He opened his eyes, slowly, and surveyed his would-be killer.This time, the man wouldn’t miss, he was counting on his payday and he wouldn’t make any more mistakes.It was time for Brat to make a move.
He rose, slowly, keeping his body loose and ready for action, trying to look as harmless as a six foot four man could.“Are you absolutely certain you want to kill me?I could pay you more not to.”
“I’ve got me professional reputation to consider.Much as I’d like to oblige you, word would get out that Rob Tweedles can’t be trusted to fulfil his bargains, and then where would I be?”
“Honor among thieves, I suppose?”Brat said casually.
“Hey, I ain’t no thief!”the man said angrily.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend,” Brat said.“Listen, Tweedles, surely your reputation could withstand one small blemish?I’m very rich.”
“Sorry, guv’nor, but it can’t be.Now you just come along with me all nice and easy, and I promise you I’ll make it fast.”
“But I don’t wish to die.”
“No one ever does,” Tweedles said solemnly.
“I’ve just fallen in love.Surely you can sympathize.”
“Women are the very devil.I’ll be doing you a favor.”
“I’d rather you didn’t?—”
The door to the outbuilding was flung open, and Jenny stood there, bundled in that awful maroon dress and a shawl, looking like the wrath of the furies descending on him.“There you are!”she cried, coming into the room, not even noticing the gunman in the shadows.“Have you been so afraid to face me that you’ve been hiding out here?I’ll have you know that there’s nothing to be afraid of—I’m not going to make a scene or demands or anything.Your mother is worried about you, and you missed your part in the pantomime, and I?—”
“Move!”Tweedles thundered, and Jenny froze, turning to stare at him.
“Who are you?”she demanded, only slightly cowed.
He was going to shoot her, Brat realized with sudden horror.He’d lowered the weapon and aimed it right at her, he was past talking, and Brat didn’t hesitate.He leapt, shoving her out of the way as he felt a punch in his arm, followed by a burning pain.He was on top of the man before he could realize what happened, and Brat proceeded to beat him, ignoring the pain in his arm, his mind a red haze of fury as he pounded on the man.
It was only when he felt Jenny yank at his arm that he stopped, realizing the man was unconscious.“You don’t want to kill him!”she cried, pulling at him.
“Yes, I do!”he said, but he got to his feet, towering over her.Tweedles lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, and he turned and looked down at Jenny to ensure she wasn’t hurt.
She was so pretty in her hysteria, he thought dazedly, and told her so.
“You’ve been shot!”she cried.“He was going to kill me and you got in the way.”
“Can’t have my wife shot,” he said vaguely, swaying slightly.“Shot, you say?”He looked down at his arm, the blood streaming over his dark coat.A moment later, he was down again, just as he heard the voices from outside the building.The Rohans had come to the rescue.
But he needed to look after Jenny.She was on the ground beside him, cradling him against her breast, murmuring all sorts of breathless, angry, loving things.She loved him.And all it had taken was a bullet.Smiling, he passed back into darkness, and all was right in the world.
The old gentlemanstepped into the silent house, glancing around the plethora of decorations with amusement.His wife followed behind him, arguing with her ancient maid as she usually did whenever Meggie tried to pamper her, and he turned back to look at her.His wife was a beautiful woman in her eighties, her silver hair a crown on her well-shaped head, and he paused, waiting for her to reach him.
“Where is everyone?”Charlotte demanded breathlessly.
“You know they’re a slothful bunch.Miranda will be up.”
“But I wanted to surprise them,” she said plaintively.
“You will, don’t worry,” he reassured her.
“Do you suppose they were right in the village, that Brat got shot?”
“The shooter was in gaol, and of all my grandchildren, Brat is the most likely to be shot,” Adrian Rohan, Marquess of Haverstoke, replied.
“I thought he was your favorite,” Charlotte protested.
