Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
“The…battle?” he asked.
* * *
The valet shrugged. “All I know is that we got the manor back. Some men were arrested, others were killed.”
* * *
“Any…of…ours?” he asked anxiously.
* * *
“Not that I’ve heard. I’ve been preoccupied.” He smiled. “I shall find out for you, shall I?”
* * *
“Thank…you.”
* * *
The valet nodded to him and left. He turned to Janice, who held on to his hand. “Arthur,” she said tearfully, “Never do that to me again.”
* * *
“I promise…” he murmured as his eyes drifted shut.
EPILOGUE
Seventeen casualties in the battle. That was what her father reported. Two red coats who came with the magistrate, four men from Somerton, and two from Avebury. The rest were Pearson’s men. Only three were severely injured while the rest had cuts and bruises that could be fixed with household simples. Only one man had died – one of Pearson’s men who tried to shoot at one of the soldiers and was ran through with a sword.
* * *
“All in all, I’d say it was a good result. Thankfully, it seems, the brigands were not expecting much opposition and so hadn’t brought much ammunition. Just enough to scare, you understand.”
* * *
Janice nodded, her brow furrowed as she watched Arthur do his best to stay awake and hear all of it. She knew he felt responsible, though how he could have predicted this, she did not know.
* * *
Lord Benjamin sighed. “I must admit the district hasn’t seen this much excitement in a long time.” He laughed. “It’ll give people something to talk about for a long time.”
* * *
“Do we know why they attacked us?” she asked.
* * *
“Well, Mr. Greer reported that they were former disgruntled employees of the late duke looking to extort money from the duke here.” He pointed at Arthur. “He said that Arthur had gone off to gather his mother’s jewelry when we arrived.”
* * *
Janice shook her head. “All that…just for some money?”
* * *
“Well, yes. It’s unfortunate but it happens.”
* * *
Janice still could not take her eyes off Arthur. “Papa, will he be alright? I don’t want to be a widow papa.” Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands as tears rolled down her face.
* * *
Lord Benjamin reached out and squeezed her hand. “He’ll be fine. He is strong and has much to live for. I’m sure he does not want to leave you as much as you do not want him to leave.”
Arthur opened his eyes after what felt like a long time. His entire body ached, and he felt as if he’d been beaten repeatedly with a stick the size of a log. He blinked, looking around in confusion before trying to sit up.
* * *
A searing pain zinged through his leg as he tried to move it and he gasped, freezing in place. There was a scrambling sound and Janice appeared in his view. A look of relief washed over her face. “You’re awake!” she placed a hand on her bosom and sighed.
* * *
“I am. What happened?”
* * *
She came to kneel by the side of his bed, taking his hands into hers. “You’ve been fevered for three days. It was touch and go for a while there.” Her eyes looked haunted, and he felt regret for worrying her. “Last night we had to get you in an ice bath to bring your temperature down.” Her face worked as if she was trying to stop herself from breaking down. “And it worked,” she choked, before taking a deep breath and straightening up. “It worked and now you’re awake.”
* * *
He smiled. “I am. I’m sorry for scaring you.”
* * *
“I expect you’ll make it up to me.” She laughed tearfully.
* * *
He looked seriously into her eyes. “I will.” He looked around the room, suddenly remembering the circumstances that brought him to this pass. “And how is everyone? What has happened?”
* * *
She got off her knees and sat on the bed. “Well, your Mr. Pearson’s been arrested and charged with abduction, extortion and murder. He is to be hanged,” she said coldly.
* * *
Arthur sighed. “Murder? Is it Hemsworth he killed?”
* * *
Janice nodded. “They found his body stashed in the basement of his London townhouse. It was all quite gruesome.”
* * *
“Oh, dear. He did not deserve that.”
* * *
Janice shook her head. “No. Nobody does. But you reap what you sow I suppose.”
* * *
He lay back, looking at her properly. She looked tired and worn as if she had not gotten any sleep these last three days. “Come here, my dear. Lay down with me.”
* * *
“Oh, I cannot. I might hurt you.”
* * *
“You could never hurt me. Please. I beg of you. Lay with me.”
* * *
She climbed eagerly into bed, careful not to jostle his leg, and lay down in his arms. They both sighed with relief. “That’s better.”