“No, it’s fine. Let’s go,” Connor said trying to push the man away. He fell to his knees before he could take two steps. He was simply losing too much blood, and his body was too exhausted from fighting.
Meredith came over to Connor casually and ripped open his shirt to examine the wound. He prodded the wound. It was deep and jagged, but it had missed the major arteries. William proceeded to tear Connor’s shirt, wrapping the wound tightly with the pieces.
“Try and keep pressure on it. You are bleeding badly. Stay here with Erik, and I will go find Marcus,” Meredith said to Connor.
“What about Allana?” Connor asked.
“Cunningham followed Lucas through there during the fighting,” he answered, pointing to a hallway to the right of them.
Connor’s heart lightened. Declan was free, and he was pursuing Lucas.
“Besides, I don’t think Hoffman will get very far with your sister. I have men outside watching for any runaways,” William added.
“Yes, but are they outside the wall?” Connor paused to take a breath. “There is a passageway that leads underground.” Another pause for another breath of air. “It exits about a hundred yards east of the main gate…It’s how we got in,” Connor panted. He was truly in bad shape if it took this much effort to talk.
William looked at him thoughtfully. “Erik,” he said to the man who hadn’t left Connor’s side since poking his sword into his back.
“Yes?” Erik replied.
“Gather six men, and go to the place he just described. Guard that exit, and make certain no one gets past you from there,” Meredith ordered. Erik nodded, taking action immediately. He gathered the six men, leading them out of the house at a run, making Connor relax knowing Lucas couldn’t escape.
“Thomas, make sure this man doesn’t move,” Meredith ordered another man. “Try to relax, Connor. I will go find your father.”
* * *
William Meredith headed down the hallway Connor had pointed to. Marcus had to be down here somewhere. He checked several of the rooms finding them empty before finally coming upon the one he knew held his friend.
“Who are these men, and how did they know you were here!” yelled a voice from inside the room.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” came the weak reply, followed by a thump and a groan. Yes, this was definitely the room William was looking for. Quietly, he opened the door to find Rupert and two other mercenaries standing over Marcus who was tied to a chair.
“Step away from him,” William said, startling the three men.
“Meredith,” Rupert spat out in hate. “I should have guessed. Get him.”
The two mercenaries obeyed, rushing at William. He shot one with his pistol and threw a hidden knife at the other, sending both men to their deaths in a matter of seconds.
“It’s just you and me now, Rupert,” William said, smiling pleasantly at the man. He could see blood around Rupert’s midsection. He was injured, and that meant an easy kill.
Rupert eyed him cautiously, slowly advancing until they were within feet of each other. Their eyes met as they measured one another’s strengths, then Rupert lunged at William. Injured or not, he was out for blood. They fought ferociously, their swords clanging with each hit. Rupert fought with hate while William fought for justice. In the end it was justice that won. Rupert went in for the kill, stabbing his sword at William’s unsuspecting back. William twisted agilely, avoiding the blow, and dealt one of his own into Rupert’s chest. In a quick motion, he withdrew his sword and Rupert fell to the ground, wheezing for air. Seconds later the noise stopped as life passed from Rupert’s body.
“William Meredith? What are you doing here?” Lord Tananguard asked when the fight was finally over.
“I came to help an old friend,” William said as he cut Marcus loose. The two men shook hands vigorously.
“Well, I’m certainly glad to see you here. How did you know? Was it Lilly?”
“Yes,” William replied.
Marcus sighed with relief. “She is safe then.”
“Yes, but she is also about to have your baby. Don’t worry. My wife is skilled with such things, but we need to get you to her. How are you faring?”
“I’ve been better,” Marcus replied, limping slightly. “But it’s nothing that won’t heal.”
“Well, you look like hell,” William said with a laugh. The man’s face was beaten nicely, and there was blood and dirt on him as well.
“Bruises, William. Nothing more,” Marcus said.
