by Laura Landon
He took a step toward Wesley Dunstan and stood close enough that the young man leaned back. “When did you first discover Lord Penderly had a grandson?”
Dunstan’s eyes closed as if he needed the separation to decide what to do, how to answer.
Austin grabbed the young man by the cravat at his throat and roughly pulled him closer. “When!”
Dunstan wasn’t prepared for such an outburst and was physically startled. His mother issued a small cry. His father took a step toward them as if he intended to protect his son. Austin shot Dunstan an angry glare and he thought better of his actions and stepped back.
Austin clenched his fists around the material of Wesley Dunstan’s dinner jacket and pushed him toward Gabe. Gabe twisted Dunstan’s arm behind his back and lifted. The young man flinched in pain.
“When?”
Dunstan looked to the Heavens, as if searching for a divine answer, then whispered. “Tonight. I found out tonight, when my uncle made the announcement.”
The Earl of Penderly stepped forward. “That’s a lie! I sent you to Wakemoor. I asked you to make sure Gregory had been properly buried.”
His gaze dropped to the floor. “I didn’t go. There was an emergency on one of the estates that required my attention. I thought that was more important.”
Austin nodded and Gabe let go of Dunstan’s arms. The young man staggered back.
Austin leveled Dunstan with a lethal glare. “Who went in your place?”
Wesley Dunstan hesitated. He looked at his mother, then his father. His eyes darted from one to the other with helplessness. Finally, his shoulders sagged in resignation and he buried his face in his hands. “Stew went for me. He didn’t want to, but…I made him.”
Austin searched the room, frantic to find Stewart Dunstan.
He wasn’t there.
…
Sarah rushed from the room with Jonathan in her arms. She was giddy with relief. They’d captured the killer and Jonathan was safe now.
She couldn’t stop the bubble of happiness from bursting forth as she laughed, then lowered her head and kissed Jonathan on the cheek. “You’re safe now, sweetheart. No one will ever hurt you again.”
She entered her room on feet that glided with a lighter step than they had in months. Jonathan was safe. She’d never have to worry about his safety again.
She lifted Jonathan in the air and swirled around in celebration. She pulled him close to her when the door closed behind her, and turned. Stewart Dunstan stood across the room from her with a knife in his hand.
“You seem unusually happy tonight, Miss Bentley. Is there a reason for your high spirits?”
A wave of fear washed through her and she clutched Jonathan closer as she made a frantic dash across the room. Before she could reach a second door, he crossed the room and grabbed her arm. He clasped his fingers around her flesh and yanked her toward him.
The sharp pull on her wounded shoulder sent shards of blazing pain through her. She fought him as desperately as she could while holding on to Jonathan. She couldn’t let Dunstan take him.
Dunstan pulled her harder and when she continued to struggle, he swung his arm through the air. His fist slammed into her jaw. She fought to stay on her feet.
“Don’t fight me,” he hissed, “or the brat dies right here.”
Fear raged inside her. This couldn’t be happening. Austin had the killer. He sent her away with Jonathan because he thought she’d be safe. “Please, don’t hurt Jonathan. He’s just a babe.”
Stewart Dunstan laughed a malicious growl. “He isn’t a babe. He’s Penderly’s heir.”
Sarah wasn’t sure how that affected Stewart. He wasn’t next in line for the earldom. Wesley was.
She considered talking to him, trying to reason with him, but knew it would do no good. He was past all rationale. He was desperate, frantic to conclude what he’d failed to accomplish twice before.
He pressed the knife to her throat and pulled her across the room. When they reached the writing desk he shoved her against it. His fingers dug into her flesh, his grip a vice around her arm.
She cried out in pain but he ignored her pleas. He pulled out the chair and shoved her toward it. “Sit. Get out a paper and pen and write.”
“Write what?”
“Your farewell note. A note telling your lover that you can’t bear to hand the babe over to Penderly. That you intend to keep him and that you’re going to take him where he’ll never be found.”
