It was empty.
Only a pouting Cynthia remained.
He scanned the chamber. Almost everyone had left, but the noise from the hall was deafening.
His wife must be with her mother and the vicar. Hopefully, no newsmen hovered about her, harassing her. She'd been through enough today.
"Mr. Norton." Cynthia's voice could pierce the walls. "Why couldn't you get my brother freed?"
"He will be. Things have to run their course, but you could have ended this, years ago." He held up the crested button, displaying the tarnished family coat of arms. "Why?"
"I'm so sorry." She doubled over into a heap of satin, a crying puddle of lies, shaking and sobbing on the floor.
"Evil woman." He returned the proof to his pocket.
"Don't hate me, Barrington. Please don't." Her wailing increased as he plodded away. "I did it for Gerald. It provided the laudanum to ease his pain."
"There is always an excuse. Isn't there?" He started to the door. "Maybe, you should be implicated in this."
"Yes, she knew." A man popped up from a seat in the high gallery and started down the steps. "She has been demanding payments and favors for years."
Blood rushed Barrington's eyes. He charged at the man, pinning the villain against the wall. The man's head bobbled against the plaster. "I was beginning to think you a decent man." Barrington pushed his forearm deep into the ogre's throat. "How could you have done this? Hurt Amora and the others."
The man flayed his arms, but no power on earth could stop Barrington's death grip.
"Not him!" Cynthia yelled between cries. "His brother. His brother's the Dark Walk Abductor."
"What? The earl?" Barrington raised his hands. "Your brother, Lord Clanville is the fiend?"
Charleton slid to the floor rubbing his neck. He loosed his wilted cravat, jingling the large buttons on his waistcoat.
Is that why Amora loved noisy buttons? Could it be her remembering Charleton leading her to freedom?
"I've been covering his scandals for years. I can't do it anymore. Norton, believe me. When I found out, I stopped him from hurting anyone else. I was the one who unchained the root cellar door. I waited and watched until Miss Tomàs crawled out and made it back to Tomàs Manor."
Was it true? Hot air squeezed from Barrington's lungs. No time for proof. "Where's your brother? Tobias Charleton, the Earl of Clanville. Where is Clanville now?"
Chapter Nine: For Her
Amora took a deep breath. The crowds pushed her, sweeping her along like fast-moving river water. One portly man nearly stomped on her toes. She kept stepping backward, until her slippers stood on the floorboards of the hall.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Norton." The words were light, barely above a whisper.
She rotated. Instead of seeing the handsome face of Samuel or Barrington, the Earl of Clanville's scarred countenance greeted her.
He dipped his onyx top hat. "This way to get away from the crowd."
Not waiting for her response, he lightly tugged her forearm.
She pulled free, averting her gaze to the burnished paneling along the walls. "I need no assistance. I'm waiting for my husband, my lord."
"The papermen will want a statement." His voice was low, raspy. "You can hide in here."
Something in his soft tone chilled her, prickling her arms. She took a few paces away from him. "No, thank you. My party will be here shortly."
A man bumped against her, knocking her against the wall next to the Duchess of Cheshire. The tall man shrugged. "Sorry, miss." He nodded and kept moving toward the door.
The duchess gripped Amora's hand. "You are so brave, Mrs. Norton."
The earl moved toward them. His boots made a familiar rhythm. "It's not safe here."
Her heart raced. She gripped her wrists trying to remember she was in the light, in a crowded hall. Nothing to fear. "I'm going back into the courtroom. Good day."
The duchess squinted and stayed at her side. "I'll wait with you. My husband went to congratulate Mr. Norton."
She turned and adjusted her bonnet letting air cool her fevered brow.
The pounding of his heels against the hardwoods vibrated her spine. "But I want another moment, pet...to offer my compliments."
Thump. Thump. Boot heels. Bricks falling. Another memory of a hard slap to her cheek surfaced.
"All are in your debt." He clasped her elbow.
Even before he touched her, she knew. With all her strength, she pivoted and slugged him. Again and again, she struck him.
