Twenty yards away, Grace straightened and turned, wondering at the commotion. She took an incredulous step forward as she saw the Earl push her sister to the ground, not noticing the man standing behind them. Felicity’s eyes however were immediately drawn to the glint of the pistol, and she instinctively stepped in front of the Duchess, shielding her from what was clearly a madman.
At the same time, there was a loud crack, and less than a second later, Miss Beaumont slid gracefully to the ground.
Chapter Twenty
After making sure she was unharmed, Christian shouted a harsh, ‘Stay there,’ to Chastity. Then, after giving an anguished glance towards the fallen Felicity, he leapt over the bench and chased after the shooter who was even now fleeing the scene. As he ran, all thoughts of anything other than his quarry, left the Earl’s mind.
The assassin didn’t waste time looking behind him, but immediately headed away from Rotten Row towards the end of the Serpentine. The fact that he hadn’t discarded his heavy pistol told Christian it was double barrelled, leaving one bullet left.
Gradually, the Earl gained on him as the man began to slow. Clearly he was not accustomed to being chased, being more used to working in the shadows and slipping away unnoticed. Indeed, had Jimmy not warned them, that is exactly what would have happened.
Christian forced his mind away from the sight of their chaperone falling to the ground. He couldn’t afford to get distracted. He had to catch the man while he was still in the park, lest he lose him in the alleyways beyond Tyburn. As the Earl ran, he watched carefully for the moment the blackguard realised he was being outpaced and decided to use his one remaining bullet. It came quicker than he’d anticipated. The man abruptly stopped, turned and dropped to his knees. Christian could see his hand trembling with exhaustion as he lifted the pistol and pointed it.
Swearing, the Earl threw himself to the ground, just as the deafening rapport cut the early evening air. The cutthroat didn’t wait to see if his shot had hit its target but threw his now defunct pistol aside and immediately staggered to his feet. Seething now, Christian put on a last burst of speed. He knew he had the bastard.
Seconds later, he finally caught up and launched himself onto the varmint’s back. They both went down hard. Christian had the advantage being on top, but the killer was heavyset and much taller. For a few precious seconds they grappled as the assassin endeavoured to twist the Earl onto his back. Christian managed to hold him down but couldn’t pull his arm back to get in a punch. In the end, desperation won out and the Earl managed to lift his head back high enough to head butt the man with his forehead. The sound of the bastard’s nose splitting gave him a savage satisfaction, and he followed it up with a prime facer, instantly rendering the man unconscious.
∞∞∞
‘How is she?’ Grace’s words showed the depth of her anguish as Malcolm finally entered the drawing room.
The Scot sighed. ‘Fortunately, the bullet missed any o’ the vital organs and came out through her back. Ah’ve cleaned and dressed the wound. She’s sleeping comfortably enough, and it’s ma belief, with plenty o’ rest, she’ll make a full recovery.’
Grace gave a small, relieved sob as Chastity gripped her hand. ‘Felicity saved my life,’ the Duchess whispered.
‘Aye, she’s a brave one,’ Malcolm commented, his voice unaccountably gruff, ‘and it’ll be up te you te keep her in bed fer as long as possible. The stubborn woman will no hear it from me.’ He shook his head and poured himself a large brandy. ‘Any word from Nick or Jimmy?’
Grace and Chastity shook their heads. ‘Lord Cottesmore arrived back from Bow Street a little over an hour ago,’ the Duchess informed him, ‘but left immediately with a contingent of Runners to assist in apprehending Witherspoon.’
‘Lizzy told them everything she knew,’ Chastity added. ‘Hopefully, it will be enough to convict him. She’s remained in Bow Street while she gives a statement. Father and Percy are with her.’
‘How is she?’ Malcolm asked taking a sip of his brandy.
‘Naturally shocked on discovering the extent of her brother’s criminal activity,’ Chastity responded. ‘But I think the horror of watching her husband die in such an awful manner put paid to any lingering affection she might have harboured.’ She put her hand down to Freddy who was leaning against her, taking comfort in his rough fur. ‘He hasn’t left our sides since we got back from Hyde Park,’ she commented bending down to give the foxhound an affectionate kiss on the nose.
Grace glanced outside. ‘It’s nearly dark,’ she murmured, gripping her sister’s hand.
∞∞∞
Nicholas and Jimmy alighted from their hackney round the corner from Witherspoon’s establishment. Both were armed with pistols and dressed in nondescript clothes. Indeed, looking at the Duke’s unkempt apparel, nobody would have guessed his true rank.
Once the carriage had disappeared, they walked nonchalantly towards the gambling den. The gates were open, but as it was still early, the yard was almost deserted.
Glancing over at Jimmy, Nicholas nodded towards the main entrance. His meaning was clear. They would start there. The last time the Duke had laid eyes on Witherspoon was nearly seventeen years ago, and assuming the bastard hadn’t worn well, the older man knew he could well be relying on Jimmy for any identification.
They stepped into the dark interior of the cavernous building and waited for their eyes to adjust. At length, Jimmy tapped the Duke on the shoulder and tipped his head towards a tall skinny man who was holding court with a couple of likely gullgropers.
‘Bloody hell, I’d never have recognised him,’ Nicholas muttered, eying the hideous scar that slashed through the man’s eyebrow.
‘What do we do?’ Jimmy murmured. ‘We can’t take ‘im with these culls around. By the look of ‘em, they’re more’n likely to wade in.’
The Duke was silent for a second. ‘We’ll wait here,’ he said at length. ‘It’s dark enough that it’s doubtful he’ll recognise either of us. We just need to keep the bastard in our sights.’ He looked over at Jimmy. ‘No heroics,’ he cautioned the youth. ‘Your hotheadedness will not serve you here. With luck, the Runners should arrive within the hour.’
‘Will the Earl be with them do you think?’
‘I think wild horses wouldn’t stop him,’ answered Nicholas drily.
∞∞∞
