She Asked the Gunsmith to Wed Her Before Her Uncle Sold Her Land — “I’ll Want to Court You After,” the Gunsmith Said
Chapter 10
They found Thomas tied inside a barn near the county road.
He was bruised.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Margaret approached slowly.
“Uncle.”
Thomas looked at her.
“You should have left.”
“You tried to steal my home.”
“I know.”
“You forged my father’s papers.”
“I know.”
“You nearly got Samuel killed.”
Thomas looked at Samuel.
“I know.”
Margaret’s anger faltered.
“Why?”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Being poor.”
She stared at him.
“You had land.”
“Not enough.”
“You had a home.”
“Not enough.”
“You had family.”
Thomas looked at her.
“I had debts.”
Margaret shook her head.
“So you decided to sell us.”
“I thought I could fix everything.”
“You made it worse.”
“Yes.”
He reached into his coat.
A small key fell into Margaret’s hand.
“What is this?”
“The county archive.”
She looked confused.
“Why?”
“Crowe keeps copies of everything.”
Samuel understood.
“Where?”
“In the old courthouse.”
Thomas looked at Margaret.
“I never wanted him to have your land.”
“You sold it.”
“I thought I could buy it back.”
Margaret’s eyes filled with tears.
“You should have asked me.”
Thomas lowered his head.
“I was ashamed.”
For a moment, Margaret said nothing.
Then she cut his ropes.
“Come with us.”
Thomas looked surprised.
“You forgive me?”
“No.”
She stood.
“But I will not become like you.”
They took him back to Ashford.
That night, Samuel and Margaret entered the old courthouse.
The archive was dark.
They found Crowe’s records.
Payments.
Contracts.
Forged seals.
Names.
Enough evidence to destroy him.
But then a floorboard creaked.
Samuel turned.
Crowe stood in the doorway.
He held a pistol.
“You two are becoming very troublesome.”
Samuel raised his own.
Crowe smiled.
“You won’t shoot me.”
Margaret stepped forward.
“Why?”
“Because then you become criminals.”
Samuel’s finger rested near the trigger.
Crowe continued:
“And I have witnesses who will swear you attacked first.”
Margaret looked at the papers.
Then she smiled.
“You made another mistake.”
Crowe frowned.
“What?”
“You came here.”
Behind him stood Magistrate Bell.
And two constables.
Crowe slowly turned.
His face went white.
