Page 135 of For a Scot's Heart Only

If he wasn’t careful, she’d work herself into a fever and that would not be helpful to her recovery.

“The only metal I care about is the iron ball I removed from your chest.” His voice had an edge. “It almost took you from me.”

“But it didn’t.” She picked up the black ribbon on the bedside table. The medallion was concave, swinging back and forth.

“That gold piece, and the folio’s thick leather, saved your life,” he said.

“And what about your life and what you want? You still need a wealthy woman.”

“I don’t want one,” he said simply enough.

“Truly?”

“For richer or for poorer, you are the only woman for me.”

She wrapped her fingers around the smashed medallion. “You could’ve had one, you know. A wealthy woman. I tried to get a folio’s worth of gold for you,but every last coin found its way into other men’s pockets.”

“Terrible, that.”

“An imperious man on horseback ordered me to get rid of it.”

He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I’m glad he did. It saved your life.”

“But what about his life? His future?”

“He has the best prize—you.”

Mary sank back against the headboard, taking this all in until her eyes flew open. “My sister—”

“Shhh. Margaret is fine. She’s safely hidden in Ranleigh’s house. Miss Thelen rescued her last night.”

“You consider that safe?”

“Your friend Miss MacDonald sent her maid to check on her. If that’s not sufficient, I understand your aunt Maude will pay a visit later today.”

“Oh, she’ll set him straight.” But a dark cloud of worry crossed her face. “Ranleigh’s not releasing her, is he?”

“I explained our predicament.” He jutted his chin at her chest. “You being shot, for example. Ranleigh was understanding—”

“Gracious of him,” she muttered.

“—but the Countess of Denton? I’m not so sure. If she comes calling there are four men, each with two pistols, prepared to defend us. Three are outside and one inside by the front door. But my guess is Lady Denton doesn’t know your whereabouts.”

She fell back, defeated. “All those years, hunting the gold, and it’s gone.”

“All those years, you were hunting French livres. Last night you found louis d’ors.”

“And your point?”

“You uncovered treasure that, if I’m guessing right, no one else save the countess knew about.” He let that sink in before adding, “I believe you are more about the hunt than the prize.”

“You might be onto something.” She tucked loose hair behind her ear. “There is something about adventures big and small that appeal to me.”

Her league work was all but finished. A transition was in store for her. Freedom, possibly, and he would be the man to give it to her. Now that their future as Mr. and Mrs. West was settled, another matter needed tending. He got up from the chair.

“Before we go any further, there is something you need to read.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine