Night Shadow

by Catherine Coulter

“Here, drink this.”

  “In a moment.”

  Burke Drummond regarded his friend as he gently pulled the bodice of the ripped gown down to the lady’s waist. He saw the makeshift bandage and winced at the soaked-through blood. She’d been shot, all right, and it didn’t look very good to Burke. He heard Knight saying softly over and over, “It’s all right now, Lily. I swear it’s all right. The doctor will be here soon.”

  Knight untied the bandage and eased it away. He sucked in his breath. The wound was sluggishly seeping blood.

  He felt Burke’s hand on his shoulder.

  “Dr. Brody will be here soon, Knight. She’ll be all right. Now, drink the brandy. Lord knows, you need it.”

  Knight quickly downed the liquor. “Thank you, Burke. God, she’s hurt and it’s all my fault. She saved my life, dashed in front of me when Boy fired. I—”

  Burke said reasonably, “Here’s Arielle with some dry clothes. She can change the lady if you wish.”

  “No, no. She’s mine, you know.”

  Burke didn’t know. He stared for a moment, then he turned away, nodding to his wife. Who the devil was the young woman? God knew, even disheveled as she was, she was still a beauty. Knight’s latest mistress? But what had happened?

  Arielle and Knight stripped off Lily’s damp clothing and wrapped her in one of the earl’s dressing gowns. Arielle handed Knight a folded clean handkerchief and silently watched him press it against the lady’s shoulder.

  “I asked Mrs. Pepperall to bring some blankets. Ah, yes, there they are. Thank you, Burke. She’s also having a bedchamber prepared.”

  Once Lily was wrapped to her chin in the thick blankets, Knight stood up. “I’ve been so frightened,” he said to no one in particular as he rubbed his hands together in front of the fire. “Then I saw the Crawley signpost. You can’t imagine the relief I felt.”

  “Who is she, Knight?” the earl asked.

  Knight turned slowly and smiled. “Why, she’s my wife.”

  “Your what?”

  “My wife,” Knight repeated with great relish. “There’s so much to tell you, so much you don’t yet know.”

  Arielle laid her hand on his arm. “Soon, Knight. First you must change into something warm. She’ll need you to be well, not sneezing your head off.”

  “I’ll wait for the doctor. I’m only a bit damp around the edges.”

  Arielle took another look at the unconscious lady—Knight’s wife—and said, “I’ll fetch some hot tea and food.”

  Dr. Michael Brody arrived some fifteen minutes later. “My lord,” he greeted the earl; then he turned to Knight. “It’s Lord Castlerosse, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Quickly, it’s my wife. She’s been shot.”

  If the doctor thought this a rather unusual occurrence, particularly in the great house of a local nobleman, he didn’t let on. He sat beside the woman and pulled back the blanket. He opened the dressing gown and lifted off the handkerchief.

  He leaned close to Lily’s breast, listened to her heartbeat, then closely examined the bullet hole. “The bullet is still in her?”

  “No, it went out her back.”

  “That was lucky for her. When did it happen?”

  “Early this morning. It started to snow hard and I couldn’t see where we were going. Luckily we came upon a barn, and I took her in there until it stopped snowing. She’s been unconscious most of the day.”

  “No fever as yet. An excellent sign. The bleeding has nearly stopped.”

  Dr. Brody motioned to Knight, and together they lifted her so the doctor could examine her back. The exit wound wasn’t as neat as the entry. It would need stitching.

  “I’ll bathe the wound and rub in some bacilicum powder, my lord, and set a few stitches in her back. Then we’ll see.”

  “Thank you,” Knight said. “I’ll carry her upstairs now.”

  “All right.” Dr. Brody paused for a moment, then asked, “How did it happen? Footpads?”

  “I suppose you could call the villains that. She saved my life. She took the bullet that was meant for me.”

  “Knight?”

  Knight quickly went down on his knees beside the settee. He stroked his fingertips over Lily’s brows, her nose, her lips. “It will be all right now, Lily. You’re safe. I must take you upstairs.”

  “You’re all right? You swear it?”

  “I swear it.” When he lifted her, she moaned.

  “Slow breaths, Lily. You remember. Do it.”

  Burke Drummond and Dr. Brody exchanged glances.

