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| A Guinea For Your Thoughts by � coondogk9 Of cloaked silence I stood in the alley as the carriage pulled alongside the curb. The finely dressed gentleman stepped from the coach and tipped his hat to the driver with his silver knobbed cane. His tails whipped briskly in the cold windy night. I waited hoping the cloud of vapor not give away my presence as I stood blowing what warm breath I had into my nearly frozen hands. He turned quickly his fingers at the brim leaning into the wind made, his way slipping slightly on the icy steps as he entered the Gentleman�s Club of the wealthy. As soon as he disappeared inside like a flash I was off. Leery of the thin silver patches of ice lest I fall. I arrived out of breath heavily panting and rapped on the dark doorway once, then twice in succession. I waited shivering in the cold rubbing my hands for circulation. At once the door flew open and I felt her hand swiftly drag me inside where she smothered me in hot kisses of abandonment. My hands so cold I could barely feel her soft flesh I embraced her in the frenzied fashion to which we were accustomed. Her warmth now thawed my passion and my heated blood boiled with desire. Taking my hand she raced down the hall and hurriedly entered the room locking the door behind her. I tore at my waistcoat and threw my hat and cape across the room as she tore at her bindings. Her bustle now free she rushed me to the bed almost devouring me as her nostrils flared gasping for breath under her raced kiss against time. Tearing at my clothes and I rolling, extract myself from them. Like two cats in a fight we tossed on the deep feather bed. The heavy blanket pulled we commenced our ritual of love as I felt the bone stays protruding into my chest from her tightly bound corset. Time was of an essence and we wasted none in preparation. For a full ten minutes we flailed like starving wolves attacking one small morsel of food. Then I heard the hoof beats on the cobblestone and the steel rims as they rolled over the uneven surface. We paused. Attentive and listening almost in fear, dead still. Not even a whisper broke the silence. It stopped. Undesired haste and abandon now a priority in our mad rush. His voice ringing from the hallway there was panic in her voice as she hurriedly threw on her dress and I gathered what I could reach of my own clothes. Her forehead wet and the tremble in her voice as she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse bade me away. It was no use. I was trapped like wharf rat on a sinking ship. The windows sealed for winter refused my prying fingers. I felt the bile as panic set in. still half dressed she ran to the door as he was yelling for her to open it. I could hear his cane pounding the panels when I spotted the door of the shiftrobe. Barely fitting into the chamber box I heard the splintering door give way. I heard her scream as he pushed her aside and through the slightest crack my vision caught his red face blustering and fowl utterances as he searched the room with is eyes. Probing under the bed with his cane coming up empty handed he proceeded to my sanctuary. She ran and placed herself between himself and me as he shoved her to the floor. I knew I�d have to have a miracle to get out of this one. His pistol now drawn his free hand reached for the latch. I heard her voice again pleading as she clung to his leg and he turned only for a moment to ridicule her begging and I knew this was my only opportunity. I leapt from the closet and was on him just as he turned. In his surprise and haste he jumped back upsetting himself over her. Down we went. Struggling with the pistol in his hand I held at the wrist I saw the fear now in his eyes knowing I had the upper hand. His fat belly bulging at the now loose cumberbun, silver hair disarrayed he fought for his life as I mine. The explosion shocked and nearly deafened me as the pistol fired. I felt the sting as the ball passed my ear. I loosened my hold momentarily as I thought it was his gun went off. I looked into his terror stricken face and saw the trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. I turned and there she was. The pistol in her trembling hands still pointed and smoke wafting from the muzzle. I felt him move slightly and then another explosion. I watched her taken back and her head rock back hard as the ball entered her forehead and her arms flew wide. She fell hard knocking over the stand and wash basin as they came crashing to the floor. He was halfheartedly struggling to get up and I turned and with all my strength hit him rolling his head to one side, still and almost lifeless. By now I could hear the whistles in the street and the pounding at the front door. I had no time now to tarry. I reached for his purse and as I started to rise then snatched the gold watch fob from his vest pocket. I glanced and she lay staring at the ceiling through open eyes and her mouth agape as the trickle of red formed a pool by her head on the floor. I took the back way out into the alley and heard the call: STOP. I kept running and heard the shot zing off the brick about head high. I out distanced them out of breath and hid in a darkened doorway until I gained my strength back. Back at my flat I washed away my fear and dried. Still shaken but lucky to be alive I poured his purse on the table. A hefty amount. This should last me for sometime and the watch should bring a few guinea. I knew I couldn�t stay long in London now. Perhaps I could book passage to. No. that would be the first place they�d begin their search. I would have to leave on foot under cover of darkness and a horse was out of the question as all roads would be under surveillance. They knew not my name but still I took no unnecessary chances. Morning found me in the countryside hidden in a barn where at least it was warm. The smell of hay and the horses were refreshing from the stale air in the city. Now with coin and proper attire I might possibly be a landowner now. He sat back against the hay and smiled as he clasped his hands behind his head. He could even purchase this farm now if he wished. He counted his money again and the happiness spread from his fingers all the way across his face. With both of them dead and no suspects he was fairly certain he�d not be found now. After all she was his mistress. His wife was solely wealthy now in her own right. He decided he�d better put a little more distance between him and the city yet. He thought about asking the owner if he might buy a horse and saddle this morning but feared word might spread of his whereabouts so he picked a fine looking horse and began saddling him. He heard a noise behind him and turned suddenly with the bridle still in his hands. He heard the explosion. Almost. The farmer stood over him the gun still smoking cradled in his arm. The buckshot had done it�s job. Then he saw what had appeared to be a gun was in fact his own bridle the man clutched in his hand. The farmer got up from the table and told his wife he�d be back in the afternoon. I�m gonna see about buying the farm next over. His wife chuckled through missing teeth as she cleared the table. Yeah, and I�ll be in the castle awaitin yer arrival home your highness and she walked away her belly rolling with laughter under her faded dress. The masked Writer � 2002 T Lovett |