Page 77 of To Hunt the Hunter

“That’s because there was.”

Theo spun around, though he kept the pistol pointed at Lucian.

“Pippin,” Lucian said in alarm, fighting through the shock of everything he’d just learned. “For the love of God, get out of here!”

“No, my lamb. I told you there needed to be a reckoning, and it’s about time.”

“Oh, it’s time,” said a cheerful voice with a heavy foreign accent from above.

Lucian looked up to see the curtains on the balcony had been drawn back and all of Matilda’s uninvited guests were there, including Lady Cavendish’s grandmother, who seemed to be the source of the comment and was looking down at them as if she was watching a fascinating theatre production.

“I think you had best put the gun down, Mr Barrington,” said the commanding voice of the Duke of Bedwin. “We have all heard your confession. There is nowhere to run.”

As he spoke, Jack’s men appeared by the doors at either end of the assembly room, pistols glinting in the dim light from the candles. Lucian raised his hand, telling them silently to wait, not to shoot unless there was no other choice.

He saw the implacable look in his uncle’s eyes and knew what he meant to do. If Theodore would die, either here or on the scaffold for murder, he may as well take Lucian with him.

“Put down the gun, Mr Barrington,” Pippin said, her voice and her presence startlingly impressive for a cook.

Lucian smiled at her, remembering all the times she had looked out for him, all the small kindnesses and the hugs he had needed so badly after his parents and Philip had died… had been murdered.

“Go away, Pippin,” he said softly. “I don’t want you hurt.”

Pippin snorted. “He can’t hurt me, the old fool. He’s not nearly clever enough for that.”

“Matilda!” shouted a male voice from above.

“Lucian!”

Lucian turned once again, looking behind him this time as Matilda flew through the door, running towards him while her brother roared with helpless terror from the balcony.

Bloody hell!

“Jack, you useless bastard,” Lucian shouted in fury.

“I didn’t see her go,” Jack called down.

He had a tight hold on Phoebe, however, thank God.

“Get Phoebe out of here!” Lucian shouted, his heart thudding uncomfortably. Good God, he’d not have Phoebe see him killed before her eyes.

“Aye, lord.”

“No!” Phoebe screamed, kicking and biting and thrashing madly in the big man’s grip. “No, I won’t go!”

“Lucian!”

“Damn you, Matilda,” he cursed as she flung herself at him. “What the devil are you thinking?”

“She’s protecting you, Lucian, because she loves you,” Pippin said, smiling. “Like her friends have come to protect her.”

“Hell and the devil, you’re all mad,” he exclaimed, pushing Matilda behind him.

A low chuckle echoed around the dimly lit space. He looked up again and saw Aashini taking her grandmother’s hand and the woman gesturing for Helena to take the other. Pippin stared up at her and the old woman nodded. The hairs on the back of Lucian’s neck prickled.

He turned back to his uncle.

“You murdered my family. It was all you, and now they all know it. I would have let you live, but you’ll hang now. Whatever happens.”