Gambling for the Governess by Lana Williams

Author:Lana Williams [Williams, Lana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-28T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“If bettors will only place themselves in his hands, he [the bookmaker] will ‘pull them through, and land them high and dry,’ certainly and surely, and with a handsome return for their investments.”

~The Seven Curses of London

Christopher shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position that would ease the burning pain in his side.

“Hold still, my lord.” Dauber’s quiet words only confused him. “The doctor should arrive soon.”

His eyelids fluttered open to see the familiar furnishings of his bedroom. The last thing he remembered was the flash of a blade as fists flew followed by tearing pain when he’d been stabbed.

His head pounded as though Thor’s hammer had struck him repeatedly. He lifted his head to look at his side but immediately regretted it. What had been uncomfortable before turned to fire in an instant. The pain stole both his breath and his attempt to make sense of things.

“You must hold still, my lord.”

He didn’t need Dauber’s reminder. “What happened?”

“You were accosted by two ruffians at Newmarket, one of whom had a blade. Do you remember?”

“Now I do. Damn and blast.”

“Who were they?”

“Must’ve been thugs sent by Connolly, my one and only suspect.” He’d made the mistake of underestimating the man, not realizing his questions had caught the man’s notice. “How bad is it?”

“We’re awaiting the doctor to receive confirmation, but by my estimation, you’ll live.”

Christopher would’ve nodded but his head hurt too much. Breathing hurt his side. Though the pain of his injuries was terrible, it didn’t feel life-threatening. At least not as long as he didn’t move. “Stitches?”

“More than likely.”

“Damn.” He’d had them once before and didn’t care for them. “Feels as if those men might’ve broken a rib or two.”

“No doubt.” Dauber’s lack of sympathy didn’t surprise him but still stung. “I believe we agreed you would take care while working on this...project.”

“I thought I was. Connolly must’ve had me followed.” Which meant he had something to hide or why else would he have bothered?

“Hmm.”

“How did you find me?”

“Miss Tippin brought you home.”

“Amelia?” Yet even as he questioned it, he remembered her presence and the enormous relief he’d felt when he’d realized she was there. The thought of her anywhere near those men caused his breath to catch. “Is she well?”

“Other than concerned about you, she’s completely unharmed.”

His fear eased as a knock sounded at the door.

“Ah, that must be the doctor.” Dauber hurried forward to open it.

“Got yourself in a bit of a difficulty, eh, my lord?” Doctor Weston nodded at Dauber even as he addressed Christopher, crossing the room with his black leather bag in hand.

The physician had seen to their family for as long as Christopher could remember though he more frequently tended his father’s injuries from experiments gone awry.

Christopher scowled. “The odds were not in my favor.”

“That hurts both pride and body in my experience.” The doctor adjusted his spectacles over his thin nose as he set down the bag and leaned close. “I hope you don’t intend to make a habit of this sort of thing.

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