Free Martha Schroeder by Guarding an Angel

distorted with rage and frustration to her.
    “Amelia!” His cry was heartfelt. “Amelia, don’t look at him like that. He is nobody. Nobody! Please, Amelia, look at me, pay attention to me.”
    “Get out.” Gideon’s voice was flat, uninflected. It never occurred to him that Eustace would not obey. “And do not ever lay a hand on her again.”
    “For God’s sake, Falconer! I have done nothing wrong. I want to marry her! You have no right to interfere!” The duke flung out his hands—half in supplication, half in threat.
    Amelia took a step away from Gideon. Eustace had finally penetrated the haze she had been wrapped in since Gideon had taken her in his arms. “Eustace, we have nothing more to say. Gideon has nothing to do with my decision. I reached it entirely on my own.”
    “Do not send me away, Amelia. You must many me!” Eustace took a step closer to her.
    Gideon simply turned and looked down at him. “I would very much like to break you in half, Mannering.”
    “Gideon!” Amelia put her hand on his arm, restraining him.
    “But I will refrain because it would distress Amy.” He reached down and hauled Eustace to his feet without apparent effort. “If you ever lay a finger on her again, or threaten her or cut up her peace in any way, I will kill you.” His voice was calm and almost pleasant, but he knew his face bore the expression it did when facing an enemy—implacable resolve. He waited silently for perhaps ten seconds before Eustace gave up and stumbled out of the room, his steps jerky with rage and defeat.
    “Come and sit down, Amy, and I will get Molly to fetch you a cup of tea.” Gideon gently led her over to the one comfortable chair in the room, a large wing chair, and seated her as if she were made of blown glass.
    “We only have tea at teatime,” Amelia explained for the second time that afternoon. “Jane does not make exceptions.”
    “She will for me,” Gideon said simply. “Molly, run and fetch Miss Amelia a cup of tea, please.”
    The little girl nodded once and sped off to the kitchen. While they waited, Gideon squatted by Amelia’s side and asked her very quietly to tell him exactly what Eustace had said. She complied, speaking in a low but perfectly controlled voice.
    “I am not overset, Gideon,” she said, smiling a little tremulously down into his eyes. “I knew that Eustace would propose sometime. I had not expected it so soon. I thought he would leave me at least six months of mourning before he pressed me, but I knew it would come. He is more desperate than I thought. I fear for him.”
    “Your kind heart does you credit.” Gideon spoke almost at random. The pure blue of her gaze as it met his dazzled him, and her smile struck at his heart. He had betrayed himself, and now he found it all but impossible to draw back into the fortress he had made of his emotions. He could no longer deny what he felt for this glorious golden girl who looked at him now with such warmth and love—
    Love? Impossible! He surged to his feet in one strong, lithe move and stepped away from her just as Jane entered the room, a cup of tea in her hand.
    “Amelia, are you all right? Are you hurt?” Jane stopped in front of the wing chair and gave her friend a searching look. “Eustace did not physically harm you, then?” She turned to Gideon. “You sent him packing, I am informed.” A small smile played around her wide mouth, and she glanced back at the door where Molly stood, her shoe-button eyes taking in everything.
    “I am not sure he will stay routed, Jane.” Gideon frowned down at Amelia. “You must be vigilant. Promise to inform me if you see him anywhere near here. Send Molly or one of the boys from the orphan school to find me.”
    Amelia got to her feet. “Really, you two. I am perfectly fine. Eustace did try to restrain me, but I was never in any jeopardy, I assure you.”
    “You forget, Amy, I saw him. Eustace was ready to do more than hold you. You might have been in