His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 32

A fallen twig snapped beneath his boot and the sound drew the pacing man up short. He spun, and their eyes met. Not long, but long enough for Ashton to see cold caution change to decisive action. The man drew a pistol from his cloak and fired. The shot rang out like a crack of thunder and a spike of fire surged through Ashton. He cursed and clutched his left arm. When he pulled his hand away, his black leather glove gleamed with the sheen of blood.

"Ash!" Godric ran in his direction, glancing about for signs of the shooter, but the man had vanished. He hadn't returned to the Garden house, nor had he gone in any direction they could see.

"Should we go after him?" Godric asked. "I didn't see which way he went."

"Nor did I. Must have had an escape route planned."

"Clever bastard," Godric said. "Why did he shoot at you?"

Ash shrugged, wincing. "He saw me peer around the edge of the bush and reacted. I think he fired because he recognized me."

"Good thing he missed."

Ashton stumbled and gripped Godric by the sleeve for support. "He...he didn't actually." Blood began to flow freely down his left arm. The pair quickly ducked back inside the Midnight Garden.

"What? Ash, you're bleeding! Hell man, why didn't you tell me you'd been shot?" Godric's face turned white as marble.

"Pardon me if my mind is a bit fogged with pain at the moment," Ashton replied sarcastically. "Hurts like the very devil too. Do you mind if we get out of here before I lose any more blood?"

"Right, of course. Come on." His friend gripped him by his good arm and helped him over to the door leading back into the Garden's house.

The owner of the Midnight Garden, Madame Chanson ran over to them. "Did I hear a gunshot?" she asked in a panic.

"Yes. It seems the man we were looking for didn't wish to be found."

"Should I contact the Bow Street Runners?"

"He's already long gone, I'm afraid, and there's your anonymity to consider. Could you summon my carriage immediately? And have a doctor sent to my residence quickly." Godric gripped Ashton's right arm firmly to keep his wounded friend on his feet. As he spoke, he removed his cravat and tied a makeshift tourniquet.

Godric's carriage pulled up and he helped Ashton inside. The bullet, whatever sinister path it had taken, had left a nasty wound in Ashton's arm.

"My home isn't far, we can wait for the doctor there. Emily can fuss over you until then."

"You'd subject me to your wife's fussing?" Ashton gave a pained chuckle as he clamped his right hand over his wound.

"Of course I would."

"Have I wronged you somehow? Why would you let Emily tend to me? I might lose my entire arm in her desire to play nursemaid."

"I fear more what Emily would do to me if she's not allowed to help."

Ashton groaned in pain and his vision blurred. Godric shouted for the coachman to go faster.

"Stay awake, Ash," Godric barked as Ashton gave in to the temptation to close his eyes for a moment.

"Trying to," Ashton muttered. "In all of the times we've gotten into scrapes, I've never been shot. You hear of soldiers speak of it with some degree of pride and bravado. The experience, I've decided, is highly overrated." His frowned down at his bound arm. "Perhaps you ought to distract me?"

"That I can do. So I spent all of last night trying to seduce my wife into telling me how she and her companions escaped their room last night and into the drawing room without us seeing them. But despite my best efforts, she disclosed nothing. What are your theories?"

Ashton gritted his teeth, trying to formulate an answer.

"I would say that they convinced one of the servants to let them out and they snuck down to the dining room while we were still in the drawing room. Once we went upstairs they moved once again and waited there for us."

"That is what I assumed as well. Though I still cannot figure out how Emily embroidered that phrase Never Challenge a Woman so quickly. I know she hasn't been doing any needlepoint." Ashton smiled but his expression changed into a wince as the carriage rolled to a stop at Essex House. A footman was at the carriage door. He opened it and helped Godric take Ashton out and up to the house door.

"Thank you, Timmons. We're expecting a doctor. Have him brought in immediately."

Godric threw Ashton's good arm around his shoulders and helped his friend get inside.

"Ash and I were at the Midnight Garden, hoping to catch the men Lucien overheard last night. They said they would meet there this morning. The hired man caught sight of Ash spying on him and shot him before fleeing. We didn't even have a chance to give chase."

"Did you see who it was?" Emily stroked Ashton's pale blond hair back from his face. He leaned in to her gentle touch with a soft sigh.

"No one I recognized, though the reverse may not be true."

Emily shut her eyes. "Do you still believe Waverly is behind this?"

He nodded. "Many dislike us, a few despise us, but only Waverly has ever proclaimed to want us dead."

Emily was silent a long time. She sat down next to Ashton, keeping the cool cloth to his head.

Ashton held an important part in Emily's heart. He'd championed her cause to Godric, and had been the first to see that she and Godric were in love with each other. Without his cool head and warm heart, the pair might never have believed enough in their love for each other.

Ashton began to close his eyes and Emily slapped him forcefully across the cheek.

"Don't you dare fall asleep, Ashton!"

His stunned gaze at the assault seemed to amuse Godric. It took quite a lot to shock Ashton.

"You slapped me?" he asked, shocked by Emily's behavior.

"And I'll do it again if you shut your eyes," Emily threatened.

Ashton had the gall to let out a hoarse chuckle. "Now I know how Charles must feel on a daily basis. Still, I'm sure the benefits more than compensate for it."

Despite her concern, Emily smiled. No doubt if Ashton had enough energy to tease her, he wasn't dead yet.