He looked to Anna. “Untie her. I like the thrill of the chase.”
Patience held perfectly still, trying to focus on breathing while Anna cut her bonds loose. Everything in her screamed for her to run, but she knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Lord Pincock would only shoot her in the back.
She wasn’t sure she could run, as petrified as she was. She remained on the ground, cowering.
Anna kicked her in the ribs. “Get up,” she demanded.
Shaking, Patience stood, stumbling over nothing. Bile rose to her throat as she faced Lord Pincock. He cocked the gun and slowly advanced on her.
“Not a runner, eh?” He was so close to her she could smell the tobacco on his breath. A thick finger ran from her cheekbone down to the base of her neck. “No matter. I prefer it this way. More intimate.”
Patience had always thought of this old man to be an eccentric member of society. Too loud and clueless to be of any use to the world, but standing like this with his perfectly constructed plans, she knew it had just been an act.
He pressed the pistol under her chin as tears leaked down Patience’s cheeks. She swallowed, trying to gain her composure. Lord Pincock’s free hand wandered down her waist to the outside of her thigh. She couldn’t remain silent any longer as he continued to fondle her. A scream ripped from her throat, but Lord Pincock only laughed.
Amidst the commotion the door crashed open, and Walter barged into the room, grappling with Lord Pincock and wrapping an arm around his neck. The pistol clattered to the floor, and with it Patience sank, trembling, her eyes wide as she watched Walter throw Lord Pincock against a wall, a fist beating into his ribs.
“You dog!” Walter seethed. “You dare lay a hand on her!”
Anna stepped back from the scuffle as her eyes frantically sought Patience then focused on something next to her side. Patience followed her gaze. The pistol.
Anna leaped forward, and Patience crawled for the pistol, refusing to let it enter the mad woman’s hands. Her fingers curled around the pistol just as Anna barreled into her, knocking her back. Patience’s head hit the stone wall behind her, and for a moment she was blinded. Anna grasped the pistol, trying to wrench it out of her hand. Patience tried to push her away.
The room stilled as a shot rang through the cottage. Patience froze, her breath taken away. She looked into Anna’s eyes which were lit with gleeful malice.
From somewhere in the room, Patience heard Walter screaming her name. Patience pulled away from Anna. Blood covered her front. She looked back up at the maid. The light in Anna’s eyes dimmed, the smile pulling downwards. Then, she collapsed on top of Patience, and they both fell to the floor.
Patience’s ears rang from the loud shot. Her mind tried to grapple with what had just happened. Strong hands pulled Patience from under Anna’s body, and Walter’s voice floated into her consciousness.
“Patience? Patience, heaven above I thought you’d been shot.”
He was so close. So warm. Patience looked to Walter, whose eyes were wide and desperate. She wrapped her arms around him, and he instantly pulled her closer as they held each other, both sitting on the floor. Anna’s body lay in front of them, her face turned away.
Something registered in Patience as she searched for Lord Pincock. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Everything came crashing in on her, and Patience clutched Walter like a lifeline as a sob escaped her throat.
“It’s alright,” Walter soothed. “You’re alright.”
She cried into his shoulder, her insides ice. He soothed her with whisperings of his love and soft kisses trailing her cheeks.
Chapter Fifteen
PATIENCE PULLED AWAY, her body still shaking as she looked around the room again. “Lord Pincock escaped?”
He grasped her arms, checking her over once more. “Yes. But he will not get far. I now have the evidence I need, and he will not be free long.”
She nodded, letting the events of the day sink in. Her head pounded harder, and she closed her eyes, willing herself to stay strong for Walter. He did not need to worry about her condition among everything else.
“How did you find me?” Her feet fell from beneath her, and Walter steadied her by bringing her close to his chest again.
“I passed Lord Pincock’s carriage on the road to find you. My sister was upset when you left without saying your goodbyes. I almost rode on, but when I realized I’d seen the carriage before, I changed course and followed. I would have been to you sooner if I hadn’t lost him at the end.” He trailed kisses down her cheek, but she pulled away.
“How did you know Lord Pincock was connected to all this?”
A fierce look crossed his face. “He threatened me in London. I figured out the case was connected to Daniel’s death.” He shook his head as if clearing it. “I shouldn’t have involved you. I had no idea it would put you in such danger. Patience, know this, I would never hurt you intentionally.”
Her head was starting to spin, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of Walter’s sweet words or the ordeal she had just been through.
“I know,” she whispered, trying to calm his fears. “Can you take me home? I am feeling faint.”
He looked at her in concern. “Of course, but I will bring you to my home. It is closer, and my mother can call for the doctor while your parents are fetched.”
“No, please, Mama will not wish to set foot in your house, and I will have a difficult enough time to explain this as it is. I do not wish her to know of my close involvement with you.”
She felt him stiffen and rushed on to explain her reasons. “Mama has never listened to my feelings where you are concerned. I do not wish to give her any more room for keeping us apart. If we return to my home together, I might be able to persuade her to accept our wishes.” She hoped he saw the truth in her statement.
