Chapter Thirty-Five

Lord Geoffrey heard footsteps near the portal door. It was LeBran and the armed men, weapons at the ready.

He held his sword and pistol. Lord Geoffrey shouted, “I challenge you to a personal duel, LeBran, to the death—a l’outrance. I came to claim my woman and free her from your imprisonment.”

“Why should I? I have more men than you. Besides she and her maid are locked in their bedrooms. You will have to fight all of us.”

An amused smile curved Geoffrey’s face. “I will be joined by more men in a few moments. Perhaps you are not aware that we are members of the Sacred Order of Mortal Saints and are well trained in weaponry, as well as other renowned skills. You know of our reputation.”

One of the mercenary’s eyes arched when he heard the Saints name mentioned.

The boat returned from the schooner and two men rejoined Lord Geoffrey’s band. “The ladies are safe on board, Geoffrey,” one of his men made known.

Tension filled the air. The pounding waves thundered.

LeBran’s laugh mocked. “I will get her back after my men kill you.”

“Aside from being a blackguard, you are also a coward who hides behind mercenaries.” Geoffrey sneered at LeBran. “Who is the group leader?”

“I am. Leicester is my name.” He stepped forward.

Geoffrey pointed to the mercenaries. “You are a witness to the fact I challenged this despicable man, who kidnapped my lady, to a personal duel. He beats women. I want to kill him for such savagery to the lady I love.” He shouted to his men. “I aim my pistol at LeBran. You aim yours at Leicester and the others. You gun experts, use two guns, one in each hand, and choose your targets well with a disciplined eye. It should even the odds.”

The pelting waves roared in answer.

“We are ready,” Lord Kevin, the military expert, stated.

Lord Geoffrey held his pistol firm at LeBran. The knife in his wrist scabbard glistened in the moonlight.

“Leicester,” Lord Geoffrey spoke in a cavalier fashion. “I wish you to understand this is a matter of honor between me and this man. He has paid you for your services. If you stand down, none of your men will be injured. Whoever wins the duel, survives. If LeBran kills me, my men and the ladies will depart and take my body for burial. If I kill LeBran, my honor is satisfied and I win my woman. Whatever the outcome, she is set free of this brute.”

LeBran yelled. “He bluffs. Shoot them all. I order you.”

Leicester didn’t command his men to shoot. Instead the mercenary captain signaled his men to stand down.

“I am also known as the Duke of Sutton. For what you have done, I will pay you double the sum this villain did,” Geoffrey spoke with bravado. “We have an agreement. Should I expire, this man to my right will arrange for payment.”

Leicester smiled. “All this for the woman you love? I give you my word we will not be the first to start an encounter. I would enjoy seeing such a duel. Will you use pistols or swords?”

“Since I am the challenger, I choose small swords, my good fellow. A gunshot would be too merciful for this man.”

Leicester pointed his pistol to LeBran and held out his empty hand. “Give your pistol to me and prepare to fight with your sword and knife.” The mercenaries aimed their weapons at LeBran.

Lord Geoffrey sheathed his pistol.

“Damn you all!” LeBran shouted. “I paid you good money to protect me.” He relinquished the weapon.

“LeBran, perhaps you do not understand the definition of mercenary.” Leicester fingered his moustache. “We are soldiers of fortune and are motivated by personal profit. We will stand watch to assure it is a fair fight.”

With LeBran under the eye of Leicester, Geoffrey removed his jacket for better mobility.

“She is a Jezebel,” LeBran stated. “No wonder the likes of you are attracted to her.”

“For that remark, you will pay. Are you ready?” Lord Geoffrey assumed a defensive stance.

“Yes.” LeBran seethed. He lunged at Geoffrey who met the parry. He wielded his sword in a circle at LeBran, his feet quick, his manner cool, determined, and precise.

LeBran attacked again.

Geoffrey’s sword cut into his shoulder. The wound bled through.

“Your vile comment earned you that wound.” They circled and summed each other.

LeBran made a clumsy swing at Geoffrey’s head, missed. Geoffrey retaliated and wounded LeBran’s cheek. “That is my revenge for the bruise you inflicted to Serena’s face.”

Back and forth they went, with leaps and parries. At one point, both men held each other at bay with crossed swords. Geoffrey was the stronger of the two, but LeBran stood taller. They pushed off and with hunched shoulders the two men took measure, their eyes intent on each other.

LeBran pretended to pounce, but instead stepped back as Geoffrey charged. LeBran’s sword grazed his thigh.

Geoffrey saw his opponent’s fear etched in perspiration spotting his face, and he smiled. It was obvious LeBran had tired. Being older, his wide girth slowed him.

Geoffrey slipped on a wet rock. He fell against the fortress wall. LeBran chuckled and lunged again. Geoffrey sidestepped; his sword found its way into the man’s upper chest with a well-timed thrust.

The man gasped, the blood surged forth. He dropped his weapon, clutched his wound, and fell to his knees. Lord Geoffrey stood over him as LeBran’s life ebbed away. Victory was his.

“Well done.” Lord Carleton motioned to his friend. “Let me look at the wound to your leg.”

“I take no joy in this, though he deserved it. Serena’s brother is the real perpetrator,” Geoffrey declared.

Lord Carleton took off his cravat and tied it around Geoffrey’s leg. “It is a minor wound.”

Leicester came to Geoffrey. “You fought a fair fight, your lordship.”

“I do not carry large sums of money on my person under these circumstances. If you come to Brighton—my estate is known by all—I will direct my banker to supply you with the funds. I thank you for your honorable actions.”

Leicester bowed in a grand gesture. “I had the pleasure to meet the famed Saints.” He pointed to the body. “What do you want me to do with him?”

“Return him to his mother who can mourn his passing. I suggest you and your men leave the same way you came, and with haste.”

They shook hands and took their leave.

Lord Geoffrey turned to his friends. “I thank you all. This has been quite an adventure. Now I do believe my lady awaits.”