by Alexia Praks
McLean urged her to shoot Merrick. The shouting rang loudly in her ears. It was chaotic. Then she chanced a shot. She missed.
She stared at the two forms on the floor. Their position had changed, and Merrick was on the top. She realized then that Merrick was winning, and his back was an easy target for her. She pointed the gun at his back and then she pulled the trigger.
In that second, Allan gathered all his strength and bashed Merrick in the face, causing him to crash to the ground. Allan jumped up, and then he halted in midair. He couldn’t utter a word. He felt the pain at his back. Then he slowly turned and saw the gun pointing at him. Lady Queensbury was holding it.
Lady Queensbury was in shock. Reality left her. She was numb. All she could do at that moment was stare at Allan falling to the ground. There was blood everywhere. She shook her head and rushed to him. Midway, she hit the table, and the candle fell. It hit the floor, and the little flame spread onto the hay and then up the wood of the table and walls.
“Allan, I didn’t mean to. It was an accident,” she cried.
Merrick got up from the floor and headed for the door. McLean caught him by the arm. Merrick reacted by smashing his fist into the man’s face. McLean responded by punching him back. They both fell to the floor, trading blows.
The door crashed opened. Christine stared about the room in horror. The flames were everywhere, burning as if eating the barn alive. She turned and saw Merrick fighting with McLean. She wanted to help. She searched about and found a thick plank of wood. She grabbed it and swung it at McLean’s shoulder. The man fell to the ground.
“Merrick,” she called.
Merrick stared at Christine. What the hell was she doing here? The next second, he caught her in his arms and hugged her hard.
“Merrick, are you all right?” she cried.
Merrick frowned at the black and blue of her face. He saw that her arms and chest were also black and blue. His heart ached for her pain. “Who did this to you?” he asked.
“It is nothing, Merrick,” she said, so happy that she was in time, so happy that he was all right.
Lady Queensbury looked up from the limp body of Allan and stared at Christine in Merrick’s arms. She rushed forward and ripped the girl away from Merrick. She held one arm around Christine’s throat and with her other hand pointed the gun to her head.
“Your lover, Huntingdon, do you care for her?” she sneered. “You, bitch. I killed you eighteen years ago. How did you escape? How?” she shouted and tightened her gripped around Christine’s throat.
“Stop it, Lady Queensbury. She is not who you think she is,” Merrick gritted out, his gut tightening with fear.
“No, this is Sophia, the slut I killed eighteen years ago,” she screamed.
“No, Lady Queensbury, this is not Sophia. This is Christine, the daughter of Sophia.” Merrick slowly moved toward them, his hands outstretched.
“Sophia’s daughter? No, that night they all died in the fire, I am sure of it,” she cried, shaking her head.
“Lady Queensbury, it doesn’t have to be this way,” Merrick said. He could hear the flames roaring about his ears. The heat was getting higher.
At that moment, McLean regained his consciousness. He got up and stared at Merrick’s back.
“Merrick—” Christine managed to scream out the warning when she saw the fat man moving toward him.
Lady Queensbury smiled at the figure behind Merrick. She gripped Christine’s throat tighter so that she couldn’t talk. Christine was afraid. She wanted to do something. She wanted to tell Merrick that there was a man behind him.
In that instant, McLean grabbed Merrick from behind and hit him hard on the back of his head. Merrick fell to the ground. Christine screamed and tried to fight her way from Lady Queensbury’s grip but couldn’t get free.
Jacob rushed into the barn to help Merrick at that moment. Max rushed in and pounded on McLean with his large fist. McLean fell to the ground and tried to get up, but Peter went to him and placed his foot on the man’s chest, indicating that he should not make a move. Mr. Sam went for Lady Queensbury.
Lady Queensbury panicked when she saw that she was outnumbered. She tightened her grip on Christine and used her as a shield.
“You dare come near, I’ll shoot,” she screamed. Mr. Sam halted.
Merrick stared at Christine. He shouted at Mr. Sam, “Don’t do anything stupid. She will kill Christine.”
Lady Queensbury laughed. “Indeed, Huntingdon, I will.”
