Wickeds Scandal by Kathleen Ayers

31

Alexandra walked down the hallway towards her study, ready to do battle with a stack of letters from London and the never-ending ledgers. Miranda received a note yesterday that a special shipment awaited her in the village. Another shipment. Since her sister-in-law’s arrival a month ago, Miranda seemed determined to restock the Helmsby Abbey library with every book Thrumbadge’s offered. Her eyes took on a special glow of delight as she read the missive and begged Alexandra to come with her, but Alexandra declined. Her condition, she told Miranda, made riding in a carriage very uncomfortable.

Miranda commandeered a groom to take her into the village.

Alexandra waved them off from the porch, Miranda chattering non-stop to Michael, Helmsby Abbey’s head groom. She stood on the porch for the longest time until the carriage disappeared from view. The sweetness of the grass caught her nostrils as the sun warmed her face. She was putting off the inevitable. The ledgers.

She walked back into the house and plopped herself down in the ancient, overstuffed leather chair. Kicking off her slippers, she wiggled her poor feet. They were terribly swollen. Mrs. Cowries soaked them every night, but it didn’t seem to help. The size of her stomach certainly gave credence to Mrs. Cowries’ theory that Alexandra carried twins.

With one hand resting on the mound of her stomach, Alexandra’s other hand picked up a freshly sharpened quill. Her hand hovered over the paper as she glanced towards the study window. The curtains of the study were drawn tight against the late morning sun.

Odd.

The servants opened them every morning, as Alexandra preferred to work with a view of the gardens while she toiled at the large desk. Her ears picked up the sound of heavy breathing. Her neck prickled in fear. Someone was in the room with her, hiding in the dark far corner.

“Hello, niece.” Odious Oliver emerged into the dim light and waddled towards her. He looked awful. His skin sagged around his chin and his eyes held a yellow cast. Stains dotted his waistcoat and the elbows of his coat were so worn she could see his shirt through them. The bit of gray hair left on his head hung to his shoulders in greasy strands.

Bile rose in her throat. Her uncle. Here. Dear God, why had he come?

“My, but you’ve been busy. Renovating this pile of manure, though why you’d bother I’m not sure. Managing Cambourne. But I see you have a vested interest.” His bulging eyes took in her swollen form. “That must be the heir to Cambourne. Pity we won’t need him. We’ve found another.” He sneered.

Alexandra’s heart raced. “Mrs. Cowries! Jameson! Derek!”

Oliver shook his head sadly. “Oh, that won’t do any good, my dear. Besides the fact that your servants are so decrepit that they couldn’t give you assistance if they tried, I’ve taken the liberty of locking them in the barn while you were lazed about the porch. Mrs. Cowries in particular was not pleased to see me. Had to put a flour sack over her face to get her to listen. That woman never did like me. Always refused to make me my favorite pudding.” Her uncle leaned over the desk, his hands splayed out over the stack of papers. His breath smelled of soured wine and ill humor. “No matter, we’re going to set the barn on fire. Warm this place up a bit. Perhaps I’ll roast a sausage along with your servants.”

Alexandra paled. “Miranda is here. She-”

“She won’t be rescuing you.” He shook his head at her shocked look. “Don’t fret, niece. Her carriage wheel will simply be loosened. How fortunate that my man watching the house overheard her plans to visit the village. She will be delayed. Hours, likely.”

“Get out. Get out of my house.” Alexandra trembled in anger mixed with a desperate fear. She pointed at her uncle, her finger shaking as she spoke.

Odious Oliver smirked. “You’re not in charge, you bossy little twit.”

A carriage rolled into the courtyard.

Alexandra looked expectantly towards the door at the sound of the wheels, praying that Miranda had forgotten something and returned.

“Why couldn’t you have just married Runyon? Stupid little overeducated bitch.”

Alexandra flinched from the hatred in her uncle’s voice. She stood, gripping at the desk to steady herself.

“Now things are going to go much harder for you. Exactly what you deserve since you ruined everything.” Odious Oliver gave an evil chuckle, his eyes widening with insane merriment as Alexandra flitted from behind the desk. He made as if to grab her and laughed maniacally when she sidestepped out of his touch.