“No one will believe that,” Sarah answered.
“Then you’d bloody well better convince them or you and the brat will die right here.”
Sarah looked into Stewart Dunstan’s face and a shiver raced down her spine. His features were hard and pinched with fury. His face was a dark mask and there was a crazed look in his eyes. She looked at him again and he smiled. The look was that of a bloodthirsty predator.
“Please, don’t do this. It’s not too late. If you let us go, I promise I won’t—“
“Shut up and write!”
Sarah shifted a sleeping Jonathan in her arm and picked up the pen. She dipped it in the ink well and held it over the paper Stewart placed before her. “What should I write?”
“You’re an intelligent woman. Write whatever you want. Just tell Landwell you’re taking the babe where he’ll never find him.”
Sarah started writing and thought of Austin. She prayed he’d realize what was happening. But how could he? He thought Wesley Dunstan was the murderer. He thought Jonathan was safe. Sarah knew she’d have to figure out a way to save Jonathan herself. She needed time.
“Captain Landwell will never believe I took Penderly’s grandson. He’ll never believe—”
“Shut up!”
Before she could protect herself, his fist swung around and connected with her face. The room spun in dizzying circles as her head snapped to the side. She couldn’t lose consciousness. Jonathan’s life depended on her staying alert.
“Now, write!”
She looked at the bundle in her arms. She didn’t know how he could, but Jonathan still slept. He was tired from the long day of being held, of being played with by his grandparents. Of being kept up to make an appearance at dinner. Thankfully, he slept now. She didn’t want to think what Stewart Dunstan would do if he woke and cried.
Sarah placed the pen on the paper and wrote a short note saying just what Dunstan instructed her. As she wrote, she considered her options. There was only one—only one that might save Jonathan. And she had to make her move before they left the room. Once they were out in the hall and down the stairs, Austin would be too far away to help her.
“Finish and sign your name,” he ordered. “You’ve wasted enough time.”
Sarah signed her name with a shaky hand then took several deep breaths, calming herself for what she had to do, knowing that if she failed, Jonathan would die.
When she stood, Jonathan shifted in her arms. He was waking. Sarah looked at his chubby cheeks, flushed from sleep. Watched his eyes flutter, then open. She had to save him before he cried or it was impossible to tell what Dunstan would do to quiet him.
Before Dunstan realized her intent, she jerked out of Dunstan’s grasp and darted across the room. She dropped Jonathan on the bed then she spun around and lunged toward Stewart Dunstan, knocking him off balance.
Her actions surprised him and for a few seconds she had the advantage.
“Austin!” she screamed.
She had to keep him on the floor as long as she could. Once he got to his feet he’d overpower her. She clamped her arms around his legs and held on with all her strength.
He twisted then kicked out with his legs. One booted foot connected with her jaw and she lost her grip on his legs. Her world shifted as she struggled to regain her advantage. Before she could protect herself, his arm slashed toward her and the knife in his hand cut through the material on her sleeve.
“Bitch!” He looked down on her with the hatred and bitterness of a
man possessed. Loathing filled his eyes when he realized Jonathan was no longer in her arms.
She screamed Austin’s name again as Dunstan pulled her to her feet and jerked her toward the bed.
Her arm throbbed and her flesh burned like it was on fire. The sleeve of her gown turned dark with blood and her legs wanted to give out on her, but she still fought him. She had to. She couldn’t let him reach Jonathan.
She pushed him with all her strength and he lifted his arm to fight her off. This time he had a pistol in his grip.
Sarah prepared to receive the blunt force of his blow, but Dunstan’s fist stopped mid air when Austin burst through the door and bellowed his name.
“Dunstan!”
The fear in his eyes sent a wave of alarm racing through her. Before she could react, he pulled her in front of him to use her as a shield. At the same time, he pressed the gun against her temple.
“Stop where you are, Landwell, or she dies.”
“No,” Austin said in a voice more threatening than Sarah had ever heard him use before. “You drop the gun. Or you’ll die.”