Max moved slowly up behind her. She did not see him, for she was too intent on watching Merrick. She suddenly realized it was the first time that she had ever seen him afraid. And that pleased her indeed.
“Lady Queensbury, the girl has nothing to do with this,” Merrick said as Max crept along the inflamed wall.
“Nothing to do with this? Wrong!” she screamed at him. “She has everything to do with this. You’ve asked her to marry you.”
“She still has nothing to do with this,” Merrick said.
“I don’t bloody care about that. I want to kill her like I killed her mother eighteen years ago. They will both die in the flames.” She laughed and turned her pale blue eyes to Christine. “Enjoy the fire, my dear,” she said.
Christine’s whole body shook in reaction. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Her lips quivered. Lady Queensbury started to pull the trigger.
Max leapt at her. The bullet flew past Christine’s head by an inch and hit the wall. Max struck Lady Queensbury on the shoulder and sent the gun flying in the air. It landed near Mr. Sam’s feet, and he picked it up hurriedly.
Merrick rushed to Christine and caught her in his arms.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his heart still beating furiously.
Christine closed her eyes. She thought she was never going to see him again. She managed to nod.
“No, no!” Lady Queensbury screamed where she lay. The raging fire roared, causing the burning ceiling to crash to the ground. She got up and threw herself at Mr. Sam. The gun flew from his hand. She grabbed for it and pointed it toward Merrick. She stared at him. The fire scorched her eyes. Smoke was everywhere, turning the atmosphere into gray and gold. Lady Queensbury took a deep breath and then pulled the trigger.
Merrick jerked backward. He was hit in the arm. He fell to the ground.
Christine screamed. “Merrick, please don’t die. Merrick!” she cried.
Lady Queensbury laughed, and she fired again. Max threw himself on her, causing both of them to fall to the ground. She kicked him in the shin and pushed herself up.
McLean at that moment took the chance and swung his fist at Peter’s leg. The man slipped and fell on his back. McLean then pushed himself up.
Jacob rushed toward McLean and punched him in the stomach, sending the man to the ground again. A beam weakened by the fire fell down on him, knocking him unconscious. Jacob helped Mr. Sam up.
Blood seeped out of Merrick’s arm and dripped to the ground. Christine applied pressure to the wound with her hands.
“My lord, we must get out. The fire will burn the place down,” Jacob said and led them toward the door.
“You are not going anywhere,” Lady Queensbury screamed. She pointed the gun at them. Her main target was Merrick. She was about to fire when Max knocked her arm, and the gun flew from her.
“Quick, Your Grace, ’tis time to go,” Jacob shouted to Max.
Jacob and Christine dragged the limp Merrick toward the door. Ash and fire flew about in the air. They couldn’t see an exit. The heat was becoming unbearable.
“Quick, this way.” Jacob led them to an opened door that was surrounded by fire. Only a small exit space was visible.
“Quick, Peter, we have to get out of here,” Mr. Sam shouted over the roaring of the fire. They rushed out of the burning barn. As they ran out, more beams and the ceiling crashed to the ground, engulfing the small barn.
They halted about ten yards away. Jacob laid Merrick down on the ground.
Chris
tine came to sit next to him. “Merrick, I was so scared,” she cried. He pulled her to him. He hugged her hard and thanked the Lord for their safe escape.
“This was one hell of a night!” Max sighed and then laughed. The timbre of his voice echoed into the night. He came to sit next to Merrick and slapped his friend’s shoulder. “Well, Merrick, since you have nine lives, I’m sure this small gunshot wound won’t kill you.”
“Damn it, Max. You knew, didn’t you?” Merrick muttered.
“What? About your cousin wanting you dead? I only had my suspicions, my friend. No solid facts until tonight,” he said seriously.
“Thanks for sticking by me,” Merrick said.
“Indeed, friend, I’m sure you would have done the same for me,” Max said.
Merrick nodded. Max turned to Christine and smiled. Merrick frowned, for his friend never smiled as though he really meant it to any female.
“Well, my dear, you certainly guard him well,” Max said, and Christine blushed.