Alexandra needed a weapon, something, anything, to fend off the monster in front of her. Her eyes spied the letter opener on the desk.

Oliver wagged a bulbous finger at her. “No. Not a good idea, niece. You could slip,” his tone became more menacing, “and stab that brat in your belly.”

Alexandra moved backwards towards the wall, her eyes continuously searching the room. Cold metal touched the back of her arm. Her grandfather’s sword! Eyes never leaving her uncle’s face, she slid the sword into the folds of her skirt.

The sound of the front door opening met her ears. Steps sounded down the foyer.

Oliver’s face creased in worry. He looked like a terrified walrus. Sweat ran down his sallow cheeks.

“Who is here?” Alexandra grabbed the sword tighter.

“It’s a surprise.” Odious Oliver regained his composure, but the anxiety is his voice bled through his words. “Speaking of surprises, Alexandra, did I ever tell you what a surprise it was for your aunt, when I returned unexpectedly?”

Alexandra began to shake her head slowly, somehow sensing what her uncle would say.

“She wrote to Mr. Meechum, that dunderhead solicitor, telling him the entire Dunforth fortune was to be given to you. Did you know that? Ridiculous woman. I was her husband. She even revised her will to revoke my guardianship. I was not pleased.” He twirled his mustache into greasy points on each end of his face. “Totally unacceptable.”

Alexandra swayed against the wall. Her aunt hadn’t lied to her.

“Stupid woman, Eloise. She boasted about changing the will, coughing and choking on her own spittle. She thought I would just go away, fade back to London without a penny to my name. Not bloody likely with the duns beating at my door everyday.” His eyes took on a crazed sheen. “The will never made it to Meechum. She barely made a protest when I told her I would take every farthing of the Dunforth money and dispose of you.” He cocked his head in thought. “Well, she may have protested. Couldn’t hear her through the pillow. I did push it down bloody hard. The woman would simply not shut up.” He sighed and shrugged as if making a joke. “I needn’t have worried anyone would hear. All the servants are quite deaf.”

Alexandra clasped the sword tightly and stifled a sob of anguish. He’d killed her aunt. He’d sold Helmsby Abbey. He’d traded her to that depraved cur Archie Runyon to pay his debts.

“You filthy, disgusting…”

“Now, Alexandra, is that anyway to talk to your beloved uncle? Tsk, tsk, your manners are quite lacking.” His grin widened, showing the stumps of rotten teeth. But, not at her, at someone who opened the door and entered the study.

“Hello, pigeon.”

She nearly fainted dead away. Archie Runyon. Dear God. She still had nightmares about the man. She thought him gone to the Continent. Panic, so profound it threatened to make her black out coursed through her frame.

“Help! Someone, please!” She screamed as loud as she could.

Her uncle shook his head at Archie Runyon. “Silly goose, I’ve told her they are all locked in the barn. No one can hear her. She’s not listening.”

Archie Runyon, perfectly dressed in a light blue suit, walked into the study swinging his wolf’s-head cane. His glacial blue eyes bored into her. “Shut up, Alexandra, or I will light the barn on fire this instant. This instant. I do so enjoy a good fire, and it’s quite chilly in Hampshire.” He looked around the room, sniffing a bit. “I have to agree, Burke, this is a pile of manure and brick. Disgusting.” He put a handkerchief over his nose. “Quite dusty. All these silly books.” He waved at the bookcase.

Alexandra pushed herself as close to the wall as she could. I must not faint. The baby kicked as if in agreement. No, she must not faint. Her hand slid over the sword, her palms thick with sweat.

Runyon moved further into the room, catching sight of her enlarged waist. “Oh dear, I see that some things have transpired in my absence.” He pointed the cane at her stomach. “Pregnant women disgust me. They remind me of cows and farm animals, which I suppose in this setting is appropriate. We shall have to fix that.”

“I will kill you if you come near me.” She brandished the sword. The weight of the weapon made her hand shake.

“Really? You are going to run me through?” Runyon gave an amused chuckle. “I doubt that. Dear Lord, you are so repulsively large, you can barely move. You’ve become hysterical. Burke, take the sword from her please, so we can get on with this.”

