“It is a shame to say goodbye to you, Nash. You were…very helpful to me. You have become weak and disloyal. Both are qualities I find repulsive.”
“I will not let you kill her! She is all the family I have.”
“You have traded me for her, you ungrateful urchin.” Her uncle’s attention turned to her. He kicked at her. “I tried to rid myself of you twice. This time I will not fail. This house will be mine!”
Slade reached into his boot and pulled out a jewel-encrusted knife. He lunged, but her uncle parried and nicked his arm, sending blood spewing from the wound.
Maggie saw the movement at the door almost too late. She craned her neck in time to see Max and Harlow. Max was slipping up behind Slade, his gun drawn.
“No! Not Slade. He is trying to help me!” she yelled. It was so cold in the room, she could see her own breath. “Uncle Silas only inherits if I am dead.”
“She will not be dying by your or anyone else’s hand. Step away from her.” Max demanded in a dangerous voice.
“You will watch her die after I kill this one.” He waved his knife at Slade. “No one will take what is owed to me.” The viscount’s eyes were wild and glazed.
Everything happened so fast. Her uncle lunged at Slade, his knife poised to kill him. Max’s gun went off, and her uncle fell, grabbing his knee and screaming.
Slade dropped his knife and backed away.
“I would never hurt her. You do not understand,” he explained, holding his hands over his head and looking at Maggie. “If I had wanted to hurt you, Lady Tipton, I had plenty of opportunity. I had you in my sights for weeks. I knew my father’s plan. I tried to keep you safe from him.” He took a trembling breath. “You are all the family I have left. Your parents were always kind to me. They clothed me, gave me money for food, and sheltered me, and even tried to help me mum when she was sick.” He looked down at his father, who was trying to grab his knife and spit on him. “They cared and tried to help me. But never anything but vitriol came from you. I was your bastard, but you never so much as gave me a kind word. Nothing I did made a difference to you.” Slade’s tone was weary, pained. He kicked his father’s knife away and dropped to his haunches, defeated.
Harlow walked over and picked up both knives, holding his gun on both men. “I will watch this one.” He glared at the viscount. “It is just a leg wound. We will make sure he can stand and hang.”
“He killed my family,” Maggie wept, her face in her hands.
My dear, they will punish Silas for his crimes. A gentle pressure touched her cheek, caressing her chin. I never left you. I did what I could to help you. Your father would be proud of his beautiful daughter. Her mother’s voice spoke quietly, and everyone stopped what they were doing and looked around.
* * *
“My mother was right. Your mother stayed behind,” Max said in astonishment. He realized his mouth was hanging open. He closed it and smirked.
The sound of heavy boots running echoed through the hall as Nizal and another investigator burst into the room, both heaving and puffing from their exertion in the cold weather. “We will handle this, your lordships, my lady.” Nizal spoke through puffs of breath. He glanced around the room. “You seem to have things under control. The man outside appears to have died by brick.” Nizal looked at Maggie.
“You might explain how you managed that while tied up,” the second one said, amused.
“I did not…” Maggie stopped mid-sentence and looked up at Max.
“Her mother stepped in. I take help where offered.” Max smiled and nodded, to the astonishment of the men standing. “Keep your hands up,” Max barked at Slade. “We will sort this out with the magistrate.” He holstered his gun in his coat. Squatting down, Max released Maggie’s bindings with her uncle’s knife. He picked her up and held her close to his heart. “We should get home. Perth should be there. Shep and Percy were both injured.” He spoke in a consoling tone, as he walked outside the house, carrying her.
“Shep! Is he all right?” Maggie gripped his arm.
“I think he will be sore. Unless I miss my guess, he re-injured his ribs in the chase. I am never letting either of you from my sight again.” Max nuzzled her neck. “Oh, wait. They hurt you.” He pulled a clean handkerchief from his coat and held it to her head.
“You promise to never let me out of your sight?” Maggie wrapped her hands around his neck.
“Never. Not even for the ride home.” He placed her on the saddle in front of him as Harlow gathered the reins of Slade’s borrowed horse, securing its tether to his own mount.
“I will stay back and make sure the inspector does not need any help with those two.” Harlow shook his head in amusement. “It will give you privacy.”
Before leaving, Maggie turned to see a dark-haired woman in a white dress standing at the door, waving at her. She waved back. Both men turned when she lifted her hand.
“What are you smiling about, Maggie?” Harlow asked.
“Your mother,” Max said in a whoosh of breath.
“I think she is leaving now to join Father and Nathan.” Maggie leaned her head against his chest. “I think she will finally rest in peace.” Max nudged his horse, and they began to move towards Hambright.
“What about us?” Max prodded, his breath against her hair.
“I am not sure what you are thinking, but we are open to suggestions.”
“We?” he teased, ruffling his free hand through her hair playfully. He already knew the answer but wanted her to say it.
“Shep and me. We come as a package deal. I could never leave my dog behind.”
