Chapter 3
The evening sky was black as coal and cloudy enough for the stars not to break through the wispy shroud that spread out
endlessly. A light mist was rising from the ground like an eerie veil, it surrounded and engulfed the three brothers and their horses
as they galloped away from the stables.
Across the fields Kenneth let his beautiful roan mare have her head as he galloped swiftly along just in front of his brothers. His
riding coat billowed out like a cape behind him as he rode low over Ginny�s neck. But tonight Ginny was edgy and Kenneth had
the devil of a time controlling her high spirited temperament. But as soon as he let her stretch out, she settled down, reveling in the
opportunity to show off her paces for she was in prime condition. Even though Kenneth had important business on his mind he
loved the freedom and the exhilaration of fast riding. Over the last month he had ridden for hours trying to find some peace during
those moments of solitude.
Kenneth�s hat was pushed low over a face that was all concentration and he rode with a light but firm controlling hand on the
reins. He needed only a slight touch to guide her and he was careful to keep his spurs away from his mount�s silky sides. It was as
if Ginny sensed his mood as she speed like the wind chewing up the miles beneath them. All three men rode quality horseflesh and
the brothers were more than competent horsemen, for each had learned to ride as soon as they could walk.
Even in the gloomy darkness Kenneth could have found his way about these fields blindfolded. He knew every inch of this land
like the back of his hand. He had roamed over these fields with Constance since childhood.
They were not far from their objective so he pulled Ginny into an easy cantor and let his brothers catch up. Kenneth leant over
and praised her as he patted tenderly patted her neck.
Thomas grinned as he carefully guided his horse next to Ginny. �Faith Ken she is a fleet of foot creature. She flies like the wind. I
did think you were fit to leave us behind in a trail of dust.�
Kenneth smiled and teasingly taunted his brother, knowing Thomas to be as every bit as good a horseman as himself. �Nay, you
were always a great lummox in the saddle no matter what you rode. I could have walked quicker ere you rode to catch up.�
Thomas leaned over and tried to cuff his younger brother, but Kenneth easily evaded his friendly blow. �You fight like a woman
too.�
Jonas laughed shaking his head at the pair of them. �Methinks the pair of you are quite moon mad�
�Tis hard to be moon mad Jonas, for there is no moon tonight.� Thomas retorted but nearly careened his mount into Ginny, for he
had not noticed Kenneth pull up suddenly. �Pon my soul Kenneth you might give a fellow warning��� But his words halted on
his lips as he realised why Kenneth has reined in so quickly.
Herrick�s house was down in the valley below and glancing at his younger brother�s face he saw that Kenneth was all business
now, that the past few carefree minutes were long forgotten.
�Easy Ginny�that�s my girl.� Kenneth leaned over and patted his mare reassuringly. His abrupt halt had made the mare shy.
Jonas and Thomas guided their mounts beside Ginny. The horses nibbled at the grass while their owners studied the layout of the
house and its surrounds.
�Well lad?� Jonas looked curiously across at Kevin.
�We go to draw the wolf�s fangs.� Kevin said softly his voice no less dangerous for that. His eyes had not left the property below.
His expression was stern, eyes even in the darkness were granite hard. He pointed to an outhouse near the stables. �We will
stable the horses there. Then scout out the house. Mayhap we will take the devil unawares.�
Thomas snorted. �Herrick is ever one for indulging in the pleasures of the flesh. He probably has some poor maiden at his mercy
as we speak.�
�Then tis will be a godly night�s work for us Tom.� Jonas stared pensively out into the darkness.
�Herrick is mine.� Kenneth turned in the saddle. �Besides I have the best sword arm in the family. I will challenge him to fight one
on one. Man to man. It all ends here tonight.�
�There is no gainsaying that you have the greater skill with a sword Ken, for I�ve yet to witness anyone best you at practice or in
a fight. Think you not though, that that Herrick knows your reputation with the blade. Tis more like he will request to use pistols if
it be a duel you fight.� Jonas spoke with concern. He knew Kenneth to be a fine shot with a gun but not a crack shot. And the
pistols they carried with them this night were not the finely balanced dueling pistols, these were weapons of the more serviceable
type. But he knew Kenneth�s skill with the rapier was beyond question.