"Mrs. Norton—"
He grabbed the duchess by the mouth, covered her within his cape drawing her close, shielding her resistance from the passerby. "Yell, and I'll hurt her badly."
Amora struck at his arm and made her tone a whisper. "Let her go. It's me you've wanted."
She looked right and left. The crowd just milled about, not noticing.
The duchess clawed at the hands blocking her windpipe.
Not wanting another to suffer, she nodded to the monster. "Release her and I will..." The words died on her tongue. She would never consent to the monster.
He did as she directed, releasing Lady Cheshire's throat but kept his arm about her middle pushing her into an open room. Then he reached for Amora and flung her inside, too.
She clasped a table edge to regain her balance. The small chamber held only a table, a chair and a large window. There was no way out.
His large body blocked the entrance, the only means of escape. He let go of Lady Cheshire. She dropped to the floor.
Her spectacles spun as they hit the floor. "Why have you done this?"
"He's the Monster. He's the one who abducted me and the others."
"Yes." His tone was low, menacing. "And we have unfinished business."
Light from the leaded panes covered her. Fear and air fought within her lungs, making it difficult for her nostrils to work. She should turn and beat upon the window, but couldn't risk placing her back to the earl. That was how he'd taken her before, how he tried to take her again. "The Earl of Clanville is the monster, and you'll take no more from me."
The duchess kicked and moved from his grasp, scrambling to Amora's side. "That thing is the Abductor of the ton. How? Why?"
He rubbed his scarred jaw. "A carriage fire took my face. Darkness makes the sneers go away."
Amora reached down and grabbed Lady Cheshire's hand helping her to stand. "Don't turn your back. Make him show his cowardly face here in the light."
The young woman linked arms with Amora just as Sarah would. "Weren't you were raised to be a gentleman, not a criminal?"
His lips lifted into a half-smile, the unburnt side cooperating. "Only my pet sees a difference."
Pulse racing, Amora shifted when the monster took a step. "You abused and you killed. How can you live with that?"
A low rumble of chortles bubbled as he gripped the table. "They don't mock me anymore. Neither will your friend, when it's her turn."
Amora dragged the duchess backward. She couldn't know how vicious the earl was. The thick moulding of the window's ledge pressed into her spine. "I'll scream if you come any closer."
He tugged a knife from his waistband. "Come with me now, my pet, and I won't hurt this one."
"My mama, my husband, my friends. They will see I'm missing. This time we will be rescued."
Eyeing the door, Amora estimated that at least one of the women could make it. She pulled the duchess past her and swung her reticule at the monster.
Bumping into the table but bouncing in the right direction, the young lady made it to the door and slid out of the room.
In a blink, he clutched her bag within his leather-clad palms. "You were always the most clever. Consent now. With you, I will be complete."
The door burst open as Vicar Wilson pressed inside. "Get away from Mrs. Norton."
The duchess must have alerted him.
Her heart lifted.
But the earl spun and thrust his dagger into the vicar.<
br />
With a thud, the knife sunk into Samuel's chest. He doubled over and fell to the floor.
Amora's heart leaked as if it too was stabbed. Her friend could be dying from the monster. She slipped past Lord Clanville and leapt upon Samuel. Her friend had to be well. He had to. She pulled at the blade but couldn't make it move. Gathering her shawl, she pressed it against the wound. That would stymie the bleeding. "Be fine."
The earl hovered. His shadow smothered her, surrounding her with memories of the Priory. "Come and I'll send someone to help your friend. Consent."
Samuel stroked her chin. He mouthed, "No." Then his lids shut.
She couldn't remember how to breathe. Thinking of Barrington's song made the air go in and out. "Barrington! Help!"
The monster put a hand to her lips. "Quiet."
Tears flooded her face, but she put her full weight on Samuel's wound. Her shawl colored scarlet. "I won't go with you. And you'll not escape this time."
He shoved a chair under the knob. "No, this time you will consent. "
Barrington had barely finished giving Beakes instructions when his frantic mother-in-law held up by James burst into the courtroom.
