“I do. Now say ye’ll stay out of this.”
Diana squinted up at him. It wasn’t a declaration of a future but to know that he felt as she did was heartwarming. Still, she couldn’t allow her feelings to keep her from doing the right thing. “I can’t. For Ada and Grace’s sake, I need to see this done. I thought you understood too.”
He dropped his hands, wanting to wrap them around her. “I’ll take care of all of ye. I promise.”
“I’m not the woman who is going to sit on the side and allow you to rescue me. You know that.” Her fingers balled into fists.
He brought his hands to his hips giving her a pointed stare. “Of course I do. But I’m no’ the kind of man who’ll allow a woman I love to run headlong into danger.”
She slowly uncurled her fingers and reached up to touch his cheek. “If you want to love me, you have to love all of me.” Then she turned and started for the house. “I have a plan. Are you at least willing to listen?”
“Do ye know what’s most annoying about ye,” he grumbled behind her, but his hand brushed her back.
“I can think of many traits that might qualify as most annoying.” She tossed him a grin over her shoulder.
He gave a single laugh. “The worst is how often ye’re right.”
That made her stop and she looked back at him. “Huh. I wouldn’t have picked that one. I thought that was one of my finer qualities.”
“Are we going to get his daughter back too?” He drew her closer again, dropping his nose into her hair.
“Yes, and we’re not even going to kill him. At least not yet.”
That made him chuckle. “I’m so glad ye’re safe. Ye are miraculous.”
She squeezed his middle again. “You’re pretty miraculous too.”
Minnie came rushing out the doors. “Diana,” she cried, racing toward them as she lifted her skirts. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Diana looked at him. “Minnie, there is nothing to forgive. You couldn’t have known.” Those words were for Exile as much as they were for Minnie.
His eyes crinkled in pain. “Thank ye, lass.”
Minnie wrapped her in a hug. “How did you get away?”
“I’ll tell you in just a few. For right now, we need to plan a rescue.”
Chapter Thirteen
Exile tried not to sigh but a half breath came out. “No’ a rescue. A capture.”
Diana waved her hand. “Yes, of course.” He was fairly certain that she was placating him.
He didn’t say a word this time, just followed. He’d listen to her and figure out what she was thinking, then he’d decide how to best protect her. Because, whatever anyone else’s goals were, that was his. Keeping Diana safe.
Minnie twined her arm with Diana’s. “How did you get away?”
“She clubbed Sin with his own walking stick,” Exile said, his insides feeling a bit lighter. She was right. Diana was exceptionally good at taking care of herself. “Then she beat the driver. Speaking of, let’s send Bad back to see if he cannae capture that man too.”
“Good idea,” Diana answered.
Bad and Vice hadn’t made it far. Daring was in the music room, the three men tying Sin to a pianoforte bench.
Exile crossed the room and, ignoring Sin, turned to Bad. “See if ye can find the driver.” Then he looked at the other man. “Who was he?”
“He worked for Lady Abernath.” Sin swallowed. “He was supposed to help me, but I’m sure he was a watchman instead. Making sure I did what I was told.”
“I’ll go with him,” Vice volunteered, giving his cousin a look of disgust.