.
“Oh, Andrew, forgive me!” she cried. “I-I shouldn’t have said such things. Poor Frances—I-I didn’t know she’d returned. I’m so sorry!”
Mr. Gadd approached his wife and embraced her. Then he crouched beside Frannie and drew her into his arms.
“I’m sorry, sweet lass,” he said. “Your ma and I love you, no matter what. Isn’t that right, Peg?”
Mrs. Gadd nodded, then burst into tears. “Oh, Frannie, my sweet child!”
“B-but you’re my—”
“I’m yourma,” Mrs. Gadd said. “And don’t let nobody tell you otherwise. I may not be yer real ma, but I love ye every bit as much as if ye were. It matters not if ye’re a child of my flesh. What makes a family is them that love each other. We love you, our Frannie. And our Freda would have been ever so proud of you!”
Sobbing, she drew Frannie into her arms.
Mr. Gadd approached Andrew and Etty, his mouth set in a firm line.
“Don’t blame Mrs. Ward,” Andrew said. “She’s the best of all of us. If you wish to harm her, you’ll have to come through me. She has saved a life this day, and for that, she must be honored.”
“Aye, she’s saved more than one life today, I’ll reckon,” Mr. Gadd said. He placed a light hand on Etty’s shoulder, and she blinked, her eyes glazed with fatigue. “Aye, ye’re a brave lass, all right. A good lass. Credit to the village, ye are, for all that brute Smith might say.”
Andrew glanced at Ralph’s limp form.
“Never you mindhim, vicar,” Mr. Gadd said. “We’ll take Loveday and her girls in tonight. He can rot in the sand, for all I care. I reckon ye need to get Mrs. Ward home.”
“Gabriel…” Etty whispered.
“Your son’s fine,” Mr. Gadd said. “Loveday’s Florrie’s got him.”
Etty glanced toward Loveday, who had joined her children and was clinging to them as if her life depended on it.
“Sweet heaven—what have I done?” she whispered. “Those poor girls. I had no right to say such things.”
“You said nothing that was untrue,” Andrew said, dipping his head to kiss her hair.
“Andrew, I…”
“Hush, my love,” he said. “You were right in that it’s best not to deceive.”
She lifted her gaze to him, her eyes filled with love, and his heart soared. To think—together they could change the world, if only she would accept him.
He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, and he winced at the sharp sting. She caught his hand, her eyes widening.
“Your poor hand!” she said. Then she dipped her head and brushed her lips against his knuckles. “Is that better?”
“Oh yes, my love,” he whispered. “You make everything better, my darling.”
