Page 72 of Charity

Redding set his hand to the floor and started to rise. “Don’t call me Red.”

Lady Prewitt hissed, “It’s aimed at her, if you would just get out of the way. I’ve got nothing against you.”

Oscar risked another peek—and his world slowed. While he’d been regaining his senses, Redding and the duke had repositioned themselves. He now had a clear shot at Lady Prewitt.

He just needed the wits to pull the trigger and fire upon another human being again.

Oscar flexed his hand around the pistol and drew in a deep breath, hoping the duke could talk his way out of this.

“At my little Agatha? Dear lady, what has she done to deserve such hostility?” The duke’s soothing tones had little effect on the woman.

Lady Prewitt drew herself up tall, her grip on the pistol firming. “She’s after my husband. I won’t share any more of him!”

“Lord Prewitt?” The duke glanced at Agatha.

Agatha shook her head violently. “No. No, of course I don’t want him.”

Lady Prewitt sneered. “That’s what she said, too. Now see what goes on. They think I don’t know, but I’ve got eyes everywhere. I know where they creep to in the dead of night. It stops with her!”

It stops now. Oscar took aim.

Redding slowly shuffled back to lean against the wall, putting himself farther out of danger. “If that were true, then we might all be afraid. As it is, you’ll not pull that trigger.”

Lady Prewitt looked Redding up and down. “And why is that?”

The duke pushed Agatha two steps farther back. “Because, my dear, you’ve lost.”

Oscar pulled the trigger.

A puff of smoke wafted before him as Lady Prewitt collapsed to the ground, pistol spinning far from her reach. She held her bleeding arm against her chest as she screamed in pain at the wound he’d inflicted.

Oscar swayed. The pistol fell from his fingers with a loud clatter.

Agatha ran to him and jumped into his arms. “I knew you could save us. I knew you would.”

She kissed him and hugged him and told him many flattering things that were profoundly good for his ego. He hugged her against his chest and collapsed against the wall for support.

What if he couldn’t have pulled the trigger?

That didn’t bear thinking about. He set his hands around Agatha’s face and kissed her full on the mouth.

“Redding? We need to get this pair married today, don’t you think?” The duke approached, supporting his footman as they crossed the room. He leaned his servant against the wall beside Oscar and inspected the cut on his head. “Red, there’s a fair bit of blood leaking from your head. What do I do about it?”

Redding brushed his hands aside. “It’ll stop directly. Don’t fuss. Mr. Branxton will be waiting impatiently to perform the marriage ceremonies. I’ll deal with my wound later.”

The duke looked set to argue until Redding pointed at the woman crying on the floor. “Also have to deliver Lady Prewitt to her husband with an explanation. You should enjoy that, don’t you think?”

“Immensely and yes there’s no need to alert anyone about this situation.” The duke grinned. “Are you all right, Oscar?”

Oscar squeezed Agatha tightly. “I am now, Your Grace. I’ll bring Lady Prewitt to the carriage. Agatha, go along with His Grace. I’ll join you in a moment.”

Agatha shook her head stubbornly. “I’ll help too. I’d like to try to convince her she’s wrong about me while I have the chance.”

Together, they got Lady Prewitt’s wound bandaged enough to slow the flow of blood, and supported her between them as they followed the duke and Redding, listening to their banter once more.

“Rather forward thinking of me wouldn’t you say, Red, to arrange that vicar fellow?”

Redding clutched his head. “Don’t know if I’d go that far, but if you insist.”