“Good. Your son is waiting in the main hall. I am sending you and him along with one of my men back to my camp where Lilly is. I will stay behind with the rest to ensure your daughter is returned to her husband safely.”
Marcus smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, my friend.”
William shook his head. “It is the least I could do. Now come. We must hurry.”
* * *
Marcus followed William out of the room. He’d been worried it had been a mistake to urge Lilly and Maggie to the woods, but Meredith’s presence eased those worries. It had been the right decision. Now Marcus hoped he would make it to Lilly’s side soon enough to witness the birth of their child.
Chapter 41
The trap door from the cellar down to the tunnel lay open. Declan smiled. One less thing he would have to do that would waste precious minutes. He ran to the opening and jumped down, not even bothering with the ladder. As he hit the ground, he rolled to the side and back up to his feet. In a matter of seconds, he was sprinting silently down the tunnel. He could hear Lucas ahead of him, and after turning a corner, he could even see him. The fool had stopped to rest near the tunnel exit, or so it seemed.
“Don’t come any closer, Cunningham!” Lucas shouted through the tunnel. “I know it’s you behind me, and if you keep coming, I will slit her throat. I want her, but I will kill her before giving her up, even if it means my death.” He laughed coldly into the silence.
Declan stepped toward the man carefully. He was still in the dark part of the tunnel, so maybe if he stepped stealthily, Lucas wouldn’t know he continued to move forward.
“Just keep coming, Declan. You will never reach her in time,” Lucas said. He then turned his attention to the figure on the floor. “Get up,” he said softly. She didn’t move. “I said get up.” Lucas kicked her legs hard, causing her to whimper in return.
Declan’s calm shattered when he saw the act. He moved so swiftly and silently toward Lucas, he almost made it to the man before he saw him coming.
“Stop!” Lucas shouted, whipping his sword up to Allana’s neck.
The light from the tunnel exit showed fear in her eyes, causing Declan to stop.
“Throw me your sword,” Lucas ordered.
In frustration, Declan obeyed, not knowing what else to do. The sword hit the ground and landed directly in front of Lucas and Allana.
“Good. Now your pistol,” Lucas ordered.
“I don’t have one,” Declan replied.
Lucas pressed the blade of his sword right up next to Allana’s neck. “Your pistol!”
“I don’t have one! Your men took mine, and I didn’t find the time to acquire a new one!” Declan shouted back in frustration.
Lucas studied him for a moment, trying to decide if he should believe him. He then turned to Allana. “Stand up, darling, it’s time to go,” he said pleasantly.
Allana’s eyes seemed to plead with Declan, but he could do nothing for her.
“Don’t make me tell you again,” Lucas hissed this time.
She looked helplessly around. Declan’s sword was just in front of her. She eyed it.
Pick it up, Declan thought.
She did. Lucas was too busy watching Declan’s every move to notice.
Now, use it! Strike him down while his eyes are on me, Declan’s thoughts willed.
“Give me the sword, Allana,” Lucas said, seeing the sword finally.
She hesitated before reluctantly ha
nding over the sword, and Declan groaned within.
“Very good,” Lucas said as he pulled her body next to his. He kept his sword poised against her neck, and the newly acquired sword he held out toward Declan as a threat not to come closer.
Slowly, Lucas backed out of the passageway, forcing Allana with him. Declan followed, keeping a safe distance between himself and Lucas.
* * *
The daylight seemed brighter than usual after the darkness of the tunnel. A tear slipped down Allana’s cheek when Declan stepped out into the sun after them. His face was bruised and bloodied. His shirt was torn and splattered with blood. He looked like he’d been through hell and back to get to her.
“Drop both swords,” a male voice said from behind Lucas, causing him to spin toward the voice while keeping Allana between himself and Declan. There were six men with pistols drawn and pointed at Lucas. Hope swelled within Allana.
“I don’t think so,” Lucas began. “Drop your pistols, or the woman dies.” He turned the sharp, bladed edge of his sword against her neck, cutting her slightly to emphasize his point.
