Page 78 of Prince of Scandal

“Now?” whispered Lansbury, holding the brass key aloft.

Northam nodded, his hand on the door, ready to shove it inward.

Ashton gripped his pistol tighter, bracing himself to rush into the chamber and shoot the major in the heart, even while dreading what they might find. If Osbourne had harmed Georgiana in any way…

With a flick of the wrist, Lansbury unlocked the door and it swung freely inward…to reveal Osbourne standing in the center of the room, holding a dagger to Georgiana’s throat.

“Oh, good evening,” said Osbourne pleasantly, like they were meeting in a gentleman’s club for a hand of whist. “Now I suggest you turn around and return from whence you came, or the lady will quite lose her head.”

CHAPTER 17

Ashton was here. He’d come for her.

For the first time since they’d left London, a sense of calm washed over Georgiana. Earlier, she’d barely been able to manage a few mouthfuls of soup and bread as Rupert’s temper worsened, and when he’d actually shackled her ankle to the bed, true fear had gripped her. She hadn’t slept a wink, her ears straining for any sounds outside that might indicate a rescue. But there’d only been the noises of a full stable and a popular tavern. Until the nerve-shattering moment Rupert cursed viciously and leaped out of bed, lit several more candles so the chamber near-glowed, then dragged her up and pressed a dagger tip to her throat.

However, none of that mattered now, not even the threat of losing her head. Not when Ashton was here. And Xavier. Also the Duke of Lansbury and Mr. Carr. Finally, Rupert the rotten turd might be held accountable for ten years’ worth of crimes, and never be able to hurt anyone again.

Meeting Ashton’s gaze, Georgiana discreetly tilted her head down, then inched up her cloak and gown, showing him her shackled ankle. He nodded the barest inch.

Xavier strolled into the room and leaned against the far wall, the portrait of casual indolence if you didn’t notice the weapons he held. “Let Gigi go, Osbourne. You are only making things so much worse for yourself.”

Georgiana almost smiled at her brother’s tone. So deadly! Then she winced as Rupert’s dagger tip grazed her neck. Ouch! Miserable wretch. Wait. Was he…trembling?

Oh, he was. Not so brave against other men.

“Insolent whelp,” snapped Rupert, his voice quavering slightly. “I’ll do no such thing. She’ll be the mother of my heir, my pure line will continue, and I’ll spend all the Nash funds until the title is bankrupt. That will be a nice inheritance for you, won’t it, m’boy!”

“Such bravado from the coward who kills women,” said Ashton quietly as he cocked his pistol, the contrast of soft words and loud click even more menacing. “There is no chance any of your plans will happen.”

Lansbury’s smile was equally terrifying. “This is a non-negotiable offer, Osbourne. Climb out that window onto the roof, and we’ll give you two minutes to run.”

Rupert laughed, but his whole body shook now. “Your Grace. A pity Virginia didn’t have your mettle. She was foolish and ignorant, so I had to show her the dark path that von Hagan’s spanking led to. Your daughter was far more docile then…but when she failed in her duty to provide me an heir, it was only fair and just that I be compensated. Then you stopped! I had no use for a barren wife, so I sought out a special tonic. Too bad arsenic didn’t agree with her.”

“Why, you fucking bastard—”

“That sounded like a confession,” said Mr. Carr, tapping a dagger against his arm. “Anything else before I gut you like a fish, Osbourne?”

“Oh, yes. Dorothy did not drown with grace. Your wife’s common blood, I expect. Flailing and splashing…but it was so peaceful after that. No constant yapping in my ear like a small dog.”

Oh God.

Georgiana couldn’t listen to one more vile word. Now was the time to act. To set in motion whatever plan of vengeance the men had. Swiftly, she exchanged a glance with Ashton. He nodded.

“Rupert, you are so disgusting, I’m going to be sick!” announced Georgiana, feigning gagging sounds as she fumbled in her cloak pocket for the paperweight her father had provided. Then she sagged against him, forcing Rupert to adjust his grip, before slamming the small but solid object directly against his kneecap with all her might.

Rupert bellowed in pain, momentarily letting her go to clutch at his wound, and Georgiana threw herself to the floor. A pained cry tore from her throat as the chain around her ankle pulled tight and wrenched it, and her palms scraped against the wood. But once she was safely out of the way, Xavier hurled a dagger at Rupert with great force, the sharp blade embedding itself in Rupert’s shoulder. Then all four men began advancing on him.

Rupert went ashen as he staggered back toward the window, seeming to realize for the first time the great peril he was in. “You don’t have to do this. We could come to some arrangement. I’m an Osbourne!”

Lansbury threw another dagger, this one shallowly entering Rupert’s left thigh before clattering onto the floor. “Run, rabbit.”

Georgiana swallowed hard, her stomach roiling, but she managed to stick her unshackled foot out, causing Rupert to trip and bang his head on the wooden sill as he tried to shove open the window. The men merely moved closer and closer, toying with him, as he eventually scrambled out onto the flat section of roof, a space about ten feet wide and double that in length, and awash in pale moonlight.

Silently, Xavier, Lansbury, and Mr. Carr followed him out. Ashton crouched beside her, caressing her cheek. “Are you hurt, little one?”

“No,” she whispered, rubbing her cheek against his hand, the warmth and strength supremely comforting. “Get him. Please. He must die. For all those poor women.”

Ashton nodded. “Not long now. I’ll be back to free you in just a moment.”