Detective Liam Niles: The Last Crusade by BONITA HIGHLEY - HTML preview

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Marquess Reban stood by Brandy McKenzie. “I’m glad I was here for your assistance. I assure you I will not allow that mad man come near you again.”

Brandy, with returned calm. “Thank you Marquess Reban. You are very kind.”

The Marquess, taking her hand into his in sentimental gesture, getting closer to her. “I’m a man of my word. I mean what I say. Please take my words to heart when I say I will protect you with all my strength.”

Brandy, grinning at him. “And I trust you with your words.”

Reban, continued. “Please trust, I will in me that I will always endurith in your trust in me, even when at times of turmoil…..I shall not depart from your deep inner earnings of want…”

Brandy, looking at him in confusion.

Reban, in annoyance to himself. “OH DRAT! Why must I always about to trip over my words when addressing the affairs of the heart! Ohh, how can I convey this to you? “ Getting restless. “Miss Brandy. Are you promised to another man?”

Brandy, slight bend her grin. “ No. I am not.”

The Marquess, with slight relief. “Right. Good to know.”

Brandy, stood waiting. “Is there….anything else, Marquess?”

Reban with sly smile. Taking her hand, “Yes of course.” Getting closer to her. “Saren was right from the very start when I lay my eyes upon you.”

Brandy, in heavy focus into his eyes. “And what is that Reban?”

Reban, calm. “That the temptation of the tasting of wine upon your lips of a fair maiden never touched.”

Brandy, in calm serene, looks down in his honor.

Reban, rest his forehead upon her forehead.” Are you afraid of my touch? For I will always protect you with my heart, my body. My soul wants you to share my bed in matrimony. Please give me the honor of calling you wife of Marquess. Miss Brandy McKenzie. Will- you- please- marry- me?”

Brandy slowly lift her head to him. “And now my confession to you. I feel safe in your love for me, but my temptation of more than love for you is far too great when I’m with you.”

In a moment, Reban, touching her soft face with his gentle hand, giving her first kiss tenderly on her lips, as her returned yearning for him not yielding but of more need of his.

The next day…..

Pastor Roger McKenzie, with his wife, Mary, coming into Chivalry Chapel’s foyer, without hesitation, directly going into Pastor Connor’s office room in urgency. “Connor That Priest of Gatlory Monastary! That mad man! He has come to me demanding payment for the return of my daughter! Connor! What in the blazing fires of hell is wrong with this man claiming she owes him money!!!”

Pastor Connor attentive. “Roger, Calm yourself my friend! Which daughter?”

Reban, also comes into the room. “You must be Mr. Roger McKenzie. I am Marquess Reban. I am pleased to meet you sir! I am here to discuss the asking of the hand of marriage with your daughter Brandy.”

Pastor Roger, pacing the floor in high alert, then halts veering at Reban. “My Brandy! Pardon me your Marquess. My daughter is gone missing! That priest has taken her! He wants to retain her until I pay him!”

Trey, sitting next to Connor “To retain? Sounds more like ransom to me.”

Roger calmed down, placing his hand over his worried but livid eyes.

Pastor Connor in much care. “Roger, sit down so we can discuss this in more rational thinking. Come, sit my friend.”

Roger, mary, taking their seats. does so.

Liam entering into the room, sees the commotion remains from Reban, to Roger. “ Sir. Tauna has informed me of Brandy’s kidnapping.”

Roger, throwing his hands up into the air. “You see now the word is out. Its bad enough that my church debt is about to go bankrupt? Oh what am I saying? How could I say such a thing when my Brandy has gone missing?”

Mary, held his hand in care.

Marquess Reban, steps forward to Roger. “Sir. I know we have only just met. It will be in your honor to rescue your daughter from the evil wiles of that mad man. And in doing so. I also ask in return, for your daughter’s hand in marriage. Sir. I do love Brandy with all my heart and soul and will do anything to get her back safe in my arms. Even if I have to maime to get her back.”

Roger and mary , in seeing his oath, cooled his anxious but tempered position. With a deep breath, raking his hand through his hair, in ready planning of negotiation.

Suddenly a rush of Lady Tauna, Lauren, followed by Breyen and Devon coming into the fold, everyone taking a seat.

Tauna, attentive. “We heard.”

Pastor Connor looking for Bren. “And where is your mother? “

Tauna, last one seated. “Mom is with Tremen and Saren with baby and watching over William.”

Liam, in command. “Right. Shall we begin? Except. There is but only one person missing from this table that can penetrate through this mystery.”

The door opens to Inspector Crouse, opening the door, walks in. “Top of the Morn’n to y’all.”