Page 141 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
All eyes followed the maid who moved a lamp to the dark sleeping corner where a small body lay tightly swaddled.
Llewellyn’s back stiffened.
Across the room, Thomas spotted Charlie and looked toward the door. Bink had appeared in the doorway, towering over a better-dressed villain, one of Lady Kingsley’s men, probably.
The henchmen were glued to the scene at the bed, the fools.
“With my own hands,” Gracie said in a strong voice, “I killed the man you sent to steal my daughter.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, enough of this Spanish drama.” Lady Kingsley’s pistol still tracked Gracie. “The child will just be trouble.” She threw her girth at Francisca, shoving her aside, and grabbed the small bundled body from the bed.
Francisca grasped at the body and a tugging match ensued, Lady Kingsley’s pistol waving wildly, Gracie ducking out of the way.
Fighting broke out in the rest of the room, Juan, Thomas and Bink choosing that moment to challenge Llewellyn’s and Lady Kingsley’s men.
Charley turned on Llewellyn, but spotted Thomas near the window, and one of Llewellyn’s sailors raising a knife at the boy. Charley lunged, ripped his hand back, freeing the blade, and kicking it away. The sailor growled and attacked.
Charley brought the butt of the pistol down on his head, but the man got up and charged again.
Thomas swung a chair at him. He parried the blow and turned back on the boy, who retreated to the open window.
“Duck, Thomas,” Charley yelled. The boy dove and Charley dropped his pistol, hoisted the villain and tossed him through the window. “Grab it.”
He pulled out his other gun and yelled, “Gracie.”
“Right here, Charley.”
Llewellyn had her by the waist, kicking and fighting, but the two women pulling the baby apart blocked his escape from the room.
Juan had found his way to the far side of the room, and was taking a beating. At the door, Bink parried blows from two men. One landed a solid punch and Thomas raced in, andpow. The pistol shot knocked Thomas back, and the man staggered. Bink righted the boy and knocked the wounded man down the stairs.
He turned in time to see Gracie break free and go to Francisca’s aid. A sharp crack from Llewellyn sent the maid sailing back into the bedpost where she smacked her head and slid to the floor. Gracie shrieked and dropped with her. Lady Kingsley knocked into Llewellyn, righted herself, and swung the small body against the bedpost.
The head bounced across the floor, the brown eyes wide and staring.
Llewellyn clutched Gracie’s hair and pulled her to her feet. “What have you done?”
She twisted and kicked and flailed. “Would I expose a real child to a monster like you?” Her blade flashed down on his arm and he cried out, releasing her.
Charley jerked Llewellyn back and planted the point of his pistol in the man’s neck.
“You,” Lady Kingsley glared at him.
She tossed the doll’s body aside and wove a shaky figure of eight in the air with her gun barrel, stopping at Gracie.
He held his breath. He hoped he didn’t have to shoot Llewellyn’s head off. It would be an altogether unpleasant experience for Gracie.
He made himself laugh. “You are quite right, Lady Kingsley. The child will certainly be trouble for you. Your other man gave Lord Shaldon quite an earful about the sea captain and the lady who paid him to steal an earl’s granddaughter.”
Lady Kingsley’s gaze narrowed.
“On the other hand, my father is quite a good listener if you have something to share with him. And I imagine you do. Put down your weapon, Lady Kingsley, or your friend here will die.”
“My friend?” She laughed.
“Your business partner then. Or is he a lover?”
She laughed softly. “Yes, well, you can reach into my business partner’s pocket and retrieve the little book stashed there, and then I will be going. I have a boat to catch.”
