Page 137 of The Sainted Duchess
“I will add my name to yours,” Stephen nodded once.
“You will add your fingerprints as well,” Nicholas’s eyes flicked to Stephen’s knuckles.
“He deserved worse,” Stephen said.
“Yes,” Nicholas said, “and the law will provide an acceptable portion of ‘worse’. Meanwhile, we need to get Maria to safety.”
“Let’s go,” Stephen said, leading her out. “This nightmare is over.”
CHAPTER 27
Nicholas escorted her back to the estate, like a true gentleman. There was not much conversation between the two of them on the way. Stephen followed behind closely on his own mare.
When they finally reached the estate, Nicholas had a look of relief on his face.
“You are in your home now,” he said once they had unmounted. “I will make sure that Rondell gets what he deserves. He will never bother you again.”
“Oh, he is never going to live another day as a free man,” Stephen interrupted. “I will make sure of it.”
“Thank you,” was the only thing she could say to these two men who cared for her so.
After an entire life of being mostly neglected, it felt like a welcome change.
“Shall I come in?” Nicholas asked, suddenly hesitant.
“Violet must be worried for you,” Maria managed a faint smile. “Go home, Nicholas.”
“I just want to make sure you are okay,” He frowned.
“I will take care of that,” Stephen assured him and shook his hand. “I am beyond grateful for the assistance that you provided today. If you had not told me in time, I would not have known and would have blamed myself infinitely.”
Nicholas nodded at him once and then turned to his sister again. He searched her face. “Does it pain you?”
“Yes,” she said frankly. “But it shall fade with time.”
“You are certain you do not want me to stay?”
“I want to speak to my husband,” she answered, “Just Stephen and I.”
Nicholas nodded once, as if receiving orders that he could not refuse.
“Very well. I will ride to Havenford and relieve Violet before she comes here herself.”
“Tell her I am…” Maria hesitated. The wordwellcaught in her throat. “Tell her I am safe.”
“I will,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Send word when you like. If you do not send word, I shall appear anyway.”
“I know,” she murmured.
They watched Nicholas make his exit, and then Stephen guided her inside the estate. He was watching her every step, as though she were a glass doll that would break at any moment.
“I am not so fragile, you know,” she said to him.
“I am not taking any more chances,” he sighed. “In fact, I am considering whether I need to hire bodyguards.”
“Oh, please. Nothing of the sort,” she said, though her heart warmed at how protective he was being towards her. “You should be fine, I think. To keep me safe.”
As they entered, the butler greeted them. He looked a bit confused at the state of the Duchess, but did not ask anything.
