Abigail fought with herself as to whether she should approach the man or not. Should she ignore him and hope he went away? Or confront him and learn his intentions?
She had still not made up her mind when her decision was made for her as Lord Bristol approached and bowed slightly. Abigail quickly curtsied, but she kept her chin up, refusing to take her eye off the man. It was as if she were curtseying before a snake. One false move and it might strike.
“Lady Abigail,” he said with a deep sneer. “It is so nice to see you again. I do hope your aunt and cousin are doing well. A family’s well-being is so important.”
She cringed inside, a gentle reminder of the power he held over her.
“Tell me, My Lord, I have been away several weeks. Has anything of interest happened in London?” Keep in neutral she reminded herself. Do not push him into taking action.
He smiled slyly down at her. “Someone tried to kill the Duke of Oxford again.”
Abigail gasped. What had happened to Jack. And what did he mean, again. Seeing her confusion, his smile deepened. “Yes, it appears the man has a serious enemy. But after all, that is to be expected with a bastard. Don’t you think?”
She could only stare in disbelief. Someone had tried to kill Jack. Her heart raced. She should be there with him. A thousand worries bubbled inside of her as her mind drifted to Jack and his well being. Lord Bristol, seeing that he had lost her attention coughed roughly.
“I doubt your assistance in finding him a wife will be necessary,” he continued. “I believe there will be more attempts on his life. And of course, eventually, they will be successful.”
Abigail could only stare up at the man with disbelief. Was he serious? Did he really hate Jack that much that he could hope for his death? Yes, she realized with revulsion, he was just that evil.
However, before she could reply, her mother chose that moment to join them. Giving Lord Bristol a wide smile, obviously pleased that a British Lord was talking to her daughter. Abigail bit back a cry of misery.
Lord Bristol nodded to her mother and said to her without taking his eyes off of Abigail. “I fear, My Lady, that I must pass along a nasty rumor. Only because it concerns young Lady Abigail. It is always better to be warned I should think.”
Her mother’s face turned white as she quickly glanced at Abigail, searching for some explanation. All Abigail could do was hold her breath and wait. The monster was about to destroy her world, and he looked so happy to be doing so.
Why wasn’t he frightened of Jack and what Jack might do? He knew Jack well and would fully understand his capabilities. No sooner had the thought occurred than she realized that he didn’t fear Jack because he planned on Jack being removed. Killed.
A burst of anger filled her. Where a moment ago she had been terrified, now she was filled with a rage.
Abigail said through clenched teeth, “My Lord Bristol …”
“What rumor?” her mother interrupted. The look of fear on her mother’s face tore at Abigail’s soul. It was going to be so much worse in a moment.
Her mother looked again at her and then back to Lord Bristol.
Abigail swallowed hard as she searched for any escape. As she scanned the room her stomach fell when she saw her father and brother walking towards them. God, no, please, she prayed.
The monster next to her smiled slyly. Obviously enjoying the moment. “A nasty story. That a young woman looking remarkably similar to Lady Abigail. A young woman using a cane, was seen …”
“BARTY,” a strong voice yelled from the far end of the room. Abigail’s insides exploded as she turned to see Jack stepping through the French doors leading to the garden. Jack. Her Jack.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Abigail’s world twirled in a dozen different directions. Jack was here. Lord Bristol was about to tell the world of her fall from grace. And oh yes, she was with child.
But Jack was here. She clung to the realization. He looked as if he’d been treated roughly, she realized. His coat was torn at the right shoulder, a fresh cut bled from just beneath his left eye. Gray mud covered his lower pantaloons. No hat, no gloves. His cravat had been removed and tied around his upper left arm. The red staining the white cloth.
The butts of two dueling pistols stuck out from his belt beneath his rumpled coat. The man looked less like a Duke than any man could. More like a pirate in fact. But either way, he was the most wondrous sight in the entire world.
Her stomach fell as she realized he had been hurt once again. Every bit of her urged her to run to him. To care for him and see to him. Instead, she remained frozen. Afraid to move. What did he want? Why was he here?
For the briefest moment, their eyes met. A thousand messages were sent back and forth. Abigail noticed his shoulders slumped just the slightest when he saw that she was well. As if he had been worried about her. The thought made something come to life deep inside of her. Oh, how she loved this man. But before she could move, Jack stormed across the room, brushing past her father’s attempt to intervene.
Next to her, Lord Bristol stiffened, as if he’d been struck. Her mother frowned obviously upset that her gathering was being ruined by all this drama. First nasty rumors about her daughter that had not been explained, and now this stranger arriving and yelled at one of her guests.
Every person in the room looked at the stranger, then back at Countess Dupont. All curious and hoping for an explanation.
“His Grace, the Duke of Oxford,” Abigail whispered to her mother.
Her mother blanched for the briefest moment.
Jack focused on Lord Bristol as he approached, never taking his eyes off the man. He smiled and said, “Your men failed. Barty, again. I must say, you have to be the most incompetent murderer ever created.”
The people around them gasped. A person didn’t say such things to a British Lord.
