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“And you shall die together,” Lord Taylor proclaimed.
Emmeline interjected, “How will you explain our deaths to the constable?”
“I won’t,” Lord Taylor said. “As far as anyone is concerned, I was on my way back to Town when your deaths occurred.”
“You have this whole thing planned out, don’t you?” Oliver asked.
Lord Taylor puffed out his chest in pride. “I do,” he replied. “I don’t like to leave anything to chance, especially when it comes down to losing money.”
“What if we were to give you Lockhart Manor?” Emmeline inquired.
With a shake of his head, Lord Taylor responded, “I’m afraid it is too late for that.” He gestured with his pistol. “Get on your knees.”
“And if we refuse?” Oliver asked.
Lord Taylor’s gaze shifted over Oliver’s shoulder. “Then the village’s beloved vicar will have no choice but to shoot you straightaway.”
Emmeline gasped. “Mr. Lawson is working with you?”
Oliver turned and saw the vicar approaching them with a pistol in his hand. The kindness in his eyes had been replaced with hardness.
Mr. Lawson stopped a short distance away from them, but the hand that was holding the pistol wavered. It was evident he was not as confident in this plan as Lord Taylor was.
“Get on your knees,” Lord Taylor repeated.
Oliver held his hand out to assist Emmeline as she knelt on the sand. He leaned closer and whispered, “Trust me.”
Emmeline nodded her understanding.
As Oliver went onto his knees, he saw Mr. Lawson step closer and position himself right behind him.
Lord Taylor gave Emmeline an apologetic look. “I truly did not want it to end this way, but you are just as stubborn as your parents were. You see, they refused to sell this property, as well.”
Crouching down in front of Emmeline, Lord Taylor continued. “It’s a shame that I had to kill them.”
Emmeline’s eyes grew wide. “You killed my parents?” she repeated in disbelief.
“I did. I staged it to appear as if it were a botched robbery attempt,” her uncle replied without a hint of remorse in his voice. “You should know that they begged me to spare your life, and I agreed.” He sighed. “But, unfortunately, I won’t be able to honor that promise any longer.”
“You are a monster!” Emmeline exclaimed.
Lord Taylor tsked. “I see that you are upset, but you will shortly be joining your parents in death.”
While Lord Taylor was distracted, Oliver slowly reached behind him and placed his hand on the pistol in the waistband of his trousers, being mindful not to draw the vicar’s attention. He was waiting for the perfect moment to retrieve it and end this madness.
Tears flowed down Emmeline’s cheeks as she asked, “How could you kill your own brother and sister-in-law?”
“It was much easier than I had anticipated,” Lord Taylor admitted as he stood and took a few steps back. “Your father fought back, and I had to kill him first.” He grew silent for a moment. “I didn’t want to kill your mother, but I couldn’t very well leave any witnesses. That is why I was forced to kill the driver and footmen, as well.”
“You did all of this just for Lockhart Manor?” Emmeline asked in disbelief.
“I did,” Lord Taylor replied. “The amount of money the smuggled goods generates makes me a very rich man.”
“Does Aunt Betty know you killed my parents?”
Lord Taylor shook his head. “She does not,” he responded. “She is blissfully unaware of all my business transactions.”
Raising his arm, Lord Taylor aimed at Emmeline’s forehead. “I tire of your questions. It is time you died.”