Alexandra looked at the two men wildly. She waved the sword between the two.

Odious Oliver mopped his face with a filthy handkerchief. He shot a look at Alexandra holding the sword. “Look here, I’ve paid my debt to you Runyon. I told you she didn’t show up at Blackburn Heath. I followed Miranda. I told you how to get to Helmsby Abbey. That was our agreement.” Her uncle sniffed as if insulted. “Swordfights were not part of the bargain.”

“Miranda is unharmed?”

Burke nodded. “One of the carriage wheels has been loosened, but not enough to cause the carriage to tip over. It will simply slow her down.”

Archie nodded in approval. “Good. My cousin does not wish her daughter harmed as she could be useful a bit later.” He moved towards the desk, giving a giggle as he watched Alexandra try to lift the sword higher. “Alexandra do put down the sword. You must compose a letter for Miranda. I’ve no doubt she is familiar with your handwriting. I shall tell you what to say. Your disappearance combined with the horrible news of Cam’s death should drop the Dowager like a stone.” He laughed evilly. “Never did like the old bitch.”

Alexandra paled, clutching the sword tighter. “I don’t believe you. Sutton could not be dead.” The room spun.

“Oh, I’m quite certain he is.” Archie replied. “No body, of course, for a funeral, but when you are wrapped in chains, and thrown into the ocean, well even Cam couldn’t avoid his fate.”

A sob escaped Alexandra. “Oh my God.” She wanted to crumple to the floor and weep until she couldn’t feel anymore.

Seeing her bend over, Archie raised his cane at her uncle.

“Damn it, Burke, take the sword, and let’s get on with it. She can barely stand she’s so overcome with grief.”

Odious Oliver approached her cautiously, his eyes narrowed. She could smell the sweat on him. One fat arm reached out.

Alexandra brought the sword up turning it sideways, with every bit of strength she possessed. Rage fueled her as she thought of what these men had done. The blade sliced into her uncle’s arm, just below the elbow. She pulled it down, opening the flesh on her uncle’s arm to his wrist.

Blood spurted, spraying Alexandra’s cheeks.

Her uncle screamed in pain.

“You bitch!” He cried, clutching his heavily bleeding arm. “You burdensome female how dare you strike me!”

Runyon pretended to flick a piece of lint off his shoulder. He adjusted his cuffs. “Do hurry, Burke. I grow weary. She is with child and presents no challenge.”

Odious Oliver walked to the fireplace, grabbing the poker. “I should beat you senseless you ungrateful bitch.”

“Do not injure her.” Runyon commanded. “I don’t want her hurt. Yet.”

Alexandra raised the sword again, her muscles burning with the effort. The sword shook, her strength failing. Giving a mighty groan, she swung the blade at her uncle again.

Burke batted away the sword with the poker. “How tiresome you are, Alexandra. Horribly overeducated.” He pinned the sword with the poker and took the weapon from her easily. He turned triumphantly to Runyon. His cheeks flushed red. His breath came in deep gulps. Apparently, the effort of disarming Alexandra was nearly too much for him.

He threw both sword and poker to the floor. “I kept my part of the bargain, Runyon. You promised me if I brought you here, and helped you, I could sell this place and everything in it. My debt to you forgiven.” Her uncle scanned the study. “I wonder how much I can get for all these old books?”

“Oh, that. I neglected to inform you that there’s been a change of plans. Although, I am forgiving your debt to me.” Runyon calmly took a pistol out of his breast pocket and cocked it.

Hearing the sound her uncle turned to Runyon, just as Runyon put a bullet between his eyes.

A bright red hole formed in Odious Oliver’s forehead. The moonlike face, still dripping sweat, froze in an expression of surprise. His obese form wobbled.

Runyon stepped out of the way. “Oh dear, which way should he fall?”

The study shook as her uncle’s body fell facedown on the floor, causing the vase of flowers on Alexandra’s desk to shake.

Alexandra screamed.

