From somewhere in the forest there was a bang and a flash. The robber cried out in agony, and fell down next to Peter. Peter grabbed the pistol and stood up. The man was holding his knee. It was almost completely blown away. When Peter bent down and removed the robber's hood, he gasped. The coachman ran after Charlotte, and knocked her to the ground. Her screams frightened the birds from the trees, as he pulled her by the hair back to the coach.
When two horsemen appeared from the forest Peter thought they were Sir John's accomplices.
''Get down from your horses, this instant,'' he told them as he pointed the pistol at them. ''James,'' he exclaimed, as Emily's brother took off his hood. When Emily took of her hood, his mouth fell open. What is happening?'' he asked totally confused.
''I'll tell you what is happening,” Emily said. “Sir John and Miss Pemberly have been plotting to kill you. I found out about it, and as I am unable to shoot, I asked James to help me. As you can see by the state of Sir John's knee, he is an extremely accomplished marksman. These two wanted to kill you so that Sir John could marry me, and take my wealth.''
Peter looked at Charlotte, who was being held firmly by the coachman. She dropped her eyes from him. ''Emily I.......I don't know.....what …...to''
''James will go and fetch the police, once these two have been arrested, you will come back to Sedgefield House with me.''
*****
They arrived home in the dark. Peter rode James' horse home. James had taken a lift to London with the police. When Joseph opened the door, Emily nodded to him in recognition of the part he had played in foiling Sir John's evil plot.
''Joseph was a great help in foiling the attempt on your life, my dear,'' she said.
''Thank you, Joseph. I am not fully aware of the details, but my wife will no doubt inform me. I will see you handsomely rewarded for you efforts.''
''There is really no need, my lord,'' Joseph said in his usually modest fashion.
''Joseph, please bring two whiskeys into the drawing room. This time two real ones.''
''Now, Peter. Come and sit next to me,'' Emily said as Peter attempted to sit in his usual place. ''From now on you will sit next to me in the evenings.''
''Emily, I am so sorry for what I have done. I have been a fool. You are beautiful and clever and I have ignored you and behaved terribly badly.''
''It is no matter, Peter. I will always do everything in my power to protect our marriage, even if that means asking my brother to shoot someone. You are a very special man, I adore you, and I love you more than I can bear. All I ask is that you please try to love me back.''
''Oh Emily, I do. Until this evening, I didn't realize how much you mean to me. I do love you.''
''Then let's finish our drinks and you can take me to bed and prove your love to me.''
*****
When Peter took off his shirt and dropped his trousers to the floor, Emily could see how much he desired her. It was the first time in many weeks that she had seen his hard shaft. When she let her nightgown drop to the floor, Peter could see how ready she was for him. The soft curls between her legs shone with her desire and her nipples were erect.
They came into each other’s arms and kissed. It was too much for Peter, who was so racked with guilt that a tear escaped from his eye and rolled over his cheek. Emily watched it until it reached his jaw, then she liked it from him. Peter was overcome with desire and love. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. They lay next to each other and kissed. Emily loved the feeling as his penis rubbed against her soft thigh.