She Asked the Gunsmith to Wed Her Before Her Uncle Sold Her Land — “I’ll Want to Court You After,” the Gunsmith Said
Chapter 4
The original will had been kept in the family chapel.
Margaret remembered her father telling her that after he died.
But when they arrived, the chapel door was locked.
Samuel examined the lock.
“Someone changed it.”
Margaret frowned.
“My uncle?”
“Probably.”
He knelt beside the door.
Within moments, he opened it.
Inside, dust covered the benches.
Candles had not been lit for months.
Margaret walked toward the small stone alcove where her father used to pray.
The Bible was still there.
She opened it.
A folded paper fell out.
Her father’s handwriting.
Margaret, if you are reading this, Thomas has likely attempted to sell the property. Do not trust any document he presents. The original deed is not in the house.
She looked at Samuel.
“Where is it?”
They read the rest.
Her father had hidden the original deed inside the old gunsmith’s chest he had once commissioned from Samuel’s father.
Samuel stared.
“My father’s workshop?”
“No.”
Margaret looked confused.
“The chest is in my uncle’s office.”
They returned to the estate.
Thomas was gone.
His office was locked.
Samuel opened it.
Inside were account books.
Letters.
Receipts.
Maps.
And the chest.
Samuel examined the lock.
“It was opened recently.”
Margaret’s stomach tightened.
“Then the deed may be gone.”
They opened it.
Inside were old tools.
A silver watch.
Several letters.
No deed.
Margaret nearly cried.
Samuel searched beneath the lining.
Nothing.
Then he noticed the bottom panel.
It was loose.
He pried it up.
A narrow compartment appeared.
Inside was a packet wrapped in oilcloth.
Margaret opened it.
The original deed was there.
So was another document.
A list of payments.
Names.
Dates.
Amounts.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Silas Crowe.
Margaret stared.
“My uncle sold him the land.”
Samuel read the figures.
“These payments were made before your father died.”
She looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“Your uncle has been planning this for years.”
A sound came from outside.
Horse hooves.
Samuel extinguished the lamp.
They listened.
Three riders entered the courtyard.
Margaret whispered:
“Who are they?”
Samuel looked through the window.
“Crowe’s men.”
One of the men dismounted.
He carried a long musket.
Another carried a pistol.
Samuel whispered:
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Margaret.”
“I am your wife now.”
“That does not mean you must stand in front of a gun.”
“I am not asking you to stand in front of one either.”
He looked at her.
Then smiled faintly.
“You really are stubborn.”
“So are you.”
They moved toward the rear door.
But footsteps entered the house.
Someone shouted:
“Search the office!”
Samuel took Margaret’s hand.
They ran.
