Page 43 of I Never Forget a Duke (The Night Fire Club #1)

There was a bit of a ruckus outside the door to the parlor, but Adele couldn’t see what was happening from where she was sitting. She tried to scoot closer to the door and caught the profile of a willowy man with curly hair—the Marquess of Beresford. Why was he here?

“Now, before you become violent,” Beresford said, “I am to tell you that His Grace has sent me as a delegate of sorts. I am to negotiate with you for the release of the duchess.”

“Why you?”

Beresford stood tall and proud and said, “I am a neutral party. I could best argue dispassionately for an agreeable solution to this spot of bother.”

Collingswood practically growled, “Why didn’t that coward Swynford come himself?”

“Couldn’t be bothered. Don’t believe everything you read in the scandal sheets, Collingswood. There’s no love match here. Swynford married her out of pity. He had ruined her, after all. Aristocratic men never know when to keep it in their breeches.”

Adele felt crushed, until she realized this might be a ruse. She knew Hugh too well to believe he didn’t value her. He’d said he loved her, in fact, and she’d believed him. Beresford acting as though none of that were true must have been the first volley of the war to rescue her.

That also meant Hugh could be walking into certain danger. Collingswood had a gun tucked into his breeches. It was hidden by his coat now, but she’d seen him put it there.

She cursed silently and pulled at her bindings again.

“Let me see the duchess so I can make sure she’s all right,” said Beresford.

“She’s fine. What are you trying to tell me?”

“Swynford is not coming. He values the land in Kent more than he does his wife. Have you any idea what that tract is worth?”

“You’re jesting.”

“Come now. You know how ruthless the Baxter men can be. You are one yourself, are you not? Trust me, I spend enough time around Swynford to know that all he cares about is money and power. His ruthlessness is how he became so successful. And he doesn’t want a slimy eel like yourself to have that land.

I believe those were close to his exact words. ”

While Beresford continued to talk, Adele leaned to the side to try to hear. She nearly toppled over, the bindings keeping her from being able to balance her body well. A noise off to the side distracted her. She turned and saw Owen creeping into the room.

“We have to get out of here,” he whispered. “Come on.”

Adele turned to show Owen her tied hands. “I haven’t been able to stand.”

Owen nodded and walked forward on tip toes.

The floor creaked, but Beresford’s voice had grown quite loud, so hopefully Collingswood didn’t hear.

Owen helped Adele to her feet but didn’t untie her hands.

He led her toward the back of the house, but when they were nearly there, Collingswood shouted, “Stop!”

“I didn’t think it would be that easy,” muttered Owen. “Well, time for Plan B.”

Collingswood pulled out his gun and pointed it at Owen. Adele’s heart leapt to her throat. She didn’t know if Collingswood had the courage to use the gun or not, but she didn’t want to take any chances. “Please be calm, my lord,” she said, sounding as serene as she could.

“No. Swynford will surrender that land to me, or I will kill you! Then I will go to his house and kill him . Then it will all be mine, as it always should have been.”

While Collingswood’s focus was on Owen and Adele, Beresford crept back toward the door. Since there were no servants to stop him, he slipped out the front door of the house. Adele wondered if he was running out on them now.

She and Owen were alone.

Collingswood pointed the gun at Owen and said, “You will go fetch Swynford and bring him to me. If he truly doesn’t care about his wife, let him tell me to my face.”

Adele felt dizzy, the room swaying and spinning around her.

Her hands were still tied, so she couldn’t brace herself against the wall, and she worried she might fall over.

Beside her, Owen nodded and carefully walked toward the front door.

“I will fetch him. I must go to his house, so this may take a little while. Please do not harm Adele.”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

Owen sighed. “Because Beresford was partially bluffing. Maybe it’s not a love match, but I believe Swynford would want to avoid the family scandal should anything happen to his wife. She is therefore more valuable to you if she is alive.”

Collingswood pursed his lips but then nodded as if he understood the wisdom of that.

But then he reached out and struck Adele across the face again.

Adele grunted in pain that time. She lost her balance and her shoulder slammed into the wall.

She took a deep breath and managed to use her elbow to push herself back into a standing position, but the dizziness returned, and she was beginning to worry she might pass out before this was all over.

Owen started to march back down the hall. “I swear to all that is holy, Collingswood. If you harm her further in any way, I will see you hanged myself. Forget about Swynford.”

