Page 85 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
“Even if she is not,” Percival snapped, “they still have her! What will they do if we do not comply with their demands?”
But Leonard was not so sure they still had her. Cooper was frantic. He was alone. What had happened to his partner? Something had gone wrong with the kidnapping. Worry smothered Leonard but he was determined not to lose his composure.
“Throw the bag down and get out of here!” Cooper yelled. “Or you will never see Miss Elizabeth alive again!”
“Duke!”
Leonard held up a hand to silence him, his eyes adjusting slowly to the darkness. It was still impossible to see where Cooper stood and if he was armed. Leonard had disobeyed the instructions, a pistol sitting on his hip but what good would that do if he could not see his target?
The arrangements had been well made—too well made for a couple of thieves who ran about robbing carriages. Someone had thought out every move.
“Did you hear what I said?”
“I heard you, Cooper but I am afraid I cannot comply with your request.”
“What—”
He was not afforded and opportunity to finish for Leonard tossed the lantern toward the sound of Cooper’s voice. At once, the pine needles captured the flames and a cloud of black smoke filled the air.
“Come on, Lord Gordon, move! Hyah!”
Leonard kicked his horse as the fire began to burn in his wake but above that was the sound of Cooper screaming in protest.
“Get back here! I will kill her! You have killed her, you bastard!”
The cries washed over Leonard like a thousand knife stabs but he held fast to his horse and moved the beast along, putting as much distance between him and Cooper as he could manage.
I did the right thing. Elizabeth is not with him. I am right.
“DUKE! DUKE! What have you done?!” Percival was quite nearly in hysterics when he caught up to Leonard, safely back in the thick of the trees.
“He does not have her,” Leonard told him again. “I will not give him the ransom if he does not intend to hand her over.”
“Perhaps not here but—”
“No,” Leonard told him firmly. “He was acting too desperately, too skittishly. Something happened, possibly with his partner.”
“YOU CANNOT KNOW THAT!”
“I know that he does not have Elizabeth, Lord Gordon. She either escaped or…”
“Or what?” Percival screamed. “You have ruined our best opportunity to get Elizabeth! Why? Why would you do that?”
“Because my heart is telling me that she is not his captive any longer.”
“Your heart! Your heart may have killed her! I was a fool to trust you with my daughter! I should have known that a man like you would never have the bravery and courage to fight for her!”
Leonard was stung by the words but he knew Percival was beside himself. He could not be faulted for whatever was coming out of his mouth.
“You will see I am right,” Leonard told him softly. “You must have faith that she has escaped.”
“What faith?” Percival spat back. “You have as good as murdered my daughter!”
Leonard swallowed the lump in his throat, kicking his heels into his horse’s ribs and urging the beast to move faster, as though he was trying to escape the words Percival spoke.
I did not kill her. I know I am right—Elizabeth is not with Cooper any longer.
He lowered his head and buried his face into the horse, his jaw locking. If she was not with Cooper and she had not escaped, Elizabeth was more than likely dead.