�I�ll not give him the choice, even though it is against the rules of dueling. If I challenge him to a duel of honour, yea he would have
the choice of weapons and we would both have to nominate our seconds. But this is no ordinary challenge I do issue here so the
rule book is null and void.�
�He is as cunning as a snake, make no mistake about that Kenneth.� Thomas spat out in disgust. �He hath no honour.�
Kenneth reined Ginny about so he faced both his brothers. �I care not about that�I just care about getting justice. Tonight will be
the last he celebrates on this earth if it be the last thing I do. He will feel my cold steel and ere he dies he will know that
vengeance is mine.�
He touched his spurs lightly to Ginny�s flank and clicked his tongue and she responded to her master�s light touch as he directed
her at a trot towards Herrick�s house.
Jonas and Thomas looked at each other with worried eyes. They left their thoughts unspoken.
�We�d best be off following Ken then.� Thomas said in a strained voice. Suddenly last night�s conversation with Kenneth hit him
with the full force of a flood breaking its banks. �I�ll not deny the thought had crossed my mind.� Echoed throughout his mind as he
turned his horse and followed his brother. He could not dismiss the sense of foreboding that washed over him nor the pit of ice that
had begun to form in his stomach and settle there heavily.
Silently the three men tethered their horses in the outbuilding that bordered the edge of Herrick�s graveled yard. They saw to their
mounts immediate comfort making sure they were rubbed down with enough water to drink and that the horses were resting easy
before taking stock of their weapons.
Thomas pulled open his saddlebag rummaging about its depths withdrew a pair of pistols. He dug in again and found the wads and
powder that made loading the pistols possible.
�I take it Jonas that you have had the forethought to bring your own pistol with you?� Thomas asked.
�What do you take me for, a green clodhopper? Of course I have my pistol.� Jonas huffed.
�Well stop jawing and get it loaded then.� Thomas retorted. He needed to shake off the heavy weight that gripped his heart when
he thought of this night and Kenneth�s intentions. Jonas tossed him a filthy look and muttered under his breath.
Kenneth watched the by-play between his brothers in silence while loading his pistols. He double-checked them before pushing his
coat aside and sticking both of them through his belt. He gave Ginny one last look over before giving her a reassuring pat on the
haunches before he moved over to the outhouse�s door and stared out watchfully into the darkness.
Taking cover in the shadows he surveyed the approach and thought about the best way to enter the house. The night was still, not
a breath of wind disturbed the silence and all about was quiet. No wildlife, not a bird or creature stirred, so still was the pitch black
moonless sky. The only illumination that threw off some shadowed light on the surrounding area shone out from the small lead
paned windows of Cyrus Herrick�s house. On any other home the golden twinkling lights would signify a warm welcome. To
Kenneth now, it was a light guiding the way to a point of no return, his journey�s end.
Constance, dear heart. Her smiling face came unbidden to his memory. The pain of her loss so searing that it almost hurt to
breathe. If truth be told she was never far from his thoughts or his heart. He inhaled the chill night air to gain some composure and
scuffed the toe of his ridding boot in the dirt floor. And the noise of his spurs as they jangled seemed deafening in the silence to
him as it jarred on his nerves. He looked about impatiently at his brothers who were still getting organised. Now they were here,
he was of a mind to get a move on, he was finding the delay intolerable. His muscles were taut and ready for action but his
stomach was edgy and tense with the need to get this over with.
�Be you ready yet?� Kenneth said testily. �I would like to get this over ere the sun rises and we grow another day older.�
�Coming lad.� Jonas muttered as he gave his horse one last check over.
Thomas who was now standing beside Kenneth threw his younger brother an ironic look and whispered sarcastically for his ears
only. �Another day older? So tis in your plan then?� he turned away to peer outside and missed Kenneth�s pained expression. �Tis
dark as Hades. We have enough cover not to be discovered methinks.� Thomas said as he looked outside.
�Aye we should be able to take the devil by surprise. You be ready yet Jonas?� Kenneth whispered impatiently.
