A Lady of High Regard (36 page)

He began to unbutton his coat. “We have some time before the boat arrives. My men will not dock if they see the crowds searching for you, and no one will find this tiny room. Even if they search the building, this room is quite obscure. No one will know to look here.

“Do you ever think about the choices you’ve made, Miss Stanley?” He smiled and it sent shivers down Mia’s spine. “I mean, if you had chosen to mind your own business and stay out of the dock district, you might never have encountered me at all. Obviously we do not move in the same company or attend the same parties. We might have shopped in the same stores, because as you can see I am a man of impeccable taste, but it would not have served to acquaint us—especially this intimately.”

He once again touched her, but this time his hand went to her neck. He held it tight for a moment and Mia could scarcely draw her breath. She thought he was going to end her life in that moment, but just when she thought she was going to pass out, he released her. He looked at her oddly, as if trying to figure out what she was made of—how she worked.

Mia knew she had no other means of showing her disregard and disgust other than to stare him in the eye. Her eyes would have to be her voice.

“I can see you’re angry, but truly you should find it in your heart to be nice to me. We have quite a journey ahead of us, and I plan to enjoy myself. Maybe not to the full extent I’d like, but there are certainly ways to compensate myself.”

Mia concentrated on his dark, empty eyes. The man was positively without any redeeming quality, and she seriously wondered if he even had a soul. If he did, no doubt he’d long ago sold it to the devil.

He put his hand to her throat again and squeezed. “It would be so easy to end your life.”

She didn’t break her stare, despite the fact that she was almost certain she heard something on the other side of the door. He tightened his grip, leaving her almost void of air.

“It’s like a little game, is it not? I push you closer and closer to the brink of all eternity, yet you can’t be sure when it might come. Oh, I know you’d be worth a lot of money down south, but you are also a liability to my escaping easily. It could be that I’ll just end your life here—like this.”

Mia wanted to cry, but knew he would love such a thing. It would serve to make him feel powerful. She could feel the tightening in her face—as if all of the blood were being forced up, and still she just stared at him.
If he does kill me, I want my eyes to be the last thing he remembers. I hope they haunt him through all eternity.

He let go of his hold and let his gaze slowly travel the length of her body. “We could still be very good friends, Miss Stanley. I wouldn’t have to sell you. You could just be especially nice to me.

“I’m not such a bad man.” He reached down and took hold of her ankle and squeezed. “See how differently the body responds to pressure in different locations? You don’t feel nearly the threat to life and existence when I touch you here. But when I put my hand to your throat, you know it could be over in a matter of minutes.”

Mia was now certain she heard someone in the building. They sounded as if they weren’t far from the door. Maybe his friends were coming to take them away. She prayed it might be her rescue instead. Her thoughts were broken however, as Barrill pushed her skirt up to her knees.

“Such lovely legs . . . so shapely. I’ll bet you dance in divine form, Miss Stanley.”

Just then the door crashed back and Garrett filled the opening. Mia had never been so happy to see anyone in her life, but when Garrett saw her lying there, his face drained of color.

“Well, you’ve come to have your turn, have you?” Barrill said, getting to his feet. He laughed maniacally and reached into his coat.

Mia tried to scream, hoping Garrett would sense the danger and move in on the man. But the sound was muffled and came too late as Barrill pulled a pistol from his jacket and leveled it at Garrett’s chest.

Undeterred by this turn of events, Garrett took hold of his arm, raising the pistol. The fight erupted into a strange sort of dance, with Garrett working against the gun hand and Barrill trying to hit Garrett away with his free hand. Without warning, Garrett punched Barrill in the face, causing his nose to instantly pour blood.

“You’re mine, Barrill!”

“Hardly that.” He broke away and raised the pistol. “I’ll see you dead.”

Mia thought her heart might stop. She tried again to pull herself free from the ropes. She had to find a way to help the man she so dearly loved.

