Dizziness struck from nowhere, and he swayed. He ached from the beating and the fight. Through the buzzing in his ears, he heard Charis’s husky cry as she launched herself after him.

Still reeling, he staggered to face her and caught her up against him, hiding the black chasm behind him from her sight. His shaking arms lashed around her slender softness with a desperation he only now let himself acknowledge.

She’s here. She’s unharmed. Thank You, God and all Your angels.

The still, cold watches of the night had tortured him with the devastating possibility that he’d n

ever see her again. A prospect more agonizing than Hubert’s punches or Felix’s childish taunts. So much worse than his persistent fear that his demons would emerge from the dank darkness to claim him. His raw anguish made a mockery of his plans to send her away, even when he knew it was for her own good.

“Oh, my love, my love,” he whispered, and buried his face in her thick, silky hair. He drew in a shuddering breath full of her scent. She smelled warm and alive. Clutching his back as if she never meant to let him go, she quivered in his arms.

For a long, glorious moment, he held her and luxuriated in the knowledge that they’d come through, that they were alive and together. Giddy relief swamped his rage that she put herself in danger. He should have known she’d never leave his rescue to others. Not his brave Charis.

“You’re safe,” she choked out against his skin. “You’re safe and you’re…you’re well. Oh, Gideon, I was so afraid.” She finished on a broken sob and pressed her hot face into his bare chest, above his furiously pounding heart.

He forced himself to relax his bruising grip. The reality slowly dawned on his dazed mind that the threat had passed. He drew far enough away to see her. Even in the dim light from the tunnel mouth, the strain she’d been under was apparent in the muddy brown of her eyes and the dark marks underneath them. But her face was aglow with relief and happiness. And love.

“My darling…” Words failed as love surged up as unstoppable as high tide into Penrhyn Cove. “Are you crying for Felix?”

“No.” Then more strongly. “No! What happened to him is horrible. But I’m crying because…because we’re free at last.”

He smiled down at her, then winced when the expression tested his torn lip. “Happy tears?”

She gave a jerky nod. “Happy tears.” Regret shadowed her eyes as carefully she touched the graze on his mouth. “They hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s nothing.” Truly, it was nothing. In return for the joy of having her in his arms, he’d undergo a thousand beatings. He pressed her shaking hand against his cheek. With every minute, he breathed more easily. The danger was over. He could hardly believe it.

He heard footsteps approach and looked up to see Akash striding down the tunnel with a flaming torch. At his side, Tulliver carried the lantern from the brothers’ camp. The extra lights were welcome although Gideon doubted they were strong enough to reveal the base of the shaft. The ominous silence behind him confirmed his immediate guess that Felix had perished in the fall.

“You heard what happened?” Gideon asked.

“Yes. Is there any chance he survived?” Akash raised the torch in Gideon’s direction, clearly checking to see if he was all right.

“I doubt it. But we need to get him out. Tulliver, can you muster some men to climb down? I assume someone brought rope. If not, the Farrells had some.” His arms tightened around Charis. He’d come so close to losing her, he wasn’t ready to relinquish her yet, especially when she still trembled with reaction.

“Aye, guvnor.” Tulliver cast Gideon and Charis a cryptic glance, then headed back outside.

Gideon stared over Charis’s ruffled head to where Akash waited. Overwhelming gratitude flooded him. How could he thank this man for all he’d done? Through the years of danger in India, the rescue from Rangapindhi, and the care and loyalty since. Words were inadequate recompense, but they were all he had.

“Thank you, my friend,” he said gruffly. He wanted to say so much, but he settled for, “Once again you’ve saved me.”

“You’re welcome. Life would be considerably less interesting without you.” Smiling faintly, Akash inclined his dark head in acknowledgment. “The true gallantry was Lady Charis’s. It was she who rode through the deluge to bring us word of what had happened.”

Gideon smiled down at her. He didn’t need Akash to point out how exceptional his darling was. What a wife he’d found for himself. Strong enough to defy the world for him. “I knew she wouldn’t fail. I knew she’d rout her stepbrothers.”

“You didn’t say that at the time.” Her voice was choked.

“I didn’t have to.”

Looking pensive, she glanced toward the ominously quiet mineshaft. “I’m not hypocritical enough to say I’m sorry.”

“Yet…”

She cast him a quick, understanding smile. “Yes. Yet.” She looked around the dark, cold passage and shivered. Four villagers passed them with respectful nods and began to organize the retrieval of Felix Farrell. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Capital notion.” Akash stood back to let Gideon and Charis precede him. As Gideon passed, Akash reached out to clasp his shoulder in a brief gesture of affection.

After the mine, daylight dazzled. Gideon placed a steadying hand on Charis’s arm. The day was fine, and sun sparkled on puddles and dripping foliage. The air smelt fresh and clean. He sucked in a deep breath, savoring the sea’s salt tang.

Tags: Anna Campbell Historical
Source: readsnovelonline.net