To Trust a Thief (15 page)

Chapter Twenty-six

Bryant had only gone a few feet from the tapestry when Katherine sauntered around the corner. He was startled to see her but controlled his face.

“A bit too eerie a place for young girls to be strolling alone, isn’t it?” He turned to walk down the hall, making no attempt to wait for her answer.

“I would say it is a bit too secluded a place for young girls to be cavorting privately with their dance instructors.” Katherine smiled wickedly, moving to where he now stood frozen. “Something tells me that Lady Courtland wouldn’t approve of your extracurricular activities with her niece.”

Bryant’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t allow his trepidation at being discovered to show on his face. In an instant, all his anger, contempt, and disgust for the arrogant young lady in front of him rushed to the surface and he found it difficult to keep from throttling her. Katherine must have seen the fury reflected in his gaze, for she took a step backward.

“Do you have something to say to me?” Bryant quietly descended on Katherine until she had backed herself against the opposite wall.

She bumped into it with a frightened gasp and glanced around as though seeking help, but he wouldn’t let her pass.

“No, I… It is j-just…” she stammered.

Bryant brought his face close to hers and stared directly into her eyes. “My private life is neither your concern nor that of anyone else. I do not take kindly to being spied upon or threatened, especially by a silly schoolgirl with damaged pride! Somehow, I do not think you would be so disapproving had my ‘cavorting,’ as you put it, been with
you
.”

Katherine looked at him, anger beginning to replace the fear in her eyes
.
“I will admit I find it difficult to believe you would choose a common little nobody over someone who is obviously so much better suited to you.” She straightened and leaned closer to him. “It would be a shame to lose your position over someone so unworthy of you. Then again, maybe the silly little twit will trip over her own feet one too many times and meet with an unfortunate accident. And then we can be rid of her.”

Bryant could scarcely believe Katherine’s conceit. He watched with fascination as she smiled at him and ran a finger slowly down his chest. He followed the trail her finger traced, then brought his unyielding gaze back to her face. He leaned in to her touch.

Katherine, buoyed by her apparent progress, explored his chest with her hands. Her smile held a hint of victory as Bryant crushed her against the wall and touched his lips to her ear. He could feel her holding her breath, obviously waiting for a kiss. She jerked in surprise at his furious voice.

“Hear me now,
my lady
, for I will only say this once: I will protect Minuette Sinclair to my last breath.
You
are nothing more to me than an arrogant, spoiled brat whom I would not touch if my very life depended on it. Stay out of my affairs. If you think to threaten or harm me or mine again, I will make certain you regret it.”

Her eyes widened with anger and fear before she averted her gaze. “As you wish, sir.” Her voice was low and soft, laced with sarcasm.

Bryant stepped away from her. The girl was an obstacle for which he had no time or patience. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped at the sudden commotion on the floor below.

A scream.

People running.

Someone frantically shouting for a doctor.

Bryant looked deeper into Katherine’s eyes, a startling rush of fear piercing him at the triumph reflected there.

“Min!”

He whirled away from Katherine and ran through the gallery toward the noise. Racing down to the second floor hallway, he had to dodge students who were swarming the stairs leading to the ground floor. He stopped cold when he reached the head of the stairs and looked down.

Min lay crumpled at the bottom while teachers, servants, and other students rushed to her from all directions. Mistress Kellar caught sight of Bryant standing at the top of the stairs and called up to him.

“Oh! Mr. Westley, there has been an accident. The doctor has been sent for, but I’m not sure what to do.”

Bryant snapped out of it and flew down the stairs. Min’s pale face and seemingly lifeless body nearly undid him, but he managed to keep his composure as he bent over her.

Mistress Kellar took charge of the students milling about, shooing them back to their rooms while Bryant gently ran his hands over Min’s body. No blood. That was good, though that didn’t mean there wasn’t bleeding internally.

Once the hall was clear of students, Mistress Kellar rejoined him.

“She doesn’t seem to have broken any bones,” Bryant told her. “Still, it would be best not to move her until the doctor has examined her.”

The etiquette mistress nodded in agreement and sent one of the hovering maids to grab a few blankets. While they waited for Dr. Carmichael to arrive, they carefully covered her, keeping her warm and still. Bryant clenched his fists to keep from stroking her deathly pale face, exerting all his self-control to keep his inner turmoil hidden.

After what seemed an eternity, the doctor’s carriage pulled into the courtyard and he rushed inside. He dropped to his knees beside Min and began checking her for injuries.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything broken,” Bryant said, grinding his teeth as the doctor’s hands ran over Min’s limbs. He knew he was being absurd, but he couldn’t stand the sight of another man touching her.

“Thank you, Mr. Westley, but if it’s all the same to you, I think I’d better check to be sure.”

Bryant bit back a retort at the sarcastic comment. It wasn’t the time or place.

