“Did you get yourself home, or did they ‘deliver’ you?” Isobel wasn’t sure why she asked, but felt compelled to ask.
“I got myself home. I knew I struck two down on the back road from town, but I managed to escape the third. I can vaguely recall someone else standing off in the shadows, but they didn’t engage.”
“Rupert,” Isobel spat, her voice cold. “He always was useless with a sword.”
“I am not sure if it were DeLisle,” Dominic reasoned, trying to recall any details that could help.
“I know there were questions about DeLisle’s behaviour with his wives, but he is a bully of the weaker sex. Debauchery is his favourite pastime,” Isobel said, ignoring Dominic’s look of surprise. She knew it was highly improper for a lady to be discussing such things, but Dominic was her husband, and she was anything but a proper lady. “This is much more something that Rupert’s would order, although he wouldn’t have the guts to get his own hands dirty. He is a bully through and through, but only to people he knows he can beat. He knows he wouldn’t have a chance of winning against you, so obviously got someone to do his dirty work for him.” She eyed the black and blue smudges scattering Dominic’s face. “He is obviously desperate.”
“He won’t get to you,” Dominic promised, his voice as lethal as the look in his eye. “I was beaten, but I am certainly not out.” Although he wasn’t sure if he was able to get out of bed, it would be a cold day in hell before he admitted it outright. Although he had yet to speak to them personally, he had no doubt that his brothers and Peter had ensured that there were enough house staff available to pose a significant threat to anyone trying to get in.
“Where is my sword?” He tried to raise himself onto his elbows, but was unable to stifle the groan as pain lanced upwards from his ribs.
Isobel gently pressed his shoulders back down onto the bed. “Sebastian brought it up earlier.” She nodded towards the bedside table where his sword and scabbard sat in ceremonial glory, highly polished and ready to use. “Edward cleaned it for you, and said he had hidden the dagger where you usually keep it?” Isobel had no idea what he meant but Dominic ignored the query in her raised brows.
“Thank you. The Magistrate needs to be notified. There will be matters to deal with.” As practical as she could be, Dominic hesitated to mention to his wife that the bodies lying in the road would have to be dealt with.
“Peter left to pay him a visit, and check the area,” Isobel reported, ignoring Dominic’s startled glance. “He took several of the men with him. Sebastian and Edward have remained here, and are keeping watch. Everyone is heavily armed, and on guard.” She shuddered at the mental image of the resultant clash should anyone dare to challenge the heavily armed group.
“Good. When are they due back?” Having spent too many years in the army, Dominic was used to being in command and it galled him to have to lie there whilst the others dealt with the situation.
“I am not sure, but the house is locked up tight, and several of the men are on watch. The only people allowed near the house will be the riders upon their return. Peter has said that he will come up to see you when he gets back.” Isobel rose and encouraged him to take a drink from the small tumbler of water. She didn’t miss his quickly hidden wince as he lay back down. “Until then, you must rest,” she chided softly, carefully tucking the covers around him.
“Oh darling, I have missed you so,” Dominic’s voice was husky as he gazed at his wife. He knew from the dark smudges beneath her eyes that she was close to exhaustion. “Come, lie with me,” he ordered gently, sighing with relief when, without question, she carefully eased herself, fully clothed, onto the covers alongside him. “Under the covers if you please,” his tone was chiding.
Propping herself up on her elbow, Isobel shot her husband a chiding look. “You are in no condition for any of that!” She warned sternly as she lay back down, careful to avoid the worst of the bruising. “I am fine thank you,” she said when he tucked the covers over her, a soft sigh of exhaustion escaping her. This was where she was meant to be, beside her husband. Well almost, she reminded herself as she eyed her husband’s battered arm lying atop the pristine white sheet.
“You haven’t been sleeping very well.” Dominic’s comment wasn’t a question. The evidence was there in the dark shadows lurking in her solemn eyes.
“I have been resting sufficiently well, do not worry yourself.” Isobel knew he would only chide her and pester until she told him the truth.
“Have you anything to tell me?” His soft murmur broke the silence several moments later.
Isobel knew instantly what he was asking. “No, I’m sorry.” Her monthly courses had started the day Dominic had left, giving her another reason to cry. She wasn’t certain if she was all that sorry to find herself without child at the present moment in time. Given everything that was happening with Rupert, they had more than enough to consider, but she had been upset anyway.
Within moments of the quiet settling between them, Isobel became aware of the change in his breathing and knew he had once again fallen asleep. Easing her head back against his arm, she moved slowly, careful not to disturbed him, but had to look at his beloved features. Tears trickled slowly from her eyes. Her heart ached as she studied his chiselled jaw, darkened by the growth of stubble, and a rainbow of yellow, blue and purple bruises mixed with small cuts and grazes. Below the cuts, his skin was paler than she could remember it ever having been before; a clear sign of his weakened condition. She gently placed a hand upon his chest, directly above his heart. Even through the bed clothing she could feel the steady reassuring thump. Silence descended over the room as she lay beside him, taking as much reassurance from his half embrace as she could, while she could.
Clearly Dominic was prepared to fight again, should he be challenged, even in his weakened state. He was demanding details of culprits and expecting Peter, Sebastian and Edward to report back, undoubtedly itching to exact retribution. Isobel knew that as soon as he was well enough, he would be heading out with the others to capture the surviving thugs, and bring them to justice. She shuddered to think what would happen should Peter and Dominic catch up with Rupert personally. Both were filled with the urge to seek revenge from the pain and misery the man had caused all of them. They had been challenged, and as experienced soldiers of war, they never backed down from an attack. Indeed, if there were four men who had cornered Dominic on a darkened road, it was a testament to his skill and dexterity with a sword that got him home alive.
Isobel knew Rupert had gone to ground to plan, she also knew that if she told Dominic about the papers, he would insist on taking action, regardless of his injuries. Wisely she remained silent.
Five days later, feeling restored and with bruises fading rapidly to blackish green marks, Dominic paced awkwardly across the length of his study. There was a pile o
f papers on his desk demanding his attention, but he would be damned if he could concentrate on anything other than his wife.
“Confound it!” He snapped as he paced. Luckily, despite the doctor’s prediction, nothing had been broken during his skirmish on the country lane. He had been left with several deep bruises that were still sore and sometimes painful if he didn’t pay them due heed. There were no injuries left that he couldn’t cope with, and if he was honest, hadn’t had before.
“Not had pie for breakfast again?” Sebastian teased from the doorway, closing the door behind him.
“It’s my blasted wife!” Dominic snapped, stalking towards the oak cabinet beside the door and pouring them both a large brandy. “Damned woman is as frustrating as anyone I have ever met.” He bit back a curse as he handed his brother the goblet. Slugging down half of his drink in one swift gulp, he refilled it and resumed his pacing.
“What has she done now?” Sebastian found it entirely amusing that his beautiful sister-in-law could have his elder brother, usually so cool and unflappable, turned inside out with such ease.
“She is up to something, I just know it.” Dominic shot his brother a dire look.
“What do you mean? What has she been doing?” Despite his amusement, Sebastian was curious. Isobel had been ferocious the night Dominic returned; the warrior-woman who had ordered everyone about had stunned everyone, and earned her the immediate respect and devotion of those who witnessed the spectacle. Sebastian had no doubt that she was mot probably up to something.
“She is not doing anything in particular,” Dominic muttered, feeling somewhat foolish. Knowing he should just shrug and shake off his concern, he turned to his brother. “She is almost too good. She is being too careful in everything she says; very evasive, and almost cautious with her replies whenever I ask her anything. She’s hiding something.”