“We need to see about your stepfather. One of the thugs hit him in the head with a candlestick.”
Sophie gasped. “Will he be all right?”
Zach nodded. “I think so. He seemed to be breathing fine, and there was no blood.”
“But the others…”
Zach grabbed the gun. “Wait here…”
“Zach, no!”
Zach put his finger to his lips. “I have this pistol. I will be all right.” Zach opened the door to the bedroom and walked out quietly. The earl still lay on the floor, breathing normally. Zach checked the room. No sign of Jake. The coward had run.
He knelt down to Brighton. “My Lord? Are you all right? Can you hear me?”
His eyes fluttered open. “Newland?”
“Yes. I’m here. You were hit on the head. But I found Sophie. You were right. It was Graves. Just lie here. We’re going to get some help.”
He went back to Sophie, still cuddling in the comforter. He sat on the bed and took her in his arms.
“I’m so sorry, my love. I should’ve been there to protect you.” Tears fell down his cheeks.
“But you did. You came, and you protected me.”
“No harm will ever come to you again as long as I live, my love. I will protect you with my life if need be. I can’t lose you. You’re a part me now.”
Sophie’s lips trembled. She opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her.
“Please don’t leave me.”
She looked up at him, cupping his cheek, her striking hazel eyes wet and bloodshot. “Never.” A small smile curved her parched lips. “How could I? You’ve uncovered places in my soul where I was afraid to venture. I was alive before I met you, but I wasn’t living.”
Zach warmed against her, holding her tightly. “I love you, Sophie. What we have isn’t always pretty, but it’s real and solid, and I’d die without it. Please say you’ll still be my wife.”
Sophie, tears still streaming down her cheeks, nodded. “I love you too, Zach Newland. I w
ould be pleased and honored to be your wife.”
Finale
Bertram had been released, and he returned to the Brighton estate as the new butler. The earl felt so horrible about what happened that he offered Bertram hefty compensation and a chamber on the second level, away from the servants’ quarters. Bertram seemed happy at his new post.
Graves, along with his brother Harry, had been transferred to Newgate in London. He had begged everyone’s forgiveness before he left, and he hanged himself several days later.
Sophie and Zach, after several days off to recover, finished their performances. Healing from their ordeal would take time, but together, Sophie knew they would thrive. After closing night, they were married via special license in a small ceremony at the estate. After a five-course midnight repast, they headed to Zach’s townhome—their townhome.
Sophie sat in her new bedchamber, dressed in a pink negligee, waiting for her husband to come to her on their wedding night.
The door opened slowly, and Zach stood, clad in a forest-green silk robe.
“My love, you are beautiful,” he said.
Sophie gazed at him in appreciation. Her new husband was as magnificent as anything on earth. “As are you, my husband.”
“We’ve been through a lot to be together,” Zach said, “but I would go through it all again a hundred times to be with you. To have you as my leading lady for life.”
“As would I.” No truer words had ever left Sophie’s lips.