Chapter Twenty-Two
Evan
Evan wasn’t sure how long it took them to catch up to the carriage, but it seemed like an eternity. He ripped open the door, needing to see for himself that Marina was inside and unharmed. Fate was on his side, enabling him to pull her out of the carriage before Minto had time to react.
“Take the whore,” Minto said after Evan set Marina to the ground.
“Get out here, Minto, and face us like a gentleman,” Arthur growled.
Minto stepped out of the carriage, and as soon as his feet hit the ground, he pointed a gun directly at Evan. He shifted his gaze to Marina, and Evan pushed her behind him. Matt, Graham, Jude, and Arthur all had their guns raised and pointed at Minto.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Minto,” Evan said, holding his hands in front of him. “Just let us go.”
“Marina, my dear,” Minto said in a singsong voice. “Perhaps you should tell your lover about our arrangement.” The man had lost it. He was crazy.
Marina poked her head around from behind him and Evan nudged her back.
Minto called out again. “Marina, I’m losing my patience. Tell him how you wish to go with me.”
“She would never wish for such a thing,” Evan said. “You’re insane.”
Before he could stop her, Marina stepped from behind him and said, “I’m sorry, but he is correct. I wish to go with him.”
“No, Marina,” Evan said, his mind racing. “Let him kill me if that is what it takes. Do not do this.” He pleaded with her. Had she lost her mind? He would never allow her to give herself in this way to save him.
His heart shattered into small pieces with each step she took closer to Minto. His eyes darted, thinking about how to get her away from the man.
She turned and motioned toward the other men. “Lower your weapons, so we may depart.”
They all looked at each other in disbelief and did as she asked.
“Now. Drop them on the ground,” she commanded.
Arthur called out to his sister. “Marina, I won’t let you do this.”
“It is done,” she said. “Drop your guns.”
They did as she told them, and Evan clenched his fists. Minto looked like the cat who got the cream, and he wanted to punch the look off his face. He kept watching and waiting for his opportunity to tackle him and free Marina.
“Now you, Minto,” Marina said. “You have won. Put away your gun so we may continue on our way.”
Evan watched and waited, preparing to pounce on him as soon as the man lowered the weapon.
“I knew you were a smart girl and would see things my way.” He dropped the barrel that had been pointed at Evan’s chest.
As soon as the barrel of his gun pointed toward the ground and before Evan could move, Marina lifted the gun she’d hidden behind her skirts and aimed for Minto’s shoulder. She fired the weapon.
He stumbled back onto the ground. “You bitch.”
The men rushed forward and grabbed the gun Minto dropped when he fell and stood over him.
Evan rushed to Marina and took the gun from her hand. Glancing at the weapon, he patted his hip and stared at her with astonishment. “You fleeced my gun from me.”
“I did what I had to do.” She stared at him with an intensity that almost took all the breath from his lungs.
“If the king knew of your abilities, he’d surely add you to his guard.” He pulled her to him, then kissed her lips and her forehead and her cheek. “Did he hurt you? I love you no matter what, but you must tell me if he hurt you in any way.”
“No,” she assured him. “He would have, but you arrived before he attempted anything.”
Evan exhaled before kissing her again. “I was so scared we wouldn’t reach you in time. I was worried he would marry you and I’d lose you forever.”
“You will never lose me. I would have found you and made you run away with me. He threatened to murder you. He guessed that we…you know.” She waved her hand between them. “He said he’d take me whenever he wanted and would kill you if I didn’t go with him. And I know he meant it, Evan.”
Minto gurgled on the ground. “Of course I meant it. I would have killed him, anyway. Just like I killed your useless fathers.”
Arthur kicked the man. “Shut your filthy mouth.”
“Graham and I will ride to the village just ahead and seek the magistrate,” Matt declared.
Evan panicked. “What if he dies? What if they try to lock up Marina?” He held her close as if someone were trying to take her right then.
“Five peers of the realm have witnessed what occurred, including his confession to killing both of your fathers,” Matt said. “Better to get them involved and ensure this is done and over.” He and Graham leaped into their saddles and took off.
Minto’s driver and footman stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold.
Jude spoke to them. “Are you loyal to this man?”
They both shook their heads. “No, my lord. He’s an awful man and treats his servants worse than trash.”