  As Knight carried her up the wide Ravensworth staircase, he was aware of his friend Burke regarding him intently. He planned to tell his host everything, but not yet, not until Lily was safe and out of danger.

  “In the Diamond Room,” Burke said, moving ahead to open the door. A fire had already been lit, and Mrs. Pepperall stood beside the bed, drawing back the counterpane.

  Lily didn’t want Knight to leave her. When he laid her on her back, she clung to him, sobbing, “No, Knight, please don’t go. You promised we’d go to Venice. Forever, you said. Don’t go.”

  “I won’t,” he said, his voice as soothing and soft as warm butter. “I won’t leave you. But I want you to go back to sleep, Lily. Do you think you can?”

  “Don’t go.”

  Knight leaned over her and kissed her mouth. “It’s all right now, love. Don’t you believe your husband? I wouldn’t lie to you, you know. Everything is all right.”

  “No, you wouldn’t lie to me,” Lily said and stiffened at a particularly sharp jab of pain. She arched her back and a cry broke from her throat. Then, just as suddenly, she moaned very softly and fell back against the pillows.

  Dr. Brody shoved Knight out of the way.

  Twenty-two

  Dr. Brody slowly straightened. “It’s all right, my lord. She’s unconscious from the pain. I was going to give her laudanum, but her body simply removed her from the pain for a while. Sleep is the great healer, you know, and that’s what she needs.”

  Knight looked as if the weight of Atlas’s world had been lifted from his shoulders. “Thank God,” he said and sank down on the bed.

  “You should take off your wet clothes, Knight.” Burke handed him the dressing gown. “Arielle, love, take yourself off for a while, all right?”

  “Certainly,” the countess said. She patted Knight’s arm and left the bedchamber.

  However, Knight didn’t move until Dr. Brody had set the stitches in Lily’s back and rebandaged her shoulder. When he’d finished, Knight methodically began stripping off his damp clothes.

  “You know, my lord,” Dr. Brody said thoughtfully, looking down at Lily, “there is something here I don’t understand. If she dashed in front of you and took the bullet that was meant for you, then where is it?”

  Knight’s head came up and he stared at the doctor.

  “I mean, was she truly in front of you, or was the shot actually wide?”

  Suddenly, without warning, Knight felt a sharp jabbing pain in his ribs.

  “It tore through her,” Dr. Brody continued. “But where did it go? I thought you said she was in front of you.”

  “She was in front of me.” Knight stripped off his shirt and looked blankly down at his bloody chest. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said, slowly raising his head to stare in bewilderment at Burke and the doctor. “Your mystery is solved, Dr. Brody. It looks like I got shot after all. Funny, though—I never felt a thing.”

  With those words Knight gave Burke and the doctor a crooked smile, then crumpled to the floor.

  When he woke up, Arielle’s concerned face was above him. “Hello, Knight.”

  “Lily?”

  Arielle didn’t believe for a moment that he was delirious and confusing people. “She’s asleep, not unconscious but really sleeping this time. She woke up and Dr. Brody gave her some laudanum. You’re in the chamber next to hers. Now, I’m delighted you’re with us again. And truly, Lily is just fine. As for you, my
lord, Dr. Brody removed the bullet. It was nestled right up against a rib. It didn’t break or shatter anything or do any real damage. So it was very shallow, thank the heavens, and you’ll be quite all right soon.” Arielle paused, then lifted Knight’s left hand in hers. Bandages were wrapped about his wrists. “Your wrists were raw and bloody, so that’s why they’re bandaged. Ah, here’s Burke, ready, I wager, to drive you mad with questions.”

  The earl said, “Not at all—well, perhaps just a few. My curiosity is eating me alive, Knight. You were bound. And you were shot. And you’re married, for God’s sake.” He added thoughtfully, “That is without a doubt the biggest shock of all.”

  “I’m so hungry I could eat your curiosity, Burke. Any chance for a half side of beef or something?”

  “All right, I’ll see to it, but only if you swear to tell me everything. After you eat.”

  The earl was good to his word. He didn’t ask another question, merely spoke of the weather until Knight had finished eating. “Here’s another bit of brandy for you.”

