Page 58 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
When he came closer to George, he could see a man standing close to George, with what looked like a stick in his hand. The man held the stick above his head and looked as though he was about to hit George. Henry went closer and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could get a word out, a man with an eerily deep voice spoke.
“Do not dare hurt this animal! If you value your life, you will leave this estate and not return,” the voice warned.
“And who is going to stop us?” The man who had wanted to hurt George spoke.
Wait, I know that voice. The robbers on the road! They had known exactly who I was, and now they were here on my land. Henry waited to see what would happen next. If this man who saved George needs help, then I will act. Currently, the element of surprise could be just the thing he required.
The man with the voice had not come there alone. Others emerged from all around them and came to stand by him. The one man who had been talking to him was also joined by a few men.
Had the other men who stood been the robbers? Had they been there before? Were they responsible for the fire that burned the stables down? And why? Henry thought as he carefully approached the small crowd of men.
“What has this got to do with you, anyway?” Another one of the robbers asked as he came to stand next to the first one.
“Well, seeing as this is the family I have vowed to protect, it has everything to do with me,” the man with booming voice replied.
Vowed to protect this family? Who are you? Henry thought, as he had enough of hiding in the shadows.
“I want all of you to get off my land!” Henry demanded as he went close enough for them all to see him. They turned to look at him, and the man with the voice took his hat off.
“Father!” Henry exclaimed. He stood on the spot staring at a man he had mourned the loss of. “How? And why did you not reveal yourself? How could you have let me believe you were dead? “Henry went to the man and looked at him.
“I was at death’s door for months, son. By the time I could return, it seemed safer for you boys to carry on without me. I have tried where I can to protect you all,” Henry’s father said. “You do not know how difficult it was to stay away from you. The moment word spread of my demise, you were no longer under threat.”
“Except that we were, still are father. My accident was not one at all and could have left our bloodline erased from history. How do you consider that to be protected?” Henry replied.
The robbers had tried to make their escape while the two men had been in a discussion. The men who had stood by Henry’s father sprung into action and captured the men. They brought them to Henry with their hands tied behind their backs.
“Take them into town. They shall have their day in front of the judge,” Henry said as the men were escorted off the property. Henry turned back to his father when a commotion could be heard coming from the house.
Charlotte! Henry thought as he heard women scream, and gunfire erupted inside the house. Henry swung his arms at his sides as he tried to run faster than he already was. The house had not seemed that far away before, as he ran and ran for what felt like an eternity to find her. He entered the dining room to find their guests gathered around something.
Henry’s heart beat so loudly in his chest that he was surprised that nobody turned to look at him. He moved through the people to find his brother sitting calmly in a chair with a pistol in his hand.
“Brother, what are you doing?” Henry asked. He was unsure what had happened but knew there was something amiss. Notone person dared to move or even speak. When Henry made it to stand in front of Edward, he could see that someone had been fatally injured.
“What have you done?” Henry moved to check on the person lying motionless on the floor. Henry took the man’s wrist in his hand and felt for a pulse. There was a faint tremor.
Edward stood up and walked over to his brother. “He irritated me and paid the price,” he said, his expression emotionless.
“You cannot do as you please, let alone in my house. This man needs medical attention. Is there a doctor present?” Henry looked around.
“Here!” a man replied and came closer. Edward pointed his pistol at the man. He stopped and put his hands up at his sides in surrender.
“Edward this man requires help. It is also in your best interest that he survives,” Henry said as he stepped between Edward and the doctor. Edward did not adjust his aim and now had the gun trained on his brother.
“You always had to be better at everything. These people all think you are such a hero, and I am crazed,” Edward said softly to Henry. He lifted his head to address the room. “You do not know this man the way I do. He is a coward who ran from his country to stay in yours,” Edward said with great pleasure.
“Edward, stop this before you throw everything away,” Henry warned. He had never seen his brother like this. As much as it disturbed him, he wanted to keep his guests safe.
“It is you who threw your life away. I have everything you have always wanted, and you can not stand it.” Edward spat at Henry.
“I have not the faintest idea what you are speaking of, brother. Let these people take their leave, and we shall sort this out, alright?” Henry said calmly.
“No, not alright. I want them to see who you are. Not one person leaves here until I am satisfied!” Edward roared in the room.
“Edward, stop this now!” A booming voice spoke from the other side of the room. The guests cleared a path for the man to walk toward Edward and Henry.
“Father?!” Edward said. Henry took his chance at that moment and took the pistol away from Edward. He nodded to the doctor, who wasted no further time in helping the injured man. Edward turned to Henry.