Runyon approached the body, nudging Burke’s form with his toe. “Don’t carry on, pigeon. You hated your uncle. I hated your uncle. He was a disgusting pig who never appreciated you. You should thank me. Now, be a good girl. Come write Miranda a note. I’ll tell you exactly what to say.” His dipped a quill in the inkwell and held it out.

Alexandra couldn’t move. She watched the blood begin to spread over the carpet where her uncle lay. She shook her head.

“Are you worried about Miranda?” He said with false concern. “I promise she won’t see a thing.” Runyon called over his shoulder, “Bigby?”

A large, thuggish man appeared at the door of the study.

Alexandra shrank back. The man bore a large scar and held a pistol in his belt.

“Put this,” he pointed his cane at Burke, “in the barn. Don’t set the fire yet. I wish Miss Dunforth to light the flint.” Runyon tossed a bag of coins at the man. “Please disappear from Hampshire.”

The man nodded and caught the bag of coins. He rolled her uncle neatly in the rug, barely sparing Alexandra a glance. A small trail of blood followed them out.

“Oh dear, you’ll have to tidy that up before we leave. Now on to the note.”

“Monster. You are a monster.” The bile rising in her throat made her choke on every word. “I won’t do it. I’d rather die than help you.”

“Hmmm. You will do so, or I shall cut out that child with this very sword.” He pointed to the weapon still lying on the floor. “I studied with a physician once, in France. Did I tell you that? I know just how to do it.”

“Not even you would do something so inhuman.” Terror for her unborn child paralyzed her.

“Oh, but I would.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” The words came out in a sob as her mind raced for a way to escape the elegantly clad madman standing in her study.

“Because I can. Now be a good girl and sit at the desk.”

Alexandra moved slowly away from the wall.

“You are an intelligent woman. I appreciate that about you, Alexandra, truly I do. You clearly see that your failure to follow my instructions will result in the demise of the child you carry. Although my cousin herself has never felt that particular inclination to protect her children, she assured me that other women did. As always my darling Jeanette is correct.”

Runyon smiled, assured of her defeat. He walked to the window, turning his back on her as if to prove she presented no threat to him. “After you write the letter, you’ll mop up this mess. I expect you’ll need to pack. I refuse to buy you any clothing while you are in this condition.”

Alexandra eyed the weapons still on the floor. The sword was simply too heavy, but the poker was not. “What do I have to do to spare my servant’s lives?” Silently, she inched closer to the poker.

Runyon chuckled and rocked on his heels, still staring out the window towards the barn and surrounding fields. “I will let you possibly spare one of them.” The enjoyment in his voice could not be missed as he taunted her.

She bent and quietly picked up the poker. “Please, all of them. Must I beg? I shall if need be.”

“Once we get to Italy, we will get rid of that brat.” He informed her. “I’ll let the child live, but you must give it away. Perhaps to an orphanage or a workhouse. I hate children. Dirty little buggers.”

Alexandra summoned all the strength at her disposal, knowing her life and the life of her child and servants depended on her. With a heave, she swung the poker at the back of Runyon’s head. She aimed for his bald spot wishing the blow would split his skull, but the poker was heavier than she thought. Her aim went wild. The blow only grazed the side of his head, but it was enough to bring Runyon to his knees.

He grunted, his hands reaching out to steady himself as he fell. The wolf’s-head cane slid from his hands and out of reach.

“Damn you!” He screeched. “Damn you to hell, Alexandra.” He touched one hand to the side of his head, holding up his bloody fingertips to her. “Just for that, pigeon, we will light the barn now!”

Alexandra shook her head wildly and ran.

Her feet flew across the back hall of the house. Her only escape was through the small side door leading to the vegetable garden. From there, Alexandra could make her way to the path winding through the woods to the village. Silently she prayed for the safety of her servants. She must not stop even though her lungs already burned with her efforts.

A scream of pure rage followed her out the door. Runyon was on his feet and coming after her.

Alexandra headed for the thick woods. She tripped over a branch, caught herself, and kept moving.

The baby kicked. This time harder.

“Alexandra!” Runyon bellowed. “You’ve been a bad, bad girl! I’ll have to use the whip on you.”

He is insane.

