He ran as quietly as he could, straining his ears for any sound, but the thick trees surrounding him stayed silent. Rounding the right side of the pond, Leo finally spotted her. A bundle was clutched to her chest as she moved slowly around the thick grass at the edges of the water. She was using the grass for cover.
“Georgina.”
She turned, hearing his voice, and stepped back from the still water of the pond. Ice was forming around the edges. He looked away. The very sight of the pond filled Leo with a sort of mindless, irrational terror. And now was not the time to relive a bloody fishing trip.
Leo put his pistol back in his pocket. “Thank God. Georgina.” He was nearly at her side, his arms outstretched, when her face collapsed into rabid fear.
“I thought you’d show up eventually, Murphy.” The cocking of a pistol met his ears. “Thank you for flushing her out.”
Leo didn’t think. He couldn’t. He ran forcefully at Georgina, hearing her gasp of surprise before he pushed her out of the way. The move would send him into the pond, but it was the only way to shield Georgina and Daniel.
A searing pain shot across his right side as Leo fell into the water.
Georgina rolled away, falling against a pile of downed branches and limbs.
A splash sounded as the cold invaded his legs and back. A scream bubbled up his throat at the smell of mud and decaying vegetation. Filthy water rippled over his chest.
The pond at Cherry Hill. The one the duchess sometimes took Tony to on sunny days. Leo hadn’t liked fishing. Putting a hook in a defenseless worm felt wrong to him. But Tony liked to fish and wanted to show Leo. He’d slipped into the water. The algae on the top of the pond had been thick. So thick he couldn’t see. Where was Tony? He thrashed about, but he was wrapped up in the fishing line. The worm was still attached, wiggling against his cheek. Tony was screaming his name. The dirty water was in his mouth, choking him. The algae invaded his nostrils. He couldn’t breathe—
Leo forced himself to turn his head, terrified to be in the water.
Please let me die on land. Not in this pond. Not in the dark water.
Where was Georgina? Had the pistol shot gone through him only to hit her? A painful rasp left him as he struggled to catch his breath. He touched his side and grabbed at the strands of grass to keep from floating completely into the pond, his fingers coating the dying cattails with blood.
Harold, leering at him like some insane jester, stood at the edge of the pond, the pistol still in his hand. “I suppose my plans will have to be revised yet again. Well, no matter. That is no longer of any importance. Only the child matters.”
Leo rather hoped Harold would just shoot himself accidentally in the head with the way he was carelessly handling the pistol.
“My brother,” Leo croaked. It hurt to breathe. The water was so cold. Filthy, as it had been that day. He swallowed down his panic, not wanting Harold to notice. “Will ensure you are stripped of everything you own, Masterson. He’ll ruin you in London.” Leo coughed, seeing a shadow moving behind Masterson.
Georgina.
No. She needs to run. Get away from Harold.
“I suppose it goes without saying that your membership to Elysium is revoked.”
Harold gave a bitter laugh. “Never cared for your club anyway. Always holding that bloody membership over everyone’s head. I’ll gamble elsewhere.”
“My brother is a duke, not a bloody idiot, Harold. He’ll know you had something to do with my demise.”
“No, he won’t.” But Harold’s bravado faltered. “The duke will never know what became of you. I’ll leave your body here to be picked clean by the animals in this savage place. Or even better, you’ll sink. It will be ages before anyone finds you. I’ll have Georgina’s money. Beechwood Court, which she’s renovated for me. And of course, your child.”
Harold really was mad. Completely.
Leo blinked, trying to clear his vision. The area around the pond seemed to be deserted. No one but him and the very insane Lord Masterson. How ironic that Leo had studiously avoided water and anything that floated upon it since that day with his brother, only to drown in a pond after being shot by Harold. Foul-tasting water slipped into his mouth, and he spat it out.
The algae slipped down his throat, wobbly, like aspic. He hated aspic. Tony was screaming at him to wake up.
If he could just keep Harold here a while longer, Georgina would have a chance to make it to Lilian’s neighbors. Find help. Ben would keep her and Daniel safe. Cooke would probably have Harold murdered in some dark alley, which suited Leo just fine. He would be sad to miss it.
“I don’t think you are in possession of all the facts, Harold. I wouldn’t get attached to Beechwood Court.” He coughed again, spitting out a mouthful of stagnant water. “I own it, not Georgina. Didn’t she mention that to you?”
Harold’s face reddened. His eyes bulged.
“The money in her account was put there by me as well. There was nothing left of her dowry, you pompous prick. Your uncle saw to that. The only reason you have anything at all is because I didn’t call in your uncle’s markers until recently. I’ve already written to my brother,the duke,who will see you are impoverished.”
“You’re wrong.” Harold danced back and forth on his feet. “I’ll have your son, Murphy. I’ll make myself his guardian. Claim he’s my uncle’s spawn. No one will deny me, especially with you and Georgina both dead. Your brother will give me whatever I ask. My markers. A stipend to keep that brat alive. I’ll have everything.”