After several minutes of poking, prodding, and pushing, the doctor sat back. “Well, our Miss Sinclair is very lucky. She’s most likely cracked a rib or two and has a nasty bump on her head. I don’t think she has any internal bleeding, but of course I should examine her before she is moved.”

Bryant nearly sagged at the rush of relief that poured over him. That relief quickly turned to anger at the doctor’s next words.

“Mr. Westley, if you could excuse yourself for a moment…”

Bryant nearly protested, especially at the doctor’s thinly veiled satisfaction, but he knew he couldn’t insist on being present while Min was disrobed. “Of course,” he managed. He stood and went to the library, counting each agonizing second until Mistress Kellar came to fetch him.

“Miss Sinclair is ready to be moved,” she informed him.

Bryant brushed past her and went directly to Min. At the quick nod from the doctor, Bryant scooped Min into his arms as gently as he could and carried her up the stairs to her room. Charlotte waited anxiously with Min’s turned-down bedsheets. Bryant laid Min on her mattress and tucked her blankets firmly about her.

Safely cocooned in the comfort of her bed, Min’s eyes fluttered open and she gazed at Bryant with confusion. “What happened?”

“We were hoping you could tell us,” the doctor said.

Min looked at Bryant, her eyes flaring wide. He recognized her hesitation and began shooing everyone from the room.

“Please, everyone, Miss Sinclair can scarcely breathe with all of you in here.”

“Oh! You are quite right, Mr. Westley,” Mistress Kellar agreed. She gestured toward the door and the gaggle of girls who had abandoned their trip preparations in order to check on Min. “Off with you, girls. Go and finish your packing. I am sure Miss Sinclair will be just fine.”

Bryant, having successfully cleared the room of everyone but Charlotte and Dr. Carmichael, stood to the side with his arms folded, his face fixed in a concerned stare as he watched the doctor inspect Min again.

“You haven’t broken anything, although you have a nice bump on your head. I daresay you will have several good-sized bruises later on.” Dr. Carmichael reached into his bag and produced a small jar. “Apply this ointment carefully to your bruises, and I would suggest you stay in bed for a few days. You need rest. If you feel ill or become dizzy or have any problems seeing, send for me immediately. Are you having any difficulty breathing?”

Min shook her head, wincing at the movement. “A little, perhaps.” Before she could say anything else, her aunt bustled into the room.

“Oh, my dear,” she said, taking one of Min’s hands and patting it absently. “You gave us quite a fright, young lady. Now, Dr. Carmichael, what is the verdict?”

He filled her in on Min’s injuries. “I know it is the end of term, but I really feel it would be best to keep her here for at least a few days. You can’t be too careful with head injuries. I’d like to keep an eye on her and be sure all is well.”

Bryant’s eyes narrowed at the sudden spark of interest on Min’s face. The little minx had just found the perfect excuse to stay behind. In fact, he wouldn’t put it past her to have faked the entire fall. Though another look at her pale face and the slight tightening of her mouth when she moved dispelled that idea.

“Well, yes,” Lady Courtland said, her voice hesitant. “I suppose that would be best. You are certainly welcome to stay here. I will cancel my trip straightaway.”

“Oh no, Aunt Laura. Please don’t trouble yourself. I’ll be okay, really, and I’ll be perfectly well looked after here. I’d hate to ruin all your lovely plans.”

Lady Courtland hesitated and Min pressed her case, trying to conceal her excitement at the opportunity that had fallen into her lap. “Really, Aunt, you know Mrs. Potter will take excellent care of me and with Dr. Carmichael I’ll be more than well cared for. There’s no need to let this disrupt your summer. And I can join you as soon as I’m fit for travel.”

“Well, my dear, if you are certain…”

“Actually, Lady Courtland, I would prefer to have Miss Sinclair stay at my clinic,” Dr. Carmichael offered. Bryant’s agitation erupted. Under no circumstances would he allow Min to stay under the doctor’s roof.

“That seems highly inappropriate, doctor,” Bryant said.

Min’s lip twitched but she held in her amusement. Bryant gave her a hard look and then turned his attention back to the adults in the room.

“On the contrary,” the doctor insisted, “I have a spare room set up for patients who need extra care and my housekeeper is very efficient in helping care for them. Mrs. Potter is welcome to look in on her as often as she’d like.”

“And I am sure my parents wouldn’t mind if I stayed for a few days to help keep Min company,” Charlotte piped in. She sat next to Min on the bed and gave her a quick wink. Bryant frowned. He was outnumbered and he knew it. This wasn’t good.

“Well, I suppose it’s all settled, then.” Aunt Laura nodded with a relieved smile. “Miss Kensington, I will write to your family and let them know of your plans. We’ll send a messenger out immediately.”

“And I will be on hand to take responsibility for the girls’ well-being until Miss Sinclair is able to travel,” Bryant reminded her.

“Oh yes, indeed. Well then, it seems to be settled. Then I will leave you so I can go see to a few last-minute preparations of my own.” She gave Min’s hand one last pat. “Dr. Carmichael, I wonder if you might take a look at Mrs. Potter’s arm while you are here. It’s been bothering her dreadfully.”