Alexandra ran as fast as her swelling form would allow through the thick mat of leaves and underbrush. Her heart shattered with every step she took refusing to believe the poison Runyon uttered. Sutton cannot be dead. I would feel it. I would know. Runyan had to be lying.

Please God let it be a lie.

Her dress snagged on a thorn bush and she pulled it free, but a piece of fabric was left behind. Runyon would see it. But still, she didn’t stop. She knew these woods well, had played in them all of her life. Surely, she could lose him. Alexandra ran into a copse and hid among the leaves

Panting, Alexandra held her hand against the bulge of her stomach, willing the child within to cease kicking. A hard pressure had built between her legs as she ran. Sweat poured down her back and between her breasts. The cramp took her by surprise and she sucked in her breath at the pain.

A crash came through the woods, like an angry bear, followed by a scream of triumph. “Not very good at hide and seek, are you? I’ve found a bit of your dress. Lord, but you are careless!” The footsteps behind her slowed as if he were deciding which way to go.

Alexandra covered her mouth from weeping aloud, more terrified than she had ever been in her life. How was she to survive this? Sutton.You stupid, impossible Peacock. How could you leave me to face this? Her arms curved protectively around the child in her womb.

“I have to protect you,” she whispered as her hands ran over her stomach. “I will not allow that monster to harm you nor take you from me. You are the heir toCambourne. I will not let him take us.”

How long had Jeanette and Runyon been planning this?

“Come, my pigeon.” Runyon cajoled just to her left. “You cannot hope to outrun me Alexandra. Not with your belly full of that bastard’s child.”

She could hear him beating away the dense grass with his cane. “Come dearest, I assure you Cam is dead. There is no way he survived a bludgeoning and a drowning, even the luck of Satan Reynolds must run out eventually. It would break my heart to report that his young widow threw herself into the nearby river, drowning in her grief.” He gave a nasty chuckle at his pun.

Desperate fear ripped into her. He was right, she couldn’t outrun him. Her side ached and something wet ran down the inside of her leg. She spied a large hollow log to her left. It looked rotten and filled with vermin, but the log also looked large enough to hide her. Crawling on all fours, she moved towards the log. Spiders and what appeared to be a small snake scattered from the area as she approached.

“Alexandra. Answer me, you stupid bitch!” He slapped the cane against the ground. “I am growing weary of this silly game! I am going to beat you senseless for wasting my morning in such a way. Do you hear me?”

Alexandra inched her way into the log on her side. She ignored the bugs dropping in her hair and the splinters digging into her hands. Pulling her feet in, she concentrated on controlling her breathing. Silently she wept while her body shuddered in shock and terror.

The crunch of a boot sounded just outside the log. The cane swung back and forth, knocking against the rotted wood.

Suddenly a strong hand wrapped itself around her ankle, the fingers digging into her flesh.

“No! God, no!” Frantically she tried to wedge herself deeper into the log. Her face scraped against the interior of the log tearing her skin. Blood rushed down her cheek.

Runyon gave another tug, ripping her hose. “Lord, stuck in there like a pig in a poke.”

Alexandra dug at the inside of the log, her fingernails breaking, as she clawed for purchase in the rotten wood. She kicked her feet wildly, hoping to land a blow on his face and was rewarded with a muffled sound of pain.

“I’ve got you now!” Runyon bellowed in a childish voice, as if she were only toying with him and not fighting for her life. “So predictable in virtually every way. Except for that very disgusting display of wanton behavior with Cam. Public ruination by the biggest rake in the ton, was something I did not foresee. You’ll be paying for that little episode for quite some time.” He pulled her legs, twisting her calves painfully.

Her skirts ripped, sticking to the log. Runyon gave an exasperated sigh and pulled harder. The lower half of Alexandra’s body emerged from the log.

“Leave me alone. I shall have you arrested. I know about Elizabeth. Your relationship with Jeanette” Alexandra spat at him. “I know what you did. I’ll tell your father.” The log shredded beneath her fingertips as she struggled to gain purchase.

“Alexandra you are so terribly unsophisticated. I would venture even backward in some ways. I worship my cousin, and she adores me in return. You will learn to worship her as well. Jeanette and I enjoy the games we play together, we have since we were children. When she visits us in Italy, you will be required to play those games with us.”

