by Vella, Wendy
“Tell him while we ride,” Gabe said, resigned.
The story was repeated as they traveled out of London.
“Dimity is a Saint-Bonnard?”
“It seems so,” Zach said. “You know about the family?”
“Oliver and Louis, the current Comte Saint-Bonnard, know each other. Louis came to England many years ago, and Lord Levermarch introduced them. They both are driven to provide housing for those in need. Since then, they write to each other constantly.”
“He has been to London?” Gabe queried.
“Yes, a few times,” Daniel said. “I cannot believe Dimity is a Saint-Bonnard. Oliver talked about Louis’s sadness over not knowing what happened to his sister.”
“We cannot be sure,” Zach said.
“We can,” Gabe said flatly. “There is a birthmark.”
The men fell silent then.
“And where is it we are going?” Daniel asked instead of what he was thinking. How did Gabe know about a birthmark?
Gabe appreciated that he would not hesitate to stand with them if needed. His sister, however, would kill him—if Ombrage did not—if her husband returned in any other condition than the one he was currently in.
“If you are sure.”
“Yes.”
“If he gets a scratch on him, Abby will kill us,” Nathan said.
“Then make sure he is not scratched,” Zach said.
“I’m right here, you know.”
“Can Walter simply gallop beside us for hours?” Michael asked, ignoring Daniel.
“Likely as not,” Nathan said.
“Gabe can carry him when he tires.”
As it turned out, Walter tired easily and simply sat on the side of the road when they left London. As they kept riding, they did not discover this disappearance immediately. Tracking back, they found him resting against a tree. Zach dismounted and lifted the beast, draping him over Gabe’s legs.
They rode on, and soon he lost all feeling from the waist down, but he found the weight of the dog comforting in a small way.
Christ, Dimity.
Ombrage would pay for taking her. Pay for any distress he’d caused her. Gabe would not contemplate her being in anything other than full health when he found her.
They reached Broad Clunsden just after midnight. Walter had slept most of the way, snoring loudly.
“What now?” Daniel asked.
“There was no location on the note, which tells me Ombrage is watching for my arrival. I will enter the town alone.”
“I don’t think so,” Nathan said.
“It must be this way, brother. You will follow and blend into the shadows as you are so good at doing.”
Gabe looked at the men with him. Good men, brothers he’d had a hand in raising, and Daniel, the man who loved his sister. The man he now counted as brother also.
“I trust you to have my back. Trust me to stay safe until you reach me.”
Nathan cursed, then held out his hand. “I’ll hold you to that.”
He left Walter with Zach’s necktie attached to his collar. His brother held the dog as he whined to follow Gabe, and he hoped he would see their faces again soon.
He rode slowly into town, alert, with his pistol in the waistband of his breeches. There was only the flicker of the occasional light as he passed houses, and he prayed Ombrage did not simply shoot him in the back, as the man was capable of that.
Chapter Thirty
“Wake up, we are leaving.” The angry words roused Dimity from her slumber. Pushing herself upright, she searched for Diard.
“I have a gun and will shoot you if you try anything. I’m going to release your ankles, and you will walk down the stairs.”
“I can’t see.”
“Your eyes will adjust.” She heard his feet approach the bed. “Stand now.”
Dimity was never clearheaded when she opened her eyes, and in fact it took several minutes to become so.
“Get up!”
“I am attempting to do so,” she muttered, blinking several times to focus. She felt a knife slice through the binds at her ankles.
“Your feet are unbound; now we go. Move toward the door, I will follow!” he demanded.
“There is no need to roar at me, Mr. Diard, I am right here. Where is your employer?”
“I have no employer.”
“He told me you were his minion and an idiot.”
“You lie.”
“Do I? He told me I would bring him a great deal of money, and you would get nothing,” Dimity embellished her story. “I wonder if he will kill you when your use expires?”
Hands pushed her forward, and she stumbled but did not fall. He was angry that she wasn’t scared or cowed by him, and now wondering at the truth in her words. Her plan, which she’d just thought up, was working.
She used the wall to work her way down the stairs in the dark.
“A candle would mean we don’t break our necks. Of course, I don’t mind if you fall, but there would be every chance you’d land on me.”
“Shut up.” The gun prodded her in the back, and Dimity leaned into the wall to stop herself from falling.
“Where are we? Who is my family?” He did not reply. “I deserve to know who my parents are.”
“You’ll find out soon enough if it’s true, which your locket and the birthmark would suggest. He will tell you when it is time.”
“Who? Your employer?” she taunted him.
They reached the front entrance, and she was shoved out the door.
“Get into the carriage, and don’t try anything foolish, because I will shoot you.”
“No, you won’t. You want me for a purpose, and shooting me would nullify that.”
He pushed her up and into the carriage. Dimity fell onto a seat.
“You could still suit our purpose and take a bullet in the leg. Now, shut up.” He bent and rebound her feet, then thrust his handkerchief into her mouth.
Dimity glared at him, but as it was dark, he couldn’t see her expression.
They drove in silence, and she felt her fears climb. Where was she being taken? Where was Gabriel? She hoped he hadn’t come but knew his honor would make it so. He was noble and kind and would not leave her to suffer if he could save her, but he would be walking into a trap.
