Devil Disguised (28 page)

She pulled out a piece of paper and said, “It is most tragic really. I found this note as you left the store and then I saw you take a hired coach.”

The coach stopped and Mary motioned for Lily to move out of the carriage. Lily stepped down. A second small coach had arrived. The two drivers of both coaches
stood close. Lily took in her surroundings as a fierce wind blew across the open field where she now stood. A small bridge was nearby, but no dwelling was in sight.

Mary laughed again. “What luck that I found this place. A new bridge with no placement of side rails. The drop is not very great, but the large boulders and rocks below should do the trick.”

Lily felt ill as she stood still, mortified. Mary motioned with the gun for Lily to walk forward, but Lily turned and tripped.

“Lily, if you fall or pass out, I will just have my driver pick you up and throw you over the bridge. No one will be the wiser.”

“But, no one will believe I wrote that note.”

“Of course they will. I have become very good at imitating other people’s writing and these two men here will vouch for me. I have paid them enough.”

Mary grinned and pushed Lily forward.

Terrified, Lily begged, “Please, Mary. Take me back and we will not speak again of this. I am Martin’s sister. I loved him too! We can do something to honor him, together.”

A sweet smile covered Mary’s features and then her expression changed. “You will see him again soon. You can honor him with your death.”

Lily froze in place. She could not walk willingly over the bridge.

Mary rolled her eyes. “I grow tired of this. Fred!”

One of the men ran towards them. Mary turned slightly and Lily realized this might be her only chance
to get away. She pushed Mary and ran towards the second carriage. Running as fast as possible, she prayed she would not feel a bullet strike her. Nearing the carriage, she heard the pounding of feet behind her, but did not look back. The person was catching up to her and she screamed as she was pushed sideways. Stumbling, she went down striking her knees and hands on the ground before her face touched the grass. Momentarily stunned, she slowly began to push herself up just as large hands grabbed her roughly around the waist and lifted her up. Screaming, she clawed and struggled against the man’s hold, but it was useless.

The man threw her over his shoulder and carried her back the way she had come. Her stomach clenched in fear as she heard the sound of rushing water and the wooden planks under the man’s feet. They had reached the bridge. She started punching the man’s back, and then grabbed onto his shirt to prevent him from tossing her over the edge without him. He cursed and put her down roughly.

Gaining her balance Lily saw Mary standing next to her.

Mary shook her head and said, “That was stupid. You cannot get away.” She gestured at the bridge with her gun. “Make your peace with God and walk off the edge or I will do what I have to do.”

Lily turned and dared a glance over the edge of the bridge. Water rushed over multiple large boulders. The distance to the water was far greater than she expected. Tears formed unbidden in her eyes, but her fear was turning to anger.

Finding her voice, she said, “I have done nothing to deserve this. You tell me my brother loved you, but I knew nothing about it.”

She realized Mary and the two men were listening so Lily raised her voice to say, “Had I known about your relationship with my brother I would have helped you and I still can, but not if I am dead.”

Lily glanced behind her audience to see four horses in the distance approaching at a rapid pace. Her heart leapt in her chest, but she focused on keeping the surprise from her features. Taking a deep breath, she shouted, “I will forgive all of you for your actions today and make sure that you are all rewarded for my safe return. Mary, if you truly loved my brother you know he would not want you to harm me. I beg you all, reconsider what you are doing. I will make certain you receive a large reward!”

The two men glanced at each other, but then one turned fully and yelled, “Riders are coming!”

Everything happened simultaneously. The man called Fred turned and ran back towards the carriage as the other man was sprinting to the second carriage. Mary screamed in anger and began to raise the gun while Lily pushed forward, reaching for the gun. She struggled to get a hold of the weapon and Mary shoved her with her body. The sound of water was thunderous as Mary pushed Lily precariously close to the edge of the bridge.

Lily fought harder and shouted, “You killed my parents!”

Anger surged and Lily got a hold of the gun just as Mary pulled the trigger. The sound was deafening as the discharge of the weapon caused Lily to release her grip.

The bullet splintered the wood of the bridge. Mary shoved her body forward knocking Lily down on the bridge at its edge. On her hands and knees, Lily glanced up to see Duncan and Richard approaching, but then she noticed Mary’s crazed expression.

Mary shouted, “You bitch!”

Mary pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. Terror consumed her as a loud click sounded instead of an explosion and Lily cried out in relief. On her hands and knees, Lily saw Mary turn as the men dismounted. Relief flooded her, just as Mary spun back, kicking Lily in the ribs. Lily screamed in pain just as the momentum sent her body falling over the edge of the bridge. Reaching out instinctively, Lily’s hands scrapped the wood and her fingers snagged the rim of a plank as her body hung over the edge. Pain seared along her arms as her arms and fingers burned with the effort to hold her.

She heard men’s voices yelling, but she could not respond consumed with her effort to hold on for dear life.

Someone fell down above her and she heard a struggle just as two arms wrapped around her own. The grip tightened as she heard Richard say, “I have you. Let go of the bridge and hold onto me.”

“I can’t,” Lily cried as she was terrified to let go of her hold on the bridge.

Vaguely she heard more movement above as another arm held her left arm as Richard shifted his grip to the other arm.

Duncan said, “Lily, let go. We have you.”

Releasing her hold, she was instantly lifted by both Richard and Duncan. They each held on to her tentatively
as she steadied herself. She wanted nothing more than to be held by Duncan, but both men stood on either side looking at her expectantly. No one spoke as she looked warily at each man.

Suddenly, Charles stepped forward and embraced her. “Thank God, Lily! We saw everything and did not think we could get to you in time.”

