CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Somewhere in all the action Felicity had bit her tongue. She could taste it's metallic taste in mouth. Jiggy Nye was trembling a bit, and the trembles grew fainter. He convulsed lightly for a moment, and then he was completely still. Felicity heart was practically beating out her chest, she had a splitting headache, she could see a pool of blood on the floor. Connie had got him!

Felicity looked over at Connie who was frozen, still holding the gun in aimed position, her knees were shaking.

"Is he dead?" She croaked.

"You should know," Felicity replied. "You are the one who shot him." With all of her strength she pushed Jiggy's lifeless body off of her, and was free. Immediately she reached for her cloak, and drew it tightly around her. Even though for the past few days she had walked around in her corset in front of Connie many a time, as of now she felt cheap, dirty, and humiliated. Every inch of her skin felt creepy with filth.

Connie grabbed the quill, the paper, and the gun.

"We better get out of here," she announced and Felicity nodded. Neither turned to look at Jiggy Nye.

They leapt up on Patriot and began to gallop far away from the tannery, into the woods. When she felt they were far enough away from the horror of Jiggy Nye, Felicity slowed Patriot down to a stop and slid off.

"I need to catch my breath for a moment," Felicity said. She plopped down on the ground and leaned her back up against a tree. The ground was wet with dew and mud but she didn't care, he dress was ruined anyway.

Connie followed her, and plopped down next to her, the gun in her lap.

"I've done murder," she said softly.

"Don't say that," Felicity commanded.

"Well it's true!" Connie cried. "I am a murderer. I killed a man!"

"You saved my life and my honor," Felicity replied. "I owe you."

"I hope God understands that," Connie sighed wistfully.

"Well if he doesn't," Felicity said standing up. "Then we can burn in hell together. Let's go. We need to leave now if we want any chance of getting some shut-eye before the duel."

As they mounted Patriot Felicity turned and took Connie's hand.

"Thank you," she said. "You saved my life. I am sorry that I have been so short with you in the past."

Connie smiled sweetly.

"Well you are going to be my sister," she said. "You would have done the same for me."

The duel was scheduled for seven in the morning. Ben wanted it nice and early because he was planning on going to the Merriman store afterwards. Mr. Merriman had given him enough time off to go to Yorktown and get his life into order. The duel was to take place up on a remote, grassy, hill, near the woods about a mile from town.

Felicity and Connie had barely gotten any sleep. No one could sleep after what they had been through. The effort was in vain. They had to be up and to the dueling spot before any of the men got there and did something regretful. Since Ben was planning on taking Patriot, Felicity and Connie would have to go to Elizabeth's stable and pick up Penny.

It was a beautiful morning. It was cool, but the air fresh, and the sun innocent, as it hung floating behind the trees. If she hadn't have seen death the night before, and weren't going to break up a barbaric event such as a duel, Felicity would have found it a very peaceful, and beautiful, autumn, morning.

"Do you think when Andrew finds that we got his Father to sign that paper, and then finds out about his death, do you think he will suspect we had something to do with it?" Connie asked as they rode.

"Perhaps," replied Felicity. It was a sensible thought.

"I'm going to go to jail," Connie moaned.

"I think our secret would be safe with Andy," said Felicity. "I know some information on Andy that could lend him in jail as well. He's not going to give us away. Our secret is safe. I guess I just fall for men who can keep secrets."

They were only at the dueling sight for a few minutes when Ben came riding up on Patriot, Brady following on his own horse. He was dressed in his best clothes, and with his cane he looked very gentlemanly.

"Felicity! Connie! What on earth are you doing here?" He called as he slid down off of Patriot. "This is no place for women. You could be hurt."

"So could you," Felicity replied.

"Why is Connie here?" Ben asked. "She'll get sick and faint."

"I will not," Connie retorted.

"For your information Ben, Connie is a very strong and brave woman," said Felicity. "Please Ben, don't go through with this."

"I tried the whole night to talk him out of this nonsense," Brady said. "Lad is as stubborn as a mule."

"I am not only defending my own honor, I am defending Felicity's," Ben answered.

"Well what if I don't want my honor defended?" Felicity snapped.

"Hush," Ben commanded. He pulled her close, and began to stroke her hair. He gave her possibly one last kiss.

Just then, Andy rode up followed by one of his friends.

"We have beautiful ladies here to watch us today," Andy said brightly. "What a pleasant surprise. Do I get a kiss from Miss Felicity before we begin?"

