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GEORGETTE DECIDED TO strike Lady Catherine before Lady Catherine struck her, and she chose a destination rather quickly. They were going to attack Preston Park, the home of Elanna de Bourgh, Lady Catherine's niece.
“The girl's rich as Croesus, so at the end of this job, we should have enough money to build the supercannon,” Georgette coached her comrades as they bounded down the gangplank. Shar and Kier were equipped with pistols, and for the first time, the only male members of Wickham's crew could potentially put them to use. The possibility was particularly staggering to Kier, whose perspiring palm soaked the gun's slick grip.
When they arrived at Preston Park, Elanna de Bourgh was enjoying a picnic with a beau. The lady's demeanor was listless as she stuffed her cheeks with grapes and strawberries and other favorite fruits.
Until Georgette was standing in front of her, extending her pistol, the young lady didn't realize she was under attack. When she saw four unfamiliar faces and four glinting guns, she sat up with a gasp.
“Who are you?” Elanna squealed.
Georgette answered on their behalf. “From left to right: Georgette, Kier, Shar and Gladys. And we've come to rob you. I'm sorry to say, you've been cursed with unfortunate relations.” Georgette pilfered a grape and tossed it through her open lips. “I would have robbed Darcy, but I don't think Kier would have allowed it. They're related now, after all.” When she glanced at her favorite Bennet, the young man was shaking his head.
“Who are you?” Elanna repeated the question as she stared down the barrel of Shar's revolver. “I don't understand! What could I have possibly done to deserve this?”
“Oh, it's nothing personal.” Georgette crouched to steal a strawberry. On the airship, fresh fruit was a rarity, so she decided to indulge herself while she could. “I have no quarrel with you... rather, I'm here to get back at your auntie. She killed half of my crew, you see, so—”
As Georgette spoke, Elanna practically jumped into her beau's lap. “Does that mean you're going to kill me?”
Georgette corrected her quickly. “No, girl, no! We're not heartless killers, love!” As she glanced at her companions, all three were nodding their heads. “We're only here to steal your money, and to make my nemesis a bit more miserable.”
Elanna's eyes wandered to Kier. She was intrigued by his smoky, dark eyes and tattooed neck. Two of his fingernails were painted black, and his lips formed a shy smile. “Who are you, and why do you look familiar?” she asked.
“I'm Kier Bennet.”
“Bennet? Wait... I know the Bennets! My cousin married one!” the lady exclaimed. “Is he... a relation of yours?”
“He is,” answered a nodding Kier. “My brother is Darcy's husband.”
“So I'm to be robbed by my cousin's husband's brother? Oh, this day gets stranger and stranger by the minute!” Elanna pouted as she studied the pirates. She hoped the pitiful expression would soften them, but their eyes were merciless and their guns never wavered. “Well... what do you want from me, then?”
“Your money. All of it.” Georgette grabbed the young lady's arm and dragged her to her feet. Kier looked a bit concerned by Wickham's rough handling of the innocent woman, so she flashed a reassuring smile. “Take us to Preston Park, little girl, and give me every priceless item in your possession.”
“Everything?” Elanna squeaked. When she looked down at her beau, his shrug was as unhelpful as it was discouraging.
“Aye. Everything.” Wickham pushed her in the direction of Preston Park. “Now... move your little legs, please. I haven't got all day.”
As they made their way to Elanna's estate, Kier whispered his concerns into Georgette's ear. “Must we really take everything, though? I feel... guilty.”
“To be honest, boy, I was never planning on taking all of her money.” Her gloved hand gently patted Kier's cheek. “I'm a good pirate. I only take as much as I must.”
When he realized Elanna was in tears, Kier's lips dropped into a frown. “She's crying now! Don't you feel guilty, Captain?”
“A bit. Just a bit.” To Elanna de Bourgh, Wickham added, “Don't be sad, girl. We aren't going to hurt you. We're just taking what we need... just enough to even the odds a bit... and then we're letting you go.”
As Elanna sobbed uncontrollably, worried glances were exchanged between Shar and Gladys, while Kier holstered his gun. The young woman's tears had an effect on everyone but Georgette, whose callous air was unaltered by Elanna's sorrow.
“Can you walk a bit faster? I'd like to reach Preston Park within the next century, please.” She rammed her gun's barrel into Elanna's back, making the girl shrill with panic. “Oh... and say hello to Catherine for me, eh? I'm sure she'll love to know I was here!”