Garrett rushed him and pushed the gun away just as it fired. “I’ll see you hanged.”

Garrett knew the other man was probably stronger. Barrill’s cunning and street fighting experience also gave him an edge on Garrett’s sheltered life of ease. But Garrett’s rage may have made up for Barrill’s advantages.

With a powerful blow to Barrill’s arm, Garrett sent the gun flying across the room. At least that would no longer be of concern. Now if only the police would show up. They weren’t that far behind him. Lyman himself was to direct them to where he’d gone.

Barrill slammed Garrett back against the wall. “I’ve fought too hard to gain my wealth. I’ll not just turn it over to you and see myself imprisoned.” He sent a striking blow, but Garrett dodged it and the man’s fist went into the wall. Barrill was momentarily stunned and it gave Garrett just enough time to get the upper hand. As he managed to wrestle Barrill to the ground, two officers charged into the room and took control.

“There now, Mr. Wilson. We’ve got him. We’ve got him.”

Garrett had never known more rage. Despite the officers’ urging to stop, he continued to pummel the man. He’d never wanted to hurt a man as much as he wanted to hurt Jasper Barrill. There was no telling what he’d done to Mia before they’d arrived.

Mia.
It was the only thought that calmed him.

Garrett released his hold on the man and looked up at the nearest officer. The man nodded, as if trying to assure Garrett that the decision was a good one. Garrett stood and turned to Mia. He looked for a knife or something to free her with, but there was nothing.

“Do either of you have a knife?” he asked the officers, who were even now securing Barrill.

“Sorry, but no,” the first man replied.

“Wait,” the second said as he patted down Barrill’s leg. “Here’s something.” He raised the pant leg and smiled. “He has a knife.”

It was a wonder he hadn’t tried to pull it, Garrett thought as he took it from the officer. “Mia, I’ll cut you loose,” he said as he hurried to her side. The sight there nearly paralyzed him.

“No!” he screamed in agony. Blood trickled down her unconscious face from a hideous patch of red in her blond hair. She’d taken Barrill’s bullet.

Garrett cut the ropes quickly and then unfastened the gag. He took the cloth and pressed it against her head. Scooping her in his arms, he pushed past the officers. “She’s injured.”

He raced through the dimly lit warehouse and made his way outside. Here the boats could come right up to the wharf and unload. Garrett spotted Mr. Stanley and ran toward him, despite the weight of Mia.

“What happened?” Lyman called as he approached.

Garrett felt sick. “She’s been shot.” He was careful not to tell Stanley where the wound was. “Barrill had a gun and when I tried to take it away from him it discharged. We need to get her to a doctor. Hurry, go get the buggy.”

Lyman reached out to touch his daughter, but Garrett was adamant. “There’s no time. Hurry.”

People were already starting to return from their searching. Elsie Smith and Nancy Lucas were two of the first to arrive. When Mrs. Smith saw the blood on Mia’s face she drew her apron to her mouth to suppress a cry.

“Poor lamb,” Nancy said, “there’s a doctor at the corner of Water and Chestnut. He’ll be the closest.”

“Thank you.” He could see that Mr. Stanley was bringing the buggy.

“How bad is it?” an officer questioned as he came to assist Garrett.

“I don’t know. She’s not so much as stirred, but she is still breathing.”

“I’ll go ahead of you to the doctor’s office. He may be asleep.”

“Hurry, then. I’ll take her in the buggy.”

“We’ll be prayin’ for her,” Mrs. Smith finally said. “She’s a good woman. She shouldn’t meet with such a miserable end.”

“No, indeed,” Garrett said.

Mia felt a searing pain in her head but couldn’t figure out what was wrong. She would’ve opened her eyes if they didn’t feel ever so heavy. She could feel someone holding her in their arms. Strong arms.

Where was she? What was she supposed to be doing? Mia moaned and tried to sit up.

“Stay still, sweetheart. You’re safe now.”

