Chapter 20

The trail Duvall left was clear—hoof prints, broken branches, and disturbed dirt marked his passage.

Oscar tightened his grip on the reins. He looked at Ace Barratt, riding ahead. The younger man was very angry—and had apologized repeatedly for bring Duvall to the Coleson Estate in the first place. “He can’t have gone far. The idiot is drunk, and he’s not good on a horse anyway.”

They’d spent thirty minutes ensuring Beatrice was safe and being well-cared for, while Iagan had had the stableman saddle his fastest two horses and Ace’s mount.

Duvall couldn’t have gotten far.

Ace pointed toward a cluster of rocks ahead. “If he’s trying to hide, that’s the spot. There’s no better cover for miles.”

“We’ll catch him and hand him over to the authorities. We keep it simple. Keep word from spreading too far, for her sake,” Iagan said, in that tone that told Oscar he was beyond angry now.

Oscar gave a curt nod and pressed his horse forward. Duvall wasn’t going to escape. And Oscar was going to see to it he paid for what he’d done. For the fear in her eyes.

The men dismounted as they reached the rocky area.

Ace knelt down, pointed to a set of fresh footprints in the dirt. “He’s close. He doesn’t wear boots. These aren’t boots.”

They advanced on foot, spreading out to block any escape. Oscar waited. That bastard was nearby.

A flicker of movement caught Oscar’s eye. “There. Cowering like a rat.”

Duvall stood partially hidden, his coat torn and face streaked with dirt. Pitiful. Worthless.

Iagan stepped forward. “It’s over, Duvall. You’re going to face consequences for what you did.”

“Never going to happen. I have connections. Dr. Barratt?—“

“Thinks you’re an asshole. You’re forgetting how my cousin feels about men who harm innocent women. He’s tending Miss Ardis now.” Ace reached out and yanked the man forward. “I brought you here, under the assumption you were a man of honor, Duvall. You’ve made a liar out of me. When Collins is finished with you, I’m going to have my turn.”

For a moment, Duvall didn’t move. Then he bolted, heading for the ravine. Oscar had him on the ground within seconds.

“You don’t know what you’re doing, Collins. I’ll tell everyone what a little whore she?—“

Oscar’s fist landed in the man’s mouth, knocking him back to the ground. “You say one word about her and I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

“I shall help,” Iagan said. “That girl was brought to this country with my word of protection. You violated that, and the safety of my home that I had provided for her and her friends. You will face consequences for that. I will see to it. If not…Oscar knows enough about anatomy, I should think, to make it really painful for you for a very long time.”

Ace had rope from his saddlebag. It took a matter of moments to secure the drunken idiot.

They hauled Duvall to his feet and walked him back to the horses. He staggered between them but offered no further resistance. They secured him to one of the mounts, tying him firmly in place.

Oscar took great enjoyment in slinging the man facedown over his mount. Duvall heaved for several long moments.

Now, it was time he got back to her. Elspeth had told him to leave her be for a few moments, to give Beatrice time to right herself—without him seeing her so flustered. She’d said it was a matter of pride for Beatrice and he could understand that.

His girl was a strong one, and she had her sense of pride, just the same as he did. And he would always respect that.

But he would do what he had to do to keep her safe, too. Without hesitation.

The lights of the manor appeared just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The estate certainly stood out—exactly as Oscar knew Iagan had wanted. All who saw the place would know it was Coleson who had built it.

Oscar wanted that kind of legacy, as well. He would have it someday. For his children—his children and hers.

“I’ll see he’s taken inside. We’ll keep him bound for the night, and give him over to the sheriff in the morning,” Iagan said. “I’ll make certain he faces the consequences of his actions.”

Oscar nodded. He trusted his friend to keep his word. Duvall was finished. Oscar wasn’t going to think about him again.

He had a future to plan, with the woman he wanted more than anything.

Oscar didn’t wait for further discussion. He turned toward the house. Beatrice waited.

Duvall slid from the horse and started running. Toward the damned barn, as if his hands weren’t bound and as if there were not other men more than capable of stopping him.

Oscar just did it—gave chase.

Oscar ran, overtaking that bastard in seconds. Duvall could barely stay on his damned feet.

