Chapter 21 #2
Hackman raised the poker above his head, and Marco closed his eyes, preparing for the blow. It never came. A loud shot rang out, a crack through the air. Marco opened his eyes as Hackman bellowed, toppling to the side, gripping his thigh where blood was welling through his fingertips.
“You bitch!” Hackman roared, staring at Alice, who held the pistol in her trembling hand, staring down at him. The bodice of her wedding dress was ripped, her hair was falling around her shoulders. She had bruises on her neck and a mark blooming on her cheek, the rest of her skin was deathly pale.
The evidence of Hackman's brutality was enraging.
The fury strengthened him, and he lurched to his feet, taking the gun from Alice's slack grip.
He picked up the fireplace poker and pointed it at the man writhing on the floor.
"If you move, I shall happily finish this by bashing your head in," he stated coldly.
Hackman was terrified as he looked up at him.
Marco was overcome with a sense of power and vindication.
Taking Hackman's life would be a fitting reward for everything he'd done, but he wouldn't do it.
Not because of the scandal or the prospect of prison.
He wouldn't do it because Alice was nearby and had helped him see beyond his rage and grief.
She had demonstrated to him that love was more important and powerful than vengeance.
“Marco!” Giovanni called as he burst into the room with a constable.
“This man abducted and accosted my bride and attacked my companion and me,” Marco said in a trembling voice.
“Put him in irons,” Giovanni commanded.
“Yes, my lord,” the constable said, dragging Hackman to his feet and pulling him from the room.
Marco felt some strength beginning to leave him as soon as they went.
Blearily, head starting to spin, he turned to look at Alice.
She kneeled beside William, pushing back his shaggy hair from his forehead.
“Are you badly hurt?” she asked gently, and Marco went to join her. He put a hand gently on her back, wincing when he saw dirt streaked across the back of her gown, yet more evidence of Hackman’s hideous manhandling of her.
“My lady,” William gasped, wincing with pain as he sat up to look at her. “I am fine; please, you must not get blood..."
“Hush,” Alice said comfortingly, though Marco noticed her voice was a little hoarse, no doubt from Hackman’s hand around her throat.
“It is of no matter. I am in your debt for helping me today.
And I am so sorry, William. My father may not have ordered the fire that killed yours, but he holds some responsibility.
And I promise to take care of you and your family. "
It was a heartfelt, straightforward declaration. Marco could see that despite the boy's former dislike and suspicion, Alice's kind nature transformed those feelings into respect and devotion.
“Thank you, my lady,” William said, tears slipping down his cheeks.
“I am so proud of you, William,” Marco said.
Alice rose and started to say something, but her voice became faint, and she suddenly swayed.
Marco grabbed her waist and held her up against him.
“Gio!” Marco called, and instantly, Giovanni was at his side, helping him move Alice into his arms.
Giovanni looked her over with a worried expression. “Did she hit her head?”
“Yes,” Marco confirmed grimly.
Seeing Alice standing up and pointing a gun at her kidnapper made Marco believe the blow had not been severe. He had assumed she was well and was so caught up in protecting William and subduing Hackman that he hadn't thought of it again.
Giovanni nodded and ran his hand over the back of Alice’s head. It came away bloody. Marco’s stomach dropped.
“No,” he whispered brokenly, looking down at Alice's stricken face as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
"Bring her to my carriage. We shall go to my house; it is the closest and we’ll fetch a doctor," Giovanni instructed, ushering Marco out of the room.
William limped behind them and Gio helped them climb into the coach. Alice felt slight in his arms, and he cradled her to him as the driver set a fast pace to Giovanni's home.
She stirred as the carriage moved. "Marco," she whispered, eyes fluttering open to find his.
“I'm here, beloved. What do you need?” Marco asked and stroked her hair back from her pale face, knocking one of the pink roses still clinging to her hair to the floor. Her pallid color worried him, as did the blood from her wound.
“I… love you,” she breathed, her eyes flickering closed. Marco felt his heart constrict at her tended words. “I am sorry… I did not… say so before.”
“Do not be sorry; those are the sweetest words I could hear,” Marco whispered, leaning down to kiss her brow, tasting salt and blood. Alice tried to smile, but she became suddenly became limp in his arms.
“Alice, wake up!” He begged, lightly tapping her cheeks, shaking her softly, trying to rouse her, but she was as floppy as a rag doll in his arms. He knew that head wounds were often fatal and could not bear the thought of losing her. “You must wake up!"
“Faster!” Giovanni bellowed, leaning his head out of the window. When he moved back inside, he placed his hand on Alice's chest and looked up at Marco. "She still breathes."
“Please, Alice, stay with me,” Marco pleaded, the thoughts of his heart overflowing onto his tongue. “I love you too, so dearly. You have changed my life. Please, do not leave me.”
“We are here,” Giovanni said, throwing open the door to the carriage. “Come!”
Marco scooped Alice close to his chest and hurried into the house. He saw Beatrice running down the staircase, still wearing her wedding outfit, her face full of worry.
“What has happened?” Beatrice demanded, gasping when she saw Alice's lifeless body in Marco's arms.
“She has a head wound,” Giovanni said abruptly since Marco could barely speak. “Where should we go?”
“The blue room,” Beatrice said, turning back towards the stairs. “Gio, send for the doctor! Follow me, Marco.”
“I know the way,” Marco said, turning to run up the stairs. He saw William slump against the wall of the entryway. "See to William as well."
He left them all behind, hurrying to the blue bedchamber and laying Alice carefully on the bed.
“Please,” he whispered as she stroked her face. “Please, don’t leave me.”
Some time passed as Marco quietly pleaded with Alice before the door banged open. Giovanni hurried in with a man behind him. "The doctor is here."
Marco stepped aside to allow the man room and silently prayed he could save Alice.