Sucking in some small bit of air, she lifted her knee, making it seem as though she were attempting to push him away, andshe let go of his wrist with one hand, fumbling with her skirts to reach the small blade tucked in her boot.
She wrapped her fingers about the hilt, and despite the darkening world, felt a moment of triumph as the blade slipped free. Gripping it in her hand, she jabbed toward his stomach, sinking the blade into the softness of his middle.
He stumbled back, his eyes going wide with surprise and then filling with rage as he lunged toward her again.
She’d not even moved, her lungs simply sucking in air as she slid down, trying to avoid his next attack.
But another shot rang out and as his hulking body loomed over hers, blocking out the sun, threatening to overwhelm her, just as quickly, he dropped to the ground.
She stared at him, now lying at her feet as she tried to breathe.
Beyond her, the low sounds of grunts and groans filled the air, but her eyes were locked on the Earl of Shipley.
Dead.
Bennet firedhis pistol and then raced toward the men in the alley. He watched Shipley drop and had a moment’s satisfaction before his fist landed hard into the profile of the first man holding the other woman.
He didn’t know who she was, but that didn’t matter now. The only important thing was subduing the attackers so that he could get Rebecca to safety.
He heard the crack of the man’s jaw as he dropped to the side.
Bennet didn’t hesitate. He swung at the other man, landing a sound punch in his nose.
The first man came at him again, his fist drilling into Bennet’s stomach, and for a second, he couldn’t breathe. But as he recovered, the other woman halted the action with the click of a pistol.
“I’d hate for anyone else to die,” she said, sounding as cool and collected as if she were in a drawing room and not a back-alley fight.
Her words had the intended effect. The two men stilled, their hands coming up.
Bennet reached out his hand to the lady. “Might I?”
She gave a nod, handing him her gun as she then stooped to Rebecca’s side.
“I’m all right,” Rebecca answered, her voice sounding rough, but she stood with the other woman’s help. “Or I will be.”
Bennet slumped with relief for a moment before he pushed the two men against the wall.
“Should I get help?” the woman asked.
“Please do,” he said with a grateful nod. “We’ll need the police and any able-bodied man who can come out.”
“I’ll be right back,” she said, giving Rebecca’s hand a squeeze.
“Bec?” he asked as he reached his free hand to her, still holding the pistol on the other two men. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.” She pushed off the wall and came to his side, her arms wrapping about his waist as her body pressed to his. “How did you know I was here? How did you find me?”
“A bit of luck,” he answered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “I saw a man following me who turned out to be coming here.”
“Where is he now?”
“Likely still taking a nap further down the alley.”
“A nap?” She looked up at him, her brows arching. She already had a bruise at her temple and several more appearingon her neck. He pulled her closer, angry that she’d been hurt even that much.
She was his to protect. That had never changed, and it never would. “What happened to you?”
“I was in the library, but the doors were opened. I turned to greet Charlotte and then someone hit me from behind.”