She inhaled sharply, afraid to even swallow.
“Do as he says,” Declan said in alarm.
The man tossed his pistol out in front of him and motioned for his men to do the same.
“Good. Now, if one of you would be so kind as to fetch us a horse,” Lucas said pleasantly, grinning deviously as he lowered his sword away from Allana’s throat slightly.
Allana moved quickly. Seeing Declan’s bruises renewed her strength. She twisted slightly and went limp, falling below the blade of Lucas’s sword and forcing him to drop the spare sword in order to catch her before she fell to the ground and left him vulnerable.
Lucas struggled to keep hold of her while at the same time keep an eye on his enemies. If he lost Allana, he would lose this battle, and she knew it. A shot rang out, and Lucas staggered backwards, letting go of her altogether. He looked down to see blood oozing from his right shoulder.
Declan had shot him. Allana’s distraction had given him time to roll to the ground, snatch up one of the dropped pistols and aim, shooting Lucas in his exposed shoulder.
Allana tumbled to the ground when Lucas let go of her unexpectedly. She looked up at him from her back. He laughed lightly, making her nervous as she tried to scoot backward and away from him. He looked up at Declan and grinned wickedly before bringing his sword to striking position. Allana watched in horror as Lucas stood over her ready to plunge his sword into her body.
“No!” she heard Declan shout, but she knew it was too late. Lucas was going to kill her, and no one could stop him but her. Instinctively, she rolled to the side, dodging the deadly blow. Then she climbed to her hands and knees and dove at Lucas’s legs, tripping him to the ground. A sharp pain emanated from her back where his sword had sliced through her clothes and cut into her skin. He brought his foot up and jammed it down into her shoulder, knocking her off of him. Her strength left her as she lay helplessly close to Lucas. She prayed she’d given Declan enough time to come to her rescue.
Lucas staggered to his feet after knocking her off of him only to be slammed back down to the ground by a much larger weight than Allana’s.
Declan was on top of Lucas, pounding him with his fists over and over. The other men had to pull him away before he physically beat the man to death.
He was panting raggedly as he eyed Lucas with such hate. “Piece of filth,” Declan growled. He spit at Lucas’s feet.
Lucas did his best to glare back, but his left eye was swollen shut, his lips were both bleeding as well as his nose, and he had a large gash on his right cheek. He looked more dismal than angry.
Allana ran to her husband. She threw her arms around him, receiving his strong arms around her in return.
“Allana,” he said, the hate dissipating the moment she was in his arms. “Oh, my sweet Allana,” he whispered this time softly against her hair. “I thought I was going to lose you.” He pulled her away from him, so he could look at her before kissing her long and hard.
* * *
Lucas staggered to his feet as he watched the scene in anger. She’s mine, he thought. She’s mine. She is mine! The world seemed to move slowly as Lucas shoved his captors off of him, grasping one of their swords and pulling it free as he shoved. He lunged skillfully toward an unaware Declan, determined to kill the man. Allana screamed as Lucas charged, making Declan turn and see Lucas’s stolen sword plunging toward him with deadly accuracy. He moved out of the way just enough to turn the deadly strike into one less permanent. The sword lodged itself into Declan’s left shoulder, causing him to cry out from the pain. With a swiftness known to an expert swordsman, Lucas removed the sword and poised to finish Declan. This time Declan’s fate was sealed. Lucas was going to win The Game.
* * *
Once again a shot rang out, and Lucas staggered backwards, staring in pained surprise at Allana before turning his attention to the man next to her. His eyes widened in surprise. He gripped his gut as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Soph—?” Lucas trailed off as he staggered toward the man. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled something white from it before stumbling forward, hand with the object outstretched toward the petite figure.
“Never thought…,” Lucas panted. He took another staggering step forward and fell toward the man, grasping at him to stay upright. The man seemed frozen in place as Lucas clung to him and forced the white object into his hand. Lucas swallowed hard and took one last ragged breath. “Ironic,” he whispered before dropping lifelessly to the ground. There would be no recovering from this shot.
