Druid Surrender (A Druid Quest Novel Book 1) (14 page)

“Was anyone else injured?” she croaked. “The child?”

“No one else was hurt. The boy is fine. You saved him. Rest now.” Brighid thought his lips brushed the top of her head, but the touch was so light she couldn’t be sure. Taking his advice, she relaxed and trusted someone else to take care of her for the first time since her world fell apart.

W
yatt kept reliving
the moment he spotted Brighid lying unresponsive on the ground, seeing the growing pool of blood from a nasty gash on her temple. The room had been destroyed, thousands of pieces of twisted metal and wood were embedded in the floors and walls. Anyone inside should have been shredded beyond recognition.

But most of the debris seemed to have stopped short of touching Brighid, laying scattered around her in an arch as if it had lost momentum…or run into something that stopped it short.

His chest felt crushed, he could barely breathe when he dropped to his knees next to where Brighid had collapsed, abandoned like a broken doll.

Devastating loss hollowed out his chest. With a shaky hand, he checked for a pulse.

He’d never been so grateful when her beautiful eyes fluttered open.

It was a miracle.

Wyatt held Brighid gently as he and Aaron rode back to the house, terrified if he let her go she would just slip away. He could see a cuts and bruises scattered over every inch of exposed skin and struggled against the impulse to strip her and confirm for himself that she would be all right. Darkness swelled in him from a place he thought he’d buried and left behind with his work. He shook with the irresistible compulsion to hunt down the bastard who’d hurt her and kill him with his bare hands.

“What the hell was she thinking?” Wyatt kept the mount’s pace brisk, taking care not to jar her. He brushed his jaw against the top of her head, the small contact soothing the beast in him.

She was alive.

But what about next time? His arms tightened possessively, until she made a sound of distress, and he reluctantly relaxed his hold. He was never letting her out of his sight again.

“She was protecting the child. You would have done the same.”

“That’s beside the point. She shouldn’t have been in danger in the first place. It was my place to protect her, and I’ve been doing a piss-pour job of it.”

“Someone is targeting her.” Aaron nudged his mount faster to keep pace. “They won’t give up until they succeed.”

Wyatt grunted.

Over his dead body.

An insane idea took hold. It was the one thing that he could do to ensure her safety. “Fetch the vicar.”

“Wyatt.” Aaron angled his mount into his path, forcing him to a stop. “Though banged up, she won’t die from her injuries.”

“Until next time.” Wyatt peered down at Brighid, and his breath hitched in his chest. He couldn’t lose her. “I intend to do whatever’s in my power to keep her safe. The only way I can ensure that is by making her my wife.”

Aaron’s censure was thick in the silence, but Wyatt refused to let it deter him. “You won’t change my mind.”

“Have you thought about the consequences?”

Wyatt reined Crusader around Aaron, resolute in his decision, refusing to examine his motives too closely.

“You’re the target for this madman.” Aaron trailed after him, not relenting. “By marrying her, you could be placing her in more danger.”

The thought gave him pause. His gut knotted, and he pressed his lips together to hold back his rage. “You said it yourself. She’s already a target. At least this way, my name will offer her some protection.”

“You told me she resisted the fake engagement. How do you think she’ll react to being married in truth?”

“She’ll be safe.” Wyatt shrugged away the little worm of doubt, but his emotions weren’t so easy to dismiss. He wasn’t a rash man. He was methodical. Detailed-oriented. And she was like quicksilver. He couldn’t keep her still long enough to figure her out. She was brave. Beautiful. Intelligent. Resourceful. Beautiful. “That’s all that matters.”

“She needs a doctor, not a marriage ceremony.”

“Then retrieve the both of them.” Wyatt lifted his chin mutinously.

Aaron gestured toward Brighid in exasperation. “You cannot have a wedding without her consent.”

“Let me worry about that.” Wyatt stopped and squared off with his friend when he didn’t get out of his way, fury making him snarl. “I asked you here to help me. Either fetch the vicar or leave.”

Aaron’s expression softened, and Wyatt realized that he exposed more to his friend than he intended. They both knew there were other options, but none that suited him as much as this one.

“I’ll return directly. Congratulations, my friend.”

Wyatt rested his chin on top of Brighid’s head, refusing to loosen his hold, not even to death.

She wanted him as much as he did her.

He would use that to find a way to make her fall in love with him.

