“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” he drawled, leaning against the doorjamb. “Mr. Larkin, is it? Or should I call you fer-de-lance?”
The villain cocked his head to the side and lifted a brow. He didn’t seem unnerved by Roarke’s presence in the least as he replied almost cordially, “Ah, Lord Eversleigh. There you are. I do apologize for the untimely intrusion, but I didn’t feel confident that you would hear me out otherwise.”
“You’ve certainly gained my attention, sir,” Roarke returned dryly, then turning his gaze upon Mara, he hoped that she might pick up on his silent entreaty, “Really, my dear, are such theatrics truly necessary? Put the gun down so we all might have a civil conversation.”
Her hand trembled, but she slowly lowered her weapon.
“Mr. Larkin?” he queried with a raised brow. Once his gun was also lowered, Roarke found that he could breathe a bit easier. “Now, how may I help you?”
As the man reached into his jacket pocket, Roarke tensed. Then he realized Larkin was merely withdrawing a paper.
“It’s simple really. I took the liberty of having a contract drawn up in London before I left. All you have to do is sign, and I shall be on my way.” Glancing at Mara, he asked, “Would you mind handing this to the viscount.Slowly.”
Mara glanced at Roarke, and after a brief nod from him, she stood and took the paper from the villain’s hand. After taking it to Roarke, she whispered in a tortured voice, “He’s got Lily.”
As her green eyes filled with emotion, Roarke felt his heart bleed.
“Everything will be fine,” he promised softly, praying to God that he could see it through until the end.
With a jerky nod, she went back to the settee.
As she sat back down, Roarke unfolded the parchment and began to read. The document he held said that all property and funds that weren’t entailed—his title and Eversleigh Hall—would be handed over to Mr. Larkin.
Roarke snorted. The man had pluck, he’d give him that.
“I assure you it is all quite legal,” the bastard announced almost proudly. “You’d be surprised the information you can obtain with just the right amount of…coercion.” With an evil chuckle, he said, “All I need is a quick signature, and I will be on my way so you can resume your cozy family evening.”
Roarke twisted his lips as if appearing to consider the matter, when, in truth, he was thinking how satisfying it would be to finally run this fox into his hole.
“I must say you certainly drive a hard bargain, Mr. Larkin.” He held up a hand. “However, you didn’t yet hear my alternative—the chance to live another day.”
“Indeed?” The man nearly smirked. “I suppose you wish to challenge me to a duel?”
“Oh, nothing quite so dramatic as that. I was merely wondering how you might leave this parlor alive if I did sign this paper.” He gave a shrill whistle, and the room was filled with the sound of pistols being cocked, but not a single person entered. “Now if I were you, I would be calculating what my odds were and precisely how many men might be pointing a gun at my head.” Roarke crossed his arms. “Either way, surely you didn’t think I would just allow you to waltz out the front door?”
Roarke heard a feminine gasp come from the settee, but he didn’t take his eyes away from Larkin long enough to acknowledge it. He was waiting for the cretin’s next move, for he sincerely doubted he would give up easily.
As suspected, the man didn’t even bat an eye.
“Well played, Eversleigh.” As he stood, the fer-de-lance put his hands in his pockets. “I must say you’ve impressed even me. I wasn’t counting on your ability to raise an army so quickly.” He held up a hand. “However, as much as I’m tempted to accept your offer…” In a flash, he moved and grabbed Mara’s sister by the arm. He pulled her to her feet and dragged her flush against him, putting his pistol to her temple. “…I must regretfully decline.”
“Let her go,” Roarke growled. “Or I’ll make sure the last minutes of your pitiful life are spent in agony.”
Larkin turned the gun on him. “You first.”
* * *
Later, when everything had settled down, Mara would remember the events that took place next in a horrific blur, but right now, she knew she had to do something—and fast. No doubt Roarke had a plan, but whatever it was didn’t appear to be in his favor at the moment and every second counted.
But before she could act, her sister’s eyes fluttered open as she gave a groan, the drugs’ effects starting to wear off. Lily’s eyes turned wild as she spotted her sister, but when she started to move forward, Larkin’s grip tightened.
After that, pandemonium quickly ensued.
Lily struggled in her captor’s grasp, eventually throwing all of her weight against him. He cursed as she knocked him off balance, but when she would have escaped, he reacted quickly enough to grab hold of her hair. He yanked back hard, his eyes as crazed as hers. “You’ll regret that.”
He raised his hand for a punishing blow, but he never got the chance to deliver it.
“Lily!” Mara flew to her sister’s aid—just as a group of armed men burst into the room. A loudpopripped through the air, and she ducked on instinct as a cacophony of screams and scuffles met her ears.
