Page 85 of The Bachelor
“You know damned well I won’t let you leave this house with her,” Joshua said, fighting to keep his terror from bleeding into his voice. “I don’t even know how you got past the footman.”
“I didn’t have to. I came in through the kitchen door downstairs and slipped up here. Your footman was half-asleep when I got him by the throat and threatened to kill him if he didn’t tell me where you were. He said you were in the kitchen, but I knew you weren’t.”
“You’d better not have hurt John!” Gwyn cried. “He’s done nothing to you!”
“He’s tied and gagged in a closet, my dear girl,” Malet said. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. As long as I get what I want, we’ll all end up happily.”
Somehow Joshua doubted that, but he had to keep Malet talking, had to distract him until he could get to his weapon. At least now he knew that Malet had come here alone.
Joshua pressed on the arm of the settee so he could rise. “What do you want?”
Malet’s gaze narrowed on him. “Where’s your cane?”
“Somewhere under the settee.” He made as if he were going to bend over. “But if you’ll give me a minute—”
“Stop! I’m not fool enough to let you gain access to your favorite weapon.”
Joshua straightened, then shrugged. “I don’t know about favorite. But it would do in a pinch.”
Malet scowled at him. “Which is why I’m not about to let you hunt for the damned thing.” He scoured the room. “Where did you put the Frenchman’s purse?”
“It’s still in my coat pocket.” Joshua pointed to where his greatcoat lay over the chair. “You’re welcome to look for it.”
He had to get Malet away from Gwyn somehow.
“You seem to think I’m stupid,” Malet growled. “You want me to let her go so I can look for the purse while you get hold of your cane and stab me with it.”
Joshua shrugged. “It was worth a try.”
“Fortunately, I am too clever for you.” He nodded at Joshua’s greatcoat. “Get the purse out of there and throw it to me. Come to think of it, while you’re at it, throw me the papers I sold the Frenchman. I daresay he’ll pay me for them again.”
“Lionel!” Gwyn exclaimed. “Are you . . . are you spying for the French?”
“This doesn’t concern you, Gwyn. It’s between me and your lame champion there.”
Joshua fought his urge to react in anger. He dared not risk Gwyn. “Speaking of lameness, how am I to walk without my cane?”
“I don’t care. I just want the money.”
“Very well.” Joshua hopped toward his coat.
“Wait!” Malet cried. “You have your pistols in there, too, don’t you? No wonder you were so amenable.”
“Lionel, how could you evenconsiderhurting me?” Gwyn wheedled. “Especially after all we meant to each other.”
“Shut up, Gwyn! I need to think.”
Gwyn cast Joshua a meaningful look and closed her fingers around the head of his cane. Damnation, she intended to try something. He’d better be ready.
Malet’s knife hand wavered at her neck. “Here’s what you’re going to do, Major. You’re going to grab your greatcoat by the collar and toss it over here so that it lands at my feet, do you hear?”
“There are two loaded pistols in the pockets of that greatcoat,” Joshua lied calmly. “I daresay neither of us wants to risk them going off.”
The bastard cast him a truly evil smile. “Then you’ll just have to throw it carefully, won’t you?”
“Fine,” Joshua said in an annoyed tone that he hoped sounded convincing, given the fear he felt for Gwyn.
He hopped toward the chair where his greatcoat was draped, but he made sure to angle himself so that he could lean against the table beside the chair for support. Then he grabbed his greatcoat with his left hand and tossed it into the air.
