The Redemption of a Rogue, стр. 62

She laughed as a response. “My husband will like you. He groused when I took care of him a long time ago, as well. You can compare notes later about what a dreadful fiend I am.”

“Judging from the way the man looked at you after the gunfire, I would assume he doesn’t think that of you at all,” Oscar said.

She smiled as she brought out a needle and heavy thread and swiftly stitched the wound on either side of his arm. Then she placed a soothing salve on both and carefully rewrapped it, this time with a bandage rather than the bloody cravat she tossed into her kit to be destroyed.

“I’ll leave some materials here,” Diana said as she tied off the wound with an expert flair. “Along with written instructions. Imogen, you’ll need to apply more of that salve and rewrap it tomorrow morning. Then I’ll look at it again tomorrow when Lucas…er, Willowby…and I return to speak to you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Tomorrow afternoon?” Imogen repeated. “Oh, Your Grace—”

“Diana,” Diana interrupted gently.

“Diana, surely you must have something to tell us later tonight. Or tomorrow morning.”

Diana stepped away from him and reached out, grasping both of Imogen’s hands gently. Oscar watched as Imogen’s shoulders relaxed a little. The duchess was a balm herself. A healer in spirit, as well as body.

“Imogen, I know you’ve had a very long day. A long few weeks. And you’re anxious for an answer. But you must allow Lucas and me to have time to pursue everything we’ve discovered today.” Diana glanced back at Oscar. “Speaking of which, you said you knew who attacked us at your club. Would you mind sharing that information? It will very likely fill in some blanks in our knowledge.”

Imogen stepped away from her and moved a little closer to Oscar. He held out a hand and she took it, her fingers lacing through his and seeking comfort.

“You may not believe me,” she whispered. “But it was the Earl of Roddenbury who was with the body I saw. He admitted he killed that poor girl, whoever she was. And it didn’t sound like it was the first time he’d…he’d hurt someone.”

Diana’s eyes squeezed shut. “Roddenbury. Of course. We’d had some suspicions about him, but…well, this confirms it.” She let out her breath slowly. “He has a great deal of power—it will be complicated. But I’ll pass this information on to Lucas. We’ll all talk about it tomorrow, once he and I have had a chance to discuss this update with each other and with Mr. Barber and Mr. Huntington. They’ve been invaluable resources since they began their search for you and our purposes crossed paths.”

There was something in her tone, in her face, that made Oscar’s worries about her fade, at least a little. “We have no choice,” he said, but with no heat to his tone. “I suppose we must trust you.”

“You must,” Diana agreed with another of those warming smiles. “And now I’ll go and join my husband so we may eventually prove to you that trust is well placed. Tonight try to relax, try to enjoy the very good food the cook here will provide.” She moved forward and smiled at them both. “Try to take care of one another. Today was a terrifying experience for both of you. Don’t discount its effect.”

“Thank you again, for your help,” Imogen said.

“Yes. Thank you,” Oscar said, a little reluctantly but certainly less so than a few moments earlier. There was something about this woman that couldn’t help but put a person at ease.

“Of course. Now please don’t get up. I’ll show myself out and see you tomorrow.”

She slipped away, leaving them alone together. Oscar glanced at Imogen as he grabbed his bloody shirt and put one arm through. He struggled with his injured arm, and she stepped up, helping him slide it up the sleeve. He left it unbuttoned for a moment and looked up at her from his seated position. When her gaze darted away, he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer.

She settled down into his lap and sighed as she smoothed her fingers over his face. In that moment there was only her in the whole world. He didn’t want or need anything else but those amber eyes holding his, those slender fingers touching him, the feel of her backside in his lap.

He knew that shouldn’t be all he needed. But it was.

“Do you want to tell me why you’ve struggled to look at me since the club?” he asked.

She stiffened a little, but didn’t pull away. Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. “I ruined everything,” she said softly.

His brow wrinkled. “And how did you do that? Were you the one shooting from below? If so, that is a wicked feat, because I seem to recall dragging you under me.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You’re being glib, but we both know the role I’ve played in this. I’ve brought down hell on you, Oscar, since the moment you met me.”

“Imogen—”

She shook her head and continued, “For weeks I’ve invaded your house and thrown off your schedule. You’ve been very kind and never mentioned it to me, but I know I’ve been an unwelcome burden.”

“Not unwelcome,” he insisted.

“And today,” she continued, not even acknowledging what he’d said. “Today your club was ruined because of me. The physical damage and the fact that it was…shot up in public. I know that will hurt you.”

He ducked his head because there was no arguing that. Certainly there might be repercussions if his members decided they didn’t want to be linked to such notoriety. And he’d spent a lifetime building the reputation of the place. Yet he couldn’t manage to care about it in this moment.

“Plus, there is the bonus horror that because of me you were forced to come in contact with two of your siblings.” She sighed. “I know you didn’t want that. But I swear to