“You would think out of three pistols, one would find its mark,” Jack said to her with a quick wink. Then turning back to Lord Bristol, his smile grew, “Your man, Brewster, sends his regards. The Reading Magistrate has been kind enough to hold onto him for me. Unfortunately, the other two were in no condition to testify. But one should be more than enough.”
What little color remaining, drained from Lord Bristol’s face. Turning it whiter than a winter’ first snow.
Abigail looked from Jack to Bristol and back to Jack. Two men couldn’t be more different she realized as her heart raced with happiness. Jack was well. Jack was here.
Of course, he wouldn’t be able to stop the story from spreading. And yes, she would still have to run away to the Americas. But he was well. That was all that mattered.
“I say …” her father said as he approached. “What is the meaning of this?”
Jack held Bristol’s stare for a long moment then turned to Abigail’s father and gave a quick nod of the head.
“This is The Duke of Oxford,” Abigail quickly informed her father.
Her father frowned as he tried to understand why a Duke had stormed into his wife’s party to confront one of his guests.
“I apologize, Lord Dupont,” Jack said to her father. “This was not how I planned this moment.”
Her father’s frown deepened.
Jack took a deep breath. “I had hoped to talk to you privately about requesting your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Abigail’s world slammed to a full halt. No! How! This was impossible. Why? Nothing made sense as she rocked back, instinctively using her cane to stop herself from falling. No not like this.
“Jack … No … Your father’s wish,” she hissed to him. A thousand emotions flashed through her. This was impossible. He was only doing this to save her reputation. She refused to allow it. His happiness was too important.
He smiled slowly as he shook his head. “My father is dead and buried. I refuse to go through life without the woman I love. The name can die and pass away. But the way I feel towards you will never end.”
Abigail’s heart s
topped beating as she tried to wrap her mind around his words. Love. Had he really spoken of love? No this was impossible. It was as if the color and movement of the world had disappeared. There was only this man, nothing else mattered. He said he loved her. Could it be true? No, it was impossible, surely she misunderstood.
“This … This, … This is the man …” Lord Bristol sputtered.
Abigail’s mother gasped as her hand went to her mouth. Her mother’s eyes grew very big as she shot Abigail a questioning look. Abigail felt her cheeks grow warm and knew her mother would understand the truth instantly.
Lord Bristol brought himself to his full height and tried to look down his nose. “This was the man that I was …”
Like a lightening flash, Jack’s open hand struck out to slap Lord Bristol across the face, Not a punch, but a slap. The crowd gasped in unison. the ultimate insult. As if Lord Bristol didn’t deserve to be treated as any other man. Both her father and brother winced.
The look of surprise in Bristol’s eyes slowly changed over to one of fear as he realized everyone had just witnessed him shamed.
Jack’s brow furrowed in anger as he stared at Lord Bristol daring him to respond.
Lord Bristol took a step back as he brought his hand up to his cheek. “No,” he said as his eyes narrowed. “Her parents …”
Jack slapped him again, this time on the other cheek. “Please,” he hissed to Bristol. “please push me. I told you what I would do to you. Please give me cause.”
Bristol looked at his attacker then at the crowd of people around him. Abigail could see the questioning looks in their eyes. How could a man allow this to happen? A Lord. Shammed, unwilling to fight.
Several people glanced down at the floor, too embarrassed for the man. As if by looking away they could deny the inevitable.
Jack’s jaw was firmly set, Abigail noticed as he continued to stare at Lord Bristol. “You hired men to kill me. Four times they failed.”
Another gasp went up in the room.
“You threatened to spread false rumors about the woman I love…My future wife.”
Again, Abigail’s heart jumped. Every time Jack spoke of love, her heart skipped a beat.
“… and now, you refuse to give me satisfaction. You sir, are a coward. A worthless piece of garbage. A man without standing and a blight on your family’s name.”
A dozen eyebrows rose as every person watched to see how Lord Bristol would respond. He had a choice, Abigail thought as she held her breath. Lord Bristol must challenge Jack to a duel, or slink away in shame. There were no other options.
She could see it in his face as he desperately sought an escape. Some way out of this spectacular disaster that would leave him alive with his reputation intact.
Jack studied him for a long moment, silently begging him to take action.
Lord Bristol could only stammer as his face turned ashen. At last, Lord Bristol once again brought himself together and seemed to accept defeat.
“Very well,” he said. “I apologize if I have upset you.”
Jack scoffed then poked him in the shoulder. “If I were you. I would expect a visit from the Crown’s representatives. They take a dim view of people trying to kill a Duke. As for the other matter. I told you. One word and I would finish you. Now I must add. You will never see it coming. I’ll put a bullet in your brain at fifty yards. Do we understand each other?”
Abigail watched as Lord Bristol swallowed, then swallowed again, as he looked at her father, obviously hoping for some sort of rescue. Her father however was not a dense man, he could easily see what had happened.
“And if he doesn’t, I will,” her father said with disdain as if he were examining muck on his shoes. “Only I’ll do it up close so I can watch you squirm.”
Lord Bristol looked at each person in turn, desperately searching for any support. Abigail saw the realization finally sink in. He had lost everything with even more to follow once the crown became involved.
