Lady X

He had even given her the choice, to die or come with him and be his mate.

She had chosen to die with her husband.

So it was, he had struck them down as one, albeit he had softened the blow to her. He had made her unconscious as he swung his sword and dislodged their heads from their bodies.

Ferrell was next, but he was a warrior and surprised him by coming home just as Baudali had finished his kill.

Ferrell came after him and found Hunter who joined him in the hunt.

Hunter never gave it up, but Ferrell did, taking out his frustrations by working on Wellington’s staff.

Baudali bided his time.

The Battle of Waterloo arrived and he was able to shift in and kill Ferrell in one fell swoop of his Death Sword and like his parents he was beheaded.

This created a ferocious, tenacious adversary…Hunter MacTorry. Who would have thought he would think to go back in time?

So be it.

He clicked his tongue over his error, and said to the spider on his shoulder, “See what comes of leaving loose ends. Hunter MacTorry is a worthy adversary who we must eliminate and soon, before Waterloo if we can.”

He had glanced away from the orb as his thoughts had taken hold, but suddenly a movement within the orb showed him a rider.

A female rider arriving at the Cressly stables. Such a beautiful human creature, what a shame she would have to die.

“Well, well,” Baudali said to himself and his thick, dark grey brows drew together. “Indeed, she will be the key.”

* * *

Hunter watched Jerry Swit mount his horse and wondered what was really taking the man to town. Idly, he sidled over to Jerry’s horse and patted the animal’s neck.

“Ye surprise me, Swit m’man.”

“Do I? Why?”

“The Radley chit is due here today. Doona ye mean to stay around and work on winning the lass and the wager?” He grinned, “Or do ye concede?”

Swit chuckled and shook his head, “I’ll have her when I’m ready, make no mistake, wager or no.”

“Ah, will ye? Doona forget, I’m watching ye, Jerry,” his lordship warned. As he turned away he paused and casually asked, “So what is so important that ye have to hurry off?”

“Mean to have a look in at Jacob’s yacht. I told the lad I would meet him there this afternoon, as he might need a little help with setting it to rights.”

“This brings me to m’next question. Why all the interest in his yacht? Ye seem more than just a bit excited aboot it, and the truth is, I remember ye telling me when we first met that ye doona swim or sail.”

“There was a time when I did both very well,” Jerry said without scarcely blinking an eye. “You would do well to remember that I am a man of sport, and have a mastery of many.”

His lordship laughed and said on a taunt, “Do ye now—what of Faro?”

“Aye, and I will beat you at Faro very soon and I shall master that as well,” Swit snorted and then urged his horse forward.

“Ye haven’t managed it yet,” baited his lordship.

“Yet, my fine buck. The word is yet,” Jerry continued down the sandy drive.

His lordship looked after him and shouted, “Try and bring Jaco

b home sober.”