“How can you be so sure?” Aunt Helen asked.

“Because I’m the one who got stabbed in the gut, and I’d already be dead if Patrick hadn’t saved my life.”

Edwin rose, leaning heavily on his cane. “I’d like to head back to the city too. Liam will need someone who knows Manhattan to get him to a safe place.”

“Absolutely not,” Frederick said. “We don’t know who fired those shots, and until we do, I want Liam protected. Bertie was with me when the shots rang out, so we know it wasn’t him. Bertie will accompany Liam home.”

Edwin looked appalled. “It wasn’t me either. I am an excellent shot and wouldn’t have missed an easy target six times.”

“Sit down, Edwin,” Uncle Oscar ordered. “Natalia, I need you to ride into town and send a telegram to Poppy’s doctor so he can be waiting at the port when the Black Rose arrives. Promise him a fortune if he gets here before Poppy delivers.”

Natalia stood. “Of course.”

Liam looked grim as he shrugged into a jacket, preparing to board the Black Rose. None of the crew had been on land when the shots were fired, so it was safe to send Liam on the yacht.

Before he left, Liam crossed the room to Gwen, and she stood. Regret covered his face.

“Stand by Patrick,” he said. “No matter what, don’t let these harpies bring him down. He’s my brother in every way a man can be.” He leaned down to hug her, and she squeezed him tightly. He’d been annoying from the moment she met him, but everything was different now, and how intensely she regretted parting from him on this terrible night.

“Take care,” she whispered. “Please don’t let yourself get killed. It would bother me.”

“It would?” Liam looked partly amused, partly touched.

“It appears miracles really do happen,” she said fondly. “Yes, it would bother me a great deal.”

A blister formed on the back of Patrick’s heel before he arrived at Mr. Smitty’s general store on the other side of the island. He’d been furious when he left the estate, but the long walk had cooled him down. He still had no intention of going back. He would rent one of the rooms above the store and take the ferry back to the city in the morning. His work here was done. He would help Liam during the July board meeting, after which he would cut ties with the entire Blackstone family. A clean break would be best. There was a squeezing in his chest at the thought of never seeing Gwen again, but he would get over it.

Eventually.