�Yea Kenneth.� Jonas was now beside them. He moved off into the darkness. �We�ve work to do this night, best we be about it
then.�
Kenneth looked at Thomas and rolled his eyes before both men followed their brother out into the darkness.
**************************
Cyrus Herrick with an autocratic wave of his hand indicated for his servants to leave the room. Discreetly they closed the door
behind them but he paid them no heed. His eyes never left the young woman in front of him. She was passably pretty, fair haired
but possessed a youthful figure that stirred his blood. She was seated at the dining table with her eyes modestly downcast looking
at her barely touched plate of food. She sat perfectly still, almost as if carved from stone with her hands linked tightly in her lap but
the rapid rise and fall of her breasts through her linen chemise gave hint of her agitation.
Herrick studied her through heavily hooded eyes anticipating the moment when she would become one with him. He had acquired
a taste for young golden haired virgins. He craved them as he needed air to breathe. Willing or not, it did not matter. He actually
preferred them unwilling. It inflamed his blood if they resisted, made the moment of joining more exhilarating but this chit was
unlikely to put up a fight.
�Pity.� He thought. �Unlike Constance Lacey. Now she would have fought him like a tigress, but instead she chose death. Such a
waste.�
With a languid hand he raised his wineglass to his lips and sipped at his wine as he studied Mistress Abigail Harte with critical
eyes. Nervously she licked at her lips and twisted her hands in some agitation in her lap.
�Drink some wine my sweet.� He spoke sardonically, his harsh raspy tones making her jump in fright. Startled blue eyes blinked up
at him in fear, before her lashes lowered shielding her thoughts from view. She reached for her glass with a trembling hand.
Bringing the other across to help still its shaking she brought the glass to her lips. She choked and spluttered on the liquid. Her
dread making her throat tight.
Cyrus stood and found himself standing at her side. He reached out and removed the glass from her grasp and placed it back on
the table. �We would not want you to break the glass now would we Mistress.� He uttered derisively.
She jumped at his touch as if scalded by boiling water.
He leaned in closer, looming large over her and she flinched, biting her lip to still its trembling.
�My dear.� He drawled mockingly. �Be you so afraid?�
Her pale blue eyes flashed her hatred of him for a few moments and he felt desire stir in his loins. Maybe she wasn�t going to be
some milk and water miss. Maybe there was a trace of fire there after all. Abigail stood suddenly and pushed the chair back. It
scraped jarringly on the floor. Her eyes darted back and forth around the room looking for some means of escape. She looked like
a frightened fawn trapped with nowhere to run.
�Child, tell me not you are in no hurry to deprive me of your company?� he took a step towards her.
�I did not seek out your company sir.� She whispered with some semblance of spirit.
�Be you so cold Mistress?� his eyes mocked her, willing her to resist.
�Methinks I am not likely to be any different than cold.� She flashed at him. He reached out as she spoke and took hold of her
hand. He let his lips caress each finger lightly. She repressed a visible shudder. He moved to pull her towards a high-backed settee
near the fire. She resisted his initial tug on her hand but at the look in his eyes she let him guide her and seat her near the fire. Its
warmth did little to melt the ice in her stomach. Abigail stared deep into the flames. She shivered, the goosebumps covering her
body as she realised she could so easily suffer Constance Lacey�s fate. She wished she had Constance�s courage to deny this
monster his lusts. But the sight of Constance dying in those flames haunted her still. So she knew she what little resistance and
fight she possessed inside of her would crumble, and she would eventually capitulate to this man�s will.
Herrick seated himself down beside her and lounged with his arm draping over the back of the settee. He let his fingers wander
across Abigail�s shoulder and she willed herself not to flinch. She sensed he liked resistance and she vowed not to give him that
much satisfaction. At his touch it was all she could do to stop herself from screaming, so trapped and helpless did she feel.
Herrick reached across and captured her chin roughly in his hand. He dragged her face up to look at his and his tongue traced the
outline of her lips.
She closed her eyes and willed herself to sit still, to show no emotion, but she could not suppress a shudder.