“If you tell the truth of what occurred here when the magistrate arrives, I will ensure you have employment at one of my estates,” Jude said.
“Thank ye, my lord. That is kind of ye. He threatened my wife if I didn’t drive the carriage. Ye must forgive me. I knew what he did was wrong. Ye notice we stopped for ye lords with no trouble. Glad ye made it here, we are.”
“We appreciate that. We will get you back to your wife soon.” Jude stepped away from the men and glared back at Minto.
Evan continued to hold Marina. Their bodies shook with such force that it was difficult to discern who was trembling more.
He couldn’t have lived without her. Had he lost her or had any harm come to her, he couldn’t have gone on.
She had become everything to him. Even if she never loved him as he loved her, he would spend his life ensuring she led a life that was full of joy and happiness in his arms. He hugged her tighter, and she nuzzled her nose into his neck.
Minto shifted himself to lean against the carriage wheel. “Why couldn’t you have just killed me with the shot?”
Marina lifted her head, but Evan urged her to keep her head buried in his chest. “Don’t worry about him.”
She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. “When he told me he’d kill you, I made a vow that I would kill him if it came to that. When he pointed that gun at you, I knew he would do it. I can’t lose you. Does that make me a bad person? That I would have killed him if I had to?”
“I never want to hear you say such a thing again,” Evan said, raising his hands to frame her lovely face. “You are fierce and kind. You protect those that you lo—care for. I made the same vow every second I tried to get to you. I was prepared to kill him if he had hurt you.”
“Good thing you taught me how to fire a gun. The skill came in useful. I might have wanted him dead, but I aimed for the shoulder.”
“And you succeeded. Good to see you haven’t lost your aim.”
“I had a wonderful teacher.” She pushed up on her toes and kissed him. “He was quite handsome, too.”
“I see your brush with danger has earned me a few compliments. I wish to save them for later when I do things that are worth complimenting.” He winked at her.
Evan noted something in her face, like she wanted to say something. He stared at her and waited to see if she would speak. She opened her mouth and closed it again. Then she pulled his lips to hers. He was entranced, mesmerized, and hungry for her kiss.
Graham and Matt rode back to the group with a carriage following them. A slender man emerged from the carriage and approached the group. He introduced himself, and the gentlemen returned with their own introductions.
“I hear we had an altercation,” the magistrate said. “I would like to speak with each of you individually. Let’s start with the person who fired the gun.”
Marina stepped forward, but Evan spoke up. “Might I be allowed to stay with my betrothed? I won’t say anything. She has had quite a scare, and I wish to hold her hand.”
“Certainly, my lord. Follow me to my carriage. We will speak there.”
Marina recounted her version of the events, and the magistrate took notes, stopping her a few times to ask questions. Once he finished with Marina’s interview, he shifted his attention to Evan and asked him several questions.
They exited the carriage and Arthur was next. Followed by Jude, Matt, and then Graham. After he had finished with their group, he interviewed the driver and the footman. They all stood together, waiting and keeping an eye on Minto.
The magistrate approached the group and knelt before Minto. “My lord, the testimony is pretty damning and consistent. Do you have anything you wish to say in defense of yourself?”
“I should have killed this idiot—” he waved toward Evan “—when I had the chance. At least I could hang, knowing I ruined their chance at happiness.”
The magistrate stood, shaking his head. “Well, I think that concludes this case. I hope you are all right, my lady. I pray you and your betrothed have many years of happiness after all you have endured today.”
“Thank you,” Marina said.
Evan got the man’s attention. “Sir, might we take his lordship’s carriage to transport my lady and these men home? We will ensure it is returned to his townhouse for when a new earl takes up residence.”
“I don’t see an issue with that. Can you help me tie up the man and get him into my carriage before you depart?”
All five gentlemen spoke at the same time. “Gladly.”
Once Minto was loaded and secured, Evan could finally breathe easier. This mess was behind them. They would still be the subject of gossip, but Evan wanted nothing more than to quit town for a while and have Marina to himself.
They all watched the magistrate ride off with Minto before organizing their own party to depart.
Evan rode in the carriage with Marina, while the footman rode his horse back.
He held her in the seat next to him the entire ride back.
She had nestled under his arm and fallen asleep, and he stroked her hair and back while she slept.