“Your presence is no longer desired, My Lord,” Abigail’s mother said with the snootiest of dismissal before turning around with the ultimate cut. The man no longer existed to her. Abigail’s heart soared at her mother’s support.
“Archibald,” her father called to his son, “Escort this … this … Escort Lord Bristol off our lands. And see that he doesn’t return. Carswell, help him.”
Her brother grabbed Lord Bristol’s arm and started to pull him away. She was pleased to see how tightly Archie had taken ahold. It was as if he were using the opportunity to inflict his own version of retribution.
A feeling of warmth filled her at her family’s support. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Jack. Now then, she must deal with this ridiculous effort to save her. No, Jack must not be allowed to through it away.
Jack stood there and watched Lord Bristol be escorted away. Only once he was satisfied did he turn back to her and give her one of his spectacular smiles. The kind that could light the world.
“Two weeks,” he said. “We will be married in St Paul’s within two weeks. Or the archbishop will feel my wrath.”
“Jack …”
“Don’t try to stop me,” he said as he pulled her close and stared down into her eyes. “Just love me, Abigail. That is all I will ever ask of you.”
She stared up into his eyes as her heart melted. Yes. That was all she would ever want. An opportunity to love this man.
Epilogue
Jack grumbled under his breath as he paced outside his wife’s bedroom.
“Capt’n, you’re wearing a path in the deck,” Thompson said with a shake of his head.
Jack shot him a stare of death, then spun and retraced his steps. His wife was in the danger of her life and there was nothing he could do but stomp back and forth. It was wrong.
Thompson sighed, “You’ve hired the best doctors. And a half-dozen midwives.”
A loud cry from his wife’s room shot a shaft of pure pain through him. How much longer. It had been half the night. Every cry, every whimper had been like a knife to his gut. This wasn’t just another mother giving birth.
The doctors didn’t know how she would respond. What impact her ancient injuries would have. Would her damaged hips hinder a birth? Mrs. Stepford, the best of the midwives, had tried to reassure him. But Jack wouldn’t be able to relax until it was over. Even in the best of times, a woman was in danger. But Abigail … the thought of anything happening to her was unbearable.
“Have you thought of a name?” Thompson asked obviously trying to distract him from his worry.
Jack nodded, “We thought, if it is a boy, we might name him Robert.”
Thompson’s eyes grew very big. “A good name,” he said. “I’ll call the tike Bob, keep him from getting a big head.”
Jack laughed then turned to continue to pace as his mind raced through a hundred different scenarios. All of them bad. He continued, ten steps, turned, ten steps, over and over. It was only when the depths of his mind registered a change that he stopped.
Quiet. There was no more yelling. Just quiet coming from his wife’s room. Then the night was split by the wale of a baby. A baby upset at being brought into the world.
Jack stared at Thompson, silently asking if it was real. This strange new noise. Thompson smiled back at him. “Heard foghorns that weren’t that loud.”
After a few moments, the crying stopped. Jack held his breath as he waited. God, if they didn’t hurry, he was rushing in there to hell with protocol and expectations. He was just reaching for the doorknob when it was pulled back and the Doctor stepped out, a broad smile on his face.
“A son, Your Grace,” the Doctor said.
“Abigail,” Jack demanded as he tried to look past the doctor.
“Fine. She is just fine.”
Jack slumped against the wall as relief washed over him. Fine, the man said she was fine. How could his life have changed so quickly? A moment ago, he had been terrified. Now he was filled with happiness. A son, and Abigail w
as fine.
The door was opened even wider by the midwife who smiled up at him and indicated he could come in.
Stepping into the room Jack held his breath until he saw Abigail sitting up in the bed, a small bundle cradled in her arms. Her face looked flushed, but she appeared well. Better than well. Gorgeous with that maternal glow. Their eyes locked and he could see the happiness burning inside of her as she pulled away her gaze to look down at their son.
“I love you,” he said to her as he approached the bed.
She smiled. “You had better. I have never spent a more trying day.”
He laughed as he gently pulled back the blanket to look at his son. The cherubic face pulled at his heart like nothing else in this world. “But none with better results,” he told her.
Abigail sighed heavily, as if a thousand worries had disappeared. “He’s perfect. The doctor said so.”
Jack laughed as his heart melted. A son, his son. A wife he loved. A man could ask for no more.
The End
Author’s Notes
Thank you for reading ‘A Duke’s Duty’ the second in the Duke’s Club Series. Book three, a Duke’s Dilemma will be released soon. If you would like a FREE short story about Mrs. Jensen’s and Thompson’s love story. Sign up for my newsletter and I’ll send you a copy.
I would love to know what you think of it. My readers make it possible for me to do what I love, so I am always grateful and excited to hear from you. Please stop by my website GLSnodgrass.com or send me an Email at [email protected]. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. I use my newsletter to announce new releases and give away free books. Or you can follow me on Amazon Author Page Or via Bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/g-l-snodgrass. I also post on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/G.L.Snodgrass/ f
As always, I would like to thank my friends for their assistance with this book. Sheryl Turner, Anya Monroe, and Eryn Carpenter. I couldn’t have done it without them.
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