“Certainly,” he said, though he shot Bryant a look of warning before he left.

As soon as they exited, Bryant flicked his hand at Charlotte. “Out.”

She gasped in outrage but looked to Min who wearily nodded her head. Charlotte flounced to the door but stayed just within the doorframe, keeping a watchful eye on the hallway. It was good enough for Bryant.

His control was at an end. He dropped onto the bed and gathered Min to him, not caring that Charlotte was there, not caring about anything but the steady breath flowing in and out of Min’s body as she clung to him in return.

He pulled back so he could touch her face, caressing every line, burning her image into his mind.

She brought a hesitant hand up to brush his hair from his eyes, letting her fingers linger on his cheek. “I’m okay, Bryant.”

He released a shuddering breath and let his forehead rest against hers. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Min let him hold her for a moment, curling into him before she gently pushed him away. “You can’t lose something you never had.”

He flinched, each word cutting deeper than the last. He couldn’t argue, though. “Min…”

“Yes, yes, I know.” She closed her eyes, breathed in and out, and finally looked back at him with a small smile. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”

Her teasing tone filtered through his fear and pried a smile out of him.

“Yes, well, don’t let it go to your head,” he said, standing up and moving a safe distance from her. “Now, would you like to tell me why on earth you are throwing yourself down stairwells? There are better ways to cancel a trip than nearly killing yourself.”

“You think I did this on purpose?” Min started to sit up. Her face blanched, draining of all color as she fell back to her pillow with a gasp.

He lunged to her side. “Don’t move. Just talk.” His gentle movements as he fixed the pillow beneath her head negated the harsh tone of his voice and Min gave him a weak smile.

“I did not
fall
down those stairs.”

“What?” Charlotte cried from the doorway.

“What do you mean?” Bryant asked.

“I mean someone pushed me.”

Bryant stood up, fear and fury strangling the breath from his lungs. “Did you see whom?” he asked, grinding out the words between clenched teeth.

“No.”

“No matter. I’ll find out.” He spun on his heels and headed toward the door.

“Bryant!” She attempted to sit up again, this time managing to keep herself upright though he could see the effort it took. He returned to her side so she would lie down.

“Where are you going? Who do you think did this?”

He smoothed the hair from her face. “Don’t you worry. I’ll take care of it. You just lie down.”

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted whatever argument Min was about to make, and Bryant wanted to get away before she could say anything else. He took her hand, gently kissed the inside of her wrist, and left.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Bryant burst into Katherine’s room without a knock or concern for who might see him. He advanced on her, his fury so near the surface it was all he could do to maintain control. She flushed in panic. He knew he must look like a wild animal stalking its prey, and he was every bit as dangerous.

“I told you,” she insisted for the third time, “I had nothing to do with her falling down the stairs. Minuette probably slipped again. The silly little twit has accidents all the time.”

“She did not fall,” Bryant snarled as he cornered her against a wall. “She was pushed! And I want to know who did it.” His strong hand found her throat.

Katherine’s eyes widened and her fingers clutched at his hand. “I swear, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Bryant hated himself for inflicting the terror he saw in her eyes, but he’d do worse to keep Min safe.

“Who was it?” He relaxed his grip on Katherine’s throat to allow her to speak.

“I
told
you, I don’t know. You are hardly the only person in this house under Rellik’s command. He is resourceful enough to surprise even you, I think.” Katherine swallowed with obvious difficulty. “Maybe it was Gage. He’s been snooping around as well. He is always up in the gallery.”

Bryant released his hold. “What do you know about Gage?”

Katherine sank into a chair, her hands still clasped around her neck. “My lord will kill me if I say anything.”

“What makes you think you are any safer with me?”

Katherine watched him. He could see her weighing her options. “Lord Rellik sent me to find the necklace. We will be announcing our engagement shortly. I was the perfect solution. He knew he could trust me and with Lady Courtland’s troubles, we knew she’d be more than happy to admit me into her little finishing school. It was the perfect opportunity to gain access to the house. But when I failed to produce the necklace, he became impatient and sent you. But then you were taking so long. He’s desperate to find it! I’ve never seen him like this. He sent Gage to keep an eye on you. I know Gage told him about your little distraction issues. Perhaps he thought her removal might remind you why you are here.”

Bryant gripped Katherine’s face, forcing her to look at him. “If anything else happens to Min, there will be hell to pay. I do not take kindly to threats, especially when they are directed against those who have nothing to do with this distasteful business.”

There was a sudden knock at the door, and Agnes called from outside.

“Katherine. Are you there? Open the door!”

Bryant ignored the interruption.

“If Min gets hurt again, someone will pay. And I do not particularly care whom. If I have to kill the lot of you to keep her safe, I will.” Bryant released her and stalked to the door, throwing it open to reveal a startled Agnes. She gasped and took a step back as Bryant brushed past her
.