Arabella was terrified, but she was so angry her adrenaline was in overdrive. Duval had snuck up on her while she was sleeping, stuck a cloth in her mouth, and dragged her down the servants stairs. She tried to fight him off, but the wound to her head, and his sheer strengh made it impossible. She had hoped someone would see them, but no one was about. When they entered the stables, he hit the poor stable master over the head with his pistol. She tried again to get away, but he punched her in the side of the head, and threw her over his shoulder. Her head felt as if it was going to explode.
They finally reached a cabin, after what seemed an eternity. He dropped her to the ground, tied up the horse, and dragged her inside. It was then that she noticed Malveen tied to a chair. She stumbled over to him, and knelt by his side.
"Are you okay uncle Malveen?" She asked. He was covered in blood and bruises, his eyes almost swollen shut. She couldn't believe his own twin could do this to him.
"I'm so sorry Arabella," he said. "I should have realized it was him all along. I just didn't want to believe he would go to these lengths. I had prayed he died with your father. He was always evil, even as a child. He killed your father, and now he wont stop until he kills us all.
"Oh, isn't this touching," sneered Duval. "My weak, sniveling brother and his 'precious' niece. Always bowing down to those who gave us their scraps. It was our birthright, not theirs. Our sanctimonious father, and his friend were so kind to take care of us. But they didn't, did they? No, They sent me away, but kept you, their little pet!"...he spat out.
"Well no more!" He screamed, spittle spraying from his mouth. "Untie him!" he yelled at Arabella, waving the pistol in her direction. He was coming unglued by the minute. Arabella needed to stall him, and pray someone noticed she was missing.
"Why? What are you going to do with us? You wont get away with it. They will hunt you down. They know you are alive Duval."
Duval threw his head back and laughed cruelly, his eyes looked crazy, his actions erratic, he was a man capable of doing anything, thought Arabella.
"What no 'uncle'," he mocked? "Isn't it clear my dear niece? I'm going to kill you and my sainted brother. Then I will of course stumble out pretending to be Malveen. I'll cry about how I tried to save you from Duval. But he shot you before I could stop him. We fought, and in the end I finally managed to wrestle the gun from him and it went off. The cabin will catch fire during the struggle, and all evidence will be gone. Great plan don't you think, niece," he said with a snarl.
"It wont work, they will see right through you. You are nothing like Malveen. How else do you think they figured it out? You will never inherit a dime, never," said Arabella.
"You bitch!"
screamed Duval as he aimed the pistol at her. "You will die first."
Just then the door flew open and Alexander rushed Duval. They crashed to the floor, both men rolling about throwing punches. Arabella screamed as the lantern came crashing to the floor. She began untieing Malveen but the knots were too tight for her. Marcus noticing the trouble rushed over and sliced the ropes with a knife. They pulled Malveen out of the cabin. Just as they turned to head back, a gun went off. They both ran towards the cabin, Arabella praying Alexander was okay. Smoke was billowing out of the door, so black they couldn't see a thing. They both came to a halt as Alexander stumbled out, blood covering his chest and face. Arabella picked up her skirts and ran towards him screaming his name. Alexander dropped to his knees and another shot rang out. Duval who was behind him, fell back into the cabin, just as the ceiling crashed down. When she turned it was Malveen holding the gun. She whispered 'thank you' to him, he nodded, handed the gun to Marcus and climbed up on his horse, the one Duval had taken. He then said he would ride ahead and call for a doctor.
Tears began to fill Arabellas eyes. Tears for the parents she never met. Tears for Malveen who had to shoot his own brother, and tears for Alexander, the man she loved, who laid in her arms bruised and bleeding. Everything came flooding through. Years of tears held back in sorrow and feelings of self pity, and tears of relief that it was all finally over.
Alexander reached up and wiped the tears from her face. "It's okay sweatheart," he said. "I am fine, I just opened up a few stitches. I promise I'll be as good as new in a few days. It's all over, we can go home now.
Home Arabella thought, she never really had a home of her own. A family of her own. Arabella looked down at her Duke, who was now smiling up at her. "I love you Alexander," she said.
"I love you too, my orphan princess," he replied. "Marry me Arabella." Then he raised his lips to hers and kissed her. Arabella kissed him back.