Wyatt turned and saw Brin, still carrying the child, his long strides almost keeping pace with the horse. He searched for any residual hatred but found none. “Why the sudden reversal in your opinion? Is your conscience bothering you?”

Brin stiffened at the jab, but continued to walk toward the house.

“Why decide to help her now?” Wyatt needed to know before letting the man step foot in his home.

“My sister trusted her. They were inseparable, even worked at the factory together. I think my sister found something and was going to tell Brighid, and they killed her for it.” He gazed down at the boy. “She saved him. I realize now that she was trying to save my sister, too.”

The doctor was waiting for them when they reached the house. Aaron must have hauled the man from his dinner, for he still had a napkin tucked into his collar. Brighid woke long enough to insist the boy be treated first. Wyatt vehemently objected, only conceding when Brighid became agitated. He carried her up the stairs and placed her on the bed, reluctant to release her. As he straightened, he noticed a girl standing by the door.

“You must be Havler’s daughter. Help her undress.” He stood near the bed and paced, feeling useless.

The maid bobbed a curtsy, hurried forward, but then hesitated.

Wyatt slowly turned on his heel, repressing a snarl. “Now.” By God, he was the head of the household. He would not have everyone disobeying—

“But—my, lord—” The girl stared at her feet as if petrified to the spot. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “It’s not proper with you in attendance.”

Wyatt grunted, turned his back, but refused to leave. “Do it.”

Minutes seemed to take hours as he faced the wall. He twitched, impatient to have her back in his arms. Just when he was ready to spin around and finish the job himself, Brighid’s staff caught his gaze. Impulsively, he ran his hand over the wood, nearly jerking back when it warmed under his grip. Something inside him loosened, instinctively knowing that she’d be all right.

The girl cleared her throat and Wyatt whirled, his boots thudding on the floor as he hurried toward the bed. Brighid wore only her shift, looking terribly young and vulnerable. Wyatt glanced up to see the girl hovering in the corner, and used her as a distraction to keep from thinking about Brighid still form and why she hadn’t awakened up yet. “What’s your name?”

“Trudy, my lord.”

“I’m sure this is not how either of us expected our morning to turn out.” He ran a hand over his hair. “I understand if you decide not to stay, but I hope you’ll change your mind.”

“What happened to her?” A quiver of fear tinged the question.

“An accident at the mill. She rescued a boy and was injured in the process.” He trailed off. The image of her still, bloody body would haunt him for the rest of his life. Wyatt wet a cloth and gently cleaned the ghastly cut along her hairline. The bleeding slowed, turning sluggish. His finger hovered over the angry bruise on her temple, wishing he could brush it away.

The girl inched closer to the bed. “She saved the boy?”

A half-smile came to his face. “The doctor is with him right now.”

He dabbed at a vicious cut on her arm, and Brighid moaned. Wyatt immediately dropped the cloth and lunged forward, gently cupping her chin. “Can you hear me?”

“Wyatt?”

His heart warmed that she asked for him.

Her eyes fluttered open, and their deep green was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Wyatt smiled in relief, picked up her hand, and brought it to his lips, unable to resist the impulse to kiss her. “I’m here.”

She struggled to sit, but fell back on the bed with a hiss.

“Don’t move. You’re safe.” He straightened the bedcovers, fussing over her like an idiotic jackanapes when he should be out there hunting down the bastard.

But he couldn’t make himself leave her side.

He knew she remembered what happened when her panicked gaze flickered around the room as if expecting attack before focusing on the girl. “Trudy?”

She nodded with a shy smile. “You remembered me.”

“You helped your dad in the factory. You help set the patterns.” The small conversation seemed to exhaust Brighid, and her eyes slid shut.

He was chilled to realize Brighid had once more slipped into unconsciousness. When a knock echoed in the room, he jumped to his feet, and yanked open the door. “Thank God. She’s over here.”

He grabbed the doctor’s arm and dragged the man toward the bed when he didn’t move fast enough.

The doctor gave her a cursory glance before facing Wyatt. “You’ll need to wait in the hall while I finish my examination.”

“No.” Wyatt crossed his arms and widened his stance.

He wasn’t budging.

“You have two anxious women waiting in the hall for reassurance, not to mention two men pacing downstairs.” Even as he spoke, he guided Wyatt out the door. He gestured to the maid. “The girl and I will take care of her.”

