Page 51 of My Beastly Duke

Suppressing a smirk, Adam ventured forward, his gun in hand. “It is as you say, My Lord. We will allow you to lead the way.”

The flattery seemed to work all too well as the baron’s eyes flashed with hunger. “We had better set off then.” He attempted to pass them, but quickly found his path being blocked by Aaron.

“I think we had better let the dogs run her tired before we give chase.” Aaron glared at the man, towering above him.

“What is the meaning of this?” The baron’s eyes moved frantically between the brothers as he took a step back. The atmosphere in the small clearing seemed to change all too quickly.

“Before we continue, there is a small matter that my brother and I wish to discuss with you,” Adam informed him, placing his rifle against the base of a nearby tree to show that they meant no harm.

Aaron followed suit, yet his tone failed to convey the friendliness that Adam conveyed. “I would like to discuss the little article you posted on my brother’s behalf.”

The baron paled slightly as he backed himself against a tree. “You have no proof that it was me who wrote the article.” His tongue flicked nervously back and forth over his lips.

“You say that it was not you, yet we did not have to explain what we were referring to.” Aaron’s voice dropped to an icy tone.

Panicking, the baron attempted to back up even further but found his path blocked by the solid oak.

Stepping in, Adam attempted to calm the man. “We do not wish to harm you, Lord Wallace, we only want to talk and come to an understanding.”

Searching frantically for a path of escape, the baron realized that he was caged in like an animal. “Yes, it was I who wrote the article, and I will write another if you do not comply with my requests. You should have given me money when I came knocking, but you were too proud and stubborn.” His demeanor instantly changed as he glared at Aaron.

Losing his temper, Aaron, lunged forward but found himself being held back by Adam.

“Don’t you dare come any closer!” The baron raised his rifle, pointing it directly at Aaron’s chest.

Taking a few steps back, Aaron and Adam both raised their hands.

“We do not wish to fight; all we want to do is come to a reasonable agreement. Lady Wallace and her daughters should not be harassed. Surely, we can come to an agreement among men?” Aaron spoke coolly, keeping an eye on the baron for any kind of opening.

The situation seemed to have escalated beyond their control when the baron loaded his gun, raising it even higher in the air as he shut one eye and aimed. “The only negotiations that will be taking place here, boys, have to do with how much money the two of you will be giving me. You thought yourselves very clever, strategically placing yourselves in my hunting party, but the joke is on you. I never back down. Neither of you has the guts to pull the trigger, but I do.”

Thinking quickly, Aaron tried to buy them some time while he inched closer to the baron. “There is no need for any of this. We can come to an agreement, as long as you leave my wife and her family alone.”

“Your wife? It strikes me as strange that you would so willingly claim her as yours after sending her back to live with her mother. Just the other day I was there while she sobbed in her chambers. You take me for a fool, Your Grace, but perhaps, it was you who was the fool.”

He is trying to distract us.

“You are far better looking than your beast of a brother, Mr. Marner. Perhaps you jilted the young lady at the altar because you did not wish to take responsibility for spoiling her. I wouldnot blame you, as beautiful as she is, I would not wish to take responsibility for her either. If she was loose enough to allow you into her bed before marriage, then perhaps she deserves to be married to a monster.” His eyes flashed maliciously when Aaron clenched his jaw.

“That is a lie!” Aaron felt the rage bubbling up in his chest.

Manic laughter filled the air as the baron raised his gun even further and advanced, driving both of the brothers back. “It does not matter whether you believe me or not, I am sure that the rest of the ton will be more than happy to believe me. Besides, the two of you cannot do anything to me, everyone saw you lure me here into this clearing.”

Aaron began to see red when he realized that there was no reasoning with the man. He would stop at nothing to extort money from them, even if it meant ruining all of their reputations.

“A boar!” Distant shouts reached their ears as the sound of hooves crashing through the underbrush filled the air.

Looking around frantically, the baron licked his lips before pushing past them and running in the direction of the shouts.

“My Lord, I do not think that you should give chase on foot!” Adam tried to reason with him before turning to Aaron. “We have to stop him!” He hissed through his teeth before running to his horse.

Realizing the precarious situation they were in; Aaron followed suit and retrieved the reins before pulling himself into the saddle.

A moment of confusion filled the air, as a loud shriek filled the air, followed by firing guns and shouts.

What has the fool done?

Chapter 21

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