Instead of letting her go, Dunstan pulled her closer.
Blood ran down her arm and dripped on the carpet. She blinked several times trying to focus her eyes, but the room wanted to spin around her.
“Stewart?” a female voice said from behind Austin. The voice belonged to Dunstan’s mother, her tone filled with incredulity and fear. “What’s the meaning of this?”
She took a step closer to her son, but Jasper Dunstan grabbed his wife’s arm and stopped her.
Dunstan laughed. “Well, Mother, what does it appear the meaning is? I have made another attempt to eliminate the future Earl of Penderly. And this attempt has been as futile as the last two.”
Leonora Dunstan swayed on her feet. Her husband wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Why, Stewy?” she stammered.
“Don’t call me that! Never call me that again. I’m not Stewy. My name is Stewart!”
“Son,” Jasper Dunstan said, struggling to maintain a calmness when he spoke. “Why? What do you hope to gain? Surely not the title?”
Stewart Dunstan laughed. “Oh, Father. Why would I want the responsibility that goes with the Penderly title? I only want the Penderly wealth.”
His parents’ disbelieving expression stared blankly at their son.
Dunstan bellowed a demented laugh. “Oh, that’s rich! You don’t understand. Just as you’ve never understood.” He waved the gun in the air. “Let me explain it to you, Father. If I allow the brat to live, I’ll never see any of uncle’s money.
“But you’re not next in line for the title. Or the wealth,” his father responded.
“But Wesley is. And I’ve always been able to count on him for everything I need. He’s a very generous brother, you know. I’m counting on him to continue providing so I can maintain my present lifestyle. The babe will ruin all that.”
Sarah looked at the shocked expressions on Leonora and Jasper Dunstan’s faces and felt sorrow for them. They’d lost their son.
Jonathan was awake now and let out a loud cry. Dunstan’s muscles tightened around her.
“Now,” he said with a glib tone. “The only question that remains is what’s to be the outcome of this fiasco?”
“The answer’s simple,” the Earl of Penderly announced. “Release Miss Bentley, and we’ll discuss your future in private.”
“No, Uncle. That’s the wrong answer. I prefer to make my own demands.”
“And what would those be?”
“One hundred thousand pounds. That should tide me over for at least a while. And Miss Bentley comes with me until I’m safely out of the country.”
“No,” Austin answered. “Miss Bentley stays here.”
Stewart Dunstan laughed. “Ah, true love. It’s sickening.” He sighed. “Very well, I’m a reasonable man. I am willing to renegotiate.” He tightened his arm around Sarah’s waist. “My final offer is, one hundred thousand pounds, Miss Bentley comes with me until I’m safely out of the country, and…” Stewart Dunstan pointed his pistol to where Jonathan lay on the bed. “…the brat lives.”
Jonathan was fussing in earnest now. He’d thrown off his covers and was a perfect target for Stewart Dunstan.
“Stewart, no!” his mother cried.
Her interference only seemed to anger Dunstan more. His hand shook and the gun wavered.
Stewart Dunstan was an unstable young man and Sarah realized Jonathan would never be safe from him. He considered the babe his nemesis, the person responsible for the loss of the money he needed to live as he wanted. Even if Jonathan survived today there would more than likely be another attempt on his life again next year. Or the next.
Sarah realized the threat had to end today. They couldn’t allow Stewart Dunstan to escape.
“What’s it to be, Uncle?”
“You won’t get away with this,” Austin said in a voice that brooked no compromise. “If you harm the babe, Lord Penderly won’t rest until you meet the same fate. If you harm one hair on Miss Bentley’s head, I’ll kill you.”
“Then maybe you’re the person I should eliminate first.”
Stewart Dunstan swung the pistol toward Austin’s chest and squeezed the trigger.
“No!” Sarah felt a fear greater than any she’d ever experienced before. She couldn’t lose Austin. She couldn’t let him die like this. She loved him too much.
