Page 98 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Good Lord!” Winchester huffed, catching his breath.
“You saved my life.” Kenneth wheezed.
“Your Grace?” Judge Roberts was timidly sticking his head out of the coach. “What on earth–”
“Magistrate Roberts.” Kenneth gleamed with delight through his bludgeoned face.“I thank you so much for joining us. If you would excuse the interruption, I think we may yet be in time to catch the criminals we mean to.”
“Your Grace, I...” the Judge seemed lost for words.
“No time to waste.” Kenneth climbed up to the driver's seat and took hold of the ribbons. “Bloody good hit, Winchester,” Kenneth remarked, eyeing the unconscious thug that the Marquess had been struggling with. “Never knew you had it in you.”
“Nor did I.” the Marquess glowed.
“Climb aboard then.” Kenneth reloaded his pistol. “The night's work is only beginning.”
* * *
Leah was still standing at gunpoint. Riphook had climbed out of the boat and stood beside Cornelius. From his waistband he pulled a long, frightening knife.
“You know what I did before I came here, Leah?” Riphook taunted, clicking his tongue. “I killed that little brat Nash.”
“You're lying.” Leah could feel despair creeping in around the edges, but she didn't dare let herself surrender to it. She had to remain strong until Kenneth arrived with the Judge. It was almost over.
“I 'aint.” Riphook glared. “Right about now my two boys are dealing with that meddling lovebird of yours. Then Cornelius will inherit everything, and nobody will know the truth. You've failed, little Leah, a good effort surely, but you failed.”
“I'm not so sure.” Leah could hear a commotion welling up behind her.
“What the devil?” Cornelius squinted past her.
A luxurious carriage was barreling down the pier with Kenneth on the ribbons.
“Whoa!” Kenneth shouted, “Easy!” he reined in the horses, clobbering against the wooden pier, tearing deep ruts in the planks. The carriage came to a rocky halt and Kenneth scrambled down.
“It is over Uncle! Judge Roberts is here!”
“Kenneth, what happened to you?” Cornelius raised his eyebrow. Leah glanced at him and saw that he had been badly beaten.Hold on a bit longer, Kenneth, just a bit longer.
“Stop right there, Kenneth.” Cornelius sighed. “Stop or I will shoot her.”
Kenneth did indeed stop, but the carriage door opened and down came the Marquess and Judge Roberts.
“Lord Wilson.” Judge Roberts called out. “I have drawn a Royal Warrant for the arrest of both you, and this, Riphook, here, beside you.”
“I can appreciate your position, Your Honor.” Cornelius gave half a smile towards the magistrate. “But tonight will not be going the way you wish. My associate and I will be leaving now, and we will be taking Miss Benson with us. Anyone who says otherwise will be shot. Do we have an understanding?”
“You are not going to get away with this, Uncle.” Kenneth snarled, but he could not go any closer for fear of Leah's life.
“On the contrary.” Cornelius smiled. “Shall we, Riphook?”
“You botched this ripe and proper.” Riphook snorted. “Let's get out of here.”
“Stop!” Kenneth cried out, desperately. Leah could tell he was likely to make a hasty reaction.Just wait a bit longer, sweet Kenneth, please.
“You disappoint me Kenneth!” Cornelius cried out, stepping backwards towards the boat. “You were meant to be my successor. This city would have been yours! How could you throw that away?”
“You betrayed me, Uncle.” Kenneth sobbed out. “You betrayed all of us.”
“Farewell Kenneth.” Cornelius moaned. “We will never meet again. Come, Leah, come now or I'll shoot.”
