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Turning to one of the constables who appeared to be in charge, Richard held a hand aloft and called out. “Here! The perpetrator has been found.”

The small handful of men hurried over, and two of them took up Isaac in their arms, holding him in place. The two others approached Amelia and Richard. The Duke nodded at them, putting out a hand to introduce himself.

“Constable. I am Duke Blackford, and this is my wife, the Duchess of Blackford. This man, the Earl of Ellingham, attempted to kidnap my wife and take her out of the city limits by way of these ports. I demand that he is taken into custody immediately.”

Isaac was still too shaken by his physical state to put up much of a fight. Still, Richard was surprised to see Amelia step forward.

“He is also responsible for the Viscount St. Vincent’s attack. He confessed it to me in the carriage he used to abscond with me and take me here.”

The man’s eyes widened, and the constables both looked back and for between the couple. “This is a serious offense indeed. Can we count on you testifying to all this?”

Both Richard and Amelia nodded at once. Stepping closer to Amelia, the Duke put his hand on the small of her back, subtly bringing her closer.

“We shall take no issue with reporting as much in detail. If it is somehow yet uncertain, I never with to see this man darken our doorsteps again. He is not to come anywhere near me or my wife, and I am making an official complaint.”

“Of course, Your Grace. We will take the Earl back to the Magistrate. He shall stand trial at Bow Street court for what he had done to you both.”

“Glad to hear it,” Richard offered, his voice rougher than usual.

The aches in his body began to well up as the constables gathered up Isaac and took him away to be loaded into their wagon. He watched with Amelia right at his side as the man who’d almost successfully stolen her from him was ridden off to be tried for his crimes against the Duke and Duchess.

There was a moment of quiet, and Richard absently knew that he needed to get Amelia home and call a doctor to look her over. Still, as they turned to face each other, the chaos of the previous moments gradually fading, all Richard wanted to do was just stare into her eyes and drink in her presence.

“Richard, I…Thank you. If you hadn’t arrived when you did…” Amelia’s words drifted, and Richard could tell that she was searching for the correct words while attempting to keep her emotions in line.

Words were wonderful tools that had a practical use case of nearly a perfect score, but right now, they would not do.

Richard took a step forward, effectively getting Amelia to pause and stare up at him. With her brows raised in expectation, the Duke slid his hands up either of her arms and then yanked her against his chest to embrace her. He could not let her go. Heneeded to remind himself that she was here and that she was not terribly harmed.

“Oh,” she exclaimed and then melted into the hold, the sound of crying muffled as Amelia buried her face into his chest.

“I am only sorry that I didn’t get here sooner. You were… fearless. And I…I am so very glad that you are all right.”

After a moment, she looked up at him with watery eyes, the mark on her cheek darkening.

“Please,” she whispered, “take me home.”

“Of course, Amelia. Anything.”

Chapter Thirty

Amelia shook in Richard’s arms all through the carriage ride back to Heartwick. The rush and shock of her experience were still racking her body with errant energy, and the overwhelm from it all was nearly crushing. She believed heartily that she would sleep for a week once in her bed.

The familiar sight of the estate—her home for the past five years—appeared before them, and Amelia almost began to sob again for the joy of seeing it. As Richard helped her down from the coach, he walked her up to the front entrance, his hand never leaving her arm. Amelia welcomed the assistance and—in truth—the affection of his touch.

“Your Grace!” Jane rushed forward at them as Richard pushed open the door. “You are all right!”

It was informal, to say the least, but Jane hurried to Amelia’s side, throwing her arms around her neck. Amelia couldn’t be bothered to care in the slightest, and the rest of the staff onlylooked on with happy smiles, all understanding how important this moment was.

“Jane, would you please be sure to have the doctor come? I want him to look over Amelia for any damage we might have missed.” Richard’s voice was calm, but she could feel the tension in his fingers as he held her elbow.

“You should be examined as well. You took quite the tumble with Isaac. Your back must ache.” She smiled up at him weakly, nearly too tired to continue standing.

“Hmm,” Richard hummed, “you may have a notion there. It does not feel pleasant.”

He winced a little, putting his hand on his back and groaning once more.

“For now,” Richard held out his hand, “I believe it would be best if we both rested in bed.”