Mrs. Tomàs traipsed faster, charging straight toward the barrister's bar. He caught the woman in his arms.
"Amora is missing. The vicar and I have been looking. James says that she hasn't left the Old Bailey." The woman trembled. She looked ashen. "Where is she?"
"Tis true, sir." James took off his tricorn with shaking fingers. "I've been with the carriages. She hasn't come that way. The runners are on the doors."
"My daughter can't be gone." Mrs. Tomàs started to cry. "This can't happen again. Don't let it."
"My brother." Charleton paled. "He may have come. I didn't see him, but he might have been in the crowd."
Barrington turned to the suddenly composed Cynthia. She wiped her dripping nose on a handkerchief. "I saw him. He was here. I don't know where he went."
Lord Clanville might have Amora? Barrington's pulse exploded. His heart felt as if it had been ripped from his chest. "You waited until now to mention it. There is no redemption for you. Charleton, Beakes, get the runners. We must search until we find her."
Lady Cheshire broke open the barrister's door to the courtroom. "Mr. Norton! He's got her in a room. Someone has to help her."
Like a bullet, Barrington shot into the hall. James followed close on his heels as they checked empty room after empty room.
Though the crowds had thinned, Amora nor the earl could be found.
Barrington's heart thundered. All he could do was pray. They came to the last door. A faint voice echoed through the wood.
"Barrington!"
He slammed his shoulder against the frame, pushing until there was a crack.
"Amora!"
Barrington's baritone voice fluttered her heart. Her breathing came in gasps. He'd come to save her.
She opened her mouth to scream.
Clanville yanked the knife from Samuel and lifted her. He pressed the point of the blade to her neck. His hold, the same as when he grabbed her years ago, was harsh. Her skin chafed beneath the rough feel of his leather gloves.
Though her voice abandoned her, she elbowed and kicked to no avail. His arm was too firm. His fingers clawed her like a falcon's talons. As her vision started to dim, a pain shot through her abdomen. Her heart sank to her child, wrapping about it, trying hard to protect it. "Barrington!"
"I should've known you wouldn't consent. At the Priory, I did everything to break your spirit, but couldn't."
Her eyes opened wide. She hadn't given up then. She couldn't give up now.
The gap in the door expanded. Barrington snaked through with James at his side. "Clanville, release her."
James jumped to Samuel, fished off the man's cravat and covered the wound.
Barrington powered closer. "Let her go."
Chuckling, Clanville squeezed her neck. "No, Barrister. Court is done. Be gone."
Barrington's face looked of stone. He stripped off his court silks, and stepped into Clanville's shadow. "The crown's court is done, but not mine. You will die for all the evil you have done. I am your judge, jury, and executioner."
That hurting heart of hers started climbing. Barrington would save her. God hadn't abandoned them. Maybe there was still a chance. Hope filled her lungs. She beat at the earl's arm and claimed a deep breath.
Barrington waved his fists in the air. "I'm not asking again."
"Barrister, there's no stopping me." The monster stroked a strand of her hair, wrapping it about his finger, touching it to his burnt lips. "I should've finished you in the alley before the duke came. I can't leave without her. I've waited too long for her. All for her."
"Never." Barrington stepped closer. She could almost touch him. "Surrender now or die here. I will kill you."
The earl backed up against the window, dragging her, crushing her neck with his forearm. "Pet, you're not free. I'll kill the barrister and anyone else keeping you from me."
Amora closed her eyes as she doubled over. "No. Don't hurt another. Let this be over. I can't bear anymore."
"Don't stop fighting, Amora. Tobias Charleton, I won't stop until your skull caves in, worse than you did to Miller."
His grip on her shoulder shifted. The knife cut on her neck, dripping dark drops onto her bodice. "Then maybe she and I will die together."
Noise from outside filtered through the lead glass. The courtyard and street were filled with people.
"Let her go. It's over, Clanville. You've been exposed."
The earl moved the knife from her throat, as he peered through the glass. "A crowd gathers."
