A Willowbrook Miracle (The Willowbrook Series Book 1) by Laura Landon

Author:Laura Landon [Landon, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-01-26T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Hunt sat at a table toward the back of the ale room in the Willowbrook Ale House with Ethan at his side. He watched who entered the pub each time the door opened, hoping it would be Fridgerton and his friend. He wanted to get this behind him. He wanted to make Fridgerton pay for the pain he’d inflicted on Torie. He wanted to make Fridgerton pay for the bullet he’d put in his shoulder. He wanted Fridgerton to pay for the part he’d played in Stephen’s death.

“How much longer are we going to wait?” Ethan asked, after the barmaid delivered another ale to their table.

“A little longer. The barmaid said Fridgerton and his friend come every night and stay until closing.”

Hunt lifted the tankard but stopped midway to his mouth. The alehouse door opened and Fridgerton and his friend entered. They hadn’t taken more than three steps into the room when they froze and glared at Hunt and Ethan.

“Do you think they recognized us?” Ethan said sarcastically.

“Oh, yes. Yes indeed.”

Hunt waited to see what they would do. Fridgerton glared at Hunt. This was the first time Fridgerton had seen him since he’d put a bullet in his shoulder. It was obvious he was surprised to see Hunt alive. And he was immediately on his guard.

Fridgerton gave Hunt his back and stepped to the bar to order an ale. The bartender filled two tankards, and when Fridgerton turned, Hunt caught his attention.

“Would you care to join us?” Hunt asked. “I feel as if we’re old friends. We do have a past, you know.”

Fridgerton hesitated, then walked to Hunt and Ethan, where he and his friend pulled out two chairs and sat.

“We finally meet,” Hunt said. “I always feel better when I’ve met the man who tried to kill me.”

Fridgerton slid back his chair and reached for what Hunt assumed was a gun.

“Don’t even try,” he said before Fridgerton could pull the gun from his vest. “I have a pistol aimed at your gut, and I won’t hesitate to use it. In fact, I will enjoy using it.”

“What do you want?” Fridgerton asked in a threatening tone.

“First, I want to know why you tried to kill me and who put you up to it.”

“That should be obvious,” Fridgerton said with a snide smile.

“It is,” Hunt answered. “But I want to hear you say it.”

“Ralston.”

“Which Ralston?”

Fridgerton laughed. “The boy. Connor. He has a nasty gambling habit, which wouldn’t be any different than most of Society, if he had the luck to go with it. But he doesn’t. He has no luck at all, and he owes me more than he’ll ever be able to pay. Unless, of course, he can get his hands on a great deal of wealth.”

“And with me dead—”

“He’s one step closer to inheriting the Willowbrook fortune.”

“What about His Grace? He’s still alive.”

“And he’ll remain alive for another week. At least until Christmas Day, when Willowbrook gives the Ralstons their Christmas gifts. That will be my first payment. The rest will come when His Grace is dead, and Connor’s father becomes the next Willowbrook.

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