Page 82 of Temptress in Disguise
Hearing the commotion, Melissa pushed past Aramis and stormed into the spacious hall. She took one look at Edwin Budworth and came to a crashing halt. “What the … How did …” The life drained from her face. Her eyes bulged in their sockets. “They t-told me you were dead.”
Edwin’s chuckle sounded sinister. “They made a mistake. The devil sought to spare me. I’m sure he’ll explain why when you’re dining in hell.”
“Thank heavens.” Melissa smiled, doing her best to look pleased, not utterly terrified. “Why didn’t you find me sooner?”
“You know why.”
“Come here, Naomi.” Aramis beckoned her forward, his tone firm though his hand trembled.
She was about to join her husband and ease his fears, but Edwin draped his heavy arm around her shoulder. “She’s going nowhere. My wife needs a companion for our little trip abroad. We’re to make for the coast tonight.”
“You’ll be dead before you reach the gatehouse.”
Edwin raised the hand he’d kept hidden behind the folds of his greatcoat. “She’ll come with me or die here.” He pressed the cold muzzle of a pistol to her temple and clicked the hammer.
“Aramis.” A whimper escaped her. It was clear this man was not Edwin Budworth. Based on the information gleaned so far, he had to be Jacob Adams.
Lydia looked just as confused and afraid. “Lower the pistol. My sister is no threat. She’s on our side and is helping to regain our inheritance. It’s Melissa and my uncle you need to hold at gunpoint.” She turned to Aramis. “We’ve come to take them to the local magistrate.”
Naomi stared at her sister in disbelief. “Poor darling,” she began, giving Lydia a dose of her own medicine. “Who would have thought you could be so naive? He’s using you for the inheritance. The question remains: how will he dispose of so many witnesses?”
“You weren’t supposed to be here,” the fiend cried. “We would have killed them and buried their bodies, convinced the magistrate they’d fled to the Continent to escape the noose.”
“Killed them?” Lydia looked horrified. “Why on earth would we do that? We have the means to prove they’re liars. We’ll claim the inheritance and live here in peace as we planned.”
“We’re leaving once we’ve tied up the loose ends. We’ll return once all legal matters are in place. That was always the plan.”
Melissa staggered back. She grabbed Aramis’ sleeve to steady her balance but he tugged his arm away. “You can’t take us all captive.”
Aaron Chance entered the hall, his lethal stare fixed on Mr Adams.
Mr Adams turned to Lydia. “Be a good girl and do as you’re told. We must even the odds, or we won’t leave here alive. We need to take your sister as collateral.”
Lydia’s inner turmoil was evident in her furrowed brow. She’d been tricked by a man who had used her to settle a score. Heaven knows how he’d convinced George Budworth to pretend they were brothers. What it had to do with Mr Holland was a mystery. Though she felt sure the answers to both questions would be answered soon.
Assuming she survived the next hour.
She could tell from Aramis’ focused gaze that he was calculating how he might disarm the villain. Aaron whispered something to him, and they both nodded.
But Lydia reached into her reticule, drew a pocket pistol and aimed at Melissa. “It’s loaded. Please don’t make me fire a shot. I’ve been practising for this moment, fearing you would do anything to prevent the truth coming to light.”
“Come here, Melissa,” Mr Adams barked.
One wrong move and shots would be fired. Melissa deserved to take a lead ball to the chest. Aramis did not. She’d not allow Jacob Adams to hurt him for a second time.
“Do as he says, Melissa.” Naomi met Aramis’ gaze. Guilt burned her throat. She shouldn’t have dragged him into this godforsaken mess. “I shall go with them.” She prayed this wasn’t the last time she would look upon his handsome face or feel the tenderness in his touch. “I love you. But you must let us leave here before someone is hurt.”
“Take me,” he said, the bitter twist of his mouth showing how he loathed negotiating with a man he despised.
“No, Aramis.” She blinked to stem her tears. “It’s better this way. You know why.” Mr Adams had every reason to dispose of him quickly. She had to leave now if there was any hope of them both surviving. “You must let me go.”
The tension in his posture mirrored the conflict within. Common sense prevailed. “This isn’t how it ends for us. Don’t be afraid. You know I never break a vow.”
Aaron placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. His dangerous, panther-like eyes remained fixed on Jacob Adams. “Leave now before I do something I’ll regret.”
In a sudden move that made her gasp, Mr Adams grabbed her around the neck in a stranglehold. He kept the pistol pressed so hard to her temple it would leave a bruise. “If you follow us, I’ll shoot her.” He backed away slowly, heading for the front door.
Lydia faced her and mouthed, “He’s bluffing. Be brave. All will be well.”
