Jacquie D'Alessandro by Loveand the Single Heiress Read Free Book Online

citadel.”
    The ghost of a smile whispered across the earl’s haggard face. “How very American of you. But in this case, I must agree. In fact—”
    The door opened, and Dr. Gibbens stepped into the corridor. “Well?” Andrew demanded before the earl could speak. He pushed off the paneled wall and approached the doctor, barely refraining from grabbing the smaller man by his cravat and shaking him as a dog would a rag.
    “You correctly assessed the situation, Mr. Stanton. Lady Catherine’s injury is, thankfully, a superficial flesh wound, which I cleansed and dressed. Thanks to your quick intervention, she did not suffer a severe loss of blood. While the bump on her head will bring some discomfort, it will not cause any long-lasting harm, nor will the cut on her lip. I expect her to make a full recovery.” He removed his spectacles and polished the lenses with his handkerchief. “I’ve left some laudanum on the bedside table, but she refused to take any until she’d spoken with both of you. I recommend that she not be moved this evening. I’ll call upon her in the morning to assess her condition and change her dressing. She is mostadamant that she return to Little Longstone and her son tomorrow.”
    Everything inside Andrew rebelled at the thought of her being out of his sight, and he had to clamp his lips together to keep from voicing his objection.
    “Headstrong gel,” the earl said, his eyes suspiciously moist. “She cannot bear to be parted from Spencer. Is it wise that she travel so soon?”
    “I’ll give you my opinion after I examine her tomorrow,” Dr. Gibbens said. “I bid you both good night.” With a nod, the doctor left them.
    “Come, Stanton,” the earl said, opening the door. “Let us see for ourselves how my daughter is faring.”
    Andrew offered up a silent thank-you for Lord Ravensly’s invitation, for in truth, he didn’t know if he was capable of remaining in the corridor for another minute. He followed the earl into the bedchamber, then paused in the doorway.
    Lady Catherine lay in the oversized bed, the maroon counterpane covering her to her chin. Bathed in the golden glow cast from the fire burning in the grate, she looked like a gilded angel. Loose tendrils of chestnut hair fanned out across the cream pillowcase, and his fingers itched to brush the shiny strands back from her soft skin. For all the times he’d dreamed of holding her in his arms, never once had he suspected that if the moment ever came, it would arrive in the guise of carrying her unconscious, bleeding form.
    He approached the bed slowly, his knees threatening to wobble, his gaze minutely noting every nuance of her being. Her eyes appeared huge, and shadows of pain lurked in their golden brown depths, along with something else that looked liked fear. A small red mark marred herswollen bottom lip. Her face was devoid of color.
    “Dr. Gibbens assured us you would make a full recovery,” Lord Ravensly said, taking her hand between both his own. “How are you feeling?”
    A grimace passed over her features. “Sore, but very grateful. My injuries could have been much worse.”
    The earl visibly shuddered, a sentiment with which Andrew wholeheartedly agreed. Her troubled gaze bounced between them. “Were you able to find out anything about who fired the pistol?”
    Andrew cleared his throat. “One of the party guests, Mr. Sidney Carmichael, reported he was just entering his carriage when he heard the shot. He saw a man running into Hyde Park. He provided a good description to the magistrate and said he would definitely recognize the man if he saw him again. Lords Borthrasher, Kingsly, Avenbury, and Ferrymouth, as well as the Duke of Kelby were entering their carriages nearby and agree they saw a shadowy figure in the park, but none could provide a detailed description.
    “The group of gentlemen who searched outside came upon an injured man near the town house. He identified himself as a Mr. Graham. Mr. Graham