“Why me?” she blurted.
“Why what?” he asked. It was almost as though Claire was jerking him from a fog.
“Why did you choose me? Why not Robinsworth’s new wife?”
“The duke has too many servants about. Lord Phineas lives like he’s in bachelor’s quarters. It’s much easier.” He cackled. “But don’t worry. I’ll be going there next.”
“Which brother do you hate more?” Claire asked.
“I hate them equally. They both contributed to my ruin.” He hit himself in the chest again with his fist. “They called in my debts.”
“What are you going to ask for in exchange for me?”
His eyes glimmered in the dark room. This was what madness looked like. “What makes you think you’ll still be alive when he gets here?” The gleam in his eye made Claire’s heart lurch. Then he raised the gun and swung it at her head. Pain exploded at her temple and darkness was all she saw.
***
Finn burst through the doors of his home so hard that the windows rattled. “My lord,” the butler said, “What is the matter?”
“Where is Miss Thorne?” he barked.
“She’s still abed, my lord,” the man said. “She didn’t get home until very late last night.”
Finn bolted up the stairs and ran into his bedchamber, stopping short when he saw Claire lying on the floor. He ran to her and rolled her onto her back. She stirred, groaning low in her throat. A knot was growing at her temple, angry and purple. “Wake up, Claire,” he urged.
Finn had never been so happy to see anyone in his life as he was her. She was injured, but she was alive. He could feel her heart beating beneath the hand he laid on her chest.
“Claire,” he called, jostling her a bit.
She was wrapped in his dressing gown, her nightrail peeping from where it opened. Claire blinked her green eyes open and a smile curved the corners of her lips. “You’re home,” she said softly. But then her eyes focused on him, and she looked over his shoulder. “Mayden,” she whispered.
“I know. Where is he?” She looked so damn good that he didn’t want to take his eyes off her.
“Behind you,” she whispered.
Finn turned and looked over his shoulder. “Hullo, Mayden,” he said.
“Lord Phineas,” the man said. “I’d like for you to let go of your lovely wife and stand up. Hold your hands where I can see them.”
Finn lowered her slowly to the floor, where she raised herself to her elbows and looked up. “He’s mad, Finn,” she warned.
The bump on her head was turning even purpler, and there was blood at her hairline, he noticed. “Not as mad as I am.” He stood up and faced Mayden. “You will die for hitting my wife.”
“Perhaps. But if I do, I’ll take her with me.”
“Try it and see what happens.” Mayden’s eyes were rimmed in red, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. He was disoriented and confused. Mayden skirted around Claire to where he stood behind her. He wasn’t even touching her, but Finn wanted to rip his throat out. He would, as soon as Claire was safe and out of the room.
Mayden now stood behind Claire, who was lumbering to her feet. “Move out of the way, Claire,” Finn warned.
He should have known she would try something stupid. She was a faerie, after all, and thought herself invincible. But the blood at her temple proved she wasn’t.
“Move out of the way, Claire,” he tried again.
Mayden moved the gun, raising it slowly in the air. His hand shook with fatigue, and it would be a miracle if he actually made his shot. But Claire stood between the two men.
“Claire!” Finn snapped. He held out a hand. “Come to me.”
Mayden pulled the hammer back, and Finn watched the earl’s finger on the trigger. He jumped toward Claire just as fire burst from the tip of the gun. But she jumped toward Mayden, rather than coming toward her husband. Pain hit his chest, flinging him backward as the noise from the shot finally rang around the room. “Claire!” Finn cried.