Lord Wakefield’s eyes flashed with uncertainty before he lowered the pistol to his side. “If I am killed, I have instructed my men to kill all the worthless orphans.”
“This isn’t over,” Hawthorne said. “We will find a way to stop you.”
“Promises, promises,” Lord Wakefield responded. “You know what you need to do to end this. I hope you make the right choice.”
William found himself rooted in place as anger welled up inside of him. He wanted to end this now, but he knew he wasn’t in a position to do so.
“Grenton,” Hawthorne said. “It is time for us to depart.”
“But—”
“Don’t worry; we will be back,” Hawthorne asserted.
William stepped back until he stood next to Hawthorne, maintaining his gaze on Lord Wakefield. He had no intention of turning his back on the man.
Hawthorne’s eyes were intense as he kept his pistol trained on Lord Wakefield. “You have crossed the wrong man, Wakefield.”
Lord Wakefield sneered. “What can a pretentious lord do to me?” he mocked. “I bet you don’t even know how to use that pistol.”
A shot rang out, and Lord Wakefield screeched as his pistol clattered to the floor.
“You shot me!” Lord Wakefield exclaimed, clutching his arm.
Hawthorne lowered his gun. “You are lucky; it shouldn’t kill you,” he said. “Next time, don’t ask me if I know how to use a pistol.”
The door flew open, and the butler ran into the room. His mouth dropped open as he stared at Lord Wakefield’s bloody arm.
Without saying a word, Hawthorne turned and departed from the study, and William followed close behind. They didn’t speak until they’d let themselves out and stepped into the coach.
William heaved a heavy sigh. “That is not at all how I thought it would go.”
“Frankly, that is precisely what I was expecting,” Hawthorne said. “I’m glad I shot him.”
“As am I.”
As the coach merged into traffic, William asked, “What are we to do? We can’t turn Miss Holbrooke over to him.”
“No, we can’t,” Hawthorne said, “but I have friends who can help us. We will find a way to stop Lord Wakefield.”
“I’m sorry I brought you into this.”
Hawthorne gave him a pointed look. “There is no place I would rather be than helping a friend in need.”
“Thank you.”
“But you get to be the one who tells Miss Holbrooke the bad news.”
William winced. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”
Georgie was reviewing the ledger when Mrs. Hughes stepped into the room with an annoyed expression.
“I hope you are pleased with yourself,” Mrs. Hughes declared. “You have managed to ruin this orphanage.”
Georgie closed the ledger. “How exactly did I accomplish that?”
“The girls should be doing their chores, but instead they are getting instructed on how to read,” Mrs. Hughes said. “This whole orphanage will fall apart now. You will see.”
“I am confident that these changes will only enhance the orphanage.”