  Knight sighed deeply, replete, and closed his eyes for a moment. “I am married, and no, Lily isn’t pregnant, and no, she wasn’t my mistress, and you won’t believe this, but I’m also a father. I have three children, and they’re little devils and I love them as dearly as I do their mother.”

  “My God.”

  “Lily was engaged to my cousin Tris Winthrop. They’re actually his children. I hadn’t seen Tris in well over five years. In any case, my cousin was evidently a master thief until he pulled a rather incredible blunder. He double-crossed two villain partners of his, and they killed him. Ah, there’s so much more. Let’s see, Lily took the children and left Brussels with scarcely fifty pounds in her pocket. Did I tell you about Brussels?”

  It required many questions from the earl, but eventually he was in possession of the facts and had arranged them in their proper sequence.

  “Not a single idea where those bloody jewels are, then?” Burke asked.

  “No. Believe me, Lily and I examined every one of the children’s toys, all their things, really. Billy’s Baubles have got to be in Brussels. There’s simply no other place.”

  “Billy’s Baubles,” Burke remarked. “That’s interesting. Is there a story behind that?”

  And Knight, so tired now he could barely make sense, told Burke about Billy and his betrothed, Charlotte, and how she’d told Billy she no longer wanted to marry him and he’d taken back the jewels. And on their way back to Brussels, Tris and his men had stolen them.

  “Billy and Charlotte,” Burke repeated. “That would be William and Charlotte. Hmm. Brussels.”

  Knight would have agreed if he’d had the energy, but he didn’t. He fell asleep, deeply.

  “Very interesting,” the earl said and rose. He stared down at his lifelong friend. “Very interesting indeed.”

  Lily awoke slowly. She was so thirsty her tongue felt swollen. She managed to say, “Water. Please, water.”

  In an instant she felt the glass against her mouth and an arm lift her head. Cool water dribbled into her mouth and down her chin. “Thank you.”

  Arielle smiled at Lily’s thick, dark blond hair, tangled and spread over the pillow; her face was dreadfully pale, but still she was lovely, every feature complementing the other so perfectly it was impossible to find a flaw. “You’re welcome. Now, I would imagine you’re hungry?”

  Lily thought about that for a while and discovered that she could probably have eaten the water glass. “Oh, yes, please.”

  “Any pain?”

  The pain was there, but at a distance. “I can control it, at least for a while.”

  “Good. The laudanum is still at work.”

  Arielle fed her guest some porridge sweetened with honey, and rich, thick cocoa to drink. “You’ll be dancing again soon, Lily.”

  “Who are you? You know my name. Where’s Knight?”

  “Oh, dear, there’s so much to tell you. First of all, your husband is just fine. Like you, he’s in bed, recovering. You see, my dear, when you took that bullet for him, it went through you, then into his chest, settling against a rib. He never even felt it. But he is fine. Michael—that’s Dr. Brody—said it was very shallow. Nothing to worry about. He is also of the opinion that Knight didn’t feel a thing because he was too frightened for you. Now, my name is Arielle Drummond. You’re at Ravensworth Abbey, in a very pretentious bedchamber called the Diamond Room. And I can see that that’s enough for now. You can barely keep your eyes open. Go back to sleep, Lily.”

  And Lily did as she was bidden. “You have beautiful hair,” she heard herself say as she slipped away. “The color is remarkable, not red, but not really gold either, sort of like the color I’ve seen in some old Italian paintings, but I’m not sure—”

  Arielle smiled at her and patted her hand. “And you, my dear, have accomplished a miracle. Married to Knight Winthrop and well before he can shout to the world that he’s middle-aged. I shall try to check my curiosity until you can tell me how you managed this feat.”

  “Talking to yourself, hmm?”

  “Oh, Burke. I was just talking to Lily. Of course, she can’t hear me, but still—”

  Her husband hugged her, then kissed her lightly on her mouth. “Our invalids are both quite fine, I gather.”

  “This one is. She ate all the porridge and drank the cocoa. There was lots of sugar in the cocoa, just as Michael ordered. You know something, Burke?” Arielle continued without pause. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Burke looked down at the sleeping Lily. “She is quite passable, I suppose. You think she snared our Knight with her beauty?” The moment the words were out, Burke was shaking his head. “No, Knight appreciates beauty, and God knows, he’s enjoyed his share of beautiful women, but to marry a woman because of it, no, never.”

