The Fateful Ride - Chapter 3 (standard:romance, 949 words) [3/4] show all parts
Author: Tiffany Fontana	Added: Apr 08 2008	Views/Reads: 2368/1565	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Will De Lounge answer the Duc Du Beethell's call for help?

The Fateful Ride – Chapter 3. 

De Lounge sat in his sumptuous suite, twirling his luxuriant moustache
and plotting.  His conquest of the Lady Baker had been satisfying, no 
doubt about it, but his manly needs had arisen again and he lusted for 
another encounter.  Rising to his feet, he picked up his stout cane and 
prepared to go for a stroll in the late afternoon sunshine.  Perhaps he 
would stop at the Cock Inn for a drink, where the lusty, buxom barmaid 
Karen-Ann waited to pour him a pint of Old Sputum's real ale and could 
possibly be persuaded to satisfy his other urges too.  Before he had 
even reached his oak-panelled front door, inlaid with ivory and peacock 
feathers from his many hunting trips in the Orient, he was stopped by 
his butler, Stabbins. 

‘My Lord', said Stabbins respectfully.  ‘This telegram just arrived for
you by carrier pigeon.' 

Stifling a muttered oath, De Lounge snatched the parchment and unrolled
it.  His face hardened as he read, then a sardonic smile curved his 
thin lips. 

‘So!' he gloated.  ‘The Duc and his fine Lady have need of De Lounge's
long sword.  I knew this day would come.' 

His smouldering eyes raked the rest of the missive and his smile faded. 
This was a call he must answer and his recent quarrel with the Duc Du 
Beethell would have to wait. 

‘Saddle my fastest stallion', he ordered, flinging the parchment down on
the marble floor.  ‘I must ride today harder than I have ever ridden.' 

Meanwhile, Lady Baker paced the carpets of her mansion, anxious and
afraid.  She had dressed for dinner, out of habit and as she passed the 
fireplace, her reflection in the gilt mirror caught her eye.  She 
stopped and looked at herself critically through almond-shaped eyes.  
She brushed a stray hair from her face and stared.  Her silk dress, 
low-cut and clinging, accentuated her swelling bosom and tiny waist.  
The bodice, covered in tiny pearls, sparkled in the firelight. 

Suddenly, she let out a cry of frustration.  She could not wait here in
her fine clothes while her lover risked his life for the good people of 
Merkintown!  She must go to him!  Not even pausing to take her filmy 
wrap, she ran out into the moonlight, towards Merkintown and destiny. 

In Merkintown, all was quiet.  Too quiet.  The Duc stood at the top of
Main Street, his cloak billowing behind him in the cool night air, his 
hand resting lightly on his weapon.  Damn De Lounge, where was he?  
Would he answer the call?  Without him, all was surely lost. 

The sound of drumming hooves startled the Duc from his reverie.  He
whirled to face the approaching horseman and his coal-black eyes filled 
with relief when he recognised the erect figure riding hard towards 
him.  He was coming!  As the Duc had known, in his heart, he would. 

De Lounge reined in his panting steed and swung his leg over with
practised ease.  The two men paused for a moment and then Du Beethell 
extended a hand.  De Lounge hesitated for perhaps a fraction of a 
second, then clasped it.  No words were spoken, no words needed to be 
spoken.  Despite their recent contretemps, this pair was as close as 
any two people could be.  The issue of Lady Baker's honour would of 
course be addressed but not yet. 

The two men strode down the street side by side. 

‘Fill me in, quickly', commanded De Lounge, unsheathing his mighty sword
and bending towards his companion.  The Duc complied and De Lounge was 
satisfied.  They proceeded on their way and together, they reached the 
pirate ship from which could be heard loathsome sounds of carousing 
Frenchmen.  Stealthily, they crept aboard, the Duc close behind De 
Lounge, fingering his sword in anticipation of the moment when he would 
thrust it hard into an unsuspecting sailor. 

The battle, when it came, was short and swift.  The Duc was not a man to
linger over things; he always struck fast and ended within seconds.  
Soon they had reached the entrance to the Captain's cabin, guarded by a 


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