She threw herself back into Stewart Dunstan and he stumbled. His arm lifted and the gun went off. It struck the corner on the far side of the room.
Austin and Major Talbot both fired in return.
A bloody circle darkened Stewart Dunstan’s chest and he spun around. The knife in his arm slashed through the air.
Sarah tried to move out of his reach but she wasn’t able to escape. A second burning sensation sliced through her flesh. Sarah pushed Stewart Dunstan away from her and sank to the floor.
…
Austin bellowed a warning as the knife in Dunstan’s hand connected with Sarah’s flesh. He’d watched the blood drip from her fingertips since he’d barged into the room. He knew she’d lost enough blood already and wouldn’t remain conscious long. But nothing prepared him for seeing Dunstan’s knife slice through her flesh a second time. His heart plummeted to the pit of his stomach when her fragile body lost consciousness.
Austin raced toward her and hunched down beside her. Bruises already darkened her cheek from where the bastard had hit her. But it was the knife wounds on her arm that concerned him. He needed to see how deeply she’d been cut.
“Carry her to the bed,” Gabe said from above him.
Austin lifted Sarah’s unconscious body in his arms and placed her on the bed. Liddy was waiting with blankets and covered Sarah as soon as he laid her down.
“How badly did he cut her?” Gabe asked stepping close. He handed Austin a knife and Austin cut the material at Sarah’s arm and pulled it away from the knife wounds.
Liddy handed him several damp cloths and he pressed them against her arm. “They’re bad enough,” he answered when he’d wiped enough blood away that he could see the damage. “But she’ll be all right.”
He pressed the cloths against her arm, praying that the bleeding would stop.
Austin turned as Lady Penderly rushed into the room.
“Jonathan’s safe now,” she announced. “The doctor will be here any minute.” Lady Penderly stopped when she reached the bed. She pushed the hair from Sarah’s forehead then reached for her hand. “She saved my grandson’s life again,” she whispered, still clutching Sarah’s hand. There were tears in her eyes when she looked at him. “I don’t know how we’ll ever repay her.”
Austin swallowed hard. “Take care of her. She deserves to be happy.”
Austin stayed at Sarah’s side until the doctor arrived, then left her in his care.
This was the third time she’d offered her life for Jonathan’s. How could he expect her
to choose him over a child she cared so much for she’d nearly died to protect him?
The loss that ate at him ached like a fiery pit deep inside his heart. A hole that no amount of time would heal.
…
Sarah opened her eyes to the soft light of several flickering candles. She tried to move, but spike after spike of stabbing pain shot through her body. She’d never hurt so much in her entire life.
“Lie still,” Austin said from the shadows beside her bed. “You have some nasty cuts on your arm. The doctor sewed them up but you’ll be sore for quite a while.”
“Is Jonathan all right?”
“Yes. He’s fine.”
“And Stewart Dunstan?”
“He’s dead.”
Sarah squeezed her eyes shut.
Austin rose from his chair and stepped closer to the bed. Sarah felt his nearness more than saw it. Even before she lost consciousness, she knew he would be with her when she woke. She could always trust him to be with her, to protect her. He was loyal to a fault.
She slowly turned her head and focused on him. Her heart swelled with an emotion to which she could now put a name. An emotion she knew would cause her as much pain as it did joy. She loved Austin with her whole heart. Even though it was the same heart that loved Jonathan.
Austin sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her hand.
“Have Mr. and Mrs. Dunstan gone home?” she asked.
“Yes. Lady Penderly tried to comfort them, but words aren’t much comfort when you watch one of your sons die.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
Austin’s eyebrows lifted. “I don’t have a son. I can hardly lose something I’ve never had.”
“You had in your care countless sons of parents just like the Dunstans. You had Lord and Lady Penderly’s son. He served with you.”
“Yes, but—”
“The day the Earl and Countess of Penderly came to Etherhouse, would you have let them leave without knowing they had a grandson?”