“Miss Darling,” Gray said, standing over her. When she looked up, he stared into her eyes for a moment, remembering that impossible as it was to believe, she didn’t come from this time. “Would you like sugar?”
“No, thank you,” she told him with warmth in her gaze.
He held up his hand and told the server to bring the lady black coffee. Men around him were murmuring. Some were moving closer.
Gray sat next to her and crossed his wrists in his lap, the fingers of his right hand touching the hilt of his sword. He waited. “Are you trying to make a statement, My Darli—” he stopped. His eyes opened wide realizing what he said. “MissDarling,” he corrected, feeling like he might tip over. She smiled, which made him feel worse…and better at the same time.
Her coffee was served with a bit of force, spilling some of the liquid on the table. Gray stared up at the server, who didn’t wait around to get scolded, but hurried away.
Seeing her startle back, Gray leaned in. “Don’t be afraid.”
She stared into his eyes. “I’m not.”
He said nothing, nor did he change his expression when he sipped his coffee and invited her to do the same.
“But if I was,” she went on hesitantly. “Why shouldn’t I be afraid?”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
“Why would you?”
He put his cup down. “You have an unfairly low opinion of me, Miss Darling. I would not leave a lady here to her own defenses.”
“I don’t doubt it, my lord. But don’t you enjoy there being no women here? If I’ve decided to make a statement, why would you stand behind it?”
“For two reasons.” He held up his finger. “If you want to drink coffee, you should be able to, no matter where it is. And two,” he held up another finger, “By now you should have guessed that I’ll stand by any form of rebellion.”
“You like trouble,” she surmised and sipped her coffee.
He shook his head. “I like fairness and freedom.”
She lowered her cup and barely looked up. “Behind you.”
He raised his arms and grabbed hold of the man sneaking up behind him and pulled him over his shoulder. The patron landed on his back just inches from the table with a loud thump. Before anyone else moved, Gray dragged his sword free and held it up. “The next one who moves will meet my sword.”
“And my foot,” Miss Darling added. She angled her head slightly to see a brutish patron crossing the room to her.
Gray reached for a knife in his boot, but when he lifted his hand to fling the blade, his eye caught Miss Darling lifting her gown over her calf. He watched, spellbound while she kicked out behind her and sent the heel of her foot into the patron’s groin. Never in his life had Gray been so distracted. For a moment he couldn’t take his eyes off her, and a moment was all it took for someone to hit him in the back of the head and knock him out.
*
Aria watched themarquess go down and was torn between going to him or taking a stand and fighting for her life. She didn’t dare move with twelve men circling her. She said a prayer and readied herself against the closest attacker.
Something outside smashed against the window. Everyone stopped and looked toward the sound. When they didn’t see anything, they continued moving toward her. But another thud that rattled the yellow glass stopped them again. One of the men took a step closer to the window and then leaped back and fell on his backside when something hit the window and blood spurted against it.
Something hit the east window next, and the men took a collective step away from it. Someone shouted that it was a bird. Aria looked closer. They were all birds! Large birds and small ones flying into the windows with all their might, as if they were deliberately trying to break the glass. If some died to break it, others would get in.
Did birds sacrifice themselves? And for what, or…for who? She looked at the marquess lying unconscious on the floor. She hurried to him. What was happening? Somewhere outside a raven screeched. Around her, the men were fighting with one another about opening the door and running out. Glass shattered and a few of the men cried out. Someone pulled the door open and several of them ran out. After a moment, Aria and the others heard the escapees screaming.
“My lord, my lord, wake up!”
A man behind her shouted a warning and she turned to see a large raven flying through the broken glass window and flapping its great, black wings above her.
She threw herself over the marquess, shielding him. The terrifying bird shrieked close to her ear. She shook with fear.
But then she felt the marquess’ arms come around her, and at the same time, the raven retreated and flew out the window.
Aria looked down to find the marquess’ sea-green gaze on her. He appeared startled and confused. Someone outside screamed, drawing the marquess up on his elbows with her falling away. He looked toward the open door, then closed his eyes again. Outside the screaming stopped.