Page 84 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

To her surprise—and delight—Stephen entered the clearing. Smoke rose from his pistol. He fired again, this time hitting Pierre in the shoulder.

The Duke of Astleyshire stood behind him, a pistol in each hand. “Don’t anyone move. He stepped beside Stephen. “I dare say, I can take the rest of you out before you draw your weapons. If you’d like to test my theory, be my guest.”

Not one man flinched or blinked except for Pierre, the fool. Wobbling unsteadily, he bent forward and reached for his weapon.

“’Tis over, Dupont,” Stephen called. “Touch your weapon, and I will have no choice but to end your life. And I’d like nothing more than to shot you in your unfeeling, disloyal heart. In fact, I thought about it as I scoured the countryside looking for you.”

“Talked about it too,” the duke added. “About how many bullets it would take to kill the devil. If he should feed your corpse to wolves or ants. If a baker in the East End might enjoy mixing your organs into his mincemeat pies. But you know”—the duke sighed—“all of the captain’s nonsense about duty and doing the right thing. On the other hand, I have no such guiding principle—other than disposing of odious bullies like yourself.”

Even in the face of peril, William Harrington was quite funny.

“Fuck you both.” Pierre stretched his fingers toward his pistol. The man may be a traitorous arse, but he was determined.

Meanwhile, Leo crawled onto his knees, then pushed to standing.

Pierre moaned as his fingers inched forward, finally settling on the pistol.

And then—bang! Stephen’s pistol smoked.

Pierre grabbed his chest and stumbled sideways into the fire. Screaming, he fought his way out of the pit and flung his legs about. Flames licked at his trousers.

Never in a million years would Maddie have predicted that Leo had the strength or resolve to push Pierre. But he did, and between the bullet and the shove, Pierre tumbled arse backward into the fire. Flames ate the lower half of his body. His blood-curdling wails echoed through the forest, and her stomach roiled at the pungent scent of scorched flesh.

She must not vomit or faint. She had to be brave.

Trying not to look at Pierre’s flaming body as his skin tore from bone and his body shrunk and twisted. she grabbed the pistol, which still lay on the ground. Her bound hands shook, making it difficult for anyone to take her portent seriously. Still, she did her best to point it at the men who’d thought nothing of killing her.

Nathan held up his hands. “You’ll get no fight from me. I don’t want any more trouble. I hated the arse.” He shrugged. “But he paid well.”

“Then keep your hands where I can see them and leave quickly,” Stephen said.

“Can I help Leo to a physician?” Nathan asked. “He’s a tolerable kid. Didn’t deserve this.”

Stephen nodded.

“Anyone else want to leave with them?” the duke asked.

The men mumbled amongst themselves. Apparently, not one of them wanted to avenge their employer’s death.

Maddie quaked as Pierre’s men dispersed. Then she fell to the ground, closed her eyes, rolled into a tight ball, and lost track of time.

“Madalene, you were so brave,” Stephen whispered against her cheek.

She opened her eyes. He knelt beside her. As he freed her hands, he studied her compassionately. He smiled, and the horrors of her misadventure dissipated. Helping her to stand, he held her hand. Together, they surveyed the camp.

Ignoring the stench, the Duke of Astleyshire sat on a rock, eating the remainder of the morning meal. They strolled to him.

He looked up from his chunk of cheese. “You were brilliantly brave.”

She didn’t feel brave, and her muscles still shook as if she was a terrified child. “The book is gone,” she said. “Destroyed in the fire.”

“Well, damn. Georgiana will be quite vexed,” her husband said.

Maddie choked back tears. “When it burned it produced so much smoke.” She couldn’t articulate the smoke and the stench that had come from the frying man.

“Well, damn,” the duke said again. “Smoke is how we found you.”

“Georgie will be thrilled to know her efforts were not in vain,” Stephen said.