Chapter 9
Nine
J ames’s eyes snapped open to a sight that chilled him to his very core. There, silhouetted against the pale light from the dying fire, stood Hawthorne, a pistol gleaming ominously in his grasp, and pointed directly at him and Selina.
"My, my," Lord Hawthorne drawled, his lips curling into a sinister smirk. "The disgraced Lord Blackwood and the grieving widow, entangled in the sheets. How delightfully scandalous."
James felt Selina press against him, her body trembling. He instinctively tightened his hold on her, his mind racing as he surveyed the room for any advantage. The fireplace poker stood tantalizingly close, but Hawthorne's unwavering aim made any sudden movements too risky .
"Hawthorne," James said, his voice steady despite the hammering of his heart. "To what do we owe this... unexpected pleasure?"
Hawthorne's eyes glittered with malice. "Oh, I think you know exactly why I am here. You and your clever little widow have been quite the nuisance, have you not?"
James felt a tremor run through Selina. He longed to reassure her, to promise her they would find a way out of this predicament, but the words stuck in his throat.
"It was you," Selina seethed, her voice laced with anger. "You killed Nile."
Hawthorne's laugh was cold and mirthless. "Bravo, Lady Hollyfield. I must say, you are sharper than I gave you credit for. Yes, I orchestrated your dear husband's unfortunate... accident. The fool thought he could expose my dealings, threaten my position in society, leave me destitute. I could not allow that, now could I?"
James had suspected Hawthorne's involvement, knew it to be true after their run-in with the ruffians, but to hear it confirmed so callously sent a surge of rage through him. The odious man had caused Selina such pain and done his best to frame James for his nefarious deeds .
"And now," Hawthorne continued, his tone almost conversational, "I am afraid I must tie up these loose ends. Can't have you two running about, spreading nasty rumors. It would be most inconvenient."
At that moment, James saw a flicker of movement from Selina. Before he could react, she had sprung to her feet, clutching the sheet around her body like a makeshift toga.
"You will not get away with this," Selina snarled, her eyes blazing with a determination that took James's breath away. "We will see you hanged for what you have done."
James tensed, ready to jump into action at the slightest opportunity. He admired Selina's bravery, but fear for her safety gripped his heart. Hawthorne was unpredictable, and the double chamber pistol in his hand could end their lives in an instant.
"My dear Lady Hollyfield," Hawthorne said, his voice dripping with condescension, "I am afraid you will not be seeing much of anything after tonight. Such a pity. You really are quite an exquisite woman. I meant to take you to wife, but you have forced my hand."
“I would never marry you,” she said, taking a step forward. “You are despicable,” she seethed .
James's fingers itched to reach for the poker, to do something, anything, to protect Selina. But Hawthorne had the pistol trained on her heart. He could not chance a sudden movement that might cause the man to shoot.
"You are a monster," Selina spat, her knuckles white as she gripped the sheet tighter.
Hawthorne's smile widened. "Perhaps. But I am a monster who will walk away from this night unscathed, while you and your lover meet a most unfortunate end. How tragic. The papers will be abuzz with the scandal."
James's mind raced, searching for a way out of this. He knew that their lives hung by a thread, balanced on the whim of a madman. But as he looked at Selina, saw the fire in her eyes and the set of her jaw, he felt a surge of hope. They had come too far, overcome too much, to let it end like this.
His muscles tensed, every fiber of his being coiled and ready to spring. As Hawthorne's gaze lingered on Selina, savoring his perceived triumph, James seized the moment. With a burst of explosive energy, he launched himself at Hawthorne, his body colliding with the murderous lord's.
"Selina, duck!" James roared as they crashed to the floor .
The pistol discharged with a deafening crack, the bullet embedding itself in the ceiling. James grappled with Hawthorne, his hands desperately seeking purchase on the weapon. Hawthorne's face contorted with rage, his earlier smugness replaced by animalistic fury.
"You fool!" Hawthorne snarled, driving his knee into James's stomach. "I'll see you both dead!"
James gasped, the air driven from his lungs, but he refused to relent. His fingers closed around Hawthorne's wrist, twisting viciously until the pistol clattered to the floor.
"Selina, the pistol!" James called out, struggling to pin Hawthorne's thrashing form.
From the corner of his eye, he saw her dart forward, her movements swift and graceful despite the sheet wrapped around her. She scooped up the fallen weapon, her hands steady as she leveled it at Hawthorne.
"It's over, Henry," Selina said, her voice cold and resolute. "You might as well surrender."
Hawthorne's eyes widened, a flicker of fear finally breaking through his arrogant facade. "You wouldn't dare," he hissed.
James felt a surge of pride as he watched Selina, her chin lifted defiantly .
"Perhaps not," she replied, her finger tightening on the trigger as she pointed the gun at the ceiling, then fired.
Hawthorne’s face turned scarlet. “That was the last bullet, you little fool!”
The room descended into chaos as Hawthorne lashed out with renewed vigor. James grunted as Hawthorne's elbow connected with his jaw, sending him staggering backward into an ornate side table. The crash of shattering porcelain filled the air as a priceless vase toppled to the floor.
