Duncan chuckled bitterly. “You’re as good a liar as you are a murderer.”
“Your Grace!” Richard shouted over his shoulder. Amelia’s uncle strode forward. “May I have your word as a witness that the Earl of Moncrieffe has threatened me today, and that he has become involved in suspicious activities, and is an accomplice in the abduction of your niece, Lady Amelia Templeton?”
“I am witness to no such thing,” her uncle replied. “The earl provided my niece with a safe haven upon her escape. That isallI know.”
“Your Grace!”
When her uncle did not retract his statement, Richard changed the direction of his plea. “Amelia.tellme now if this man has compromised you, or forced your hand in any way. If that is so, Iwillbring the law down upon him.”
She spoke firmly, even though her head was swimming with fear.
“No, Richard, it is not true. I was not coerced. I accepted his proposal freely, and with love in my heart. So please, gentlemen, take your hands off your swords. If I mean anything to either one of you, therewillbe no fighting today.”
“Amelia,” Richard protested.
She stepped down from the dais. “Richard, I am sorry if my letter caused you pain. It was not my intention to hurt you. Iwillbe forever grateful to you for saving my father’s life on the battlefield, and I appreciate that you have come here to ensure my safety and happiness, but it is over now. I am sorry, but I do not love you. I love Lord Moncrieffe.”
Something trembled within her.
Richard strode forward. “Amelia. This is absurd. The man is a Scot!”
She raised her chin. “There is nothing more to say, Richard. You must go now.Please,just go.”
Duncan and Richard glared at each other for a tension-filled moment; then at last Richard made a move to leave.
Duncan stopped him with a hand. “Nay, Colonel Bennett.
Youwillnot be going anywhere just yet.”
Please, no.…
“Take your filthy hands off me, you detestable Highland vermin. You’reallalike.” Richard looked up at her again.
“Amelia, don’t be a fool. You cannot think to marry this man.
He is the son of a whore.”
Anger reared up in her. “Richard, you forget yourself! The earl’s mother was the Countess of Moncrieffe, daughter of a French marquis and a great scholar and philanthropist.”
Richard scoffed. “No, Amelia. Moncrieffe’s father left his fine French wife for thevillagewhore, and was excommunicated for it.” He regarded Duncan as he spoke.
“The great Scottish laird then butchered the bishop responsible, and was promptly reinstated as a good Catholic. When his whore died giving birth, he returned to his wife and brought his bastard son back to the castle. This is the man you wish to marry, Amelia—the son of a sinner, who is now most certainly burning inhell.”
Her gaze shot to Duncan. “Is this true?”
His eyes were blazing. “Aye.”
Al at once, there was a startling scrape of metal from the back of the room and Angus came striding forward with his sword gripped in both hands. He drew the blade back over his shoulder. He meant to slice Richard in half from head to foot!
Angus crossed thefulllength of thehallwith the fires ofhellboiling in his eyes, and Richard stumbled backwards a few steps towards the dais, scrambling in a panic to draw his own sword.
Amelia bolted forward. “No, Angus! Please stop!”
In a lightning flash of movement, Duncan drew a pistol from under his coat, cocked it—and aimed it at Angus.
“Lower your weapon,” Duncan said, his instruction a clear and certain order. “You’llnot bekillingthis man today. I told you I’d have my vengeance—and have it Iwill.”
“What aboutmyvengeance?” Angus shouted with malice.
