Page 104 of Not a Fine Gentleman

Chapter 29

Margaret lay with her eyes closed as Christian talked with the surgeon in low tones. With Connor’s soothing presence gone, she relived the horrific attack. Panic welled up as the twisted, hate-filled faces filled her vision, the way they struck out at her and kicked her so savagely, and even tried to choke her. She’d never been so terrified. Never felt so helpless. Or violated.

Then Connor had arrived, scattering the ruffians and whisking her off to safety. He’d taken her to more than a place of safety—he’d taken her to a harbor of bliss. Oh, how she’d come alive in his arms! That was where she belonged. Always. She needed him and that sense of wholeness that always came with him.

Before, she’d been attracted to fine gentlemen who did and said everything that was proper. But she didn’t want a fine gentleman anymore; she knew that now. She wanted a man who verbally sparred with her, teased her, had flour fights with her in the kitchen, who kissed with tender fire. She was through with fine gentlemen. All she wanted was a good man with a high code of honor. All she wanted was Connor Jackson.

She loved Connor Jackson.

Loved him!

This emotion was new and deep and bright. The power and tenderness of her love for him bore little resemblance to the girlish admiration she’d once had for Hennessy.

Right or wrong, she must find a way to convince Connor that they were made for one another. There had to be a place in the world for them.

Mr. St. Ives’s voice came in response to Christian’s query, “There’s nothing broken, but she’s quite bruised.”

“Thank the Almighty. We’d feared worse.”

“She should rest. I’ve given her willow bark for the pain. If it’s insufficient, or if she has trouble sleeping, here is a draught. Don’t let her have it more often than every four hours.”

“Is it safe to move her? I’d like to take her home.”

“Yes, but be careful not to jostle her overmuch, or you’ll cause her unnecessary pain.”

The door opened and closed. Christian moved to her and covered her with a blanket.

“Can I bring you anything?” he asked in hushed tones.

She opened her eyes. “No. I have all I need.”

In truth, she needed Connor, desperately, but she wasn’t ready to fight that battle yet. And a battle it would be. Her family seemed to like the Bow Street officer well enough. They certainly owed him a large debt of gratitude. Notwithstanding, they’d never accept him as a member of the family. A social barrier that large would not be easily crossed and not even her open-minded family would accept marriage to a member of a class that far beneath them.

Or would they?

“Why didn’t Connor come back with you?” she asked. “I thought he went to notify you of my whereabouts.”

“Jackson knows who hired the killer to go after Hennessy. He and Grant went to apprehend him.”

She nodded slowly. “Mr. Finch. But I still cannot fathom why he’d want Hennessy dead.”

“They might have had a falling out over a gambling game or a woman,” he said bitterly. He glanced at Margaret. “Forgive me, Meg. That was callous of me.”

“I know what kind of man Hennessey was.”

Christian sat in the chair the surgeon had vacated. “So… he’s Connor to you?”

Margaret faltered. She opened her mouth to blame the medicine but plunged ahead. It seemed the beginning of that battle had arrived. “He’s become very dear to me.”

“Has he?” Christian’s face smoothed over to such an imperfect mask that his resemblance to Father took her breath away.

“We’ve been through a great deal together.” That was a cowardly explanation. “The truth is, I have fallen in love with him.”

His eyes widened. “Margaret. You can’t mean that. No one knows much about him, who his family is, where he’s from—”

“I know enough. He’s a man of honor and courage and kindness. He fought side by side with Grant in the war and has saved the lives of nearly every member of this family.” She almost added that his father was the Duke of Arlington, but his being illegitimate would not help her argument.

Christian spread his hands. “He is a good man—of course, he is. I owe him everything. But…he’s not a gentleman.”