Page 78 of The Duchess and the Beast
“And I live with that every day,” Sebastian finished. “What did you think? That I reveled in Jasper's demise? He was as a brother to me!”
“Hewasmy brother! He raised me after our parents passed. He took care of me ever since I was a young boy, and he would still be here, were it not for your actions!”
“And do you truly believe I am unaware of that? Do you think I never considered how much his death must have affected you? It grieved us all—myself most profoundly! He died because ofmymistake, Simon. I know that.”
“You never cared!”
Sebastian let out a hollow laugh. “Is that what this is? Some demented reality where you have managed to convince yourself I do not care? My every waking moment is consumed bycare! Why else do you suppose I led such a solitary, joyless existence?It was never solitude I sought, but penance! It was the guilt—the unrelenting guilt of what happened that blasted night!”
Wellington sneered. “You... you think this confession changes anything? You believe it should absolve you?” he uttered in disgust.
“No.” His eyes flicked over Wellington’s shoulder to where Prescott and Justine stealthily advanced. Prescott had his pistol out, and Justine, his knife. “I harbor no illusions of absolution. And indeed, for my sins, perhaps I merit death.” Virtue gasped at that. “All I ask is if you must end my life, let my wife be spared—”
“No!” Virtue cried. “Sebastian!”
He held out a hand to silence her, not for a second breaking eye contact with Wellington. “I have relinquished any hope of salvation long ago, Simon. What I seek now is your assurance—promise me you will not harm Virtue. Grant me that, and I will kneel before you and gladly meet my end.”
Wellington laughed scornfully. “You truly have transformed, haven't you? The mask is removed, and suddenly, he plays the hero.”
“No,” Sebastian said simply. “Mask or not, I am no hero.”
“Well, you seem to be forgetting one crucial detail,” Wellington retorted, lifting his pistol to aim directly at Sebastian's face. “Youpossess no bargaining chip here—nothing. Whether you kneel or not, I intend to shoot you. Perhaps I shall even dispatch your wife first, so you might witness her demise? Today, you both shall perish.” He cackled wildly. “Yes, that would be the most suitable outcome.”
“I erred gravely with Jasper,” Sebastian admitted, his expression steely, his tone chilling. “I ventured into hostile territory unaided… But that is a mistake I will not repeat.”
Wellington frowned. “What?”
It happened all too quickly.
Justine moved first, wrapping his arms around Virtue’s waist and pulling her back and out of the way. Lord Prescott then attempted to push Simon’s arms down, neutralizing the firearm as Sebastian charged for him and took him out completely.
At least that was the plan.
Bang!The sound of the bullet was deafening as it exploded from the end of the pistol. Sebastian closed his eyes as he charged, ignoring the sound the same way that he ignored the piercing hot sensation of lead tearing through his gut.
One hand grabbed Wellington around the scruff of the neck as the hilt of the saber bludgeoned his face. Once. Twice. The third time, and he collapsed to the ground at Sebastian’s feet.
“Christ,” Prescott exhaled, chuckling nervously, as he doubled over from the exertion. “Now that… that was something.”
“It seemed only fitting...” Sebastian’s words trailed off. A wave of nausea as the pain seared through his muscles. “Deserved.” His hand pressed against the wound, plugging it as he turned to find Virtue—just in time to see her leaping from the chair and running for him.
“Sebastian!” she cried as she threw her arms tightly around him. “I knew you would—”
“Argh!” he groaned when her body slammed against his, the agony of the bullet wound crippling him such that he nearly collapsed. But he did not—hecould not. He forced himself to stay standing, ignoring the anguish as he wrapped her in his embrace. “I should… should not have left you,” he breathed quietly. “I shouldn’t have—argh.”
“You’re hurt!” she gasped, eyes widening as she noticed the grievous wound. “The bullet!”
“It’s… I’ll be fine.”
“You require a physician!” she cried out.
“Iassureyou,I’ll survi—” The strength in Sebastian’s legs dropped out from under him suddenly and he stumbled forward, clutching Virtue by the shoulder to steady himself.
Prescott swept in hastily to help. “She is correct, Your Grace. You must receive medical attention forthwith!”
“Lord Prescott!” Virtue gasped. “What are you doing here? And your face… what happened to your face!”
“A tale for another time,” he chuckled, before turning his gaze sternly at the short man still lingering a few yards back. “Mendoza! Make yourself useful for Christ’s sake! Fetch something with which to stem the blood flow!”