Billionaire Flawed 1(273)

Badger came to sit on the other side of Bertie, and the party set back the way they had come. “Oh, I am so sorry,” Caroline said after a while. “I have caused all this trouble, and poor Lord Haverbrook has been shot- all on my account.”

Badger told her that Bertie had simply chased off at high speed as soon as he knew she had gone off alone. “I have been such a fool,” she said. “Doing the stupid dance and then rushing off when people didn’t like it.” There was a slight moan from Bertie, who opened his eyes.

“I can hear you, Caroline,” he whispered. “They are stupid, arrogant people.”

Badger said he agreed with that. “Just let’s get you home and the wound cleaned up,” he told him. “Lie still. It won’t be long.” Bertie did the opposite. He opened his eyes and looked at Caroline Carstairs. “I could not bear it if anything happened to you.” He paused for breath. “Can I have fallen in love in such a short time?” Caroline gasped at took his hand.

“I went away to save you and your friends embarrassment,” she answered and both Bertie and Badger said that they were not embarrassed at all. Bertie opened his eyes again and looked at the girl holding his hand and still pressing the cloth to his shoulder. “Miss Carstairs, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife please? Please be Lady Haverbrook. Please say yes.” Badger Tomkins had no place to go so he looked studiously out of the side of the carriage and grinned quietly to himself. He would never let Bertie forget this one.

There was a pause whilst Caroline took in the enormity of what he had asked. Bertie opened his eyes again and looked worried. “Maybe you do not feel for me like I do for you.” He ventured but Caroline gave him that marvellous smile that lit up the whole world. “I do love you Bertie Collins- Margrave. I loved you from the first moment I saw you trespassing in my stable yard.” He gave a small laugh. “So the answer is yes?” She bent forward and kissed his lips.

“Yes. Yes. Yes. I will marry you and be the happiest woman in the world.” Bertie brought around his good arm and pulled her close. He claimed the kiss that he had been dreaming of and he knew that Badger Tomkins was grinning like a madman. He didn’t care. The kiss ended and Carline checked the wound again. “The bleeding has stopped,” she said.

“You can turn around now, Badger.” Bertie said and realised that he felt stronger than before. “I know you are having a really good laugh but you can prepare yourself to be best man at the forthcoming festivities. “Congratulations to both of you,” Badger said. “I accept the best man invitation.” The carriage turned into the gates of Bertie’s stately pile, and the two riders had gone ahead to prepare the servants to receive the wounded warrior. Bertie said he could walk and did go into his house on his own legs but aided by Badger and his butler. Aunt Agatha was fluttering in the background and frowned when she saw Caroline. “This is your fault, you silly girl.” The older woman said, but it stopped Bertie in his tracks. He turned to the whole group of people. “This is the fault of ignorant people who are nasty to others. You included, Aunt Agatha.” He looked around. “Miss Carstairs has agreed to marry me.” There was a gasp, and some of the servant girls clapped their hands. “We will wed and pull this place into the modern world.” He held out his hand, and Caroline ran to take it.

The butler said, “Let me be the first to say congratulations, My Lord.” And Bertie thanked him as the staff gave a little cheer. “Let’s get you to a bed and clean this wound.” The butler finished and took over operations much to Badger’s relief.

It seemed that the bullet had gone straight through the top of the shoulder and although there were two wounds it was not as bad as the blood would let you think. Warm water and gentle washing revealed a clean wound. Wrapped in clean bandages and a soft jacket pulled into place, Bertie felt human again and held out his hand for Caroline to come and sit beside him.

“Thank you for riding to my rescue,” she said. “You were truly a knight in shining armour.”

“And I claim the hand of the maiden in distress.” He grinned at her. “We will do that waltz at the wedding, and nobody will be brave enough to complain.”

“My cousin will be delighted. He will be able to teach Arabella how to waltz as well.” His bride to be added and he drew her towards him for the kiss that took them both into another realm entirely where time stood still.

“Happy ever after, Caroline, Lady Haverbrook. Happy ever after.” He murmured into her hair. She nestled against him and smiled.