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If he could surprise Bragg and maneuver Bridget into the room beyond the door, she would have a chance to escape. And if he was quick enough, he might be able to do so as well. If not, he was determined to fight to the death.
At the bottom of the stairs, he glanced once left and then right. And turned.
“I beg of you, rethink this foolish plan of yours. You will never escape. You will be found. If you give yourself up now, perhaps mercy will be bestowed upon you.”
“Mercy? From whom? The likes of you? I think not. You are as foolish as your sister and the woman you claim you love. You make quite the pair, I must admit. One is as gullible and stupid as the other. No. I will make my way outside with my bride-to-be at my side. We will take one of the carriages and depart this place. If anyone dares follow me, I will shoot her. It is as simple as that. Now, come, my love,” he said to Bridget.
“No!” Graham shouted, and while Bragg’s eyes were focused on the door that would lead to his freedom, Graham charged forward and pushed him back with all the force he could muster.
The man let out a yelp as he fell backward, and his back landed hard on the sharp steps.
“Run, Bridget! The washhouse!” Graham shouted. Bragg had pulled Bridget back with him during the fall, and she was now sitting on the bottom steps, her face contorted as if in pain. Graham grabbed her wrist when his gaze was drawn to the gun that had fallen to the ground.
He yanked Bridget up and lunged for the weapon, but it was too late. Bragg jumped forward and landed on top of it,pointingthe gun at Graham's head.
“You thought you’d outsmart me? You are a fool,” he snarled.
“Bridget. Go, go now!” Graham shouted, but to his shock, Bridget remained still, shaking her head.
“No. I will not leave you!”
Bragg chuckled. “Oh, isn’t it touching? She loves you, so she will not leave you. Well, Bridget, you are even more stupid than I thought. You could’ve gotten away.”
“Bridget, please, I can hold him off, run! He will kill you,” Graham pleaded.
“No, I will not abandon you,” she replied.
“Oh, do not fret. I have a bullet for each of you.” Bragg tipped his head to one side and grinned. “You didn’t think I brought only one weapon, did you?” He casually removed his morning coat, revealing a holster with a second pistol in it.
“The two of you are so determined to depart this world together I shall gladly oblige—"
But all of a sudden, a spray of blood rose into the air from the back of his head. Oliver Bragg's eyes widened in surprise, and the arm holding his weapon shook as his knees buckled. The man landed on the black and white marble tiles with a thud, a river of deep red blood flowing all around. Bridget screamed and clasped her hands together in front of her mouth.
When Graham raised his head, he too let out a gasp, for standing there in front of him, a large rock in her hand, was none other than Jane.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
Bridget’s hands shook as she stared at the body on the ground before her. Her heart pounded as a deafening silence filled the hallway. The only sound was the steady, labored breathing of Oliver Bragg, who lay passed out on the ground. Blood flowed from his head across the floor, a dreadful river that snaked toward Bridget’s feet.
“Oh, my goodness,” Jane mumbled, her hand trembling violently. Graham stepped forward, removed the rock she was holding from her hand, and guided her past Bragg.
“Come, Jane,” he said in a reassuring, soothing tone.
“I shall be arrested,” Jane whispered, her voice shaking. Bridget wanted to tell her it wasn't true, that she'd never be imprisoned for stopping someone fromcommitting a heinous crime. She knew, however, that those who made the laws frequently looked down on servants. As a result, even though Jane had saved them both, there was still a chance she would be punished.
Even if not, the scandal would tarnish her and make it impossible for her to move on.
“I shall say I did it,” Bridget declared. “I am a lady. Nobody will believe him if he says otherwise. Besides, he does not know it was you standing behind him.”
Graham wetted his lips. He’d squatted down beside Bragg and examined him.
“No, I’ll say it was me. My title is, in essence, armor. Nobody will question a duke, especially not when I have already told the constable what Bragg has done.” He rose, and his knees popped as he did so. He looked down at the man and then at Bridget before speaking again.
“He took you from your chamber,” Graham started telling the new version of the story, “I frantically searched for a way to save you and found it when I noticed this rock lying by the door. All the while we struggled, I hit him in the head.” He shrugged and looked at Jane. “You were never here.”
“Your Grace, I am lost for words. I was coming with the tea… when I heard Bragg… I ran for the rock and…” Jane stammered and clutched her neck.
“You have suffered enough at the hands of men who considered themselves above you,” he said, glaring at Bragg. “It is time you also enjoy the protection of one. Believe me when I say you shall not be drawn into this. From this moment on, you will be free of this burden.”
