Page 62 of Almost a Countess

Breathing heavily, Finn attacked thelieutenant’s right flank then whipped his sword up, aiming to splitthe man’s skull. Scarlet caught the blade just in time, and shovedFinn away. But before Scarlet could recover his balance, Finn camein low, put his shoulder into the officer’s stomach, and bore himto the ground. Knocking the sword from the man’s hand, Finn thenabandoned his own weapon in favor of landing several well-deservedblows to Scarlet’s face. All the pent-up frustration and anger atthe man’s treatment of him and his horrible abuse of Dora shot intoFinn, and he pounded the man until Gates and Lackland pulled himoff the bloodied officer.

Groaning, Scarlet came to his feet,staggering a moment before steadying. “You are going to pay forthat, Aberfoyle.” He drew his pistol, cocked it, and aimed it atFinn’s chest.

As from a distance Finn could hear allthe sounds of the innyard: a rider entering the yard, horsessnorting, hushed whispers of the spectators drawn to the fight.Dora crying, begging Scarlet to stop.

But he feared this lunatic would neverstop, not until he’d crushed Finn under his bootheel for the simplepleasure of seeing him die. If Finn was going to meet his ownfather now, at least it would be a good death, on his feet, havingfought well and with honor. He raised his chin and stared Scarletin the eyes.

A shot rang out, and Finn flinched,anticipating the blow of the ball in his chest.

Instead, an agonized wail rose fromScarlet as he clutched his hand, his pistol now in the dust,unfired.

Finn looked about, searching for hissavior. His gaze fell on a tall man dressed in black, sitting awhite stallion, hair as red as his own, his face with a grim set ashe tucked his smoking pistol away.

“Uncle Abernethy!” Finnshook off Gates and Lackland, who raced forward to see to theirlieutenant, and stumbled toward his uncle, wholly dazed by hismiraculous escape from death. He gazed up at the man who’d beenlike a father to him all his life, more grateful for him now thanat any other time. “Uncle, by all that is holy, how dae ye comehere?”

His uncle dismounted and gave thereins to a groom. “Make certain the beast is welltended.”

The lad stared, speechless, at theimposing figure, nodded and led the horse away as quickly as hislegs would take him.

Having satisfactorily dispatched hishorse, he turned to Finn. “Good morning, nephew. I ken I arrivedjust in time for the latest display o’ yer foolishness, althoughye’ve improved wi’ a sword since last we met. Ye’d have bested himhad the bastard fought fair.”

“Good morning, uncle.” Thescolding only served to let Finn know his uncle was proud of him. Atongue-lashing from Uncle Abernethy was the equivalent of a “welldone” and a pat on the back. “I am more than grateful tae have yeappear and save my bacon at the penultimate moment. Thank ye.” Finnwished he could embrace his uncle, but that would not adhere to theman’s strict code of conduct for a gentleman.

At that moment, Dora ran up to himpanting, and threw her arms around him. “Oh, Finn, Finn.” Shepressed her mouth to his, and he surrendered to her with a wholeheart.

“Ahem.” The duchess hadjoined the little group, her walking stick restored to her. “Dora,as you are neither married nor yet formally betrothed to LordAberfoyle, you cannot indulge in these displays of affection in apublic place. Your reputation is all but in shreds.”

“As if I care aboutreputation,” she mumbled then pressed her mouth toFinn’s.

His sentiments exactly.

“Aberfoyle.” His uncle’svoice broke through Finn’s blissful interlude.

Reluctantly, he released Dora, andstood blinking at the little group.

“Aberfoyle, ye’re adisgrace tae yer family. Introduce these ladies tae me, if yeplease, especially as ye seem tae ken the lass better than yeshould show the world.” His uncle’s brows dipped down toward hisnose.

“I beg yer pardon, uncle.”Finn got himself in hand. “Duchess and Dora, may I present myuncle, Lord Abernethy? Uncle, this is the Duchess o’ Ostroda andher niece, Miss Dora Harper. Miss Harper and I are tae bebetrothed.”

“Sae I gathered.” Hisuncle gave him a stern glance then softened his features to addressthe ladies. “Duchess, Miss Harper, I am most glad tae meet ye. Mynephew mentioned Miss Harper in his letter tae me, although no’ theseriousness o’ their relationship.”

“At the time I wrote, Idinna believe Miss Harper and I had reached an understanding.Neither was the duchess yet known tae me.” Finn tried to keep hismind on the conversation, but his gaze kept straying toDora.

“But the betrothal has no’been announced?”

Finn exchanged an uncomfortable lookwith Dora. “No’ yet.”

“That is not unusual, mylord, when Lord Aberfoyle has not yet asked for Dora’s hand inmarriage.” The duchess stood easily, leaning on her stick, asthough totally unaware of the bombshell she’d justlobbed.

“Aberfoyle.” UncleAbernethy’s stare skewered him. “What are you playingat?”

“My lord.” LieutenantScarlet presented himself to Finn’s uncle, his mouth pinched. Hishand had been inexpertly bandaged. “I beg your pardon, but I ambound to deliver this man to Major Collins at Nottingham today. Heis under arrest for his crime and must be brought to justice.” Heglared briefly at Finn then looked away. “If he insists on ridingin the duchess’s carriage, I will allow it, but we must make hasteas the journey is half a day’s ride.”

“I believe we can dispensewith the journey, lieutenant. Lord Aberfoyle is nae longer o’ anyconcern tae ye.” His uncle fished in his inner coat pocket andwithdrew a letter, sealed in blue wax. “I have a letter addressedtae ye from Lord Lieutenant-General Rothes, a friend o’ mine and,like myself, a Scottish Representative Peer.” He handed the letterto Lieutenant Scarlet. “Ye will find he bids ye attend him inLondon immediately on an errand o’ some importance.”

Scarlet paled, but he popped the sealoff and unfolded the missive. As he read, his face grew grim, lipsthinned into a straight line, and he swallowed several timesconvulsively. At last, he refolded the letter and stuffed it in hispocket. “I thank you for delivering this, my lord. At yourservice.” He bowed curtly to each of them then turned on his heeland strode toward his group of men. After some spiritedconversation, they mounted their horses and rode out of thecourtyard without a look back.

Dumbfounded, Finn shook his head. “Andjust like that, I’m free o’ this?”