Duchess by Chance(75)
“Show him the note, Duchess.”
Eva handed it to Simon at Daniel’s prompting and then, much to her shame, he relayed everything she had just told him. However, Simon simply squeezed her hand when he had finished.
“It’s all right, Eva. We’ll get Reggie back safe.”
“That’s the house.” Eva pointed to a brick building thirty minutes later.
“And am I wasting my breath asking you to stay in the carriage and let Simon and I deal with this?”
“Yes, you are.”
“Where the hell is your sling?” Daniel then demanded, obviously just noticing it was missing.
“I left it at home.”
He sighed but soon they were standing outside the front door.
Pounding on the wood, Daniel tried the handle and when it failed to yield, they had to wait several tense seconds before a servant finally opened it.
“I want to speak with Spencer Winchcomb,” Daniel demanded.
“He’s busy.” The man then tried to shut the door but Daniel placed one boot in the doorway and pushed it open. The force sent the servant stumbling backwards.
“If you value your health, sir, stay out of this.” Daniel added, walking past him. Then he heard it - the sound a fist makes when connecting with flesh. Followed by Eva and Simon, he ran to the stairs. Taking them two at a time, he reached the top in seconds. Everyone stopped as Daniel held up one hand. They could hear voices coming from the room located at the end of the hallway.
“You will pay for defending that worthless little bitch over us!”
“I care nothing about what you do to me, father, and will laugh in delight when her large husband realizes what you have done to her.”
“She will pay next for turning her back on her family.”
Daniel grabbed the back of Eva’s jacket as she tried to run past him.
“I can’t worry about you and Reggie, Eva, do you understand?”#p#分页标题#e#
She didn’t want to but she nodded and then allowed him to push her behind him.
It was unlucky for the Winchcombs that the first sight Daniel had, when he opened the door, was of Reggie taking a fist to the stomach from Bartholomew Winchomb.
“Release him now!”
Montgomery Winchcomb, who’d been holding his brother, lifted his hands straight up in the air and took a step backwards, leaving Reggie all alone. He then looked at the large, angry beast that was his brother-in-law and started sweating profusely. Quickly, he stepped sideways until he stood beside his father and brother.
“Reggie!”
Eva’s cry was from the heart as she took in the battered and bruised sight of her brother, and even though Daniel knew it cost her a great deal, she did not take a step toward him. She understood the situation was volatile and one wrong move could harm Reggie further.
Daniel felt Simon move to stand to his left.
Reggie still stood, but Daniel guessed by the way he weaved, only just. One eye was partially closed, one cheek swollen and his lips were split and never had Daniel wanted to punish anyone more than he did Spencer Winchcomb. The boy had arrived in London a thin, beaten young man and left for Edinburgh confident and smiling. Looking into Reggie’s eyes, Daniel now saw a mixture of both. His father had not quite managed to reduce the boy to what he once was and Daniel would make sure he did not finish the job.
“Come here, Reggie.”
“Stay, Reginald!” Spencer roared.
Reggie didn’t hesitate. Giving his father one last look, he then walked on unsteady legs to meet his brother-in-law. They were, perhaps, the hardest steps he had ever taken and when he finally stood before Daniel, he offered a small smile and then fell forward, his legs giving way.
Daniel heard the sigh as he held the boy briefly, his battered face resting on Daniel’s chest.
“You are safe now.” Daniel felt a lump form in his throat as Reggie looked at him.
“I knew you would come.”
Daniel gave him a gentle squeeze and then pushed him into his sister’s arms.
“You are dead to me, Reginald Ransom Hibernians Cyrus Winchcomb,” Spencer declared.
Daniel couldn’t be sure but thought he heard the words, ‘Thank God’ coming from both Reggie and Eva.
“Hardly surprising he didn’t leave years ago with a name like that,” Simon drawled, intent on taunting Spencer.
“Stratton, what is the meaning of this?” Spencer Winchomb bluffed, his face flushed with color. “How dare you enter my house uninvited.”
“I came to discuss the matter of blackmail and attempted murder, Winchcomb.”
Daniel watched fear chase across Winchcomb’s face.
“She lies!” His eyes were wide as they swung from Daniel to Eva.