They watched the flames eat away at the barn and the people inside. They might have saved them, but there was no time. They needed to save their own lives first. The night was dark and quiet now. The smoke from the fire flew up high and disappeared into the air.
EPILOGUE
“So you two are engaged. I have been hoping for it for a long time, you know,” Mrs. Wilson said, smiling at her daughter.
Jane shrugged shyly and played with the diamond ring on her third finger.
“I’m so happy for you, Jane and Alex,” Amelia cried. She rushed around to hug Jane. “Now that I have a sister, my life will be so much easier, I’m sure. Isn’t that right, Mama?” She nodded her head toward her mother, and Mrs. Vander smiled back and nodded in agreement.
“Well, Alex, look after my daughter well, won’t you? When the time comes, of course,” Mr. Wilson said, coming around to shake the younger man’s hand.
Lord Queensbury smiled as he watched the two new couples. He was happy for them. He got up from his seat and walked to the window. Outside, he saw the golden brown, orange, red, and yellow leaves floating down from the trees. The wind swirled them about as it gusted around. He narrowed his eyes when he saw a gig draw up in front of the Hall. He saw Dr. Liam and his young apprentice coming out of the vehicle.
“I see that the doctors have arrived,” he said.
“Oh, have they?” Mrs. Smith said, standing up from the settee. “Perhaps I shall attend as well, with these things you never know; a lady present might help to ease her tension.”
“Can I come, too?” Tyson asked, jumping off the seat he was occupying.
“No, dear, you may not come. ’Tis not for children to see,” Mrs. Smith said and motioned for him to sit back down.
At the hallway, she saw Ross opening the door for the two doctors.
“Ah, Mrs. Smith, good morning to you,” Dr. Liam said as he entered the hall. Ross took the hat Dr. Liam handed to him.
“Good morning to you, too, Doctor, and you, too, Mr. Oliver.” Mrs. Smith nodded.
“Good morning,” the young doctor responded.
“I will show you the way. You go back to your other duties, Ross,” she said and led the two doctors toward the stairs.
The butler nodded and went into the kitchen.
As he came into the kitchen, he stared at the nine people sitting around the large table having tea. On one side of the table sat Mr. Sam, next was Mark, and Peter sat next to Emma and the cook. Andrew sat next to Betty, who was now sipping her tea.
“Those were the doctors, I presume?” Mrs. Ross questioned her husband.
He took a seat next to her and nodded. “Well, it is about time, I’d say. She was very against the whole idea,” she said.
“She is very stubborn sometimes,” Betty commented, though her tone showed no disapproval. In fact, she liked it that their countess was stubborn.
“As if you aren’t,” Andrew said, his arms circling Betty about the waist and pulling her to him. He couldn’t wait until their wedding day to bed her. Betty frowned at this comment from him. Then her frown turned to surprise when she felt his hand creeping from her waist to her breast. She giggled.
“Oh, get a room, will you,” Emma groaned at them. Then she said, looking at the cook, “I think it’s going to be a girl.”
“How would you know that?” Mrs. Thompson asked.
“Well, I just know,” Emma said folding her arms.
“Really?” the cook folded her arms also.
“Really, Mrs. Thompson. You want to bet on that?” Emma asked, raising her brows.
“How much?” Mrs. Thompson narrowed her eyes.
“They are betting again,” Andrew commented lamely.
“What’s wrong with that?” Peter wondered aloud.
Mr. Sam chuckled and winked at Mrs. Ross, who smiled back at him.
* * *
“It has been a long time. I must say, my granddaughter does not approve of you being called, but the earl seems so concerned. He feels he must get her examined,” Mrs. Smith was saying as she led the doctors up the grand stairs.
“Yes, I must say his lordship is perfectly correct to have these things checked. Very important, I’d say,” Dr. Liam said. “To be honest, Mrs. Smith, Dr. Oliver and I here have never seen your granddaughter before, although she is an older sister to young Master Chris,” the old man said, frowning as they walked along the first floor corridor toward the master bedroom.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. You both will meet her soon enough,” she said and opened the door. “Ah, do come in.” Both men followed her into the sitting room.
