Part 24 (2/2)

begin to fall, and there would be pain. She closed her eyes, reaching out to grab something, anything. But

there was nothing to hold on to.

Miraculously, strong hands grabbed her and pulled her against a broad chest, catching her as simply and easily as if she were an apple falling from a tree. Gasping for breath, she clutched the rocklike man who had saved her.

A low, deep voice growled, ”Hold on.”

Jack.She clutched at him in relief, and he pulled her close, settling her in his lap. Trembling head to foot, she turned her face into his chest, inhaling deeply. She was beginning to love his scent almost as much as she loved chocolate.

”Are you injured?”

His deep voice rumbled through his chest beneath her ear.

She shook her head, though her entire body ached, and tears filled her eyes.

Jack felt her quake in his arms, saw her tears. His own heart thundering in his ears, he cursed and tightened his grip. ”I have you now, Fiona. You are safe.”

”She had b.l.o.o.d.y well better be,” Gregor said from where he'd come up beside them.

Jack halted his horse, Gregor doing the same, at the entrance to Hyde Park. Carts and carriages, horses and pa.s.sengers milled about, all eyes on them.

Jack couldn't bear to think of what had almost happened-the horse bucking wildly out of control, Fiona hanging on for dear life. If she'd landed on her head- He held her tighter, trying to block the images in his mind.

Dougal rode up on one of Jack's horses, his face white. ”Is she all right?”

”I think so,” Jack said, feeling her breathing grow steadier.

Gregor stood in his stirrups. ”Fiona? Can you hear me?”

”She's shaken, but fine otherwise.”

”Are you certain?” Dougal reached for Fiona as if to take her from Jack.

Jack bared his teeth and backed his horse away. She was.h.i.+s, and he would die fighting to keep her.

The power of his reaction startled him. Was it because she was his wife? Because he was the only man who'd ever known her intimately? Or just his misguided, possessive Kincaid blood? Whatever it was, Jack only knew that right now, if anyone tried to remove Fiona from his arms, he would kill him without thought.

Dougal stayed back, but looked at him suspiciously. ”You put my sister on an unsafe mount.”

”I did not. Ophelia is never difficult. Look at her now.”

The horse stood beside the entryway to the park, its saddle hanging off one side as it peacefully grazed.

”Then you did something to make the horse act that way,” Dougal said hotly.

”Pshaw!” Gregor said. ”Fiona has been riding lively mounts since she was four. She's no tender flower.”

”I still think something was wrong,” Dougal said.

”Then you'll have something to mull while you collect the mare and her saddle,” Jack snapped. ”I'm taking Fiona home.”

With a dark glance, Dougal swung down from his horse and tossed the reins to Gregor. He walked carefully up to Ophelia and took the reins without a problem. He started to lift the saddle, then stopped, and bent to stare at something.

”What is it?” Jack asked.

Dougal's brow lowered. ”There is a burr under the saddle.”

”d.a.m.nation!” Gregor swung down, tied the horses to a low branch, and joined his brother. They spoke in low tones, occasionally glancing back at Jack.

”I want to see it,” Jack said sharply.

Gregor stepped back. ”Let him see.”

”It isn't really a burr.” Dougal held up the cause of the accident. ”It's a thistle. And there's more: someone cut the girth.”

Jack looked down at Fiona, still pale. ”I will kill whoever did this.”

Dougal met Jack's gaze. ”Was it you? You've said many times that you did not wish to be married.”

”No, d.a.m.n it! I've never wished Fiona harm.”

Gregor said, ”Dougal, why would Kincaid put a burr beneath her saddle and then save her as well? That makes no sense.”

Fiona stirred. ”Please, no more. I-I just want to go home.”

Jack led the way, his mind whirling. Who would wish Fiona harm?

He could not see Lucinda going to such lengths. She would get her vengeance on Fiona, but in a more

public manner. Maybe Campbell? There was something about him that Jack did not trust. He seemed far

too interested in Fiona. What did he want? What would he gain by Fiona's death? He rested his cheek against her forehead, then looked at her brothers. ”If someone wants her harmed, we must go where she'll be safe.”

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