"No, but I do have to give you this," Felicity took out the paper, and gave it to the Andy. As Andy read it over, his eyes grew wide.

"Is this real?" He asked. "Why it's not possible. How on earth did you?"

"I went and asked him," Felicity replied. "I told you that we had a different relationship. I had to do a good deal of convincing, but finally Mr. Nye complied."

"That is by far the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," Andy said.

"What is this with Mr. Nye?" Ben asked.

"I got Jiggy Nye to sign a paper declaring Andy his son, and leaving his property in his name," Felicity explained. Little did Andy know how soon he would be getting the property.

"Andy is Jiggy Nye's son?" Ben asked in shock. "Felicity, don't tell me that you briefly courted the son of Jiggy Nye, the man who beat your horse!"

"Andy had nothing to do with how Jiggy Nye treated Penny," said Felicity.

"I hardly knew the man," Andy said. "I can't believe the old mule listened to you."

"Well I had to tell him that if he signed the paper, you wouldn't bother him anymore," Felicity explained.

"Aye," Andy agreed. "The brute always hated me."

"Actually I think he was more angry at your mother," said Felicity.

"Well then we finally have something in common," replied Andy. "Okay let's get this duel over with."

"But you have your property, as well as your name," Felicity cried.

"True but this is over you, not property," said Andy. Andy's friend, one of his cronies from the tavern, a gentleman named Raymond, pulled her away. Ben prepared his pistol for combat. They were going to go through with it! Felicity had nearly put her life and dignity on the line the night before, all for nothing. She wasn't going to give up that easily. Brady had gotten out a parchment and pen to record the events. Both men were raising their pistols. Felicity ran into the middle and threw herself in front of Ben.

"You shoot him, you shoot me!" She cried.

"Felicity Merriman! You stupid stupid stupid girl!" Ben yelled with frustration. "You are going to get hurt."

Just then, for lack of something better to do, Connie threw herself in front of Andy.

"Please don't do it!" Connie yelled.

Ben couldn't believe the change in Connie. Had Felicity really rubbed off after only a few days?

"Connie, please move. I am not going to wind up shooting my sister," Ben commanded.

Felicity was no match for Brady. The beefy, husky, guy easily pried her from Ben.

"Let go of me!" She yelled. She did break free from his grip. She took off her ring and placed it into Ben's palm.

"Here," she said. "The engagement is off."

Then she walked over to Andy, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the emerald necklace. She placed it into his palm.

"I am through with you as well," she announced. "You boys are acting like uncivilized brats. I want nothing to do with either one of you."

"Lissie no," Ben wailed. "That's not fair."

"It is fair," Felicity snapped. She went to the side, and sat down. She wanted to burst out into tears, but she held them back, held onto her pride. Held her dignity. Felicity didn't need her dignity defended.

It occurred to Andy that the duel was over Felicity. Without Felicity, the duel had no purpose.

"Lissie," he said. "My father didn't want me, neither did my mother. I should have known that you wouldn't want me either. Nobody ever has wanted me!"

"That is very sweet and poignant," Ben said with sarcasm. "But Felicity did want me, and now you ruined it. You've ruined everything."

"Shut up you fool!" Andy shouted and pointed the pistol, right at Ben.

"Andy!" Felicity cried. "Please don't. Don't do it. Doing it is not going to get me back, I got you your property. Can't you leave me alone?"

Slowly Andy lowered the gun. A few tears trickled down his face, and he kicked the dirt.

"Fine," he said gruffly, but softly. "Fine. Leave me alone. Go to your Ben. But go in haste. Quick before I change my mind."

Felicity got up and went over to Andy. She took his hand.

"Thank you," she said. "May I ask what changed your mind?"

"You taught me how to love Felicity Merriman," he murmured. "I love you."

Felicity looked into his deep blue eyes one more time and gave him a small, shy, smile. Then she ran over to Ben, who took her with open arms.

"Let's go Lissie," he said. He mounted Patriot, Felicity climbed up on Penny.

"Come on Connie!" Ben called. "Let's get out of here!"

"I'll be coming," she replied. "Just a moment."

"Don't worry mate," said Brady. "I can escort her home. You go on ahead with your lady."

And they took off, Andy watching them until they vanished over the hill, and out of sight.

Connie walked over to Andy and took his hand.

"Thank you for letting my brother and sister be happy," she said. "I am sorry about what happened with your father and mother." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then went over to Brady's horse, where he helped her up, and they too were gone, leaving Andy standing

bewildered. His thoughts of Felicity, the only love he had ever known, were now only but a memory.

THE END