Page 114 of A Momentary Marriage

“I know. Poor, silly, vapid Adelaide.” Her voice dripped scorn. “So dear, so sweet. So boring. It’s quite useful.”

“I can see how it would be.” James moved closer. “You teamed up with Netherly, I take it. Or, no, I imagine it was more that he worked for you. What did you repay him with—money, your doubtlessly lovely body?” He took another step.

“Oh, no.” Adelaide took a step back, waggling the pistol at him. “Don’t think I won’t shoot you. Or that I’ll miss. I’m an excellent marksman. My brothers made sure of that.” Her smile was sly. “I’m even better with a slingshot.”

James’s eyebrows rose. “So that’s how you frightened the horses. Impressive.”

“You always discounted me. I knew you made fun of me. It made me laugh; I was the one making fools of all of you.”

“What’s your plan now?” he asked in a conversational tone, edging forward. “I take it you’ve returned to targeting me.”

“You’re the important one. If you’re gone, Laura will be unprotected, and I’ll have plenty of time to deal with her afterward.”

“That’s reasonable.” His cool tone concealed the surge of rage inside him.

“Stop talking. We’re going to the ruins.” She gestured with the gun.

“The thing is . . . don’t you think people will find it a mite suspicious if I am shot after the other attempts on my life and Laura’s? Say you kill me, you’ll still have Laura to murder, and, well, I’m assuming from your use of Netherly that your ultimate plan is to do away with Claude, too. That’s a great many bodies to explain.”

She shrugged. “No one will suspect sweet little Adelaide.” She batted her eyelashes mockingly, then reverted to a cold, commanding tone. “Now start walking.”

“No.”

“What?” Adelaide took a threatening step, the gun aimed straight at his chest. “I have a gun. Start walking or I’ll shoot you right here.”

“Very well.” He spread his arms out. “Go ahead. Shoot me here. Rather close to the house, though. They’ll hear the shot and be here quickly. How do you plan to explain my body lying bleeding on the ground? You won’t be able to get away in time. Everyone will know.”

“I’ll throw the gun away and go into hysterics because I found you lying here.”

“Mm, it might work.” He tilted his head consideringly. “Sure it’s worth the risk? I understand gaol is not a pleasant place to live.”

Light flared in her eyes, and James thought she would fire. He tensed to jump. But at that moment something crashed through the shrubbery behind them, and a large, dark shape hurtled into the clearing. Demosthenes, teeth bared, flew straight toward Adelaide.

Adelaide heard the noise and whirled. James leapt forward, shouting, “No!”

He was too late. The gun roared, and Demosthenes went down. In the next instant, James grabbed Adelaide’s arm and grappled for the weapon. It went off again, firing harmlessly into the air.

In the distance he heard Claude’s bellow and Laura screaming his name. Adelaide raked her nails across his face, but James wrenched the gun away from her and hurled it into the fountain. He shoved Adelaide away, sending her staggering backward to land on the ground. He ran to Dem and dropped down on his knees beside the inert body.

Gently, he reached out to touch the dog’s bloody head. Behind him, Adelaide scrambled to her feet and picked up a rock, rushing at him. James flung himself aside, dodging the blow, and rolled to his feet.

“Adelaide!” Claude stumbled into the clear and came to a dead stop. “No!”

She paid him no attention but swung at James again. James grabbed her wrists, holding her off. Claude ran to them and wrapped his arms around Adelaide, pinning her arms to her side.

Laura raced into the clearing. “James!” She flung herself into his arms. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.”

“I heard the shots, and I thought—” She broke off, her voice choking with tears, and hugged him again.

“I’m all right. It’s Dem—”

“Dem!” Laura released him and whirled around. “Oh, my God, Dem!” She ran to the dog, her tears flowing. “No, Dem, please.”

The dog’s tail gave a thump against the ground, and he opened his eyes, twisting his head up to look at Laura.

“Oh! Thank God, you’re alive. But all this blood . . .”