He relaxed and nodded, squeezing her one last time before releasing her. She tried to remain strong for him, but she instantly missed his arms and the support he’d given her.
“I—walked here.” Panic momentarily gripped her at the thought of walking all the way home in her condition.
Perhaps it was a more sensible idea to go back to Walter’s house and call for a physician, but everything in her told her that would be a very bad idea. She had never been able to go against her mother’s wishes, and she was sure if she tested her mother now, she would lose all hope of having Walter in her life.
“I will take you home on my horse, if you are not opposed to sharing the saddle with me.” He was hesitant, but she smiled at him lovingly, thinking that was a splendid idea.
She nodded in response. He guided her out of the old building, and she breathed in the fresh scent of the air, thankful she was alive to be able to experience this small blessing.
She wished the feeling of euphoria lasted, but it disappeared the moment she stepped into the drawing room.
Her mother’s screams pierced Patience’s ears as her mother mauled her. Her eyes were wide, her mouth gaping, as she took in Patience’s disheveled state. Patience looked down at the blood spattered over the front of her dress, and her heart sank. She should have marched up to her room to change before confronting her parents.
“I’m alright, Mama,” Patience said, but her mother had already spun on Walter, shoving an accusing finger at him.
“You! You let her in harm’s way. I demand an answer. Now!”
Her father stood near the fireplace, silent. He reached out his arms, and Patience went to him, letting him enfold her in a rare embrace.
“Do not be angry at Walter,” Patience said, turning her head to eye her mother sternly. “He did nothing wrong—he rescued me.”
Her mother snorted. “You should not have been anywhere near him. I ban the two of you from ever crossing paths again!”
Patience ripped herself from her father’s arms, marching to her mother. “I will not obey you,” she seethed. “Walter is a good man. He saved my life—”
“
Mrs. Hawthorne, if I may.” Walter cleared his throat, clutching his riding gloves in both his hands. “I love your daughter more than life itself. My feelings toward her from last summer have not changed. I humbly ask you—”
“No,” her mother snapped. “No, I don’t wish to hear any more from you, Mr Longman. Depart at once.”
“My financial and social status is different now,” he continued, braving her mother’s fury. “I have status in London and plan on settling in a small home with Patience at my side. There is no greater joy I could imagine.”
Her mother’s face grew livid as she turned to her father. “Husband, force this man out. He is no longer permitted on our property.”
Mr Hawthorne did not move as his eyes rolled from Patience to Walter then back to his wife.
“I would like to hear Mr Longman’s offer,” he finally said.
Her mother’s jaw dropped, and Patience ran to her father, embracing him again. “Thank you, Papa,” she breathed.
Her mother didn’t miss a beat as she leveled Walter with a stare. “Go on then,” she said between gritted teeth.
Walter squeezed the riding gloves even tighter. “I have regarded no one else in all my life with higher esteem than I do Patience. I dare come to you a second time for her hand because I believe our commitment to each other is worth the risk of a second rejection. I implore you to think of her happiness.”
Her father nodded slowly, but her mother trembled in anger.
“I’ve heard enough of this. Patience, to your room.” She held her finger to the door, dismissing her like a child.
Patience broke at her mother’s persistent refusal. She had endured enough of her mother’s degradation. Patience held firm in her stance as she lifted her chin. “No, Mama. I love Walter. Would you really take that from me?”
“The answer is no, and that is final,” her mother cried with a voice that bordered on hysteria. “It’s for your own good, Patience. Mr Longman, for the final time—leave us.”
Patience met Walter’s gaze. The warmth from his face had ebbed away, replaced by frustration. Her heart broke when he turned on his heel and marched from the home.
The moment the door shut behind him, Patience whirled on her mother, tears blinding her.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she demanded.
“Patience, one day you’ll thank me,” her mother said, her voice softening. “Trust me.”
Patience wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I will marry Walter,” she growled. “I will marry him even without your blessing. I love him, and I don’t care about his financial situation. You can’t stop me from being happy.”
Her mother grimaced as she looked at her daughter sadly then turned to her father. “Leave us for a moment, William.”
He frowned at her mother. “Why?”
She grit her teeth. “Leave us!” she screeched in a way that would wake the dead, and Patience suddenly felt sorry for her father.
He had endured enough from her mother through the years. Any other man would have put her in her place. Patience was sure of it.
With a grumble, he marched through the door and slammed it closed behind him. Her mother faced Patience and gently took her hands in hers.
“Patience, my dear. I’ve never told you, never wanted to burden you... but the Longman family deeply offended me long before you were born.”
Patience’s eyes widened, sure there were a great many people in her life that had offended her mother.
“What happened?” she whispered.
Her mother sighed. “I was young. Careless. Walter’s father promised to marry me. I believed he loved me as ardently as I loved him.”
Patience gaped at her mother. “Mr Longman... he gave you an offer of marriage?”
Her mother nodded, pursing her lips together bitterly. “He backed out at the last minute. It broke my young heart. When I learned you had formed an attachment to Walter, I feared you would suffer the same heartache as I.”
