Page 73 of Surrendering to a Lady's Touch

Chapter 18

John watched as Darkmoor turned, seemingly satisfied with his threats and ready to go home. But John knew better, and he was not done yet. Right when Darkmoor’s back was turned, John forcefully grabbed him, knocked the pistol from his hand, and took him into a chokehold. “Never turn your back on your enemy,” John whispered into his ear.

“Unhand me.”

“I shall not.”

Margaret was quick to exit the carriage, taking the pistol from the ground and pointing it towards Darkmoor, who lifted his hands in conceit. “What do you think you are going to do with that, Margaret?”

“Whatever I need to do,” she replied with unflinching courage.

John felt pride rise in his breast. Now standing on the ground, the driver said, “Oh, this is a terrible ordeal. My lord, what am I to do?” he asked Darkmoor fearfully.

“Keep quiet,” Darkmoor hissed. He spoke to Margaret yet again. “Is this really what you want? A strapping young man who can execute a chokehold but cannot support you?”

“Yes,” Margaret replied.

John knew better than all of this. He could support her, and she would discover that soon when he asked her father for her hand.

“You are making a mistake, Margaret,” Darkmoor said, his voice flat but threatening.

“Then it shall be the most joyous mistake of my life,” Margaret said with finality.

John whispered into his ear yet again. “Go home, Darkmoor. This business has concluded. I am taking Margaret with me.”

Darkmoor paused, seemingly trying to collect the proper words. “You shall pay for this,” he said casually.

“So be it. I shall pay for anything regarding Margaret.”

He unhanded Darkmoor when he noted that Margaret was at a suitable distance and still holding the pistol aloft. Darkmoor kept his hands in the air as he walked to the coach, Margaret stepping back all the while. Once he had mounted the first step, he turned to Margaret and said, “The real person that shall pay for this is your father. You understand that, do you not?”

Margaret nodded faintly and sadly. Darkmoor shrugged and got into the coach, calling out to the driver to return to his post. As the coach pulled away, Margaret ran into his arms, and John softly took the pistol from her hand.

“Oh, John,” she said, crying into his chest.

“It is all done now,” he assured her, stroking the back of her hair.

“But what of the threats to my father?”

“I shall take care of that.”

Margaret pulled away, staring into his eyes quizzically. “You shall?”

“Indeed. Margaret, I have not been entirely honest with you about my funds.” John put the pistol into the back of his trousers and took Margaret’s hands.

“What do you mean?”

“I… I have a great deal to offer, Margaret. I can pay your father’s debts.”

Margaret’s eyes went wide with shock. “What… what do you mean?”

“I mean that I received an inheritance from my late parents, and it is enough for us to live on while also giving your father the support that he needs,” John explained.

“That cannot be true.” Margaret shook her head.

John placed a hand upon her cheek and smiled. “It is true. Please trust me. If we live a simple life, we will have all that we require.”

Margaret threw herself into John’s arms. “All that I want is a simple life! Oh, John, you do not know how happy you make me.”

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