Page 67 of The Meriwell Legacy
“So now,” Alaric said, “in the name of the Mandeville honor, you’re going to kill me and Miss Whittaker.” Percy was drawing closer. Alaric had to keep Edward’s every sense locked on him. He conjured a puzzled expression. “How do you justify that, Edward? The Radleighs are older than the Mandevilles by a century or more, and the families have been allies forever.”
Edward frowned and shifted his weight. “You shouldn’t have butted in. No one asked you to meddle in the investigation. If you hadn’t, the deaths would have been accounted for by now—that fool Stonewall would have happily done as I wished, and we wouldn’t have Scotland Yard poking their noses in and threatening scandal for everyone.”
“One thing puzzles me,” Constance said; Alaric realized she could now see Percy creeping up behind Edward. “If it was the family you wanted to protect, why did you put the letters—and later intend to put the ring—into Percy’s drawer?”
Edward’s eyes were shifting from Alaric to Constance and back again, assessingly, measuringly; he replied rather vaguely, “I assumed he would have the sense to hide them, and if they were found…well, if one of the family had to be convicted, better him than me. After all, it was his fault all of this happened.”
Alaric couldn’t hide his disgust.
Edward straightened and raised his head. “I’ve made up my mind.” Something flared in his eyes. “I’ll shoot you, then strangle Miss Whittaker, and arrange things to look like you killed her, then shot yourself.”
Alaric could see the increased tension in Edward’s arm; the hand holding the pistol had started to shake, the barrel wavering. “Why would I kill her?”
Edward cut a swift glance at Constance. “Because she spurned your advances. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and I’m sure others have, too, but she’s a virtuous lady and wouldn’t welcome the attentions of a rakehell like you.”
Constance snorted. “Much you know.” Her scorn was once again given full rein.
Alaric noted that, but distantly. Percy was nearly close enough…
They needed Edward’s full attention trained on Alaric for just a few seconds more.
Alaric fabricated a massive, transparently resigned sigh. “Very well. But at least have the goodness to take the time to calm down and make it a clean shot. I have no wish to die messily.”
Edward blinked, but then nodded. “All right.” He drew in a deep breath and settled to sight along the barrel. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well—”
Using two hands, Percy heaved up the log and brought it down on Edward’s head.
The pistol discharged.
Edward’s eyes rolled up, and he crumpled to the ground.
Her heart in her throat, Constance flung herself at Alaric.
Wonder of wonders, the man stood his ground and caught and steadied her; he didn’t even stagger.
Her senses registered those facts, but her mind was awash with fear—for him. And that she might lose him—lose any chance she might have had…
His arms had come up to hold her. She pulled back and gripped his upper arms. “Are you all right?” Without waiting for a reply, she ran her hands frantically over his face, shoulders, and chest. “Where did the shot go?”
Even she heard the frantic note in her voice.
His lips curved gently, and he caught her hands, trapping them between his. “Into the trees to my left.” For a moment, he looked into her face, his gaze searching her eyes.
What she saw in his…
Her heart swelled. She threw caution to the winds, freed her hands, and framed his face and kissed him.
Passionately. With all the pent-up emotion in her soul.
Then his arms locked her to him, and he was kissing her back…
For the first time in her life, she understood what it felt like to swoon.
Confident and assured, his lips moved on hers, then his tongue stroked languidly over her lips and, when they parted, slid within to caress and claim and subtly conquer.
Sounds penetrated the fog of joy and rising desire that held them, reminding them of where they were—that they weren’t alone.
Together, they eased back—then she remembered and broke the kiss and glared at him. “You blithering idiot! Couldn’t you think of any other way to distract him besides offering yourself for target practice?”