“No! Merrick, why? I don’t need to be examined. I’m not a mule to be examined.”
They heard a feminine voice shouting. It was quite loud, though her honey-toned voice was still sweet. Dr. Liam knew she must be beautiful for the earl to have married her in such haste.
“No, my love, you needed to be examined. These things are very important,” they heard a masculine voice say calmly.
“Well, I must say, her ladyship does not agree with this idea of herself being examined. But the earl insisted, if you must know,” Mrs. Smith told them nervously. She didn’t like to hear them arguing while the doctors were here. “Do come in,” she said and knocked at the door.
Instantly, it was flung open. Merrick stood there, his huge frame blocking the doorway. He was smiling at them.
“Good morning, doctors. Do come in.” He ushered them inside. They all filed in, and Merrick shut the door behind them.
“Now, Christine, do cooperate. The doctors are here,” he calmly told his wife, his eyes laughing.
Christine turned then, her hands folded across her chest. Her eyes brightened when she saw Dr. Liam and Mr. Oliver standing near the doorway. Her heart lightened a bit, though she still dreaded what the doctor was going to do to her. She never liked people looking at her because it made her feel nervous and uncomfortable. And examining her was definitely looking at her. Her cheeks blushed a becoming pink when she saw both doctors just stood there staring at her. They were definitely looking at her now. Why? She wondered if they recognized her. That made her feel even worse for she had deceived them too.
Dr. Liam frowned. Something nagged at his mind. She was beautiful, this wife of the earl’s, but she seemed awfully a lot like Master Chris, as if they were one and the same person. He shook his head.
Mr. Oliver saw her smiling at him. She was beautiful, he thought. Her glorious brown curls fell almost to her waist.
Merrick frowned at the way the doctors were staring at his wife. He didn’t like it before, and he didn’t like it now. “Dr. Liam, perhaps you should get started,” he boomed out to get their attention.
Christine glared up at him. Really, he was being very inappropriate. “No, Merrick, I don’t want to be examined. I’m fine,” she said, coming to him and tucking her hand under his arm.
“My love, you needed to be examined; ’tis important for the continued good hea
lth of you and our heir,” he said and patted her hand.
“But, Merrick—” She stared up at him. “I’m shy. I don’t want to be examined,” she told him, her eyes pleading.
“You don’t need to be shy, love. I’m here. But perhaps we can make things better for you,” he said and stared at the young doctor. “Mr. Oliver and Mrs. Smith, perhaps both of you could leave. My wife is very shy, you see.”
“Well, Christine, what do you say?” Mrs. Smith asked. “It is, after all, important for the good health of you and your child.”
“You think it’s a good idea, Grandmamma?” Christine asked.
“Indeed I think so, love,” Mrs. Smith responded, smiling at her granddaughter.
“All right then. I’ll have myself examined, but everyone must leave. You’ll stay with me, won’t you, Merrick?” she asked, her eye large and shining, looking up at him.
“Of course, love. I will be with you.” He smiled.
“Very well then, if that is what you want,” Mrs. Smith said and turned toward the door. “Well there, Mr. Oliver, it’s best we get going now.” She nodded and opened the door.
Mr. Oliver did not turn to see Mrs. Smith as he nodded but stared at Christine. He smiled at her, nodded, and left the room. He caught up with her down at the corridor.
“Mrs. Smith, wait,” he called to her. She turned and smiled at him as he came toward where she stood.
“Perhaps you would join us in the drawing room?” she asked him.
“That would be very nice,” he replied. They walked down the stairs, and then he said, “I must say, her ladyship looks a lot like Master Chris, as though they are one and the same.”
Mrs. Smith choked on her next breath. She cleared her throat and composed herself. “Oh well, after all, they are siblings,” she said and shrugged as though it was nothing of importance.
“I suppose you are right there,” Mr. Oliver said and nodded. They both reached the ground floor and went into the drawing room.
Half an hour later, both doctors left. Merrick came back to their bedroom after he had shown the doctors out. He went to kneel on the floor beside his wife, who was lying on the bed.