Page 90 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Lewis, who still held Spencer, released him. Spencer crumpled to the ground but Tessa couldn’t minister to him yet. She had to see these men and their threat gone.

Her gaze steady, she said, “Before you go, tell me—was that Lord Ellington who began this?”

Both men looked frightened. Lewis nodded and quickly revealed, “Yes, my lady. We are to meet him tonight to receive the rest of our payment.”

“Tell me when and where this meeting is to take place—and exactly what you were being paid to do to my fiancé.”

Horton nodded and provided her with the information.

Holding the knife steady in her hand, she ordered, “Go. Don’t make me change my mind else I will lead the party that tracks you down. My justice would be swifter and far more painful than any granted by law.”

The men hurried away and as they did, Tessa handed the knife to Abra and dropped to her knees, a numbing cold sweeping through her body. She lifted Spencer’s head and cradled it in her lap. The fight had left her now and tears swam in her eyes as she saw the swelling and bruises already beginning to appear.

She looked up at Abra and said, “Hurry back to my uncle’s and have them send for a doctor,” she ordered crisply. “Then have a carriage sent with several footmen to help convey his lordship back home.”

Abra nodded, placing the dagger next to Tessa on the ground. “You can count on me, my lady,” the servant said. “But I’m leaving the weapon with you. Just in case.”

Abra took off running and Tessa knew her maid would not let her down. She turned back to Spencer, smoothing his hair, her tears flowing freely now. His eyes remained closed and, for a moment, she feared he might have been beaten to death. She ripped off her gloves and touched her fingers to his throat, finding his pulse beating slowly but erratically. Relief swept through her.

Suddenly, his eyes opened and he smiled crookedly at her. “My Boudica,” he whispered. “Always . . . charging in . . . saving . . . others.”

Love for this man swelled within her and she told him, “Don’t you dare die on me, Spencer. We are meant to live a lifetime together. In love. I forbid you to die.”

Her beloved gazed up at her and once more whispered, “My . . . Boudica.”

His eyes closed, his breathing still shallow. She supposed he had broken ribs which made each breath painful and difficult.

As Tessa waited for help to arrive, she swore to have her vengeance upon Lord Ellington.

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