He grabbed the other man’s shoulder and spun him. Oscar’s fist connected with Duvall’s face again. But he restrained himself—he would not beat a bound man. He had more honor than that.

And the asshole was begging Oscar to not hit him again.

“Iagan!” he heard someone shout from the house. “Get him off Duvall before he kills him! Beatrice wants her braw laddie now!”

Iagan grabbed Oscar’s arm, his long fingers wrapping around his wrist. “Enough, Oscar. You’ve made your point. Let the rest of us have a turn. He won’t try to get away again. Elsie sent a man for the sheriff already. He’ll be here tomorrow, I’m sure. Day after Christmas at the latest. We’ll keep a guard on Duvall every moment from here on out.”

Dr. Barratt stepped up to him, one hand going to Oscar’s shoulder. “Collins, time to stand down.”

He wanted to tell the other men to stay out of it. But…there she was. And was watching what he did.

No. He did not want her to see him like this. Not her.

Oscar looked at Duvall. “You’re lucky they are here and I am a man of honor. Otherwise I would have already killed you.”

Dr. Barratt didn’t spare Duvall a glance. “All right, Collins. Let’s get your hand tended to and you settled. Your young lady needs you now.”

He couldn’t kill the other man, no matter how much he wanted to. Duvall was a matter for the sheriff. “Deal with him. Make it clear he isn’t to say one thing to besmirch her, or I’ll make good on my vow to kill him. I’m going to take care of Beatrice now.”

“Leave Duvall to me.” Dr. Barratt turned to Duvall, who was attempting to push himself to his feet.

“Stay down,” Barratt said. He put out a foot and kicked Duvall back to the ground. “You will never work in my county, or any others around it, again. You are a worthless piece of?—"

Duvall froze, his sneer faltering under the older man’s glare. “Dr. Barratt, I?—”

“Don’t you dare address me.” Barratt’s fury was hard to miss. Oscar had heard him sound like that before. He would let Barratt deal with Duvall. Beatrice—she needed Oscar now. “You’ve disgraced yourself. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of your behavior, but it will be the last.”

“Sir, I?—”

“I said don’t speak.” Barratt’s voice rose, silencing Duvall completely. “You are finished at Finley Creek General. Consider this your official termination—no letters of recommendation. Nothing. Effective immediately. By the time I am finished with you, you won’t practice in the state of Texas again.”

Barratt was a powerful man in the medical community. He would deal with Duvall ruthlessly now that he had seen the bastard for what he truly was.

Ace Barratt turned to Beatrice. “Miss Ardis, I’m deeply sorry for what you’ve been through. If there’s anything I can do to make this right, you have my word I’ll see to it. If I had known what kind of man Duvall was, I never would have brought him here.”

Beatrice nodded. Oscar reached out and touched her shoulder. Pulling her closer. He scooped her into his arms. His favorite little bird just wrapped her arms around his neck and clung. Shaking. Not saying a word.

Dr. Barratt stepped closer to Beatrice, his stern expression softening. “Miss Ardis, you showed remarkable courage this morning. I’m sorry you were put in such a terrible situation. Let’s get you inside. But tell me, what were you doing out here so early anyway?”

Beatrice looked down, her hands twisting in the fabric of her skirt. “I just wanted to feed the mama cat and see her kittens. I do so every morning. But he was waiting; followed me, I think. Just because he hates Oscar fiercely. There is something broken in that man’s soul. Something broken.”

“You’re safe now. He’s gone.” Iagan told her, patting her shoulder gently. “I am sorry. It should have been safe for you here. Coleson Hollow should always be safe for those who shelter here.”

She nodded, though her hands still trembled. “Thank you. It is a safe place—he was just a bad one, that’s all.”

Dr. Barratt turned toward Oscar. “Take her inside, Collins. She’s had enough excitement for one day. It’s Christmas Eve. I, for one, am eager to start the journey home. My lady is waiting for me, as well. Jami gets a bit cross when I do not arrive when she orders it. Come, inside.”

Oscar carried her. The others followed at a respectful distance. Then he had her in the parlor, with the rest of her little flock fluttering around her.

No. Oscar wasn’t ever letting anyone hurt her again.