Blood Lust (34 page)

“Brutal tactics? What brutal tactics? As I recall, you are the murderer in the family. You are the one who was sentenced to hang.”

“But you are the one who is guilty of the murder. Both of us know that. And now I have the evidence to prove it.”

“Do you?” Benjamin’s laugh rang with menace in the empty room. “I don’t think you have the least chance of proving me guilty of a crime you committed.”

William’s muscles tightened even more. The surprise they had hoped for had failed them. Benjamin had guessed he was the man behind the note. William had known it could happen. They were praying it would not.

Damien stepped out of the shadows. “There was a witness, Benjamin. You may have known William was alive, but I’m sure you weren’t counting on that.”

Unease shifted across his features then it was gone. “If there is a witness, it is someone you have bribed to lie in William’s defense.” He smiled with malice. “If you had any real evidence you wouldn’t have set up this meeting. You would have gone straight to the authorities.”

William said nothing.

“Now that I think of it,” Benjamin continued, “your witness magically appears, and my witness has convenient- ally been murdered.”

“Oh really, murdered?” Damien countered. “Are you really so sure of that Benjamin?” William looked at his friend, not knowing what game he was playing.

Damien motioned toward the shadows. A petite, cloaked figure appeared. Stepping into the candle light, the mystery figure threw back the hood of the cloak. “But yet, here she is, Benjamin. Alive and well.” William and Benjamin gasp as Jane’s face appeared.

“I don’t believe it.” Benjamin bellowed. “This is impossible.”

William said nothing, just stared at them in disbelief.

A noise sounded outside, a rumble of voices. “William!” At the side of the building stood Katherine and Elizabeth. The two women stepped forward.

As the group descended toward Benjamin, he started to turn and weigh his options.

“Stay right where you are!” a voice of authority shouted from behind them.

Benjamin froze in his steps. “Ah, sir. You surely aren’t going to believe this lot. It is all nonsense I assure you. Be sure that they have all been paid well to alter their stories.”

“Take him away,” he ordered. “You will have the chance to tell your story in the morning, my lord. At that time you may address your claim to the Crown court justices. In the meantime, you will remain in custody.”

Katherine, Elizabeth and Jane stood and watched while the men started to drag Benjamin away.

“It isn’t over yet.” Benjamin hissed at the women. “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all of you!”

The group turned away from him and stood with William and Damien who were talking with the magistrate.

Benjamin somehow twisted away from his captors. Reaching into his coat, he pulled something from the inside pocket, and a pistol appeared in his hand.

“I’ve always said, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.” He cocked the hammer.

William knew he stood too close for Benjamin to miss. Christ, he couldn’t let the bastard win again. Diving to the side, his body tensed against the impact of the ball.

William hit the dirt floor and rolled. A thunderous shot resounded, then another. It took several seconds to realize the first shot had come from behind him, taking Benjamin square in the chest. The second was the sound of Benjamin’s weapon, discharging harmlessly into the air.

Katherine casually dropped the spent pistol to the ground. “Good riddance,” she said without the least amount of pity.

William’s gaze swung back to the man on the dirt floor just a few feet away. Benjamin’s sightless eyes stared upward.

“Is he dead?” Damien asked when he reached him.

“Yes.”

Damien gripped William’s shoulder. “Then it’s over.”

William nodded, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. As Damien had said, at last it was over.

Justice had finally been served. The waters muddled from Benjamin’s greed at last ran clear.

“Your husband’s a very lucky man,” the magistrate said. “I am pleased to see that justice has been so well served.” He turned his attention to William. “I believe, your grace, it is time you took your lovely wife home.”

As the two started to walk out of the warehouse, they stopped next to Damien, who was standing with Elizabeth and Jane.

“Just how did you manage this Damien?” William asked, eyeing Jane. “Katherine saw her, she was sure she was dead.”

Damien smiled at his old friend. “That is something best shared at a later time.” The tall man chuckled at William and Katherine.

Katherine bit her lip and looked at the two men. Then putting her arm through the crook of William’s arm, she asked. “Are we for home, your grace?”

“Yes, duchess, home to Sussex Manor. I meant what I said. I love you and I’m not leaving. You’re stuck with me for as long as I live.”

He smiled down at her. “And thanks to you and some very good friends, that looks to be quite a long time.”

Thank you for interest in my books. I hope you enjoyed Blood Lust. If you are interested in keeping abreast of my upcoming works, etc. please visit the sites below.

Email: TudorRose829@gmail
.com

Twitter: @JamieRSalisbury

Blog:
http://jamiesalisburyauthor.blogspot.com

Other Titles By Jamie Salisbury:

Perpetual Love
(book 1 of the ‘Albert & Anne’ series)

Tudor Rose
(book 1 of the ‘Tudor Dynasty’ series)

All are available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords.