PP AU Non-Canon General Regency

A Gentleman's Choice

Sequel to Making Peace

NOTE: BTW...I should have put this note sooner...when Mr. Niles shouted 'you ruined my life' he was referring to Mr. Wickham messing around with his wife.

Previously:

"Looks like I have extra guests that will remain on the upper floor until Mr. Hurst tells me any different. And, I would say it is a good thing Horace is due here this evening. I hope he comes alone. I better warn the women just in case anyone comes with him."

Web Woven

Ch. 26

The cave was a natural fortress Hurst had every intention of using. It was hidden deep within the rugged terrain not far from Mr. Brown's home. Its entrance, concealed by thick underbrush and jagged rocks, was nearly impossible to spot unless one had been in the area a lot, or had been raised in the area; Mr. Niles had done neither. However, due to an agreed marking they had told John Corby to give Mr. Niles, the Londoner would be able to find its entrance.

Inside, the air was damp and cool and flickering light from the torches cast eerie shadows, making the cavern seem even more foreboding. It would not make one used to living only in the city comfortable. James, Mr. Brown, Steven Walton, and. Matthew Thompson, along with a few other lawmen, were strategically positioned within the cave. They had chosen this location for its seclusion, tactical advantage, and mental advantage it gave them over Mr. Niles. Each man was armed and ready, their eyes scanning the entrance for any sign of movement. They knew that tonight Mr. Niles had taken the bait and would soon be enter.

Ensign Corby was the key to their plan. He had confessed, and still maintained, that it had been him and Liam who had been instrumental in placing spy buttons on men whom Mr. Niles would either kill himself or pay others to do.

'Always insisted they were guilty of higher crimes that Parliament was turning a blind eye to. We believed him, I believed him...until he sent Ensign Wickham to his death. Then I realized he was acting on his own, other than I and small group of men who felt they had no choice but to work for him. He was giving my faith a really ugly name by playing their final jury and judge and using us as his personal pawns to cover his tracks. Liam's biggest mistake was he got into debt to the man himself and could not get out, Mr. Niles framed him and tossed him into prison; I am sure there were other non-legal laws he had broken too.'

"I hope he did not change his mind." John whispered. I sent him the message you told me to."

Ensign Corby had lured Mr. Niles out of London under the pretense that his life was in danger and that others were making it impossible for him to return to his company.

"The ruse has worked." Steven shot back. "He would not have agreed to meet you in the cave for your next assignment, if he had not."

Mr. Hurst had kept the correspondence as evidence and handed it over to the duke who had come up to another friend's house under the guise of another errand. Now, as the minutes ticked by, the tension in the cave grew even thicker. So, much so all the lawmen would have sworn in a court of law they could feel it.

The men remained silent, their breaths shallow and their muscles taut. They knew that any sound could give away their position and ruin the entire operation. Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the cave. The men tensed, their hands gripping their weapons tightly.

Ensign Corby appeared at the entrance, his face pale and drawn. He glanced around nervously before stepping inside. Behind him, Mr. Niles followed, his eyes darting suspiciously around the cavern. His presence commanding attention. He wore a dark cloak that billowed around him, adding to his menacing aura.

"Corby," Mr. Niles said, his voice low and dangerous. "You had better have a good reason for dragging me out here."

Corby swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to the shadows where the others were hidden. "I told you, sir. It is about those men you were complaining about, the ones you asked me to check into. They've been making it impossible for me to get back to my company. I fear for my life."

Mr. Niles sneered, his eyes narrowing. "And you think hiding in a cave will solve your problems?"

"No, sir," Corby replied, his voice trembling slightly. "But I have information that could help us eliminate them once and for all. They are planning to meet here tonight."

Mr. Niles' eyes gleamed with interest, but there remained a sliver of doubt, and it showed in the tone of his voice. "Is that so? Well, they do owe a large amount of money, and they have not ever paid up - almost as bad as Ensign Wickam and Carson. Where are these men now?"

At that moment, Mr. Hurst stepped forward, his pistol aimed directly at Mr. Niles. "Right here," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "It is over, Niles. You are under arrest."

Mr. Niles' eyes widened in shock, but he quickly regained his composure, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his gaze. "You think you can take me down, Hurst? You are a fool."

"We have enough evidence to put you away for a long time," Mr. Hurst replied, his grip on the pistol unwavering. "And your little puppet here has been very helpful."

Corby stepped back, his face a mixture of relief and fear. He knew that betraying Mr. Niles was dangerous, but he could not handle framing men who had weaknesses but were not traitors to their countries anymore.

Mr. Niles laughed, a cold, mirthless sound, but his eyes darted around, searching for an escape. "You think this changes anything? I have powerful friends. You will never be able to touch me."

"Maybe not," Mr. Brown said, stepping out of the shadows with his own weapon drawn. "But we can make sure you do not hurt, or threaten, anyone else; especially innocent women."

Mr. Walton and Mr. Thompson emerged as well, their expressions grim. The lawmen surrounded Mr. Niles, their weapons trained on him. There was no escape.

Mr. Niles' eyes darted around, looking for a way out, but he found none. He was trapped. "This is not over," he growled, though his voice quivered ever so slightly. "You have not seen the last of me."

"Perhaps," Mr. Hurst said, his voice calm. "But for now, you are coming with us."

With that, the men closed in, securing Mr. Niles and leading him out of the cave. As they emerged into the cold night air, the men did not let their guard down. The last thing the needed was to have Mr. Nile slip away. However, for now, they were relieved, after talking to a few men hiding on the Thompson dairy farm, to have done what many had thought impossible. They had in custody one very corrupt individual.