He raised a hand as if to strike her. "You kept yelling. You did this, Pet."
She squinted, preparing for the blow.
Barrington blunted the monster's arm in mid swing and absorbed a punch to the back as he pulled Amora to the floor.
She saw a blade reflected in the earl's eyes. "The knife, Barrington!"
Her husband spun and wrestled Clanville's grip on the dagger.
Her insides burned, but she couldn't move.
Barrington knocked the blade away and pounded Clanville's face and gut with a flurry of punches. His hands closed about Hampshire's windpipe. "Guilty. The sentence is death."
"Sir!" James's panicked voice. "Throw him through the window!"
Barrington turned to the courtyard.
In synchronization with the muzzle's flash, he shoved Hampshire against the window then dropped, shielding Amora.
The glass shattered as a boom filled the air. Clanville fell next to them as shards rained all about them.
Barrington stood. Amora caught sight of the earl's back. Smoke billowed from a smoldering bullet hole. Was the nightmare over?
Barrington pivoted and shook diamond like fragments from his coat. His thick hair glittered with light. "Can you hear me?"
He pulled her face into his hands.
She couldn't respond, the pain in her body siphoned all her air.
"Amora, you're free now. I'll take care of you."
The joy of being freed from the monster disappeared. Her babe, she was losing him. Maybe this time she'd go too. "I'll be with our children, Barrington."
He gathered her in his arms. "Don't go. Fight."
"I'll give them a Holy kiss. God and Papa, we'll take care of them."
She closed her eyes and for the first time welcomed the darkness.
Chapter Ten: The Balance of Life
Barrington paced back and forth in the parlor. Neither Hudson or Mrs. Tomàs had come down from Amora's bedchamber. They banned him for asking too many questions and getting in the way. James pulled him from the room when they said they'd send for him if Amora grew worse.
Lord Cheshire also paced as his duchess sat on the sofa with hands folded in prayer. They'd insisted upon waiting with him and Barrington gained comfort from the company.
Cheshire stopped in front of his wif
e. "You said it was dangerous for me to be immersed in politics, Gaia. It seems you court danger too, in a court no less."
He took her hand and kissed it. "What would Mary and I do without you?"
She smiled up at him with a look of complete soul connection. "I hope you and Mary and our child to come never have to know."
"You're…? We're going to…?"
"Yes, William. My abigail confirmed the days for me this morning."
The duke blinked heavily and drew her head against his waist. "God is good."
Barrington watched their joy and felt happiness for them. He and Amora were that happy last night. They had regained each other's trust. They had to be that happy again. "Duke, you should take your wife home. I'll send word of Amora's condition."
"We'll wait a little longer. Mrs. Norton saved my wife and our joy to come." He dimpled saying the words. "It's the least we can do."
The duchess patted the cushion next to her. "Sit, William. We must know about Vicar Wilson, too. I sent him into that room. We must know how he fares."
Heavy footfalls sounded on the stairs.
Everyone swiveled their heads to see what the news would be.
Hudson soon appeared at the parlor entrance. "The vicar lost a great deal of blood, but he will live as long as infection doesn't set in."
Barrington rushed to his cousin. "And Amora?"
His cousin's face hadn't changed from blank. "It's still too soon to tell. She's comfortable. Her vitals are weak. The babe is not as active as he was before. I just don't know."
Enough of waiting for word, he nodded at his cousin and headed for the stairs. "Duke, take your wife home. Oh, and the ship you wanted me to locate was the Blessing. It left Liverpool about that timeframe with cargo to Africa. One ship manifest marked Xhosa sailed to Jamaica."
The duke stood and put his wife's palm upon his arm.
They looked at each other, with love and something else, just as thick and powerful. Empathy, maybe forgiveness of the past.
"Thank you, Norton. I needed the confirmation of where my wife's father may have been enslaved. This is good to know, but I think I will focus on the future."
Unveiling Love: A Regency Romance (A London Regency Romantic Suspense Tale Book 4) Page 10
