The Black Diamond (Black Diamond 2)

"With me." She held up her reticule, gave it an indicative pat. "I keep them in my possession at all times."

"Show them to me."

"If I do, then will you release Julian?"

"Once I know they're genuine, yes." Macall stared eagerly at her bag, the tip of his sword easing slightly away from Julian's chest. "Now show me."

"All right." Aurora lowered her lashes, tugging open the reticule and reaching inside. "Here." She extracted first one key, then another, holding them up for his inspection.

"Throw them over here."

"But…"

"Throw them at my feet. I'll pick them up and examine them. If I'm convinced they're real, I'll let Merlin go."

With apparent reluctance, Aurora tossed the keys to the ground. They landed a foot shy of Macall's feet. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice quavering as at last her courage seemed to falter. "I'm just so nervous, I…"

"Never mind." Impatiently Macall stepped forward to retrieve the keys, thereby easing his sword farther away from its mark and, more significantly, forcing him to release his grasp on Julian's coat.

Julian slumped to the ground the instant Macall's supporting arm was removed.

Macall froze, looking from his captive to the keys, uncertain which prize to seize first.

Aurora eliminated his choice the instant his attention was diverted.

Yanking a pistol from her still-open reticule, she aimed, and without the slightest hesitation fired a shot directly at Macall's heart.

The privateer crumpled silently to the ground.

Silence ensued, descended heavily upon the alleyway.

Julian recovered first, his unfocused gaze assessing Macall's lifeless body. Fighting back unconsciousness, he crawled forward, shoving the sword aside and groping for Macall's wrist. "He's dead." He raised his head, staring dazedly at his wife as she slowly lowered her gun. "When did you … learn to fire a pistol?"

"Just now."

"Just now," he repeated inanely. "Whose…?"

"It's Slayde's," she answered, walking over and dropping to her knees beside her husband. "I took it from his desk. I'm sure he hasn't a clue it's missing. That drawer is kept locked." She gestured toward one of the discarded keys. "I believe that's the key that opens it."

Julian followed her motion, wondering if he were more incoherent than he realized or if this were actually happening. He reached for his wife—the resulting pain inciting a harsh groan and assuring him that this was indeed reality.

"Julian—don't," Aurora whispered, easing him over onto his back. "You're hurt badly." She groped in her reticule, pulled out a handkerchief, and pressed it to his throat. "See what happens when you don't wear a cravat?" she teased, tears gathering in her eyes.

"It's not … that bad…" He caught her wrist. "Rory, how did you manage this? How did … you arrange…?"

"I knew Macall was after you. 'Twas only a matter of time. Stone all but told you to expect him at one of these taverns. So I came prepared." She swallowed, watching as Julian's blood soaked through her handkerchief. "I'm going to get help—armed with my pistol," she added, warding off his protest. "Don't argue. We must get you inside, treat that wound." Pausing, she leaned forward, capturing Julian's hand and pressing his palm to her lips. "I told you earlier, Merlin—I protect those I love. You're an adventurer. I'm an adventurer's wife. You safeguard what's yours. I safeguard what's mine. It's that simple."

Julian stared from Macall's dead body to his wife's beautiful face. "Damn," was all he said before he lost consciousness.

* * *

"Gin—next time, heat this bloody water!" Julian ordered, shoving at the chilly wetness against his throat. "I feel as if I'm bathing in the snow!"

"Ah, he lives," Aurora quipped, leaning against the table and saying a silent prayer. Those were the first two coherent sentences Julian had formed since she'd left him in the alley to race back to the Cove and beg for help.

Once again, it had been Barnes who'd come to her rescue, ordering two burly young sailors to carry Geoffrey Bencroft's great-grandson into the tavern.

Throughout his transport, even after he'd been stretched out across two chairs and left to his wife's ministrations, Julian hadn't opened his eyes.