“Sick.” Alexandra hissed. “You are both detestable, horrible creatures. That any mother would allow her daughter to be touched in such a way is revolting…NO!” Alexandra screamed as the lower half of her skirt was ripped off.

Runyon’s hand made contact with her nearly naked buttocks. “Do not ever speak of my sweet Jeanette in such a way again. As far as Elizabeth is concerned, I was merely toying with her. Jeanette didn’t mind. Robert made such a stink”.

“Elizabeth was a child. You monster.” She stuck at him with her foot, one shoe coming off. Alexandra felt her hair catching on the log as he pulled her body towards him.

With one great tug from Runyon, Alexandra popped out in a dirty heap of log and leaves. Grabbing her by the hair, he held her up, grunting with the effort. He turned from her stomach in revulsion. “We must get rid of that as soon as possible. Good lord you resemble a sow about to sprout piglets. He leered at her breasts. “But there are some benefits I suppose. Your tits are much larger.” He reached out and pinched her swollen nipples. “Delicious.”

Alexandra hit him with her hands and slapped at his face, struggling to break free. Tears streaked down her cheeks. “Please,” she begged, sounding like a madwoman. “You can do whatever you want to me, but please don’t hurt my child. Please!”

“Oh, Alexandra. I don’t make deals with naughty little sluts like you! I will do whatever I wish to you and your child.” His pale gaze fell back to her stomach. “Now what to do with the Spawn of Satan?” His eyes widened as he thumped her belly with his forefinger. “Sounds much like a melon.” An insane giggle escaped his lips.

The thud of hooves broke Runyon’s ramblings. Someone was coming.

“Alexandra! Alex!” The deep baritone echoed through the quiet woods as the horse slowed.

Runyon poked his head up, sniffing the air as if he were a small fox about to be dispatched by a hound. He shook his head in wonderment.

Alexandra twisted, trying to release herself, shocked at the sound of her husband’s voice.

“Unbelievable!” Runyon’s face bore a look of frustrated amazement. “How in the world did he survive? Jeanette will be livid. Simply livid! You just cannot get good help these days. I suppose that if one wants something done correctly, one must do such things oneself.” He looked down in disgust at his waistcoat. “And just look what you’ve done to my waistcoat. Horribly soiled because you refuse to behave.” He shook her.

Alexandra raised her hands and pummeled Runyon, all the while screaming as loud as she could. “Here! I’m here Sutton!”

Runyon’s ungloved hand shot out and slapped her across the face, making her head snap back.

“Shut up, Alexandra. I am so very tired of listening to you talk.” He shook her harder.

Alexandra struggled against the blackness that was stealing over her vision, but she kept screaming, her throat feeling as if it were stripped raw.

A large bay mare galloped towards them, the rider bent low over the animal’s neck. It was one of the horses that pulled Miranda’s carriage just an hour earlier. The rider’s long, dark hair fluttered around his shoulders as he headed straight towards them. The glint of jade sparkled from one ear and his face was contorted with rage.

Alexandra struggled. She smacked at Runyon’s hands where he held her, then bent down and bit him hard, on the wrist.

“Bitch.” He shook her as a dog does a small animal. “Damn him. Damn you.”

Sutton jumped off the horse to grab at Runyon. As he did, her captor threw her back towards the fallen log. Her head connected with the rotted wood and for a moment Alexandra saw stars. A gasp of pain left her lips as another cramp rippled across her mid-section.

The two men tumbled to the ground amid the tall grasses.

Alexandra couldn’t see anything except the moving of the grass and muffled grunts of pain. Pushing herself away from the log, she struggled to pull herself upright. A silent prayer escaped her lips as the wolf’s-head cane rose high and pummeled the grass.

Sutton grunted in pain.

Runyon turned in a semicircle, the cane held high as if not knowing where to strike. Suddenly the tall grass shifted as if a large snake slithered towards Runyon. A large snapping sound rang through the clearing as some part of Sutton made contact with Runyon’s leg, breaking the bone.