Patience shook her head. “That won’t happen, Mama. Walter loves me.” She paused. “And perhaps this union could put away past feuds and hurt feelings.”
The door banged open, and her father came striding through.
“This is the reason why you were against the Longman boy?” he demanded, his face twisted in hurt and anger.
Both women were stunned into silence.
Her father leveled his wife with a stare. “You weren’t just trying to protect our daughter. You wanted revenge. You wanted to crush that young man’s heart to get back at his father.” He shook his head. “Where is your head at, woman?”
He turned to Patience, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. “You have my blessing,” he said gruffly. “Do with it as you will.”
A shocked gasp escaped her throat. Her father’s blessing—she had secured it! She threw her arms around her father.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She rushed out the door and threw herself over a horse, determined to catch up to Walter, her strength gathered from her father’s blessing. She had it in her power to make everything right with Walter, and she would not waste a moment in doing just that.
Chapter Sixteen
WALTER SHOULD HAVE known better. Patience’s parents would never accept him. Not after putting Patience in harm’s way.
Walter silently cursed himself as he rode home, leading Apollo at a leisurely pace. He didn’t want to face his mother and sister after everything that had transpired. He didn’t wish to recount the dismal discovery Patience had made.
Daniel had been murdered to get him out of the way. The whole thing was his fault. How could he face his family? How could he continue with his life without Patience by his side?
This knowledge racked at Walter’s consciousness, tearing through his soul. If he had backed out, given up on the case... his brother could have still been alive now.
No, a voice broke in the back of his head. Daniel would have been killed regardless. Everyone was expecting him to put in a bid for the case. Daniel’s murder had been plotted out before Walter was even assigned to it.
He cursed Lord Pincock and his blatant disregard for human life. Why had no one seen it before? The lord had played his cards right, he’d put on a show for everyone. Walter grit his teeth, tears stinging his eyes as the weight of what he had lost hit him.
The news would tear his mother and sister apart.
As Walter stewed in his thoughts, he heard the distant pounding of hooves. He turned in his saddle as they grew louder, wondering if perhaps Lord Pincock had decided to show his slimy face. Walter would gladly finish him off.
He was moved to silence when he saw Patience, still wearing her blood-stained dress, riding up to him, her face pale in the new moonlit evening.
She quickly caught up to him as she drove her horse faster. Her breathless state caused Walter to falter.
“Walter. My Papa gave me his blessing.”
He stared at her, certain he had misheard. “Are you sure?”
She laughed and dismounted, and he followed suit, his heart hammering, his spirits lifting with hope. She threw herself into his arms, and he held her tight, feeling her heartbeat against his.
“Papa gave me his blessing after hearing Mama’s reasons for refusing you.” She pulled away as her voice caught. “She’s a selfish woman. I don’t know how I can ever forgive her.”
Walter couldn’t tear his gaze from her. “Then... we’re to be married?”
“We’re to be married,” she said with a smile, a tear escaping. “If that is what you want.”
His family’s finances were in shambles. Even with Patience’s dowry, they would need to be creative to pay off all the debts. It would be more responsible of him to find another woman, someone rich enough...
Hang it! He couldn’t believe he was thinking of refusing this gift. They’d sell the estate if needs be. Build a new one. Start a new life in London with his mother and sister. He would reveal Mr Bamber and Lord
Pincock as the violent, greedy men they were and continue to excel in his career as a barrister.
Perhaps even head barrister.
Walter smiled at Patience, his voice in awe that this angel still wanted him. “I do,” he whispered softly.
He dipped his head, planting a soft kiss on her eager lips. Patience arched against him, and he drank her in.
As he pulled away, Patience eyed him. “You must promise to not keep secrets from me any longer,” she chastised him.
He laughed, then sobered as he realized that keeping secrets from her had almost cost her life. “I promise,” he said. “I am sorry I did not let you help me sooner.”
Patience trailed her hand up his arm, resting it on his shoulder. Her touch lit warmth through his chest. “I forgive you,” she whispered.
One last worrying thought troubled Walter’s heart. “What about your mother? Won’t she hate me for all of time?”
Patience smile grew forced. “Do not trouble yourself with my mama. She will come to see you as I do—a hard-working, God fearing, respectable man. And if not... it’s her loss, not ours.”
Walter nodded, comforted by Patience’s words.
She went on her tip toes, planting another kiss on his lips. “I am yours, Walter Longman.”
A smile broke on his lips as he captured her lips once more. As they embraced, Walter felt for the first time that things would be well with Patience by his side.
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A Friendly Alliance
JULIANA PICKED HER way through the oak trees, lifting her skirts as she walked through the thick brush, carefully stepping to keep from catching mud on the hem.
Her pockets held seeds and breadcrumbs to feed the ducks that languished on the lake near her father’s estate. As her place of solitude, she’d visited it often over the thirteen years she’d been on this earth, and not a soul minded. Well, maybe one soul minded, but he was most likely getting ready for London.
The Barrister's Challenge: A Regency Romance (Heirs of Berkshire Book 2) Page 10