Drake charged up to the counter. “Rum and Catherty. Still in there?” he asked the wide-eyed Mr. Thomassan.
The innkeeper nodded as if afraid to speak and be overheard.
Drake kicked in the door and stormed in with the duke on his heels.
Rum and Catherty floundered up from their seats, and their pair of meaty guards stepped in front of them.
Drake drew both of his pistols. “Two of you will die in short orderif you do not tell me where she is.”
“The remaining two will die by my hand,” Broadmere said. “Who would like to meet the Almighty first?”
“If you kill us, you will never find her,” Catherty sputtered, edging behind the tallest guard.
“And upon our deaths, our other men know to dispose of her,” Rum said, baring his teeth like a cornered dog.
Drake shrugged. “That simplifies things. We kill the guards and simply shoot the pair of you in the knees. With a proper tourniquet, you will not die until we will it.”
“And we most assuredly will it,” Broadmere added.
“Ten thousand pounds,” Catherty said with a belligerent growl. “Pay us what your uncle owes, and we will lead you to her.”
Snorting a humorless laugh, Drake shook his head. “My being a trusting fool got my beloved Felicity into this horrid mess. You will take us to her. Now.”
Rum just jutted his chin higher. “We will bring her to you. Here. Tomorrow. Have the money ready.”
“No.” Drake aimed one of his pistols at the nearest guard’s forehead. “You will take us to her. Now. She has suffered enough.”
“It appears we are at a standoff,” Catherty said with a roll of his fleshy shoulders. “Kill the guards. They are nothing to us.”
“Your Grace,” said a voice from behind them. “Lord Wakefield. Can my men and I offer some assistance?”
Drake didn’t dare turn and face the man, even though the voice sounded familiar. “And you are?”
“The magistrate,” Broadmere told him before the man could identify himself. “The esteemed Mr. Osbourne.”
“How may I be of service?” Mr. Osbourne asked.
“These gentlemen, and I use that term loosely,” Drake said while keeping his pistols trained on the men, “abducted Lady Felicity this very day. They did her bodily harm and carried her off. If they do notlead me to her, I intend to kill the two guards and cripple Mr. Rum and Mr. Catherty to convince them to be more cooperative.”
“That man is an impostor.” Rum pointed a shaking finger at Drake. “The sixth Earl of Wakefield is still alive and owes us ten thousand pounds. That man there, his nephew, faked his uncle’s death and assumed the title to keep us from collecting what we are owed.”
“My misguided transgressions do not excuse your abduction of Lady Felicity.” Drake noted that Rum and Catherty’s guards had sweat streaming down their faces. “She is not an impostor, but an innocent young woman caught up in your dastardly plan.”
“I agree, Lord Wakefield.” Mr. Osbourne stepped up beside Drake, drew his pistol, and leveled it at Catherty. “I am quite familiar with these two and their practices. My cousin is a Bow Street Runner and has noted on many occasions the slipperiness of this pair and their London ways. Well, Binnocksbourne is my jurisdiction, and the abduction of His Grace’s sister is my primary concern. I strongly recommend you take us to her.”
When the men remained silent, the magistrate tossed a glance back over his shoulder. “Come fetch them, lads. Take all four to the roundhouse. They can stay there until they feel more helpful.”
“I would rather kill and cripple them,” Drake said, struggling to keep his frustration and rage in check. He kept his pistols raised.
“As would I,” Broadmere added, stepping closer and leveling the aim of both his pistols.
“I am sure you would, Your Grace and my lord.” Mr. Osbourne lowered his pistol as his men took custody of Rum and Catherty and their guards. “And we may yet allow it if they do not tell us of Lady Felicity’s whereabouts.”
“He is not a lord!” Catherty spat, his face turning a dangerous red. “He is an impostor. His name is Pemberton.”
“And his father was an honorable man beloved by this village,” Mr. Osbourne said. “Take them to the roundhouse and place extra guards.If they refuse to talk, we will gather volunteers and find Lady Felicity for ourselves.”
“You will never find her without us.” Rum sneered at Drake as the magistrate’s men dragged him out. “Never.”
