Page 48
Chapter Twelve
Broden shoved Kendra behind him, blocking her from the pistol’s aim. He cursed himself for a fool for not having anticipated Narcissa would be armed. For underestimating her deviousness and her determination.
The countess laughed, a tinny sound, bordering on unhinged.
Nae, no’ borderin’. Chin deep in madness.
“How very touching. You’re trying to protect your Scottish harlot.” She shook her head, almost condolatory as if explaining a complicated rule to an errant child. “You cannot be permitted to wed her, of course. Or anyone, for that matter. It just won’t do.” She blinked up at him benignly, completely in the grips of her insanity. “It would disrupt years and years of meticulous planning, you see.”
Kendra poked her head around Broden’s shoulder. “Why do ye care who he weds? Ye and yer daughters will be well-cared for and have everythin’ ye could possibly require. He’s a kind, generous man.”
“Kendra, stay behind me,” he practically growled when she edged even closer to his side. He’d seen tetched in the head people before. One minute, they appeared perfectly sane and coherent, and the next, they frothed at the mouth, absolutely out of control.
What did she think to accomplish, defending him to this crazed woman, anyway?
On silent feet, Liam had skirted the display table and was now within a couple of yards of the countess. He but awaited Broden’s signal to seize her from behind. Nonetheless, the manner in which she wielded the pistol called for caution.
“Children,” Narcissa muttered, in bored tones. “Specifically, male offspring. He might sire a son.” A befuddled frown pulled her eyebrows together. “Though, I suppose, there’s no guarantee a male would live to adulthood.” In a blink, her mien transformed into maniacal cunning. “I made certain mine didn’t.”
Shite.She was bloody insane.
Kendra choked on a strangled gasp and clutched Broden’s arm, her nails digging into the flesh even through his coat and shirt. “Ye…? Ye harmed yer own wee bairns?” Repugnance and incredulity thickened her voice, making it raspy.
God above. He swallowed against the acrid bile climbing his throat.
Narcissa gave a disinterested shrug as if she hadn’t revealed a horrendous fact as casually as selecting which bonnet to wear to the park. “Philibius and I have been systematically disposing of Montforth heirs for years.”
Did the dunderheaded woman think she could confess her crimes before witnesses and not pay the consequences? After all, there were three of them—although she wasn’t aware of Liam’s presence—and she only had one shot. Surely she wasn’t so addled that she didn’t comprehend that truth of the situation.
Or mayhap, she was.
Vigilant, every sense on high alert and every muscle poised, ready to spring, Broden watched her as he would a viper about to strike. Mindful to keep his focus on her, lest she become aware of Liam stealthily stealing up behind her, he asked, “Why? Ye canna inherit and neither can yer daughters.”
Releasing an exaggerated sigh, she worked her supercilious gaze over him.
“Fool. You are thinking like a typical man. I, however, possess a woman’s shrewdness. A woman’s dauntlessness, and have had my fill of men governing my life. At my direction, and with a bit of incentive, Philibius made a few subtle amendments to the prior earl’s will.”
Broden could guess what those incentives were.
“Naturally, I cannot inherit any of the entailed properties,” she said offhandedly, as she slid a side-eyed look to the terrace.
The snow-blanketed grounds appeared serene and peaceful.
More than a dozen warriors lurked without, ready to vault into action at the snap of a finger. He hadn’t a single misgiving Graeme and Coburn had their guns’ sights trained on her, but if they were too far away, their shots mightn’t hit their mark as intended.
He must keep her distracted. Prevent her from realizing the peril she was now in. Irrational people often reacted with a paranatural strength when cornered. “So why are ye disposin’ of the Montforth heirs?”
Though he didn’t dare glance in her direction, he heard Kendra’s short breaths, felt the abhorrence for the countess radiating off her.
“Silly.” Narcissa giggled airily. “If no males remain in the line, I can—will—inherit everything else. It amounts to a substantial fortune and includes several properties and businesses. Have you any idea what that kind of freedom means to a woman like me? One who’s been bred to be married off like a prize horse to the highest bidder? Whose only value is producing sons?”
“My God,” Kendra breathed into his shoulder, her breasts pressed against him. “Ye truly are the devil’s handmaiden. Why would Mr. Oswald agree to somethin’ so vile?”
Sex. Money. Power. Control.
Mostly control.
Lady Montforth laughed as if Kendra had just shared an amusing jest. “You’ve seen the man. He’s homely, stupid, and almost panting for female attention. But he’s even hungrier for money. When he eliminates the last heir, I’ve promised him a hundred thousand pounds.”