The door clicked shut even as he squeezed out the last word. Before Wyatt could force his way back inside, his mother latched onto his arm. “What happened?”

“Brighid was injured in an explosion at the factory. The doctor is examining her as a precaution.” Not wanting to worry them unduly, he gave them an abbreviated version of what had transpired.

“Then why is the vicar here? Don’t lie to me. How badly is she hurt?” Beth’s voice remained firm, but her chin quivered.

Wyatt cursed himself for causing her worry. “She’ll be fine. I asked Aaron to bring the minister. When the doctor’s finished, Brighid and I shall be married.”

Lydia overcame her shock first. “So soon?”

“She will be my wife.” He nearly shouted the words, and Lydia reared back at his fierce tone. He angled his head toward his mother, his jaw squared for battle. “Do you have anything to say?”

“Congratulations.” Beth’s face relaxed.

That was the last thing he expected, and he studied her closer, suddenly suspicious of her capitulation. “And?”

“You must have a care. She may seem capable, but she’s very fragile.”

All his protective urges roared to life. “She won’t want for anything.”

She patted his face. “Of course not, but mark what I said.”

Without waiting, she turned and limped down the hall toward her room.

“Wyatt,” Lydia touched his sleeve, concern written on her face, “you’re not thinking clearly. She’s safe. You have time to—”

“My decision’s final.” He glared at the door that kept him separated from Brighid, wanting to beat it down. He crossed his arms to hold himself back while a thousand half-formed fears ate away at him.

What was taking so long?

He hadn’t been aware of moving until Lydia planted herself between him and the door. “And she’s agreed to this?”

Wyatt’s mouth snapped shut, and he ran his fingers through his hair. “Not exactly.”

“You’re moving too fast. I don’t want you to regret your decision. Are you sure this is what you want?” Concerned eyes so much like his own gazed up at him.

“I’m thirty-six years old. London is full of giggling girls, promiscuous wives or morally righteous crusaders intent on bettering the world one male at a time. I don’t want that life.” He shuddered to think about being trapped in marriage to someone he couldn’t stand. Funny, but when he thought of Brighid, trapped was the last thing that came to mind. “I’m sure.”

Lydia pointed a finger at him. “Then do me a favor. For her sake.”

Wyatt nodded. “Anything.”

“Brighid has to…initiate contact in the marriage bed.”

Wyatt blinked when her meaning sank in, and his good cheer darkened. “She’s injured. I’m not an ass.”

She shook her head, her face reddening at the discussion. “No, that’s not what I mean. You’re rushing her into marriage. You’re not giving her a choice. Don’t rush her into anything else. Give her time to settle into her new life.”

He scowled at her meddling. It rankled that she didn’t trust him. He blatantly disregarded the fact that he was bending that trust by forcing Brighid into a commitment in the first place. “Agreed. Please sit with mother and make sure the excitement wasn’t too much for her. She shouldn’t have been walking on her injured ankle.”

Voices rose as Aaron and the vicar made their way upstairs. Lydia reached up and kissed his cheek, then walked away when the vicar and Aaron appeared around the corner.

“I won’t do it. The banns must be read for three weeks.”

“But she could be dying. The doctor is with her now. Wyatt has a special license and wants to grant her last wish, hoping to give her a reason to live.”

The vicar harrumphed. “She should receive her last rites, not a wedding ceremony.”

“Gentlemen.” Wyatt spoke loud enough to be heard. Before he could continue, the door opened and the doctor stepped into the hall. Wyatt hurried forward, forgetting the others.

Aaron took control of the situation. “I never thought of it that way. She’s in here.” He hustled the vicar into the room and pushed the door shut in the doctor’s face just as he opened his mouth to object.

The doctor frowned at the closed door. “There’s no need for the vicar. She’s injured, but will make a complete recovery.”

“Thank God.” Wyatt slumped against the wall. When he noticed the doctor’s disgruntled expression, he seamlessly continued the lie where Aaron left off. “My mother insisted. I tried to explain but she became so agitated, I gave into her pleas.”

The doctor nodded sagely. “Understandable. Miss Legend will need to rest for the next couple of days. She’ll be sensitive to light, suffer some residual dizziness, and a lack of appetite. All that will pass by the end of the week. She may have some lingering headaches, but they should go away after a time. I gave her a dose of laudanum and left some on the nightstand, with instructions to the maid about how to administer it.”