“It was you who shot Warwick!” Samantha hissed.
“As I was stabbed in the leg by you, my lady, I feel somewhat justified.” He did a mocking bow. “Luckily my wound was not deep, and infection did not take hold, and surprisingly, the shot I thought I put in Mr. Warwickshire Sinclair must have merely nicked him as I saw him leaving your house.”
Of course, he would think that because anything else was not a possibility to those outside their family.
“I realized that night at the Duck and Goose when you asked me why I had kidnapped you that someone else was a threat to what I wanted. I then followed you, keeping you under constant surveillance.”
“You were at the ball?”
“I am excellent at disguise. I became a footman. Luckily, I watched as this man abducted you from the grounds of Raven townhouse. I was able to climb on the back of the carriage and follow you here.”
“What do you want?” Maddie asked.
“Money. My father did not leave me much, but when I found the documents detailing the late duke’s meetings with Lavigne, I knew I had the means to increase my fortunes.”
“Scoundrel.” Maddie glared at him.
“After my attempt at the Duck and Goose ran foul, if you’ll pardon the pun, I realized I needed to know who else was involved. Who are you?” He pointed the gun at Lavigne.
“He is Theo Lavigne’s son,” Samantha said quickly when Lavigne remained silent. She might not like the man but had no wish to see him shot before her eyes.
“The French spy’s son,” Breel snorted. “It seems all players, or at least those of their blood, are involved. Clearly, you found your father’s correspondence from that time with the duke also?”
“I did,” Lavigne said.
“We are getting the money!” Eloise Lavigne shrieked.
“I’m afraid not,” Breel’s son said.
“That money is ours by right! My father was hanged because he was betrayed!” Lavigne roared.
“Your father was a traitor to his country. He got what he deserved,” Breel said coolly.
Before Samantha could stop him, Lavigne had raised his gun and charged Breel. A single shot rang out, and the man she’d once called friend dropped to the floor, lifeless.
“Non!” Eloise fell to her knees beside her brother. “You have killed him!”
“Had I not, he would have killed me. Now leave your brother and sit beside the other two women.”
“No!” She bent over her brother, weeping.
“No!” Samantha screamed as Breel brought the butt of his gun down on the head of Eloise Lavigne. She crumpled onto the dead form of her brother.
“I had no more rope, so this was the easiest option.”
“You are a ruthless scoundrel,” Samantha hissed. “My family will make you pay dearly for this night.”
“I’m sure they’ll try. Now, ladies, I have a ransom note to send. I bid you good evening.” He bowed.
“Y-you are leaving us here?” Samantha whispered.
“Indeed I am. Your use is being out of sight, I’m afraid. When the money is secured and in my hands and I am far away from here, I shall tell your family where to find you. My hope is you are still alive, as I have heard that these tunnels can flood. Or perhaps the cold and wet will kill you?”
Laughing, he disappeared, his footsteps growing fainter until they heard nothing.
Samantha looked at Lavigne’s sister slumped over him. She felt desperate to get out of the dark coldness of this place. Desperate to have Warwick’s arms around her again. What if they were not found down here? Could Warwick hear her this far below ground?
“They will find us, Samantha.”
