Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“I was merely a custodian. A man he could trust because of what he held over me, and so I could not risk exposing.”
* * *
“So why are you telling me?”
* * *
“Because he is dead. What was his, is now yours.”
* * *
“Wrong!” Pearson growled, “It’s not his. It’s mine.”
* * *
Both Arthur and the accountant looked at Pearson. “Yes, well, you’ll have to leave my home if you intend to collect any of it. But first tell me, how did you manage to get in?”
* * *
Pearson just smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
* * *
“I would. In fact, I insist on it. Are you the one who kidnapped Lady Janice before? Are you Lord Hemsworth’s collaborators?”
* * *
Pearson threw back his head and laughed. “The viscount was useful to us, but I would not call him a collaborator. He was a tool who outlived his usefulness. Could not even kidnap a lady effectively.”
* * *
Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “What did you do with him?”
* * *
Pearson just smiled cruelly.
* * *
Arthur had a cold feeling in his chest. He suddenly had a feeling that whether or not they gave Pearson the money, he would not leave them alone. He had to find a way out of this. He would not put his mother or Janice in danger ever again.
* * *
He turned to Mr. Greer, “Where is the money now?”
* * *
Mr. Greer looked back at him. “Are you sure you want to know the answer now?” he flicked a gaze at Pearson.
* * *
Arthur shrugged. “I don’t think we have a choice.”
* * *
Mr. Greer nodded and put a hand in his pocket. He extracted a piece of paper and passed it to Arthur. “The number for the safe deposit box. Only you can access it now being the late duke’s next of kin.”
* * *
Arthur nodded, taking the paper. “Your help is appreciated, Mr. Greer.”
* * *
He shook his head. “I regret the circumstances. I did not mean for you to find out like this. I warned the duke that it was a foolhardy undertaking fraught with risks. He would not listen to me.”
* * *
“He didn’t listen to anyone.”
* * *
Pearson got to his feet. “He listened to me. I’m the one who introduced him to the slavers and the hunters. I’m the one who showed him how much money could be made on the black market.”
* * *
“Interesting. Then why didn’t you make some of that money for yourself?” Arthur sneered.
* * *
Pearson just looked at him. “It takes some to make some, you foolish, sheltered boy.”
* * *
Arthur cocked an eyebrow. “Yet here you are, making something from nothing.”
* * *
“I am here to collect what’s mine and you are going to give it to me.”
CHAPTER 45
They came out in a ditch opposite the glen, very close to the place where Janice had met Arthur for the first time. Janice turned to Lady Weasley. “How are you doing? Are you tired? Can you keep going or do you want to wait here?”
* * *
“Go!” Lady Weasley said and immediately crouched behind a tree. “I wait.”
* * *
Janice nodded. “I’ll be right back.” She pulled up her skirts and began to run. Thankfully, it was not that far to the gates of Somerton manor. As soon as she was close, she began to scream. “Help! We need help!”
* * *
Two of the guards appeared and quickly opened the gate. “What’s afoot?” one of them asked.
* * *
“Avebury manor is under siege. Call your master. Get the hounds!” she panted. “Meet me here. I must go and find more help.”
* * *
The soldier nodded and began to run. She ran across the field to the house on the hill, where the magistrate lived, and banged hard on the gate. “Help! Help!”
* * *
The door opened and a guard’s head appeared. “What’s the problem, ma’am?”
* * *
“Siege at Avebury manor. We need help. There are armed men that are holding people hostage. The situation is fraught. The duke is in residence. His mother and I barely escaped with our lives.”
* * *
“Wait here. I shall fetch the magistrate.”
* * *
“Ask him to meet me at the Somerton Manor.”
* * *
The soldier nodded. “We shall be there presently.”
* * *
Janice ran back to her father’s house to find him loitering at the gate, waiting for her. He grabbed her and hugged her hard. “Are you alright?”
* * *
“Yes. Lady Weasley and I escaped. She knew a secret way out. I must get back to her. She must be terrified.”
* * *
“First tell us what is happening.”
* * *
Emily came running up to them, and behind her were mounted and armed men. “Janice!” she called anxiously, “What is happening?”
* * *
“Some men have attacked the manor. They are armed. I don’t know their number, but they are enough to subdue all the guards and servants. We must save them. Arthur is there too. I don’t know what they want.”