Silence filled the air as the observers stared at both Allana and the man next to her. Both had pistols in hand, but only one had shot. As though to answer the question at hand, Allana released the hammer on her pistol and dropped it to the ground. While Lucas was attacking her husband, she’d picked up a second dropped pistol, cocked the hammer, and aimed. But before she could pull the trigger, the shot sounded, coming from the man next to her. He too had acted, but he had been faster. Allana turned and looked at him. He was young, no more than a boy, or was he a…no. Allana simply was not seeing clearly. She was seeing her past self in the boy next to her. As she stared at him and then again at Lucas’s lifeless body, memories from her past flashed through her mind.
She was a young girl of ten again, looking up at the man she loved.
“When I’m older, will you marry me?” she asked innocently. She blushed crimson when he looked at her in surprise.
Lucas laughed heartily. “When you’re older, you will be too beautiful and untamable for a mere lord. You’re meant for a king,” he teased.
“Oh, you’re the only one for me,” Allana said dreamily. I love you, she thought, and one day when I’m older, I will be beautiful, and you’ll want to marry me. Even at ten, her heart soared with the thought.
Lucas smiled dramatically. “Then I’m yours,” he replied, dipping down to a deep bow and kissing her hand.
Tears filled Allana’s eyes. This young boy had killed Lucas for her, and yet, if he hadn’t pulled his trigger, Allana would have pulled hers. She swallowed hard, fighting back the sobs she wanted to cry. How had things come to this? Why had Lucas done this? Why?
* * *
Declan pulled Allana to him with his good arm and held her while she cried. He couldn’t even begin to fathom the horror she’d been through because of Lucas, and yet it seemed she wept for him.
“My Lord, shall we move to the house and report to the others?” the leader of the group asked, looking at Declan before glancing nervously at the young boy who had shot Lucas.
“What is your name, man?” Declan asked in return.
“Erik, my Lord,” he replied, turning his attention fully to Declan.
“Thank you, Erik. Thank you for being here,” Declan said sincerely. “And yes. Let’s move to the house. Bring the body please.” Declan wrapped Allana tightly under his go
od arm, and the small group walked slowly to the house.
* * *
No one noticed the lingering figure of the young man who had pulled the trigger. He was short and slender, and if one looked closely, he would realize the man was a woman dressed in men’s clothing.
Josephine dropped the pistol and stared at the white object in her hand. It was a letter addressed to Connor. Slowly, she opened it and read.
Connor,
If you are reading this, I am most likely dead or in a place you will never find me or your sister for that matter. I have never been one to feel guilt, and I still do not feel guilt for my actions that tore you and Sophia apart. It was necessary at the time. However, I feel enough time has passed to give you the truth of that night. I never bedded Sophia. I offered her wine until she slept from drinking too much of it. Then I staged the entire event. I never touched her except to strip her clothes from her body and lay her in my bed. Now that you know this, I will tell you one last thing. She came to find you over four years ago, a short while after she left you. I will not go into the details of our conversation that day, but I will tell you this. She was with child. And since you now know I never touched your precious Sophia, we can only assume the child is yours. Thus, Connor, do what you will with this knowledge. Ruin your life chasing a commoner who wants nothing but your title and money, or follow your dreams. Until we meet again, I wish you success.
Sincerely,
Lucas
Josephine stared at the letter numbly. A large lump filled her throat as tears seeped into her eyes. Even in death Lucas was cruel. She was supposed to feel satisfaction for finally ending his wicked reign. But all she could feel was pain. He was still making her suffer; suffer for the love she could possibly have known if he hadn’t interfered. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she crumpled to her knees. No! She shouldn’t be crying right now! Lucas was dead. Justice had finally been served. Yet even with this knowledge, her heart felt hollow and broken. Justice may have avenged many women today, but it could not fill the hole Josephine felt within. Only one man could do that, and Josephine knew she would never see him again.
The Lady and the Earl Page 33