She had to save him. Breathing deeply through her nose, Dimity tried to stay calm and not gag. How had she thought Diard nice? He’d duped both her and the duchess.
They had only been travelling a few minutes when the carriage rolled to a stop.
“Out.” Diard unbound her feet again, then stepped from the carriage. He waved his gun at her. “Now!”
Dimity cursed, but it was muffled behind the gag.
“Go ahead of me and follow that path.”
Her eyes had adjusted to the light now, and she saw a narrow winding path before her and the shadow of a building beyond. Was it a mill? Where was she?
A hand nudged her over a bridge, and then she was entering the building. It was lighter in here. Lamps cast a soft glow that allowed Dimity to see the water wheel and Mr. Allard.
“Miss Brown, I am so pleased you have arrived.”
Diard pulled the gag from her mouth. She swung her bound hands upward and caught him under the jaw, sending him stumbling backward.
“Stop!” Allard said, pointing his gun at her.
“Bitch!” Diard clutched his jaw. “I’m shooting her.”
Dimity watched in horror as Allard swung the gun toward Diard and fired. He crumpled to the floor with blood pouring from his chest.
…
Gabe saw the boy approach as he reached the end of the small town.
“Lord Raine?”
“I am he.”
“You are to go to the mill house, my lord.”
He flipped the lad a coin. He was not at fault for passing on Ombrage’s demands.
Gabe’s tension climbed as he tied his horse to the building and walked the path into the mill. Where
was Dimity?
Entering, he saw Allard, who he now knew was Ombrage, standing beside the dead body of Diard and a pool of blood. His gun was aimed at Gabe, the sword in his other hand swished from side to side.
“Where is she?” There were two men standing slightly to the left, and Gabe was sure more were tucked in the shadows.
“Lord Raine, how wonderful to finally meet you in person,” the man said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
“We’ve met, if you’ll remember. I put a bullet through you. Unfortunately, my aim was not up to its usual high standard and I didn’t kill you.”
The smile dimmed.
“Where is she?”
“Safe for now. I suppose you know who she is?”
“I do.”
“I had thought to hand her back to her family for the reward, but I’ve reconsidered.”
“Where is she?”
“All will be revealed, but first I want to ask if you would have married her now you know she is worthy of your title?”
“She was worthy before.” Gabe looked around him. She was here; he could feel her.
“How romantic of you. Alas, you shall never experience wedded bliss. How are your brothers? Are they nearby?”
Gabe didn’t move a muscle at the mention of his siblings.
“You did not honestly believe I would let you walk in here and not have protection against them, did you? I am Ombrage,” he boasted. “A master strategist like me, unprepared?”
“A hired murderer, do you mean? A man who has no honor or morals.”
“I honor my country! I honor France!”
“But not those born within its borders, it would seem.”
Where the hell is she?
“I have never spilled the blood of a Frenchman!”
“That’s a lie, and we both know it because you killed Diard and would spill the blood of a Frenchwoman?” he said with a calm he was far from feeling.
He saw the moment Ombrage understood what he meant. Dimity was born in France. Gabe’s eyes shot over his shoulder, and it was then he saw her.
“Dimity!” He moved a foot.
“Another step, and I kill you like I did Diard.”
She was tied to a strut inside the huge water wheel. If it began to rotate, she’d drown. She made muffled sounds, telling Gabe she was gagged.
“Let her go. It’s me you want.”
“No, what I want is to make you suffer for the pain you caused me. I nearly died and was delirious with fever for days from that bullet wound.”
“Imagine how bad that makes me feel,” Gabe said, keeping his eyes on Dimity. “My only regret is that you didn’t suffer more and ultimately die.”
How could he get to her and not get shot in the process? His heart nearly stopped when he heard the creak of the wheel.
“What do you want?”
“Your death.”
“And kidnapping the king?”
“Oui. His men will not save him; my plans are already in place.”
“We know about your plans.”
“Not all of them, surely.” Ombrage laughed. “Alexius cannot stop me this time.”
“We always stop you, because we have the superior minds.”
If he could keep him talking, his brothers would arrive and save Dimity.
“What possible reason could you have to kidnap our monarch?”
“Money and power, of course. There is also the small matter of plunging England into uncertainty. I have people who will benefit from that.” Ombrage’s smile grew.
“Are we to fight with swords? Or will you just shoot me?”
“Swords definitely. I am never beaten, but I have heard you are tolerable and so will put up a fight.”
“I am more than tolerable. If she is safe, I will fight you,” Gabe nodded to Dimity.
“You do not dictate terms, Lord Raine,” Ombrage turned his head slightly. “Turn on the wheel!”
“No!” Gabe looked at the gun pointed at his chest.
“Move, and I shoot.”
Gabe watched the woman he loved start to move closer to the water. He could wait no longer; he dived low at Ombrage, taking out his legs. The sting of a bullet grazed his arm, and then his nemesis fell backward. Gabe ran, jumping down inside the wheel.
“Dimity!” Pulling the knife from his boot, he sawed through her ropes as the wheel rotated. They’d be crushed or drowned if he didn’t get her out of here.