He laughed harshly and shook her chin roughly making her open her eyes to look at him. �Aye you shudder now, but soon my
sweet you will be craving for more. Soon you will begging for me to make love to you on your bended knees. The day will come
when you pant my name in desire.�
Abigail squirmed to no avail and he laughed mockingly. � I�ve a mind to keep you as my mistress. Tis well known what the god
fearing folk around here think of wantons. If you don�t please me I can make life very difficult for you my flower.� He taunted
threateningly.
�I would sooner die ere I become your mistress.� She spat scornfully, but deep in her eyes she knew fear. And she knew she was
blustering, her bravado sounded hollow event to her own ears.
�As I told Mistress Lacey that can be arranged.� He taunted her deliberately mentioning Constance�s name.
Very white she made to rise but his hands gripped her shoulders, forcing her to sit still. She gasped as his fingers dug into the
whiteness of her skin leaving a reddened bruise.
�No my flower be still.� He lazily tugged on the lace ties of her cotton chemise. He pushed aside the fine linen material and
exposed her young budding breasts to his gaze. His hand cupped one of the milky mounds roughly squeezing at it. She flinched and
bit her lip to suppress the tears that were welling in her eyes. He lowered his mouth, cruelly capturing one rosy bud between his
teeth. She cried out in pain but all it did was serve to make his lust more inflamed. None to gently he caught her too him crashing
his mouth down onto hers roughly. Pressing against her so there was no escape, he had her imprisoned in a grip of iron. His mouth
and tongue ravaged hers. Abigail could neither struggle or cry out, she felt deathly faint with terror.
*******************************
The three brothers made their way to the house without discovery. Silently and stealthily they crept around the back of the house
to the kitchen door. Jonas tried the door latch. It was locked.
�Damn.� he cursed softly. �No surprise attack now.�
Thomas grinned and rapped on the door with the butt of his sword. He heard a sound from within.
�Yea..yea..hold your horses. Tis a row to be making at this time of night� The door opened a crack and a wizened face peeked
through. Before the man could inquire their purpose Thomas threw his shoulder against the aged oak and then barged into the
kitchen taking the old man by surprise. Kenneth whipped his sword up and placed its point at the other occupant of the kitchen�s
throat before the other man had even realised what was happening.
�Be still and you�ll not be hurt.� Kenneth told him quietly. But there was steel in his voice demanding obedience.
�Where is your master?� Kenneth inquired as he indicated to Jonas and Thomas to tie the men up.
�Do not hurt us. You want silver, gold, plate? We can tell you all.� The old man pleaded as Thomas bound his wrists and feet.
�Be silent fool. Robbery not be our purpose.� Jonas told him. �Tis your master our business be with. Now where be here?�
�In the parlour.� The old man�s eyes looked away in shame.
Jonas raised the old man�s chin with his pistol. �Be he alone?� he asked dangerously his eyes gleaming with distaste.
�Nay.� At the look in Jonas�s eyes he spoke quickly and admitted. �Nay tis dining with Mistress Harte.�
�Dining you say?� Kenneth asked sarcastically. Herrick�s lusts made him feel physically ill. The old man had the grace to look
about him shamefaced. He knew his master�s vile perversions.
�Tis will be his last meal methinks.� Kenneth sneered. �He will work his evil no more. Tom bind this one as well.� Kenneth nodded
to the man at his sword point.
Thomas did as instructed then gathered up his sword before hurrying to follow Jonas and Kenneth out of the kitchen.
*********************
Abigail felt like swooning. �Please��she begged faintly.
�By god tis too late. Naught can avail you now, I will make you do my will.� He vowed. As his mouth again claimed hers. With
another tug at the clothing the soft material tore and gave way at his rough insistence.
But a cold angry voice, reverberating with icy fury throughout the room shattered the moment. �In this you do delude yourself
Herrick.�
With a strangled oath Herrick loosened his grip on Abigail and flung her away from him.
Abigail�s hands moved to cover her exposed breasts as she struggled to upright herself. Her cheeks scarlet from shame at being
discovered thus. But looking about she saw nothing but sympathy in the three men�s eyes.