Charles pulled back and held her arms as he looked over her. “Are you all right? When I heard that shot my heart fell out. I knew Duncan and Richard were close to you, but then I saw you fall.”

Lily glanced around her and saw Mary’s hands were tied and one of Duncan’s servants stood behind her. She said, “Please, I think I am fine, but, I want to leave this place.”

All three men turned to move forward, but she suddenly she felt weak. Spots began to form in her vision just as Duncan turned and lifted her into his arms. Putting her head against his shoulder, she felt her body shudder as tears began to fall uncontrollably. He tightened his hold and whispered softly, “Lily, you are safe now.”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. He asked, “Charles, how should we manage this?”

Lily lifted her head and was surprised to see Duncan’s carriage was still there. Apparently, her captors used only the small carriage for their escape.

She said, “Peter is in the carriage. They used chloroform to subdue him.”

She wanted to ask to ride with Duncan, but she was causing enough scandal just being in his arms.

Charles looked around them and said, “We need someone to drive the carriage and I was thinking of putting Mary in the back with Peter, but I worry she will actually try and hurt him.”

Duncan said, “I will drive the carriage and Lily can ride inside with Peter. Charles, I think you should stay and guard Mary while Thomas contacts the authorities. My horse can be used to transport Mary. Richard, you should ride with Thomas to make certain the authorities believe him and you can begin to search for the two men that got away.”

Richard hesitated, but then all the men nodded in agreement. Duncan carried Lily to the carriage and put her down inside. She gripped his hand quickly. “Thank you.”

His eyes were filled with concern as he whispered, “I am so glad you are all right.”

She smiled and he stepped away as Charles leaned close to the carriage to say, “I will be back as soon as I can.”

She nodded and moved back farther into the carriage. Inside, she touched Peter’s cheek to confirm he was still all right as the carriage moved forward. Taking a deep breath, she laid down as all her emotions coiled around her. Hugging herself, she wept in utter relief.

Lily wiped her eyes from any remaining tears as the carriage arrived at Duncan’s home. Stepping down from the carriage, Andrew and Eleanor ran towards her.

Eleanor shouted, “Lily!”

Her friend hugged her tightly as Lily said, “I am all right.”

Eleanor stepped back and assessed her in the same manner Charles had earlier. “We can talk inside.”

Before she knew it, Lily was soaking in a hot bath while Eleanor was sitting in a chair near the hearth holding Henry. Reluctantly, Lily spoke about what had happened with Mary while Eleanor listened intently. Lily dried off and then put on a nightgown and robe.

Eleanor said, “You had no idea it was her?”

“Heavens, no! My parents never told me they had any issues with Mary. Looking back, I do recall my brother speaking of her, which is most unusual. Even knowing that, it is still hard for me to believe everything Mary said to me.”

“Of course it is hard to believe. She is mad! Lily, whatever happened to Mary was no excuse for her to murder your family and your fiancé! Then she tried to kill you!”

Eleanor was now pacing back and forth while somehow Henry slept in her arms.

Lily moved closer to the fire. “I am just happy it is over.”

“Me too. I am so glad Duncan was there for you and Charles arrived home at the perfect time.”

Lily tried to smile, but her stomach tightened as she said, “Yes, me too. But, you should know Lord Hastings arrived with my uncle.”

“What?” Eleanor gasped. “Charles brought him here?”

Lily nodded. “Yes. Charles thought it was a good idea that I get to know Lord Hastings on the ride back to London.”

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she said, “Did he now?”

“Yes. We leave in the morning.”

“Tomorrow! That is absurd!”

Lily nodded as she hugged herself tightly. “Yes. They wanted to depart immediately, but I wanted to stay and say goodbye to you. Then all this happened, but I am fine with leaving tomorrow.”

Eleanor gently touched her shoulder. “Lily, I think you need to stay. Besides Doctor Nelson should check on you. I am sure you do not have to leave in the morning.”

Tears began to form as Lily said, “Yes, I do. I have to leave eventually so there really is no need to delay. I need to be fair to Lord Hastings.”

“Lord Hastings! Lily, you need to be fair to yourself! And to Duncan. My brother just helped save your life!”

Lily nodded. “Yes, he did and more than just this once. I owe him so much, but you and I both know my time here was temporary. I cannot add to the gossip and scandal my time here has already caused by shunning the man who intends to ask for my hand in marriage.”

“But, I thought -.” Eleanor exhaled loudly and then said, “Never mind. I need to put Henry down for bed. I will see you in the morning before you leave.”

Lily nodded as her friend turned and left. Dot entered the room almost immediately followed by Doctor Nelson. The Doctor did a quick exam and reassured her she only had some minor cuts and bruises.

Lily thanked the Doctor and then looked at Dot to say, “Please tell everyone I need to be alone now. It is late anyway and I will go to bed. Have breakfast brought to my room and I will leave first thing in the morning with my uncle.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Dot curtsied and went to the door, but she hesitated.

Lily asked, “What is it, Dot?”

“I just want to say I am sorry for all that has happened to you, my lady. I also want you to know that you will be missed here. We will all miss you in this house.”

“Thank you, Dot. I will miss all of you too,” Lily murmured before she stepped forward and embraced the maid.

Lily watched Dot leave and walked to the bed. Laying down she did her best to look forward to her trip back to London.

UNCAN PACED RESTLESSLY
as the door to the library opened and his sister entered. He stepped forward and said, “Well, how is she?” Eleanor smiled and then sighed as she sat down in a chair near the hearth. “Lily is sleeping now, Duncan. There is nothing more you can do tonight.”