Page 85 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

Gerald looked out of the slit. “I thought I told you to come alone.”

“You don’t expect me to drive my own coach,” said the duke, knowing that he would have no problem doing so. “I have my driver and no one else.”

“You nobles are all the same,” spent Gerald. “Quickly.”

He opened the door just enough for Arthur to get inside, and that is when he saw the flash of a metal barrel pressed to Lucy. Arthur could feel the weight of his own gun on his belt. The door was closed behind as soon as he was in, and Gerald motioned with the gun for Arthur to move into the sitting room.

When the three were in there, he threw Lucy down into the chair and held the gun aloft, moving it back and forth between her and the duke.

“Now, you know I am not a man to be trifled with, and I know you are not an honorable man, so I am going to presume that you will have contacted the authorities already like the coward that you are, so I will make this quick. Have you brought any money?”

“No,” replied Arthur. “I was not told to, but I can get you some money if that is what you want.”

“You expect me to believe that. You are not going to let me have the money, just like you didn’t let those pair of imbeciles. If you haven’t brought any money, I am not going to wait around until you get me some money. I am not that stupid.”

“Clearly,” said Arthur.

“You might think you are clever, but clever does not beat desperate. If I stay here, I am going to go to jail, and it is all because of you. You ruined Margaret’s life and her parents’ lives, but you are not going to ruin mine.”

“Then, it would seem we are at an impasse,” noted Arthur. “But, I have shown that I am a man of my word. If you let Lucy go, I promise that you will get the money and you will be allowed to leave London.”

“I will be leaving London, and no one will ever find me. I have friends all over the country. But, there is still a toll that needs to be paid.”

“I don’t have any money,” reminded Arthur.

“I don’t want money, I want a life. I have taken this useless maid hostage, but you still have a chance to show that you are the hero. Seeing as you ruined everything, I will let you stand in for her. One of you is going to die, and you get to choose, Duke.”

Lucy let out a gasp and started to sob.

“If you kill me, you promise not to hurt her?” asked Arthur.

“I swear on the Lord,” said Gerald. “But, you had better make up your mind quickly, because we both know that I need to be out of here before the constables get too close. And, I must thank you for bringing a horse and driver for me—that will do nicely for travel tonight.”

“You can have me,” said Arthur. “I will take Lucy’s place as long as you agree not to harm her.”

“I swear,” said Gerald with a grin.

Arthur was not sure if he believed the man or not, but this was the best he was going to get. He knew that Gerald would be forced into making a choice if he did not make it for him. There was no way to delay any longer.

“Then I accept,” said Arthur. “You can let Lucy go now, and I will stay. She does not need to see this.”

“No,” said Gerald. “I don’t want any funny business. She can stay with you until they get here to take your body.”

“Fine,” said Arthur. He had delayed as long as he had needed.

“Do you have any last words?” asked Gerald.

“I do, but I won’t be speaking them for a very long time.”

Parker swung the short metal bar and struck Gerald on the temple. Arthur ducked, just in case, but the gun did not go off. Both the weapon and Gerald fell to the floor with a thud.

EPILOGUE

Home Sweet Home

Three Weeks Later

“Can we not stay here for a while longer?” asked Arthur.

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