Casting her eyes to the ground and breathing shallow, fast breaths, Charlotte searched frantically for someone, anyone that might hear her cry for help. She was growing tired, but determination bloomed within her. Shouts came from the direction of the house and hope blossomed in her chest.
Grasping her by the arms, Newbridge tossed her into the boat, her head knocking on the polished wood seat and her body landing heavily on the bottom. Dazed, Charlotte blinked and screamed, knowing her chances to get help were dwindling as she watchedNewbridge untie the knot on the ring. He hummed a songless tune, haunting in its tone of delight. One would think he was taking her on a leisurely boat ride.
The viscount grunted as he pushed off the shore using an oar. They drifted away from Wildwood. Away from the safety of her home. Panic seized her chest.
Inhaling a bracing breath, Charlotte rocked back and forth, hoping to move the boat enough to knock him off balance and out of the boat. She ignored the risk to herself. There was the chance she would fall and drown, but somehow that seemed a better fate than whatever the viscount had planned.
“Charlotte!” a familiar voice called out from the shore.
A sob climbed up, unbidden. Perry had found her. She would be saved. Charlotte breathed a silent prayer that he would be able to somehow stop Newbridge. Silently, she lifted her gaze to watch the viscount wobble as he stood in the boat. A triumphant smile stretched over his face.
She halted her movements as the viscount gave a maniacal laugh.
“You’re too late, Winchester! I’ve got your precious countess.” He rubbed his palms and chuckled. “Hear that, Countess? You’re mine now.”
Breath squeezed from her chest as she pushed herself up with one arm to see over the side of the rowboat. The distance between them and the shore was too far. She was out of reach. Perry was frantic, shouting to servants who were scrambling behind him.
No one could save her now.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Perry’s heart almost leaped out of his chest once he arrived at the river’s edge. Michael’s footsteps thudded behind him, with Beau not far behind. They had mere moments to act before Charlotte would drift well out of their grasp.
“I’m gonna kill him,” Michael threatened.
“You wouldn’t dare steal the pleasure from me,” Perry warned. Still clutching the pistol at his side, he lifted it to aim at Newbridge and released the trigger guard.
He only had one shot.
Though he was a good shot, the possibility was all too real that he would miss. If he hit Charlotte, all would be lost. If he missed firing at the viscount, his wife would be lost.
Perry would lose everything if he failed.
“Charlotte, stay down!” he yelled out over the soft breeze. The calm perfection of the summer day contrasted eerily with the events playing out before him.
Neighbors began collecting on the shore, watching everything unfold. Some called out to Newbridge, some getting their own rowboats ready to help stop the madman.
Seeing Charlotte’s head pop up from inside the boat, hebreathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t too late to save her. Her head dropped out of sight.
She had heard him.
“Bring her back, Newbridge!” he called out, hating the desperation in his tone, watching as the man waved. “This is your last warning.” Perry clenched his teeth as Newbridge shook his head with a smirk on his face.
The viscount had him right where he wanted him.
Desperate.
On the brink of ruin.
“Au revoir, Winchester! Say farewell to your beloved countess!” He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, the distance making it harder to hear. “Nowyoucan see how it feels to have everything taken from you.”
Despair clawing at his chest, Perry placed his finger on the trigger, praying as he took aim. He held his breath and pulled the trigger, trying to account for how the bullet would travel from the gun. The bullet didn’t have much range, and he wasn’t sure how accurate the pistol would be, but it was his only hope. He mouthed a silent prayer that the shot would go right to its target. The projectile flew. Perry’s heart stopped as the bullet moved toward Newbridge in the blink of an eye.
A loud grunt came from Newbridge as he recoiled. He was hit.
The group of servants who gathered behind the earl gave a collective gasp. A woman swooned, though Perry didn’t stay to watch.
“By Jove, you’ve got him, brother,” Beau said slowly, as they watched the one triumphant man sway on his feet.