But in the door way with murder in his irate green eyes stood Kenneth Radcliffe, his sword drawn and at the ready.
Heerick�s snarl died slowly away as he stared at Kenneth with an incredible blank look on his face.
�See to Mistress Harte Jonas.� Kenneth said in a voice totally unlike his own. Abigail stood and stumbled blindly into Thomas�
arms. A sob emerged from deep within her and Thomas gathered her too him and held her close.
Kenneth took a step towards Herrick and eyed him with extreme distaste. Cyrus Herrick raised his chin and snarled insolently.
�Tis a most unexpected pleasure Radcliffe, will you partake of some claret?�
�I�ll not sup with the devil.� Kenneth spoke evenly but his green eyes were frozen chips of ice. �I perceive your sword in the
corner sir. I suggest you gather it up.�
�My dear Radcliffe, why should I fight thee?� he sneered insolently.
Kenneth walked across the room and nonchalantly dragged Herrick�s sword from its scabbard. Kenneth took a few steps towards
his enemy and drove the point of the sword into the floor in front of Herrick. It stood upright quivering, swaying backwards and
forewards.
�Do you dare refuse me Herrick?� Kenneth whispered menacingly as he paced in front of his enemy. �Do not tell me the devil tis
afraid to fight.� Kenneth with outstretched hands waved his sword. �Tis the night you walk the earth devil, be you afraid of
me�..and my lowly vengeance?� Kenneth lowered his sword and looked the other man in the eye. �Be you unwilling to fight? For
fight me you will ere I drag you out of here to burn in the hell of your making.�
Herrick snatched up the sword and sneered. �I am entirely at your service Radcliffe, we�ll see who reaches hell first.�
Kenneth laughed grimly. �The devil will see to his own, of that I have no doubt.�
Both men divested themselves of their coats and jackets. Both brothers watched transfixed as Kenneth and Herrick removed their
boots and stood in stockinged feet.
Kenneth shook out the ruffles of his shirt before testing his blade through the air.
Both men circled each other, swords at the ready.
Herrick opened the attack after a few moments of wary circling, lunging and recovering, as Kenneth countered and defended
before delivering a lightening reposte. Herrick barely covered Kenneth�s the attack with his blade, and sneering he attacked,
pressing even further. He laughed maniacally and waved his blade of steel harder and faster.
Kenneth resisted all attacks, calmly. He defended each blow with ease. He let Herrick have his head with his rage, while he stood
his ground. Herrick waved his blade wildly, and it seemed like Kenneth would give ground under the onslaught. But no, his wrist
was made of steel and each attack he repelled swiftly, almost contemptuously. The room echoed with steel ringing upon steel.
Herrick flashed wildly and almost succeeded in breaking through Kenneth�s guard. Kenneth parried nimbly with a straight thrust.
Herrick�s blade slid along Kenneth�s and was aimed straight at his heart. Kenneth parried at the last moment flicking the sword
away, till both men closed in chest to chest and struggled. Kenneth gasped as a low blow hit him, but he recovered to punch the
butt of his sword into Herrick�s face. Herrick staggered backwards a leering grin on his face and licked the blood from his split lip.
Kenneth raised his sword in the en guarde position and Herrick closed in again. This time Kenneth attacked. His wrist was
lightening fast and it was all Herrick could do to stop the sword from running him threw several times. Both men fought hard and
there was a gleam of sweat on Kenneth�s brow and lips and he was breathing a lot harder now.
Abigail distraught in Thomas�s arms moaned with fear but she could not drag her eyes away from her saviour.
�Shush Mistress.� Thomas whispered softly. �Ye will distract his concentration.�
Kenneth pressed his advantage for Herrick was tiring. He made another wide slash and lunge and Kenneth thrust to the heart and
found his target.
Herrick staggered back his eyes widened in amazement and dropped his sword on the floor with a clatter. Jonas bent to retrieve
the sword out of Herrick�s reach even though the wound was mortal, he did not trust him to fight fair.
Herrick�s hand clutched at his chest. He pulled the hand away to look at the pool of red that was quickly spreading across his shirt
and he laughed maniacally.