It was Garrett. She smiled. Who else would it be? Garrett always seemed to know when she was misbehaving.
Only, I’m not misbehaving,
she thought.
I don’t know what I’m doing, but I don’t think it’s something wrong.

She tried again to move against his hold, but that only served to intensify her pain.

“Mia, you’ve been injured. You need to remain still. We’re taking you to the doctor.”

“Garrett,” she barely managed to croak out the word. Her throat was so dry and painful. Why did her throat hurt so much?

“I’m here, Mia. I’ll never leave you again. I love you. I love you so very much.”

She opened her eyes at this, but could see very little in the shadows of the buggy. “I . . . love you . . . Garrett.” Then the darkness overcame her.

CHAPTER 29

“
I
t all seems like such a haze,” Mia told her parents three days later. “I don’t remember much of what happened. I remember Barrill startling me in the garden, but little else.”

“It’s probably best you don’t remember,” her father said. His expression was grim. “The doctor has kept you sedated these past few days thinking it would better allow your wound time to heal. Despite the fact that the bullet only grazed you, I do fear you are overdoing it, even now.”

“Please don’t fret, Father. I’m really quite well. My head hurts to be sure, but otherwise I seem to be just fine.”

“You look better,” Aldora told her. “Your color has returned.”

“As well as my appetite,” Mia said, looking in amusement at the empty breakfast tray. “You’ll have to tell Mrs. McGuire she outdid herself. I’ve never tasted anything so good in my life.”

“I will do that,” her mother said with a smile. “I will also make sure you get your favorite chocolate mousse for dinner.”

“Perhaps I should get injured more often. I feel almost like a princess,” Mia teased.

“Bite your tongue, child,” her father said, shaking his head. “I don’t want to experience such a fearful thing ever again. I thought we were going to have two funerals to attend.”

“I am sorry to have missed Mr. Wilson’s funeral,” Mia said sadly. “How are they doing—sweet Mercy and the children— and Garrett?”

“Well, as I see it, they are holding up better than most. Of course, Mrs. Wilson has watched her husband die little by little all summer,” her father said softly. “I would imagine there is something of a relief in finally bidding him farewell.”

Mia nodded. “She loved him so. I’m certain she will always mourn the loss. It was a true love match to be sure.”

Ruth appeared at the door just then. “Excuse me, but Mr. Wilson has come to call on Miss Mia.”

Mia looked to her mother and father. “Would that be all right? Could he please visit me here? I know it’s hardly appropriate, but I have something I need to tell him.”

Her father laughed and got to his feet. “I believe he has something to tell you as well.” He reached for his wife’s arm. “Come dear, let us retire for the moment.”

Ruth took the tray from Mia’s lap and whispered, “You look quite beautiful, Miss Mia.” She winked and Mia couldn’t help but laugh. The moment was short-lived, however, as pain coursed through her forehead. She was glad her parents had not seen this or she might have to remain in bed for several weeks instead of just a few more days.

Garrett appeared just as Mia’s parents stepped into the hall. “Good morning, Mrs. Stanley, Mr. Stanley.”

“Garrett, my boy, how are you this fine day?”

“Doing well, sir. I heard through my spies that Mia is awake and feeling much better. I had hoped you would allow me to visit her.”

Mia couldn’t see Garrett, but she saw her father nod his head. “I think under the circumstances, it would be perfectly acceptable. Now don’t overtire her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She watched her parents disappear as Garrett glanced around the doorframe. Mia threw him a big smile. “Don’t just stand there in the hall—come in.” She smoothed the covers rather nervously and motioned to the chair her father had just vacated. “Sit there.”

“You must be better,” Garrett said, doing as instructed and pulling the chair closer to the bed. “You’re already bossing me around again. That’s a very good sign.”

She feigned disapproval. “I do not boss you around. Now sit there and tell me everything. I want to know about your father’s funeral.”

Garrett sobered. “It was a quiet affair. There were many people, however. He was well loved.”