Chapter
36
Edward had never ridden a horse so hard in his life. Nor had he beseeched the Almighty with such desperate prayers. He couldn’t allow himself to imagine the horror of what was taking place at that gatehouse. He only prayed he would make it in time to save Nolan and Teddy.
Evelyn’s note explained how she’d only just learned of her husband’s vile plot to secure the earldom for himself. She’d overheard him telling one of his cronies that he’d hired a common criminal to kidnap little Teddy in order to lure Nolan away from home, where the thug had orders to murder Nolan and the child too. Everyone would assume it was a kidnapping gone wrong, and Orville would remain the heir to Stainsby. As soon as she’d been able, Evelyn had escaped to Fairchild Manor and penned the urgent note to Edward.
Edward could not believe that he’d underestimated Orville to such a degree. He’d known the man was lazy, entitled, and much too fond of spirits and gambling. But murder? He’d never have imagined Hugh’s son capable of such treachery.
Fueled by an indescribable anger, Edward had ordered a footman to ride into Derby and fetch the constable, while he headed to the stable for his horse. Nothing would stop him from doing whatever he could to save Nolan and Teddy.
Now Edward’s muscles burned with fatigue from the hard ride, but he would not slow down. Finally, Wexford Manor came into view. He dug his heels into the horse’s side and pushed on until he saw the gatehouse. Then he dismounted, prepared to walk the last bit to keep the element of surprise in his favor.
Heedless of the snow and slush that tugged at his feet, Edward made his way toward the building. The closer he got, the faster his heart sprinted. Please, merciful God in heaven, spare my son and keep my grandson safe.
As he paused by the bushes near the front door to get his bearings, his thoughts swung to Iris. If things went badly, there was a chance he might never see her again. Regret lodged in his chest—regret that he’d never found the courage to declare his feelings. Other than a few stolen kisses, he hadn’t revealed his heart.
Forgive me, Iris. If I get the chance to see you again, I promise to remedy that fact straightaway.
Nolan inched across the room, away from the baby, who had fallen silent. He prayed Teddy was all right, but his silence was preferred at the moment. Nolan had to catch Bellows off guard and get control of his gun before the hooligan could use it.
“So, how long have you been working for Orville?”
The man pulled the rag from his face. “Ever since you became the newest heir of Stainsby. Mr. Orville paid me to spy on you and leave you threatening notes. Until I went to prison, that is. Then he must have got someone else to deliver his messages.” He swiped a sleeve across his mouth. “If you’d been smart and listened to those threats, all this might have been avoided.” A hint of fear flashed in the man’s beady eyes.
“Listen, Bellows. I have cash. A lot of it. You can have it all if you leave us now. Disappear and don’t come back.”
He squinted at Nolan. “How much?”
“A sizable sum.” Nolan removed the satchel from his shoulder.
Bellows went to grab the bag, but Nolan held back. “Not until I have my son and you give me the gun.”
“You think I’m stupid?” He cocked the pistol and yanked the bag from Nolan’s hand. “This will be a nice little bonus.”
Nolan’s heart thudded hard in his chest at his miscalculation. He had to keep the man talking. Distracted. Appeal to his compassion for Hannah and the baby. “Look, I know you never liked me, but surely you don’t want to stoop to murdering a nobleman and his son. You’ll hang if you’re caught.”
Beads of sweat appeared on the man’s grimy forehead.
Nolan inched toward Teddy.
“Think of what this is doing to Hannah. She’s out of her mind with worry over the baby. I know you’d never want to hurt her.” Nolan took another small step. “If you take Teddy back to his mother unharmed, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
A snarl erupted from the man. “You need to shut up. I’m the only one leaving this place alive.” The gun wavered in his hand as he aimed it at Teddy.
Icy chills shot through Nolan’s limbs. In a burst of desperation, he sprang at Bellows, knocking his arm. The thug’s eyes bugged out, but his grip remained firm on the weapon. Nolan shoved the man, knocking him away from Teddy. They both fell to the ground with a thud, Bellows landing on Nolan’s chest.
The gun went off, and a streak of heat ripped through Nolan’s side. He ignored it and clutched the man’s hand in a desperate attempt to loosen his grip on the pistol. Teddy screeched louder in the background, grinding Nolan’s nerves to an even sharper edge. Despair seeped through him as his strength waned.
Lord, help me. Please.
Using all his might, Nolan heaved upward and knocked Bellows off him. The two rolled across the floor, dust flying with their struggle. In the melee, the gun clattered to the floor. Bellows scrambled over, snatched it up, and trained the weapon at Nolan. “You won’t win this time, stable boy.”
The loud report of a gun echoed in the room. Amid a haze of smoke, Bellows’s eyes went wide. He slumped forward and fell facedown on the floor.
Nolan pushed to his knees. What had happened? He stared in shock at the unmoving form. Then his gaze moved to the man standing before him, pistol in hand.
“Father. Thank goodness.” Nolan’s muscles went lax. He gasped for air, his lungs not cooperating.
Footsteps sounded, and Mickey and Will burst into the room just as Edward kicked Bellows’s body over with his foot. Blood saturated the front of his stained coat.
Teddy’s frantic wails increased in volume. Nolan crawled over to pick up his son. With shaking hands, he pulled the cloth away and peered at the tiny face, swollen from crying. “It’s all right, son. Your papa’s here.”
Nolan attempted to stand, but the searing pain in his side intensified. Sweat dripped from his forehead.
“Nolan! You’re hurt.” Edward shoved the gun into his pocket and strode forward.
Nolan blinked. The room swam before him like a changing kaleidoscope as he passed the baby to Edward. “Bring Teddy to Hannah. She needs to know I kept my promise.” His legs gave way beneath him, and he slid to the floor. He pressed a hand to his side where a hot, sticky sensation met his palm.
“Hang on, son. You’re going to be all right.”
But as the edges of Nolan’s vision grew dark, he feared his father was wrong.
“Tell Hannah I love her,” he whispered. “More than anything.”