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“You what?” The old man’s eyes widened. “You would hurt an old man?”
Nathan snarled at him, which had the butler flinching away.
“A young lady was kidnapped by your master. The young lady happens to be my bride. For all I know you’re complicit in this. I’ll do anything to get my lady back. Now, where is Leyton?”
“In his study. Fourth door on the right.”
The butler looked like he was about to faint, swaying on the spot. Nathan felt a pang of regret. He hadn’t meant to be threatening to the servant, who could be innocent in all this, but he had no time for arguing. Turning away, he headed through the house and reached Leyton’s study, barging in without knocking.
Leyton was standing at his fireplace, the fire burning brightly. He was leaning a hand on the mantelpiece, staring into the fire with a half-empty glass in his hand. He didn’t look up as Nathan came in.
“You found me a little quicker than I was anticipating, Captain,” Leyton said quietly. “You must have eyes everywhere.”
“Where is she, Leyton?”
“Who?”
Nathan growled. “Don’t play innocent with me. Where’s Eleanor Heavenly?”
Leyton pushed off the mantelpiece and turned to Nathan. His eyes glittered as he raised his glass to his lips, taking a leisurely sip.
“My future bride does not wish to speak to you.”
Nathan snorted. “Your future bride? Come off it. The banns for Eleanor and I have been published. We’re engaged to be married.”
“By force. Eleanor didn’t want that.”
“And what does that make what you’re doing now? A rescue?”
“I’d like to think so.” Leyton strolled to a chair and sat down, crossing his legs. It was like he wasn’t fazed at all that he could clearly see the pistol tucked into Nathan’s belt. “Eleanor said she didn’t want a marriage at all. That she wished she could have her own choice.”
“She also said that she would make a go of the marriage with me,” Nathan snapped. “And she’s not one to break her word.”
Leyton sniggered. “You think so? I know how intimidating soldiers can be.”
“You think Eleanor was intimidated by me?” Nathan barked out a laugh. “You really don’t know her if you think she could be intimidated.” He took out his pistol, keeping it pointed at the ground. “I’m here to take her home. And I’m going to bring you to account for your actions. You cannot just lure another man’s bride out into the open to kidnap them.”
“She came willingly. Lady Chapman might have said otherwise, but I never hurt Eleanor.”
“I have another witness who says otherwise.” Nathan was still shaking from hearing that Eleanor had been knocked unconscious before being taken away. “Did attacking Marion Laurie come into the plan as well?”
Leyton rolled his eyes. “Marion was always putting ideas into Eleanor’s head. She’s not a good friend at all - she was keeping two lovers apart.”
He was clearly enjoying himself. Nathan growled and pointed his pistol at Leyton’s head, resisting the urge to pull the trigger.
“You can stop wasting my time, Leyton. Where’s Eleanor?”
Leyton’s smirk vanished. His eyes flashed. “You’re not getting anywhere near her, Reynolds. I won’t let you. She’s mine.”
“You won’t?”
“No.”
Leyton threw his glass at Nathan’s head. Nathan ducked, getting splattered with drink, and then Leyton charged at him. Nathan was knocked off-balance and they fell to the floor, his pistol spinning away across the carpet. Leyton rose up and punched Nathan in the face, making pain explode in Nathan’s jaw. With a snarl, Nathan lifted his hips and twisted, tossing Leyton off him. Then he rolled to straddle Leyton and punched him twice. The first one had Leyton looking dazed, and the second had his head bouncing off the carpet before he moaned and lay still. His eyes fluttered closed.
Nathan found himself shaking his head. Someone should have taught him to fight when he was in confinement. That was far too easy.
“Nathan?”
