Free Two Beaux and a Promise Collection by Allison Lane Page B

played by the rules. But her indulgence ended at age thirty, by which time she demanded responsibility and an eye to the future. Since he was rapidly approaching that age, she would expect him to set up his nursery. Jacob’s marriage had cracked the carefree image of the Beaux, encouraging her.
    He admitted that he needed a wife. Just not Georgiana. No matter how much he liked her – and two days in her company had made him like her a lot – she remained ineligible. His allowance let him live comfortably. Once he acceded to the title, he would have even more, though he hoped that day would not arrive for many years. He did not need to fill his coffers with someone else’s fortune.
    He turned a corner and nearly ran down a carriage headed toward Mayfair. Not until it passed did he identify the crest.
    Inslip.
    He kicked his horse to a gallop. There was no reason that Inslip’s departure should portend disaster, but he knew Georgiana was in trouble. His dread increased when he spotted a strange carriage in front of the cottage.
    Herriard. It had to be.
    He tossed the reins over a bush, then charged through the door. Tester lay bleeding on the floor. Herriard was dragging Georgiana from the sitting room. His bloody face stirred Richard’s pride that Georgiana had put up a good fight.
    “Let her go,” he snapped, leaping forward. His fist caught Herriard’s shoulder.
    Georgiana twisted free.
    “You’ve annoyed me for the last time, Hughes.”  Herriard shoved Richard off balance.
    Richard ducked a would-be facer, then landed a blow to the chest.
    Herriard yelled for his coachman.
    * * * *
    Georgiana gasped as Derrick’s coachman jumped down from the carriage, clearly visible through the open front door. She bolted across the hall to lock it.
    “Bitch!” snapped Derrick even as his fist slammed into Richard’s jaw.
    The housekeeper rushed in and screamed when she spotted her husband.
    Derrick sidestepped a punch, tripped on Tester’s leg, and staggered.
    Georgiana pulled the butler out of the way as Richard took advantage of Derrick’s distraction to aim a kick at his groin.
    “Foul!” cursed Derrick, twisting so the blow landed on his thigh.
    “Gentlemen’s rules apply only to gentlemen,” snapped Richard.
    “Then counter this.”  Derrick pulled a long-bladed knife from his boot and charged.
    “No!”  Georgiana grabbed Tester’s tray and spun it toward Derrick. It struck his wrist, deflecting the blow. She jumped on his back, ripping at his hair as Richard grasped the man’s knife hand.
    “I’ll kill you!” choked Derrick.
    “Never!”  Richard’s free fist plowed into his jaw. A second blow struck his temple.
    Derrick crumbled, unconscious.
    Richard kicked the knife aside, then pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are you sure?  He hit you.”  His hand gently traced her cheek.
    Sparks raced down her spine, weakening her knees. She hooked her arms around his neck to keep from falling. “It was only one slap, but thank God you arrived when you did.”  The memory set her whole body trembling.
    “Steady, sweetheart,” he murmured, pulling her head against his shoulder. “You acquitted yourself well. Don’t fall apart now.”
    “I c-can’t stop.”
    “Reaction. I should have realized…”  He sat on the stairs, pulling her into his lap. “Put your head down. You’ll feel better in a minute.”
    Rushing blood muffled all sound. Spots danced before her eyes, but closing them but made the world seem even vaguer. From a great distance, she heard Richard send the housekeeper for cord.
    By the time the woman returned, Georgiana had pulled herself together, so Richard set her down and trussed Derrick, then bent over Tester.
    “Is he all right?” she asked, irritated that weakness kept her from helping. But the thought of rising turned her stomach over.
    “He’s coming around. Can you get him to bed?” he added to Mrs. Tester as the butler shakily sat