Page 100 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“It is, at last.”
“Digby,” Leah started, tearing up as she looked to the hulking hero of the day. “I am so sorry.”
“What happens to Rip now?” Digby asked. His voice was somber and hollow.
“He will be tried.” Kenneth grunted, gingerly touching his side. “And I do believe he will be found guilty of a great many things. Then they will hang him.”
“Then I ain't sorry.” Digby crossed his arms in firm resolution. “That's what Nash wanted. He got it.”
“That he did.” Kenneth nodded in agreement.
“He mustn't be forgotten.” Leah took Kenneth's hand.
“He shan't be.” Kenneth answered.
“I must go see to him now.” Digby said sadly, turning to leave.
“I shall pay for the burial.” Kenneth said. “Wherever he would have liked.”
“Westminster Cemetery.” Leah said. Digby nodded in agreement, wiping a tear from his eye.
“Very well.” Kenneth limped into a standing position. “I shall see you soon, Digby.” and he reached out his hand. Digby shook it and nodded, then Leah threw her arms around him in a great embrace. After they had said their goodbyes, Digby turned off and went away into the night.
“It's a beautiful night.” Leah said after the air had settled again and they were alone on the pier.
“It is, a brilliant moon.” Kenneth remarked, resting his injured head on her shoulder.
“Kenneth.” Leah bit her lip. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” he tilted up to her.
“I killed Cornelius.”
“What do you mean?” He seemed startled and confused. “He just collapsed.”
“I poisoned him.” Leah admitted, holding up the small empty vial of poison that she had confiscated from the good Dr. Fowler. “When I poured the wine.”
“You poisoned him?” Kenneth was blinking his one working eye, clearly trying to sort things out.
“I knew we couldn't trust him. He was trying to poison me with the wine with his ring. I had to act first to ensure we would succeed. Please, do not hate me, for I did only what the situation required.”
“Hate you?” Kenneth turned to her now, hauling himself upright at great expense to his own comfort, it was clear. “How could I ever hate you? You who have shown me the truth of the world, who have taken me out of the pits of despair and reshaped my world dramatically for the better, I could never hate you, Leah, never,” and he sloppily slid onto one knee before her, his battered head bobbing up and down, and she felt overwhelming love for him. “I love you Leah, now and always, so if you would be my wife, I would be humbled for the rest of my days.”
“But all the world would balk at us.” Leah protested, batting tears from her eyes. “What would they say?”
“Bugger on them and all.” Kenneth insisted. “I have never cared for their opinion, so why should I now?”
“Oh my.” Leah wiped her eyes clear. “Have you a ring?” Leah smiled, catching her breath, taking his bruising face in her shaking hands.
“I haven't.” he smiled back at her.
“Of bloody 'course I'll marry you,” and she kissed him long and deep, and she felt so flooded with joy that she forgot for a time that she was in fact a person. For a few moments, she existed as nothing but the feeling of pure happiness and love, and then returned to the world as Kenneth withdrew from the embrace.
“Oh bugger.” He winced, lying back on the pier. “I think my jaw is broken.”
“Oh!” Leah exclaimed, laughing out as she began to cry tears of joy. “It is my turn to read at your bedside, it seems.”
“Ha!” Kenneth lay flat. “I think perhaps, I may have more broken ribs than you did.”
