The Star of Love Page 14
No!” he screamed, launching himself forward violently.
He collided with Charles in the last split second before the gun fired. Then the two men were lying on the ground while screams rose all around them.
Preece, caught off balance by the recoil, fell out of the tree and was caught by the men beneath. But few had time to notice. Their eyes were turned to where Charles and John lay.
Cliona felt her heart stop at the sight of the man who had so recently become her husband. She pressed her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream.
But all was well. He was moving, getting up on one knee, unhurt.
It was John who lay still on the ground, an ugly red stain spreading over his white shirt.
“John,” called Charles urgently. “For God’s sake! John! Get a doctor.”
“No use, old man,” John murmured. “Let it be. Just – talk to me – for a moment.”
The darkness in his soul had cleared now and he could see Charles’s face, full of the affection they had shared long ago. Then he felt himself being gathered up into his cousin’s arms.
“It was – meant for you – ” he murmured. “But then – I couldn’t let it happen.”
“You saved me,” said Charles quietly. “Whatever you meant to do at the start, you saved my life.”
“Glad of that. I don’t know – what came over me. All these years – I was mad –”
“Yes,” said Charles huskily. “You were not yourself. I always knew that. Hold on, John. The doctor will be here soon. He’ll make you well, and it will be like old times again.”
“No – it’s best this way. As long as – things are all right between us – now.”
“Yes,” sighed Charles softly. “Things are all right between us, John. John!”
Nobody answered him. John’s face showed the greyness of death and his silence was final.
With a heavy heart Charles laid his cousin’s body on the grass. Rising to his feet he sought Cliona. She opened her arms to him and he rushed to her, to the only refuge his heart could desire.
*
Midnight. The castle was dark and silent. The guests had all gone. The officers of the law had gone. Preece was in a police cell to be conveyed to a larger prison the next day.
The bride and groom stood at the window, looking out over the peaceful land.
“I am so sorry the day was spoiled for you,” Charles murmured.
She gave him the gentle smile he loved.
“I married you for better, for worse, my love” Cliona replied. “It is not just one day, but all the loving, wonderful years we will share in the future. At least we were together for what happened, and I pray that we will always be together, through any trouble.”
“No trouble can be too great while I have you,” he sighed. “I said you were wiser than I, and I meant it. Take my hand and lead me through the world, my beloved. For without you, all the roads lead nowhere.”
He drew her close in a kiss that was a promise for the years to come, of trust and tenderness as well as passion. This woman was more than the centre of his world. She was his world.
And when this world was done, there was another world, even more beautiful because there they could never be parted.
He raised his eyes to the sky and saw what he was looking for.
One star, outshining every other. The star that had been her gift to him, along with so many other wonderful gifts.
The star that would always shine for them.