Hunched over, arms outstretched, the other man circled him.
“I don’t want to kill you this way,” the captain said. “We have other plans for you.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but it won’t happen.” Malcolm narrowed his eyes. “Because I plan on killing you right now.”
Wilkes laughed and shook his head. “What a brave man you pretend to be, but I know many men who are cowards just like you. Killing you will be rewarding.”
“And it will be rewarding to rid Dorchester of greedy buggers like yourself.”
Wilkes lunged at him and tightened his hands around Malcolm’s throat. He struggled to take in air, but he couldn’t. His head pounded, and his lungs burned. The pressure in his throat began to numb his mind.
He pulled at Wilkes’s hands, but they were immovable. Using his foot, Malcolm lashed out, hitting his opponent’s knee. The man cried out and fell to the ground. Malcolm jumped on him and squeezed the man’s neck, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
The captain choked, gasping for air. Malcolm tightened his grip. The soldier struggled, rolling them both over. But Malcolm still held the man’s throat. Wilkes rolled once more, and Malcolm’s foot struck an object. Breaking glass from the lantern flew through the air. In a whoosh, flames ignited the hay.
He glanced over his shoulder. Fire danced too close, and the heat touched his skin. Smoke curled around him, stinging his nose. He coughed. The flames licked at him and threatened to jump on his clothes.
Camilla screamed. “Malcolm, hurry.”
He cursed and bounded away from the fire, releasing Wilkes. The captain stood and reached for his saber. Malcolm unsheathed his own sword from its scabbard, bringing it up just in time to stop his opponent’s lunge.
The man parried with such skill that Malcolm felt at a disadvantage. Yet it didn’t matter. Outrage and justice backed him. He fought for his wife, which gave him the needed strength to counterattack.
“I’m going to kill you, you blackguard,” Wilkes said. “You have humiliated me for the last time.” He was breathless and sweating, his lips curled in an evil grin. “This will be the day I cut out your heart.”
“I’ll deny you the chance.” Malcolm moved swiftly away from the other man’s weapon. His own breath came labored, more from anger than weakness.
Around the room, they parried. Malcolm lunged, and Wilkes jumped away. Fire roared behind the captain, and he scrambled away, stumbling over a burning board.
“You’re growing weak, captain.” Malcolm snickered.
“Nonsense.”
The captain thrust his sword forward, slicing Malcolm’s arm. A spot of blood quickly dampened his shoulder. He ignored the pain. The movement stilled the other man for a brief moment, and Malcolm lunged and stuck the tip of his saber into Wilkes’s chest. Immediately crimson liquid stained the soldier’s white shirt front as he fell to his knees, the weapon in his hand clinking to the ground beside him.
Malcolm stepped over and kicked the steel across the floor. Wide eyes stared up at him, and color abandoned Wilkes’s stunned face.
“Are you… going to let… me die… slowly?” he rasped.
For all the anger surging through Malcolm, he sensed the fright in the captain. He couldn’t bring himself to be anything less than merciful, even to his enemy.
“Malcolm!”
His wife’s terrified plea brought his attention to her. Flames had spread through the barn, nearing her. He hurried over and knelt beside her. He fumbled with the ropes at her wrist.
The burning wood cracked. The roof creaked, and he glanced toward the captain. The man lay on his back, wide-eyed as he stared at the roof. Within seconds, it caved in on top of him.
Malcolm grabbed Camilla, turning away from the burning man. He picked her up and rushed out of the barn.
He gazed into the tearful eyes of his wife. Using his thumb, he wiped away the liquid from her cheeks. “I feared I had lost you.”
“And I feared you wouldn’t find me.”
“I would move heaven and earth to find you.” He kissed her forehead.
“Malcolm, your shoulder.”
“It’s only a scratch. I will live.” He reached behind her and tugged at the ropes on her wrists. They loosened. “There.” Relief flooded through him.