  “And children? Did you tell me there are three of them?” At her husband’s nod, Arielle just shook her head. “I can’t seem to take it all in. Knight Winthrop with a wife and three children. Do you remember him at Lannie and Percy’s wedding? He was sweating like a pig, nearly babbling with paranoia what with all the matchmaking mamas eyeing him like a succulent feast at the reception, and vowing over and over not to wed until he was well past his fortieth birthday.”

  “Ah, yes, and his disgust with Percy and Lannie, calling Percy a fool and a dimwit.” Burke began to chuckle; then he broke into a full laugh.

  Together, the earl and the countess left the bedchamber, the earl still laughing.

  The earl wasn’t laughing a few minutes later. He was shouting at his valet, Joshua. “He’s what? That’s utterly absurd. Good God, he can’t.

  Burke dashed into Knight’s bedchamber and skidded to a stop. Knight was dressing, slowly, to be sure, but he was managing. There was a wide bandage about his waist and small bandages about his wrists. He needed to shave, his clothes were wrinkled and dirty, and he looked quite determined.

  “That’s enough, Knight.”

  Knight looked up, shaking his head. “No, Burke. I probably killed Boy. If I did, then Monk will either be scouring the countryside for me and Lily or heading back to Castle Rosse and the children. I told him the jewels were in the stable. He doesn’t know where to look, but look he will. And if he can, he’ll nab one of the children. I can’t take the chance. I’ve got to make sure they’re safe.”

  “You’ve quite made up your mind about this? You won’t allow me to fetch the children?”

  “No; they’re not your responsibility. If you will keep Lily safe for me, I’ll get them. I should be back with them sometime tomorrow evening.”

  “I can’t allow this, Knight. You’re not in any shape to go anywhere.”

  Knight told his friend very concisely and without excessive heat what he could do with his opinion.

  Burke stared at him for a moment; then, when Knight’s britches were about his knees, Burke stepped forward and slammed his fist into his friend’s jaw. Knight went
down without a sound.

  “Sorry, old man,” the earl said as he rubbed his knuckles, “but you’ve been quite noble enough. Any more of your nobility and nausea will overcome me.”

  “Oh, Gawd.”

  Burke turned to smile at his valet, Joshua. “His lordship will be just fine. He’ll doubtless wake up cursing me to hell and back, be the proud possessor of a sore jaw, but he’ll recover. Now, Joshua, here’s what I want you to do.”

  “Remarkable, absolutely remarkable.” Dr. Brody stood up and smiled down at Lily. “No fever, color in your cheeks, and the wounds are healing quite nicely. If I could say the same for your husband’s temper, then—”

  Lily paled. “Where is Knight? What’s happened to him?”

  Arielle sent Michael Brody a look, and he murmured, “Sorry,” and quickly stepped back from the bed.

  Arielle said in her most soothing voice, “Now, Lily, my dear, your husband is just—well, he’s just—”

  “Furious, for starters, Arielle.”

  “Knight.”

  “Hello, Lily.” Arielle saw Knight’s expression alter radically. He was suddenly all tenderness and gentleness. “You look wonderful. I can’t imagine why they put me into another bedchamber. My place is beside you, naturally.” He kissed her forehead, clasped her hand in his, then looked over at Arielle. “As for your husband, Arielle, when I get my hands on that damned bounder, I fully intend to smash my fist—”

  “You just be quiet, Knight Winthrop.” Out of sheer surprise, Knight shut his mouth. Arielle Drummond, that slight, slender person, was standing, arms akimbo, looking ready to kick him in a very vulnerable spot. “No, you, too, Lily. Just hush, both of you. You will listen to me. Knight, in his condition, was going to return to Castle Rosse to fetch the children, Lily. Burke merely rendered him temporarily unable so that—”

  “He waited until I’d pulled my britches to my knees, then planted me one in the jaw.”

  “That’s what I said,” Arielle replied with great patience. “So Burke is going to bring the children here. More than that, he’s sent for a Bow Street Runner who’s worked for us before, Ollie Trunk. You, Knight, and Lily and the children will remain safely at Ravensworth until they’ve caught this fellow Monk. Now, do either of you have any questions?”