Her uncle shook his head at Mr. Runyon.“Silly goose, I’ve told her they are all locked in the barn. She’s notlistening.”
Archie Runyon walked into the study,swinging his wolf’s head cane. “Shut up, Alexandra, or I will light thebarn on fire this instant. I do so enjoy a good fire, and it’s quitechilly in Hampshire.”
Alexandra told herself she must notfaint. The baby kicked and she winced. No, she must not faint.
“Oh dear, I see that some things havetranspired in my absence.” Mr. Runyon pointed the cane at her stomach.“Pregnant women disgust me. We shall have to fix that.”
“If you touch me I will kill you!”She brandished the sword. The weight of the weapon made her handshake.
“Really?” Mr. Runyon gave an amusedchuckle. “I doubt that. Dear Lord, you are so repulsively large,you can barely move. Burke, take the sword from her please, so we can get onwith this.”
Alexandra looked at the two menwildly.
Lord Burke mopped his face with ahandkerchief, his eyes on the sword. “Look here, I’ve paid my debt to youRunyon. I found her. I told you how to get to Helmsby Abbey.That was our agreement.”
“You recall that Miranda is not to beharmed. She is to find the note that Alexandra will leave at HelmsbyAbbey and deliver it to the Dowager. I’m hoping Alexandra’s disappearancecombined with the news of Sutton’s death will drop the Dowager like astone.” He laughed evilly. “Never did like the old bitch.”
Sutton was dead? Alexandra paled,clutching the sword tighter. The room spun.
“Damn it Burke, take the sword, and let’sget on with it.”
Odious Oliver approached hercautiously. One fat arm reached for her.
Alexandra brought the sword up with everybit of strength she had and sliced downward, her arm jarring as the swordconnected with her uncle’s flesh.
Blood spurted from Oliver Burke’s arm,turning his coat red. He screamed.
“You bitch!” He turned to Runyon,holding his arm against him. “Did you see what that tiresome little twit justdid to me?”
Mr. Runyon nodded and pretended to flicka piece of lint off his coat. “Do hurry, Burke. I grow weary.She is with child and presents no challenge.”
Odious Oliver walked to the fireplace andgrabbed the poker.
“Do not injure her.” Mr. Runyon’sgaze fell on Alexandra.
Alexandra raised the sword again, hermuscles burning with the effort. Her strength failed. She swung ather uncle.
Burke easily batted away the sword withthe poker. “How tiresome you are, Alexandra. Always were. Horriblyovereducated.” He pinned the sword with the poker taking the weapon fromher easily. He turned with a look of triumph to Mr. Runyon.
“I kept my part of the bargain. Iget to sell this place and my debt to you is forgiven.”
“Oh, that. I forgot to tellyou there’s been a change of plans.” Mr. Runyon calmly took a pistol outof his breast pocket, cocked it, and shot her uncle.
A bright red hole formed in her uncle’sforehead. The moonlike face froze in surprise before he thudded to thefloor.
Alexandra screamed.
Runyon approached the body, taking thesword from it. “Don’t carry on, pigeon. You hated your uncle. Youshould thank me.” He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket andlaid it on the desk. “Don’t worry. Miranda won’t see a thing.”Runyon snapped his fingers and a large, thuggish man appeared from behind thedoor. “Put this –“ he pointed his cane at Burke, “in thebarn. Don’t set the fire – yet. I wish Miss Dunforth to lightthe flint.” Mr. Runyon tossed a bag of coins at the man.
The man dragged out her uncle’s body,barely sparing Alexandra a glance.
“Monster. You are a monster.”Alexandra choked. “I won’t do it.”
“Yes, you will. Or I will cut outthat child with this very sword.”
Alexandra gasped. “Not even youwould do something so horrible. Why? Why are you doing this?”Her eyes alit on the discarded fireplace poker.
“Because I can.” Mr. Runyon stoodand walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back. “Did youwish to pack some clothes?”