Runyon fell.

“You worthless bastard!” Runyon spat. “Now look what you have done! Why aren’t you dead? You should be dead!” Runyon whined in a crazed voice as he rolled towards the area where Alexandra sat, weeping in pain and rage.

Sutton stood, looming over Runyon. He spared a glance at Alexandra before looking back down at the man screaming in the grass. “Really Archie, you should be more careful of the loyalty of the men you hire.” His booted foot made contact with Runyon as he kicked the injured man. “That’s the problem with mercenaries, Archie. They can be bought. Fortunately for me, Viscount Lindley pays far better than you or Jeanette. Once he dispatched your assassins, he saved me and sent you word I was dead.” Sutton kicked Runyon again eliciting another yelp of pain.

“He said...” Alexandra stuttered. “Viscount Lindley said he took precautions.” Alexandra silently thanked the large, menacing Devil of Dunbar for his foresight. She would thank him much more effusively in person.

“If you move again, I’ll kill you.” Sutton warned the man lying in the grass. “And I do so wish to kill you.”

“Sutton.” Alexandra held out shaking arms to her husband. “You’re not dead.”

Sutton gave Alexandra a half-hearted smile. “I’ve lived years telling Nick to stop acting like a meddlesome old aunt. Always inserting himself in everyone’s business. I will never do so again.” He knelt to enfold her in his arms, his eyes widening as he took in her stomach.

Alexandra caught the aroma of cinnamon and horse. And Sutton.

“Jesus.” Sutton took a deep gasping breath as if the sight of her caused him pain. “I left you and you were with child. How can you ever forgive me?”

Alexandra shook her head, shaking out twigs and leaves. “You couldn’t have known, though that doesn’t excuse you.” She sniffed as the tears ran down her cheeks and her heart lifted in joy at the sight of him. “How did you find me?”

“I am the package Miranda went to the village for. I sent word two days ago. She was incredibly frustrated you didn’t wish to go with her. Just as we rounded the bend and Helmsby Abbey came into view, the carriage wheel loosened. Then I heard you scream.” His voice grew rough. “I took the horse and rode towards the sound.”

Alexandra began shaking. “Sutton-”

A shadow loomed behind Sutton.

Runyon stood on one leg, dragging his broken limb behind him. “You…should…not…be…here.” Runyon pulled apart the cane, revealing a wicked blade.

Sutton pivoted, but not quickly enough. Runyon’s blade flashed in the sunlight before burying itself in Sutton’s side. He toppled over, a large bloodstain blooming the fine white lawn of his shirt.

“No!” Alexandra screamed and crawled towards her husband, the pain in her belly growing more intense. Sobs wracked her body along with the tightening of her stomach. She looked down and saw a trickle of blood running down her leg to stain her hose. Was she to lose Sutton and the baby? Alexandra wished nothing so much in that moment but to die, with her husband and child.

Runyon stood unsteadily, a smug look of triumph on his face. He took out a handkerchief and mopped sweat from his brow.

“You see if you want a job done correctly,” he pushed back the blonde curls that had fallen over his forehead, “you must do it yourself.” Runyon struggled to maintain his stance on his wounded leg. “Now it’s just you and I, my little pigeon! We must make haste. We have a barn burning to oversee!”

“No. I’m not going anywhere with you.” While Runyon laughed, Alexandra inched toward her husband. Upon reaching Sutton, she cradled his head in her hands as blood from both their wounds mingled and darkened their clothing. “Please don’t leave me. I cannot do this without you. I won’t do it without you. Please.”

“Love you.” The green of his eyes blazed brilliantly on her. “Have forever. Should have told you.” His skin took on a grayish hue as his eyes fluttered closed. “I’m sorry, Badger.”

“You cannot die. You cannot.” Alexandra sobbed brokenly.

Runyon hobbled closer. He grunted in pain as he looked down at Sutton and the sobbing Alexandra.

“Dead! Yes! Finally!” His insane laughter echoed through the quiet clearing as he reached down to grab her. “Such fun we will have, Alexandra!”

It was the last thing Runyon ever said to her as the sound of a single shot rang out through the quiet woods.