“Fine. I won’t touch her again. Now go get Swynford. Let’s have this done.”

Owen opened the front door and now Adele found herself alone in a narrow corridor with Collingswood.

She was terrified of the gun in his hand, worried it would go off when he did not intend it to.

She tried to back up but tripped over the hem of her gown.

The only thing that kept her on her feet is that she hit a wall with her shoulder again and was able to use it to keep herself from falling.

She swallowed the cry of pain and leaned against the wall.

“What do you intend to do?” she asked, truly nauseous now. She did not want to be alone with this man. He looked a bit like Hugh, but shorter and less handsome, and he sneered at her in a way that seemed spiteful and dangerous.

His face twisted into a leer. “I can certainly see your appeal. Perhaps my cousin does not love you, but he would be sad to lose such a pretty plaything. If Swynford doesn’t want you, maybe I’ll keep you for myself.

” He ran a finger down the side of her face.

She pulled at her bindings again, wanting to slap his hand away.

Owen had not gone far, however. Instead the door burst open and a group of men came inside. Beresford and Hugh now stormed through the door, with Lark, Fletcher, and a man Adele did not know on their heels. Collingswood started at the invasion and flailed but did not fire the gun.

Hugh ran down the hall toward her. “Adele. Oh, Adele, are you hurt?”

“I am all right,” she said, although Hugh’s face was growing fuzzy. “He has a gun.”

He took her into his arms and held her closely, maneuvering her so that his body was between her and Collingswood. She was nearly relieved, although her stomach still roiled, and she knew they were not out of danger.

“It’s true,” said the unknown man. “Collingswood, show your hands.”

“He tied Her Grace’s hands behind her back,” said Owen.

The unknown man said, “You intended to use the duchess to force her husband to give you a tract of land.”

“Who are you?” asked Collingswood, still refusing to show his hands.

“Michael Shea. I’m a Bow Street runner. Show your hands.”

No one else seemed to be heeding Adele’s warning. Lark said, “If you need more, the duke was hit over the head near Grosvenor Square a couple of months ago. That night, his signet ring was stolen. I believe you will now find that ring on the hand of Lord Collingswood.”

Adele saw the glint of it—a heavy silver ring with a ruby on it, just as Hugh had described it—as Collingswood waved his hand. Then he brandished the gun.

“Look out!” shouted Adele.

Everyone turned toward Collingswood. He waved the gun around before pointing it up. Who he intended to shoot was not clear.

It did go off then. Everyone ducked. The bullet went up and hit the ceiling; an explosion of plaster caused a white cloud that obscured everyone’s appearance.

The Bow Street man, Shea, moved quickly. He grabbed Collingswood’s arms and pulled them behind his back, then he took the gun and handed it to Beresford, who placed it on a table.

“Well, this is fun,” said Shea. “Crime is down in London. I hardly ever get to arrest anyone anymore.”

Beresford chuckled. “Well, show him no hospitality.”

Shea looked at Collingswood’s hands. He pulled the signet ring off his right hand and examined it. “This certainly does look like the Swynford ring. I believe this belongs to you, Your Grace.”

He tossed the ring toward Hugh; Hugh caught it. Without letting go of Adele, he slipped it back on his own hand. Then he put his hand back on Adele’s back.

Hugh continued to clutch Adele close as the other men spoke. He ran a hand through her hair. “Your shoulder is red. What did he do to you?”

“Nothing. I tripped and hit the wall.”

“After Collingswood slapped her,” said Owen.

Hugh let go of Adele then and leapt toward Collingswood. Lark got between them that time. “Calm yourself. Mr. Shea will put Collingswood in jail. The law will sort this out. Adele is safe and you are with her. Let us not make this any worse.”

Fletcher produced a pocketknife and walked toward Adele. He went to work undoing the bindings. It took him a long moment to saw through one of the ropes, but when she at last had access to her arms and hands again, she almost wept with relief.

She felt so stupid for going with Collingswood to begin with, but she’d thought it best to avoid any harm coming to Hugh. She hated that Hugh had worried so much. And now he looked like he might murder Collingswood with his bare hands, had Lark not been holding him back.

And now she was even more dizzy. Lights flashed at the edge of her vision. She took a step forward. “Hugh? Help me. I feel…”

Then everything went dark.