“Stop the wheel!”
He heard Ombrage’s roar, and the wheel shuddered to a halt as he sliced through the last tie and she fell into his arms.
“Get out here now, Raine!”
“I have you,” Gabe whispered ignoring Ombrage’s fury. “He won’t hurt you.” He gently pulled the gag from her mouth.
“You should not have come.” Her eyes blazed with fear and rage. “Dive into the water and flee.”
“I would never leave you. I love you.”
“Diard, Gabriel. He killed him.” He absorbed the shudder that rocked her body.
“I know, sweetheart. But he will not kill us.”
“Run, Gabriel, please!”
“As touching as this reunion is, get out here now!”
“Not without a promise from you that she will leave unharmed!”
“I will not leave you,” Dimity whispered.
Trust me,” he said into her hair. “And know I love you.”
“Please don’t die.” She spoke the words into his neck. “Slip your knife into my bodice.”
“Run when you get the chance.” He did as she asked.
“No.”
“Dimity, you must find my brothers. They are here somewhere and will help you escape.”
“Now, Raine, or I order my men to shoot you both!”
“I’m not leaving without you.”
She was a mess, her hair half up and half down, her clothes torn and dirtied.
“You struck her!” Gabe roared as he noted the bruise on her chin.
“Diard struck her,” Ombrage clarified.
“Then I am glad you put a bullet through him,” Gabe said, kissing her softly. “Run, Dimity,” he whispered again.
She said nothing further as he helped her out behind him. Ombrage’s five men now formed a half-circle behind him.
“The mighty Ombrage needs backup,” Gabe taunted. “Perhaps, as I outmaneuvered you with such ease to rescue Dimity, you are not the formidable foe I had believed you to be.”
“I was not prepared for you to dive at my legs. It will not happen again.”
“And if you fail in killing me your men will finish the job?” Gabe added.
“I will not fail, and my men are here to control your woman!”
Gabe found a smile. “She is fierce.”
“Your arm, Gabriel!” Dimity’s cry had him looking at his sleeve. It was stained red with his blood.
“’Tis a flesh wound only,” he said.
“Throw him his sword,” Ombrage ordered.
Gabe caught it, then tested the weight in his hand.
“Let her go,” he said.
“If you win, she goes free. If you don’t fight, I’ll have you both shot.”
His only choice was to fight and hope he kept Ombrage moving until his brothers arrived, because he did not believe that Dimity would be freed if he won. Her life was in his hands.
“Be quiet and still, I cannot be distracted,” Gabe said pulling her close for a fierce hug. “And run if the chance presents itself.”
“You’ll win,” she said hugging him back.
“En garde!” Diard roared, clearly frustrated with the delay.
Gabe faced Ombrage and prepared for the fight of his life.
“Hurt him, Gabriel.”
“Be quiet, Dimity.”
“He is a sniveling man with no honor, unlike you.”
Gabe lunged as Ombrage scowled at Dimity, but the move was blocked and the blades clashed.
He was good, Gabe realized as they
continued to lunge and retreat. Ombrage was his match and more, but Gabe had something he didn’t. Desperation. He would never allow her to be hurt.
Ombrage lunged and Gabe felt pain, right where the bullet had creased his arm.
“You are clumsy, Raine.”
“Focus, Gabriel!” Dimity roared.
“I’m trying,” he snapped back.
“Try harder.”
He leapt forward and struck Ombrage on the shoulder, the man didn’t wince, but Gabe knew his blade had connected.
He heard a crack, then a loud bang and Gabe knew his brothers had arrived as their footsteps thudded on the stone floor.
“It seems the odds have been evened,” Gabe taunted as his brothers moved to his back. Relieved, now he knew Dimity was safe, he focused on killing the man before him.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Are you well, Dimity?” Daniel Dillinger asked her.
“I am. Will he win?” She placed her hand on top of Walter’s head to reassure him she was well.
Gabriel’s white sleeve was already red with blood, and now it dripped off the end of his fingers. Thankfully it was not the hand that held his sword.
“He will,” Nathanial Deville said sounding confident.
“But he is injured.”
“And is one of the best fencers I know.”
Allard, who she now knew was called Ombrage, struck, and Gabriel staggered back, then he charged and it was Ombrage who retreated.
“Excellent counter riposte, Gabe!” Michael Deville called.
Dimity spared the brothers a glance. All were focused intently on the two men performing a deadly dance.
She didn’t know how long they stood there. The breath had lodged in her throat as she watched Ombrage’s blade whistle past Gabe’s cheek.
“Dear Lord,” the moan escaped before she could stop it. She grabbed Nathan’s hand, and he squeezed her fingers.
“Have faith in your man, Dimity.”
“He’s injured,” she managed to get out. Her throat felt tight, and nausea rolled around in her belly.
“Finish him, Gabriel,” Daniel said.
“Two men who have fought many times in their lives. It will be a test of fortitude,” Zach said softly.
“Dear Lord,” Dimity moaned as Ombrage struck Gabriel again in the arm.
“Use your feet, brother!” Michael demanded. “Finish this.”