"Selina, run!" James called out, his heart racing as he saw Hawthorne lunge toward her.
Her eyes darted around the room, but she did not flee. In one fluid motion, she tossed the pistol to the floor and seized the fire poker.
"I won't let you destroy any more lives," Selina said, her voice steady despite the trembling of her hands.
Hawthorne sneered, circling her like a predator. "You have no idea the depths I'll sink to, my dear. Your late husband learned that lesson too late."
James felt a surge of rage at Hawthorne's callous words. He lunged at him, pushing the man against the wall and pinning him in place. "It's finished, Hawthorne. Surrender now, and perhaps you will avoid the gallows."
But Hawthorne was beyond reason. With a roar of frustration and strength, he broke free. He charged at Selina, his hands outstretched to throttle her. James watched in horror, his fingers tightening into fists, when suddenly Selina swung the poker with all her might.
The resounding crack of iron meeting flesh echoed through the room as Hawthorne crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
For a moment, silence reigned. James stared at Selina, her chest heaving, the poker still clutched in her white-knuckled grip. "My God, Selina," he breathed. "You are magnificent."
Three footmen and the butler appeared in the drawing room doorway, their eyes wide as the butler pressed into the room. “My Lady.”
“I am unharmed,” Selina said.
“Send for Bow Street at once,” James ordered.
A short time later, the clatter of boots in the entry hall announced the Bow Street Runners. James quickly explained the situation, and within moments, the unconscious Lord Hawthorne was bound and carried away .
As the commotion died down, James turned to Selina, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you truly alright, darling?"
Selina nodded, her body still trembling from the rush of adrenaline. "I... I think so. It is over now. Bow Street knows what Hawthorne has done and he will be made to suffer for his crimes."
“You have my word, darling. Hawthorne will be held to account.” James took her hand, gently leading her toward the terrace. "Come, let us get some air."
They stepped out into the cool night, the stars twinkling above them like scattered diamonds. Selina leaned against the balustrade, her eyes closed as she took deep, calming breaths.
James watched her, marveling at her strength and beauty. "You were extraordinary tonight. I have never seen such bravery."
She turned to him, a small smile playing on her lips. "I could not have done it without you, James. We make an excellent team, do we not?"
He chuckled, moving closer to her. "Indeed, we do. Who would have thought that the widowed Countess of Hollyfield and the notorious Lord Blackwood would end up saving each other?"
Her eyes softened as she gazed up at him. "You have changed me, James. I have been consumed with a burning need for vengeance ever since Nile's death, but you... you have shown me that there are more important things to focus on."
James cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her jawline. "And you, my dear, have shown me that there's more to life than vice and scandal. You have given me a purpose, a reason to be better."
Their eyes locked, the air between them crackling with unspoken emotion. Selina's heart raced as James leaned in, his lips mere inches from hers.
He hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding. He'd been with countless women before, but none had affected him like Selina. She wasn't just another conquest; she was something more, something precious.
"Selina," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. "I want you to know that this... what's developed between us... it's not just a dalliance. You have become more important to me than I ever thought possible. I meant it when I said I love you."
Her eyes widened, a mix of hope and fear dancing in their depths. "I feel the same way."
James took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips. "My darling, I have known from the moment I met you that you were different. Tonight only confirmed what I have felt all along. You are not just any woman, Selina. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. When I saw that pistol aimed at your heart… I would have done anything to save you."
He watched as a myriad of emotions flitted across her face—surprise, joy, and then, to his dismay, doubt.
"James," she said, "What exactly do you want from me?"
"Selina," he said firmly, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. "I know I've lived a colorful life thus far. I have given you, and everyone else, every reason to doubt me. But I swear to you, on my honor as a gentleman, that you are the only woman I want. The only woman I will ever want. You are my heart, my very soul and if you allow it, I will spend the rest of my life showing you how deep my love runs for you. Marry me."
Selina's breath caught, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Oh, James," she sighed, emotion lacing her words. "I love you too. I have tried to fight it, to deny these feelings, but I cannot. I will marry you and treasure you always. "
James felt his heart soar at her words. He pulled her close, one hand cupping her face while the other wrapped around her waist. "My darling, darling, Selina," he murmured, his lips a breath away from hers. "You have no idea how I have longed to hear those words."
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, weeks of pent-up longing and desire pouring out between them. Selina melted against him, her arms winding around his neck as she surrendered herself to the kiss.
James held her tightly, marveling at how perfectly she fit in his arms, as if she had been made for him alone—two pieces of the same puzzle just waiting to be placed together, and now that they were, he would never let go.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless and flushed, he rested his forehead against hers. "Marry me right away," he said, his blue eyes intense as they gazed into hers. "Be my wife, my partner, my everything as soon as we can have the banns read."
Selina smiled up at him. "So fast? Are you certain? Everyone knows you’re a sworn bachelor. Your?—"
He silenced her with another gentle kiss. "None of that matters to me anymore. You are all I want, all I need. I would gladly give up everything else if it meant having you. And I have no wish to wait.”
“Nor do I.”
She melted against him as their lips came back together in a kiss full of passion, promises, and emotion that threatened to bring him to his knees.