The Gallows Bride by Rebecca King Read Free Book Online Page A

could get her
there, they probably wouldn’t give us the opportunity to bury her
in peace.”
    “ We owe her the dignity of a peaceful burial, without the
threat of Scraggan disturbing proceedings,” Edward added. He didn’t
mention that Havistock was only a few hours away from his own
estate, Eliza’s future home. Having Jemima buried at Havistock
meant that Eliza could at least visit her sister’s grave whenever
she chose.
    “ I have already arranged for the funeral to be held in two
days,” Dominic announced flatly, in a voice that brooked no
argument.
    Peter
swore again and sighed deeply. Although he could understand the
need to give Jemima the peaceful burial she deserved, he hated that
her final resting place was so far away from his own home in
Oxfordshire.
    “ Eliza, might I have a word with you?” Edward moved toward the
door that connected the study to the library and waited for her to
join him.
    Within
moments, Peter was alone in the room with Dominic.
    “ I’m sorry, Peter. I wish we could move her to Willowbrook, or
even Padstow, but it really is up to Eliza,” Dominic began,
struggling to find a way to communicate with the new and
grief-stricken Peter. Although his friend hadn’t actually vented
his fury at being knocked out, Dominic knew their friendship had
changed forever, and felt a pang of loss for the easy camaraderie
that they had once enjoyed. “I think Edward has plans to marry
Eliza, and wants Jemima buried her so she can visit the grave
whenever she wants to. You are also more than welcome to visit as
often as you want to, I hope you know that.”
    Peter
ignored the comment, and stared blankly into the fire for several
moments. “As soon as she is buried, I’m going after Scraggan and I
won’t be back until the bastard is dead. If I go too, then so be
it.”
    “ Don’t say that, the man from the War Office has just arrived.
We can decide between us what to do to make Scraggan
pay.”
    Peter
snorted, and stood on shaky legs to glare at his one-time friend.
“It’s none of your business. You have your wife, and are expecting
your first child any day now. It isn’t your battle anymore. Stay
here and take care of your own.”
    “ You are our own, Peter, whether you like it or not,” Dominic
countered swiftly, not liking the reckless determination on Peter’s
face. “I think there has been enough death, enough loss in the
family, don’t you?”
    “ I will have vengeance,” Peter snapped, determined not to
allow Dominic to command him. “You can do what the hell you like,
but nobody is going to stop me getting vengeance for
her.”
    He
couldn’t stand to waste time arguing with Dominic and turned to
stumble toward the door.
    “ I’m coming with you,” Dominic declared, watching Peter’s
uneven gait as he lurched toward the door.
    “ No, you are not,” Peter replied flatly, turning back toward
the room. “You have a family to protect. This isn’t your battle
Dominic, your job is done. You cannot control everything in your
world, especially me. I’m going after Scraggan, and I don’t need
your permission to do so.”
    “ Let’s go and talk to Sir Dunnicliffe,” Dominic suggested
carefully, watching his friend sway alarmingly due to the effects
of the brandy. “You cannot interfere with a government operation,
you know that. Once you know what Sir Dunnicliffe and his men have
planned, then we can decide what to do.”
    He
carefully ignored Peter’s snort of derision and followed him out of
the room. They were half way to the library when a loud,
high-pitched scream rent the air. Cursing, Dominic turned and took
off for the back of the house. Peter paused and listened carefully
for several moments, before shaking his head. Whatever madness was
going on at the back of the house; clearly wasn’t Jemima, or Eliza,
and could be left to Dominic to sort out.
    Isobel
appeared at the door in front of him.
    “ Oh, Peter,” she gasped, her eyes full of tears. She made