Page 70 of Wager on Love

“Oh, well,” Henri said in an oily voice. “Let us see. You managed to find yourMèrebut not your pretty heiress.” He waved a flippant hand in the air. “Of course, she could be half way to France by now.”

John’s heart plummeted. Had Henri truly taken Charlotte so far out of his reach? “Tell me where she is Toussaint.” John demanded.

“I am sure we can come to an agreement.” Toussaint hissed through gritted teeth. After all, you do love yourMère. Of that I am sure, and your fiancée, if you don’t love her, she is most enticing.”

Sir John wanted nothing more than to pummel the man, but it was a gut reaction and not born of sense. He needed the man conscious and able to negotiate if he was to find Charlotte. He glanced towards the cliffside that fell sharply to the sea, his eyes searching, but the sheltered cove was hidden from sight. Lady Charlotte was nowhere to be seen.Was she held captive elsewhere, possibly with George? Whoever he was.Were there others, John wondered?How many?

“Truthfully, I was not planning to take Lady Charlotte, but she is such a delectable little piece.” Toussaint laughed.

John clenched his fists and his teeth in unison, sure that one or the other would snap under the strain of his fury.

“It is a happy surprise. I can hurt both you and Keegain. Two birds with one stone, as they say.”

“What do you have against Keegain?” John asked.

“You do not need to hurt anyone, Henri,” his mother said at the same time.

“This!” Henri shouted gesturing to the scar on his face, answering John and ignoring Collette. “He ruined our plans. Now I shall ruin his sister. I wanted the man’s wife, but the sister will have to do.”

John considered pulling the gemstone from its hiding place in his coat, but he was uncertain he should show his hand. “If I give you the diamond, I want them both.”

“Oh no.”

“You wanted the Sancy Diamond…”

“No! The gem is for your mother. That was our deal. You have nothing more, cousin. Nothing more to bargain with. Give it to me now.”

John wracked his brain on how to bargain with Toussaint and secure the release of both his mother and Lady Charlotte. He tried to stall. He caught his mother’s eye. They had used many ruses in their escape from France. He needed some distraction. He wished he could communicate this to his mother, but he had no words, only the brief eye contact.

“If it’s money you want,” Sir John said. “Keegain will pay for Lady Charlotte.” He knew that Keegain would pay any sum to have his sister back. In truth, John would work for the rest of his life if that would save her. His mind sought any way to turn this to his advantage. Any way to save both his mother and his love.

“The earlwillpay and pay dearly.” Toussaint shouted. “But it’s not his money I want. I want Keegain to suffer. I think the man would grieve more if his sister were never recovered. Now hand over the gem, if you have it, and I will be on my way.”

John steeled his verve. “If you think I will make an agreement that involves you taking Charlotte, you must think again,” he said. “I shall destroy the thing before I allow that to happen. Then, I shall turn you over to the proper authorities, and you can consider it a favor to our shared blood that I do not kill you outright for all that you have done.”

“I think you will want to reconsider,mon Cousin,” snarled Toussaint. “If you ever want to see your lady love alive again…if slightly ill-used.”

John looked at his mother again, held in the man’s grip. He saw something flash across her face, a determination, John thought. She understood what he needed. She understood without his saying a word.

A sudden gunshot blast echoed off of the cliffs. John did not have time to worry over what it meant. Collette seemed to take the sound as a signal. She struggled in Toussaint’s grip, shoving at him violently. It was the distraction John needed and he did not hesitate. He lunged for the man, and punched him in the face. Toussaint stumbled. John hit him again and Toussaint fell crying out in pain. He rolled on the ground, moaning piteously, spitting blood. John hoped he had knocked a few of Toussaint’s teeth loose with his blow.

John reached for his mother thinking to end this insanity, but the villain had maneuvered nearer to Collette. Before John could prevent him, Toussaint snatched Collette and this time he held a knife to her throat. “I will not be made a fool!” He shouted. “Desperation is a highly compelling force,mon Cousin, and one which you seem to be in the habit of underestimating. Give me the Sancy this instant, or I will slit your mother’s throat as you watch. If you do not have it, more’s the pity for her.”

Toussaint wiped the blood from his mouth on his shoulder and gave John a murderous smile, stained red around his teeth. He probed his teeth with his tongue and spat blood. John froze, horror and anger warring with one another in his brain at the sight of his mother so threatened. She was paler than ever, and he feared that she might faint at any moment.

“Maman?” he croaked.

“The diamond,” Toussaint demanded. “Now!”

“You don’t have to do this,” Collette said again trying to reason with her captor. “Think of your own mother, Henri. She would not want this.”

“I have no idea what she would want. She is dead!” Toussaint shouted. “And if you do not shut your gob you will follow her. Give me the Sancy,” He continued in a hard voice. “I will not lose now. Not when I have come so close to accomplishing my goal!” Spittle flew as he spoke. John knew Toussaint would kill his mother in a heartbeat. He clearly had no mercy for the bond of family. The man was mad.

Slowly, John pulled the red leather volume from his pocket. He used the moment to carefully adjust the pistol hidden beneath his coat. He opened the book and held up the Sancy Diamond for Henri to see. Poised on its chain, it glinted in the moonlight.

“You really have it.” Henri exclaimed. He laughed triumphantly.

“I have it. Now let her go!”

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