�Pity.� He gasped as a bubble of blood appeared at his lips. He staggered back against the wall and slid down in a heap on the
floor. Again he laughed and it chilled those in the room. �Think you Radcliffe this is the end? Tis only the beginning.� And with a
heaving breath and another splutter of blood from his mouth he drew his last breath with his eyes wide open in the endless stare of
death.
Thomas sat Abigail down gently and grabbed a glass of claret for her to drink down to ease her shock. He looked up at his brother
who was standing deathly still bloodied sword in hand staring at Herrick�s motionless body. He swayed and Jonas was
immediately behind him.
�Be you alright Ken?� Jonas asked in some concern. He didn�t like the colour of Kenneth�s face. It had a ghastly white pallor but
with an unnatural flush on his cheeks. Kenneth staggered backwards and Jonas caught him in his arms and laid him gently on the
floor. Thomas leapt up from Abigail to kneel by his brother�s side. Kenneth�s breaths were quick shallow gasps and his eyes rolled
back in his head as he fainted. They pushed aside Kenneth�s waistcoat only to see a small patch of blood underneath his left lung
staining the white linen of his shirt.
�Sweet Jesus.� Jonas whispered in a stunned voice.
�I did not see Herrick wound him. How?� Thomas asked in desperate tones. Abigail left her seat to kneel beside Kenneth. She
lifted her dress and started to tear strips of her petticoats. She handed them wordlessly to Jonas so he could make a pad to cover
the slow leaking wound.
Jonas raised grief stricken eyes to his brother. �Tom�.� He croaked as he desperately tried to staunch the bleeding.
Kenneth�s eyelids fluttered open, he made to sit up but Jonas pushed him back down. �Easy lad, easy.� He said as he wrapped the
lengths of torn petticoat about his brother.
Abigail snatched up a cushion from the settee and placed it gently under her saviour�s head. She moved closer so she could hold
his hand. She raised it to her breast and clutched it tightly to her, as if she could pass on some of her strength to Kenneth.
�How Ken� how did he wound you? Thomas asked in desperation. Kenneth had looked so in control of the fight.
Kenneth spoke in short gasping breaths. A pool of blood frothed at his lips and both Jonas and Thomas realised their younger
brother�s lung had been punctured. �When we came together�he had a thin dagger�methinks.. he stabbed me then..�
�The devil�s spawn.� Thomas spat in disgust and then desolately as his brother moaned. �Ken�Kenneth hang on lad we�ll get you
home, get the doctor�.�
�Nay Tom�tis too late for me�� Raising his free hand he weakly clasped his brother�s hand.
�Ken��Jonas�s voice cracked as Kenneth�s eyes fluttered again.
�Kenneth�please tell me you meant not for this to happen?� Thomas begged worried for his brother�s mortal soul.
Kenneth gripped his hand and tried to focus his eyes. �Nay Tom�I do swear�� he struggled for breath. � Ironic methinks, for all
these past weeks I have wanted to die�welcomed death�but I do swear did not mean it to happen this way.
�Thank God Kenneth.� Thomas breathed in relief and his eyes flew to Jonas and saw his relief on his face as well.
Kenneth managed a weak grin. �Concerned for my mortal soul Tom?�
Thomas returned the smile weakly and nodded. Tear�s formed in his eyes. Kenneth breath was coming in uneven spurts now and
getting weaker by the minute. His eyes closed and his grip on Thomas�s hand was loosening. Thomas and Jonas were openly
shedding their tears. Abigail was crying softly clutching Kenneth�s hand. Kenneth�s body shuddered with the effort to get air into
his lungs. More blood was pooling at his bluish lips and his face was as pale as parchment.
�Kenneth�.do not go�� Tom begged his brother. His constant companion through most of their lives. He was desolate with
grief.
Kenneth�s eyes fluttered open again but they stared off into the distance, a beatific smile appeared on his face.
�Connie�.�he whispered. And with one more gasp of air he ceased to breathe.
The silence of the room was broken by the sound of quiet sobbing. Jonas gently lifted his brother�s body. � Tom come�let us take
him home. Lock the room after you�we�ll come back and deal with that son of Satan later.�
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