Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(41)
Alex saw his opportunity and launched himself at Connor. He tackled him to the ground, driving his fist into Connor’s face. It was like hitting a stone wall. Connor hardly flinched. Alex wasn’t quick enough and Connor slugged him in the head. It was a powerful blow and Alex saw stars. Shaking his head, Alex tried to clear his double vision. He rolled to his right just in time to avoid another huge punch from Connor.
“Come on, stand up and fight me like a man. You’re not so high and mighty now, are you, Your Grace?” Connor sneered.
Alex closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and rose unsteadily to his feet. The sight of Hestia’s split lip and torn shirt fueled his steely calm. In icy tones he replied, “You’re a dead man, O’Laughlin.”
Pulling Hestia back in front of him, Connor laughed in Alex’s face. “Not from where I’m standing. In fact, I can’t wait to get better acquainted with the young lady.” His hand slid down inside Hestia’s shirt and locked over one breast. “Her ladyship has been panting after you since she came on board; perhaps I should give her what she wants.”
Alex vaguely heard Hestia’s indignant huff over his own deep growl. He took a step closer.
Connor’s other hand tightened around Hestia’s neck. “Tut-tut, not too close now.”
Suddenly Connor’s eyes began to roll into his head. Jacob had crept up and hit Connor over the head with a piece of wood. He slammed to the ground with a thunk, crushing Hestia under him.
With his heart in his throat, Alex rushed to pull Hestia out from under Connor. He picked her up in his arms and cradled her gently against his chest, his heart still pounding with the realization of how close he’d come to losing her.
“Are you all right, Hestia?”
With a small sob she replied, “I’m so sorry, Alex. They got me in the boat before I could stop them.”
“Hush, it’s all right. You’re safe now.” Turning to Jacob, Alex barked out his instructions. “Tie them both up and take them back to the ship. I’d like to learn more about this sloop.”
Hestia clung to his neck and in a tiny voice she said, “It has to be Fredrick.”
He gently brushed his cheek against her hair. “Money and keeping his deception secret is his motivation.” He didn’t want to alarm Hestia further with the truth. Fredrick needed her dead.
With Hestia held tightly in his arms, Alex turned to make his way over the tree roots and back to the beach. A glint of steel flashing in the dimming light was the only warning he got before the pain in his side dropped him to his knees, Hestia tumbling out of his arms and rolling onto the sand before him.
Through his pain Alex heard Jacob’s curse and a shot rang out. Just as he lost consciousness, Alex heard Patrick’s death gurgle next to him and Hestia’s scream.
Chapter 12
Jacob’s mood was grave. He stood in the door of Alex’s cabin watching Foxhall; Alex had lost a great deal of blood. Anger scored his mouth; it had taken far too long to get Alex back to the Angelica. By the time Jacob had summoned more men and arranged for Douglas’s and Patrick’s bodies to be collected, chained up Connor, and then carried a weeping Hestia with her sprained ankle to her cabin, a good hour had passed.
“Will he make it?” Jacob’s voice was ragged with emotion.
Foxhall looked up from where he was stitching Alex’s side. “The wound doesn’t appear to be too deep. The dagger has cut downward, not inward.” He paused before adding, “In this heat, infection is his biggest enemy. I’ve cleaned the wound as best I can, but the wound needs to be bathed with brandy and a fresh dressing applied every few hours. It’s a trick I’ve learned over the years through trial and error. The alcohol helps ward off infection.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
Foxhall shook his head. “You’ll need plenty of help to provide him care day and night. Please ensure the person seeing to his wound understands the importance of keeping it clean and dressed. He’ll also need something for the pain when he wakes. I gave him a strong dose of laudanum before stitching him.”
“Was that wise?” Jacob snapped to attention, pushing away from the cabin doorframe and entering the room. “That’s not a good idea. Lord Bedford won’t like it.”
Foxhall nodded. “A onetime large dose and a few smaller ones won’t hurt him. Anyway, he informed me that he can control his use. Besides, he needs to remain still if the stitches are to heal, and easing his pain will help stop him moving.”
Jacob ran a hand through his hair. How much did Foxhall know? “His lordship has a problem with opiates.”
“I know. I’ll watch him.”
“Not a lot I can do now because you’ve already given him the laudanum.” Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “Just limit the amount. A bit of pain never hurt any man.” Jacob’s tone indicated it was not a request.
Foxhall hesitated and inclined his head. “Of course. But he will only require a small amount for a short period. You’ll just have to manage him carefully. Don’t underestimate the need to keep those stitches intact—keep him still. It lowers the risk of infection as long as the wound is kept clean and fresh dressings are applied. I can’t stress that enough.”
“I’ve been around enough wounds to know that,” Jacob gruffly replied. Jacob understood Alex well, and there was no way Alex would want to be taking laudanum. Alex would rather endure the pain. Jacob inwardly grimaced. He’d rather tie Alex to the bed to keep him immobile.