Devils Bride

Getting ready to stand, Devil shot a last glance at Vane. 'Cover my back?'

Vane met his gaze. 'Don't I always?' Then he swung about; crouched low, he started for the far end of the ditch.

Devil watched him go, drew in a long breath, then stood.

Charles saw him-he tightened his hold on Honoria.

'Let her go, Charles.' Devil kept his voice even; the last thing he wanted was to panic Charles-the one he was counting on to shoot straight. 'It's me you want, not her.' He started forward, stepping over the scrubby undergrowth, sidestepping new canes and saplings. He didn't look at Honoria.

'Go back!' she screamed. 'Go away!' Her voice broke on a sob. 'Please… no.' She was crying in earnest. 'No…No!' Shaking her head, she gulped back sobs, her eyes pleading, her voice trailing away.

Devil walked steadily forward. He neared the edge of the clearing and Charles smiled-a smugly victorious smile. Abruptly, he flung Honoria away.

She screamed as she fell; Devil heard the scuffling of leaves as she frantically tried to free her feet from her skirts. Calmly, he stepped into the clearing. Charles raised his arm, took careful aim-and shot him through the heart.

The impact was greater than he'd expected; it rocked him back on his heels. He staggered back, hung motionless for a split second-the second in which he realized he was still alive, that Charles had clung to habit and aimed for his heart, not his head, that Tolly's hip-flask had been up to the task-then he let himself fall, slipping his right hand under the back of his coat as he went down. He landed on his left hip and shoulder; beneath him, his right hand held his pistol, already free of his waistband. Artistically, he groaned and rolled onto his back, his boots closest to Charles. All that remained was for Honoria-for once in her life-to behave as he expected.

She did; her scream all but drowned out the shot-the next instant, she flung herself full length upon him. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she framed his face; when he didn't respond, she sobbed and frantically searched-for the wound he didn't have.

Beyond thought, beyond all rational function, Honoria pushed aside Devil's coat-and found nothing but unmarked white shirt covering warm hard flesh. Gasping, her throat raw from her scream, her head pounding, she couldn't take it in. Devil was dead-she'd just seen him shot. She pulled his coat back-a wet stain was starting to spread. Her fingers touched metal.

She stilled. Then her eyes flicked up to Devil's; she saw green gleam beneath his long lashes. Beneath her hand, his chest lifted fractionally.

'Such a touching scene.'

Honoria turned her head. Charles strolled closer, stopping ten paces away. He'd dropped the pistol he'd used to shoot Devil; in his hand was a smaller one. 'A pity to put an end to it.' Still smiling, Charles raised the pistol, pointing it at her breast.

'Charles!'

Vane's shout had Charles spinning around. Devil half rolled, coming up on his left elbow, freeing his right arm, simultaneously flinging Honoria to the ground, shielding her with his body.

Charles's head snapped back; his lips curled in a feral snarl. He raised his pistol. And paused for an infinitesimal second to correct his aim.

Neither Devil nor Vane hesitated. Two shots rang out; Charles jerked once. The look on his face was one of stunned surprise. He staggered back; his arm slowly fell. The pistol slid from his fingers; his eyes closed-slowly, he crumpled to the ground.

Devil swung around-a stinging blow landed on his ear.

'How dare you?' Honoria's eyes spat fire. 'How dare you walk out to be killed like that!' Grabbing his shirt, she tried to shake him. 'If you ever do that again, I'll-'

'Me? What about you? Happily going off with a murderer. I should tan your hide- lock you in your room-'

'It was you he shot-I nearly died!' Honoria hit his chest hard. 'How the hell do you think I could live without you, you impossible man!'

Devil glared. 'A damned sight better than I could without you!'

His voice had risen to a roar. Their gazes locked, sizzling with possessive fury. Honoria searched his eyes; he searched hers. Simultaneously, they blinked.

Honoria dragged in a breath, then flung her arms about him. Devil tried to cling to righteous fury, then sighed and wrapped his arms about her. She was hugging him so tightly he could barely breathe. He lifted her into his lap. 'I'm still here.' He stroked her hair. 'I told you I'll never leave you.' After a moment, he asked: 'Are you all right? Both of you?'

Honoria looked up, blue-grey eyes swimming; she searched his face, then hiccupped. 'We're all right.'

'You didn't get hurt when you fell?'

She shook her head. 'I don't think so. Nothing feels amiss.'

Devil frowned. 'I'll take you home.' To Mrs. Hull, who knew about such things. 'But first…' He glanced at Charles, sprawled on the leaves.

Honoria looked, then, sniffing, flicked her skirts straight and struggled up. Devil helped her up, then stood. Drawing a deep breath, he stepped forward-Honoria pressed close. Devil hesitated, then put his arm around her and felt hers slide about his waist. Together, they walked to where Vane stood, looking down on Charles.

Two bullets ripping into it from different angles had made a mess of Charles's chest. It was instantly apparent he couldn't survive. But he hadn't yet died. When Devil halted at his right hip and looked down, Charles's lids flickered.

'How?' he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Devil pulled Tolly's flask from his pocket. It would never hold liquid again; the ball had pierced one side and lodged in the other. He held it out.

Charles stared. Recognition dawned; his features twisted. 'So,' he gasped, each word a fight. 'My little half brother won through in the end. He was so set on saving you-' A cough cut him off.

Devil quietly said: 'Tolly was a far better man than you.'

Charles tried to sneer.

'If I was you,' Vane said, 'I'd use what time you have left to make your peace with God. Heaven knows, you'll never make it with the Cynsters.' So saying, he walked away.

His expression supercilious, Charles opened his mouth to comment-his features contorted, his eyes opened wide. He stiffened. Then his lids fell; his head lolled to one side.

Honoria tightened her hold on Devil, but did not take her eyes from Charles's face. 'Is he dead?'

Devil nodded. 'It's finished.'

Hoofbeats approached, coming from the south. Vane came out of the cottage and looked at Devil. Devil shrugged. They moved to intercept the newcomers. Honoria moved with Devil; she wasn't yet ready to let him go.

Horsemen appeared on the bridle path, riding briskly. The next instant, the clearing was overflowing with Cynsters.

'What are you doing here?' Devil asked.

'We came to help,' Richard replied, in the tone of one offended to be asked. Looking at the body sprawled on the ground, he humphed. 'Looks like you've managed without us. He was so damned sure he had you dancing to his tune, he left London before you did.'

'What next?' Gabriel, his horse tied to a tree, came to join them.

'You can't seriously consider passing this off as an accident.' Lucifer followed on his heels. 'Aside from anything else, I, for one, will refuse point-blank to attend Charles's funeral.'

'Quite.' Harry ranged himself beside Vane. 'And if you can stomach burying Charles next to Tolly, I can't.'

'So what do we do with the body, brother mine?' Richard raised his brows at Devil.

They all looked at Devil.

Honoria glanced up, but he had his mask on. He glanced down at her, then looked at the cottage. 'We can't risk burying him-someone might stumble across the grave.' His gaze lingered on the cottage, then swept the wood