The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Stanley focused on getting the knife out of his hand, but just as he was able to pry it free, Damien pushed it back down.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry," Stanley repeatedly apologised. "I don’t know where to find him."

"The scums of this town cross each other at some point in their lives. I know you know who I am searching for, but you don’t want to share it. You would be foolish to think he can do far worse to you than I can," Damien said, gripping the knife to keep it in place.

"Were you planning to drink away the life you owe to me? That’s not very nice of you, Stanley," said Damien.

"Lord Hawthorne," Stanley wept, needing the knife to be removed. "My hand."

"For heaven’s sake," Damien muttered, annoyed by the tears. "Enough," he said and pulled the knife out of Stanley’s hand.

Stanley slowly lifted his wounded hand and brought it to his chest.

"You knew that I was coming for you. That I was watching you, yet you placed yourself in that inn and drank your troubles away. Did you forget you owe me money?" Damien said, considering whether he should stab the other hand.

"I’m sorry. I’ll try to find the name for you," Stanley promised.

"You already know the name, Stanley. Why do you think I asked you in the first place? Do you remember why I first approached you, Stanley? Why did I place myself in your life to ruin it?" Damien asked and used the tip of the knife to lift Stanley’s chin. "I’ll give you one chance to answer."

"It wasn’t me who spoke of your sister in that crude manner-"

"Not, but you stood there and laughed. How is your friend faring these days?" Damien inquired.

Stanley thought about it, and only now did he realise he hadn’t seen his friend since that incident. He jumped, startled by the sound coming from Damien’s gun.

Stanley watched as Damien meddled with his gun, seemingly preparing it to shoot him. "I-I might know a man. I know someone and just where to find him. He’ll change wills for anyone as long as you present the money. I can take you to him, but you must first promise to keep me alive." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Stanley regretted making a proposition after Damien showed a menacing smile.

"Are you trying to strike a deal with me, Stanley? You truly think you are in a position to strike a deal with me? After you have not paid me what you owe?" Damien asked, a low chuckle leaving his parted lips. "You amuse me with your stupidity."

With the way Stanley entertained him, Damien was almost tempted to keep Stanley alive so he could toy with Stanley’s life whenever he felt bored.

"No," Stanley lowered his gaze.

"Give me the name and where to find this man," said Damien.

"I can go to him alone and-"

"For you to warn him that trouble is coming his way? There is only one fool in this carriage, and I assure you it is not me. Get yourself together, Stanley. You’re dripping blood onto my carriage," Damien said.

Stanley wished to scream that it was Damien’s fault, but he did not want to injure his other hand.

"What is the name, Stanley?" Damien asked, his patience running thin.

"His name is Orlo Yearwood. You can find him down by the inn near the old bridge. That’s where he stays, but he meets his customers in other places, so he doesn’t get caught by the town guards or the court. I wouldn’t take your carriage there," Stanley suggested.

"Because I could be robbed? I welcome every opportunity to test my aim," Damien said, looking forward to a good time. "Now, will I go there and find a man named Orlo, or are you toying with me again?"

"I wouldn’t dare-"

"You have dared before," Damien interjected. "I suppose it would be best to keep you at my side until I confirm the name is right. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Stanley looked up, frantic. "But, how would I be able to get your money if I don’t leave to find work?"

"I didn’t know they paid men to drink rum all day. I have a few bastards I could send there to drink till they earn what they owe me. You’ve disappointed me one too many times for me to let you go, Stanley. It’s your fault," Damien said, his kindness no more.

"Please, give me one more chance. I can bring Orlo to you and pay you the money I owe. There’s a job in the inn. That’s why I went there at first, but you know how those innkeepers are. They offer you one drink on the house and then send more to keep you drunk," said Stanley.

"So, they tricked you into staying there instead of working? Am I to feel sorry for you?" Damien asked, losing interest in the conversation.

Damien knocked on the carriage door. The carriage stopped moving, and shortly after, Silas opened the door to drag Stanley out.

"He’s going to be in our hold until I confirm the name he gave me. Have him sit out front and stop him from dripping more blood on my carriage," said Damien.

"Lord Hawthorne," Stanley stepped forward only to be grabbed by his coat. He glared at the man holding him back.

"I wouldn’t glare at Silas. He has a temper," Damien warned Stanley. "Silas, get one of the boys to go down to the inn near the old bridge and find a man by the name Orlo Yearwood. Employ him to change a will and take him when no one is watching. I want to have a word with him."

Silas nodded and dragged Stanley out front to sit before the carriage. "Sit," he shoved Stanley.

"That is the man’s name. I have done what he asked me to do, so why can’t I go free? I am not lying to him this time. I want to go," Stanley said, fearing for his life.

Stanley looked behind Silas at the nearby trees. Running to get away from Damien crossed his mind.

"If you run, I will be forced to chase after you. I will shoot you and put you back on this very carriage. When you drip more blood on the carriage, the coachman will shoot you. Sit and be still," Silas said, pushing down on Stanley’s shoulder to force him to sit.

Stanley discarded his plans to run and sat down beside the coachman. Even after Silas moved to close the door for Damien, he did not think of running.

’Would it be wrong to ask for a doctor?’ Stanley wondered.