The Pirate's Duchess: A Regent's Revenge Novella Read Online Free PDF

done. He released his grip and pushed the earl away. “Call off your father’s hounds.”
    “If it helps”—the conniving marquess sneered, his beady eyes boring into Tobias—“I concede that you are indeed the Duke of Blackmoor.”
    “You are the interloper here, Blackmoor,” Markwick said, massaging his neck, acting out in his father’s defense. He lowered his hand and frowned at the crimson staining his fingers. “You’ve drawn blood! I demand satisfaction!”
    Prudence pressed against Tobias’s back, reaching out to Markwick. “Don’t do this. I beg you,” she pleaded.
    “No matter how much my lady objects, there is only one way to end this amicably,” Tobias stated, sending up more silent prayers.
    “Only one?” Markwick asked. “I can think of several ways to dispatch you, but none of them would be as satisfying as a duel of honor.”
    Tobias bent slowly to pick up his blade, then rose and slipped the needle back inside his cane. What if this didn’t work? “Name the time and place. I shall be happy to oblige.”
    Underwood’s eyes gleamed wickedly. He shifted closer to Markwick. “Think of it. A duel to restore your honor, son. With Blackmoor out of the way, the duchess can be yours.”
    Something raw and primitive boiled behind Markwick’s eyes. “The Downs. Swords at dawn.”

 
     
     
    THREE
     
    Intolerably IRKSOME, with industrious charms of ease, BREACHING every social obligation, the BLACK REGENT has undermined commerce within the quay. His invasive, peaceable pursuits have INFILTRATED Exeter’s Roman walls. Regretfully, Sherborne Mercury submits the Fury ’s success will only SPAWN duplicate miracles of VALOR throughout Devon and Dorset.
    ~ Sherborne Mercury , 28 July 1808
     
     
    “You cannot mean to go through with this? Not after what you’ve done,” Prudence said, wincing as Tobias forced her through the chapel doors.
    She tried without success to calm her rapidly beating heart. Tobias was alive? It was too much to take in. She’d prayed thousands of prayers that he’d been spared his horrific death but none had been answered . . . until now. Perspiration beaded on her brow. Her breath caught, tears streaming down her face. She felt as light as two stone, and she wanted to throw herself into his arms, more than anything.
    But reality was sinking in. He’d intentionally left her behind. In all this time, she’d never forgotten the love they’d shared, the moments they’d spent together, or the promises they’d made, but . . . Oh, why had he waited two long years to come home? Why now? She’d finally moved on with her life. And now he planned to ruin everything by challenging his best friend and her former betrothed to a duel? How could she live knowing Basil died defending her honor? Or worse, how could she go on if she lost Tobias again?
    She couldn’t let this go. “I demand an answer!” she commanded as they stepped out of the chapel into rays of sunlight so strong and oppressing they felt like the terrifying flames licking, splitting, and gutting the stables that fateful night. She closed her eyes, trying to fight the memory as the sun heated her skin.
    Blackmoor’s stable master struggled to get the horses out of thick billowing smoke as flames engulfed the stable. Tobias was trapped inside. Fear. Desperation. Anxiety. The move to go after him, the sheer force of will to save him empowering her, only to be held back by eyewitnesses. Forced to watch the ravaged timbers collapse, burning her husband alive.
    She shook her head, trying to lose the image, but all she saw were the charred remains confirming a man Tobias’s size had been killed in the blaze.
    She reached for her neck and held on to the one thing that had comforted her during her mournin g— the chain holding Tobias’ssignet rin g— and gasped for air until she found her voice.
    “Are you going to duel Basil?”
    Tobias squeezed her upper arm. “Trust me. That’s all I ask.” His voice