RANSOM - Artist, Lover, Adventurist - Part Two and Conclusion

             Rosy could scarce believe her ears; two men were fighting over her and when she smiled at the thought, it was directed at Ransom. 

          Returning her smile and in a cavalier manner, as if he was challenged to a duel everyday for rescuing some maiden's honour he said, "It matters not to me sir. Choose the place, the time and the weapon and I'll be there." My God! What have I said, he thought. I've never handled a sword or a musket in my life - charcoal and paint have been my tools.

           "Fine! 4:00 tomorrow afternoon at the top of Duelist Hill. I'll supply the dueling pistols and do make sure to bring your second."

             "My second?" Ransom inquired.

             "Yes, your second. A friend if you like, to make sure the duel is held properly and adheres to the rules - it's the gentleman's way."

          "And what are the rules?"

          "If either of us decides to move from our spot or run, our second is allowed to shoot the coward."

          Time was passing quickly and since Ransom had slept in, hadn't crawled out of his cot until late in the afternoon, he decided to visit the Horse and Dog Tavern for a drink or two. He needed something to relieve his shaky hands and also bolster up his courage. What had he got himself into now he thought? I've had jealous boyfriends and angry husbands on my tail, barely able to escape through a window, and none of them ever challenged me to a duel to the death.

              As soon as he walked through the tavern's door and sat down on a bench, his back up against the wall near the fireplace, Rosy came over and sat beside him. "Drinks are on me my handsome hero. It's the least I can do, especially since..."

                "You needn't say it. I know, since it's my last day on earth."  

                "That's not what I was going to say. I was going to say, since you rescued me from that bastard's clutches. What would you like to drink?"

            "Something stronger than an ale if you don't mind."

             "A double shot of whiskey coming up. Anything for you."

             "Anything?" he asked.

             Realizing what he was asking and that it was highly unlikely he would survive the day, she looked into his eyes and smiling coquettishly murmured, "Anything. Anything at all."

              After downing several whiskies and not finding any of his friends in the tavern he sauntered over to Rosy and whispered, "I don't like to ask but can you do me a favour?"

          "Sure, I'd be happy to."

           "Are you a good shot?"

           "What do you mean?"

           "Are you a good shot; ever fired a pistol before?"

           "No. Gracious no. I wouldn't even know which end was which."

            "It doesn't really matter if you know how to use a pistol or not. If someone is apt to run away from the duel, that would be me, not that pot-bellied scoundrel. However, I still need someone for a second; it's the rule."

             Curtsying deeply, her apron in both hands she answered, "I'd be honoured to be your second kind sir."

               The path leading up to the top of Duelist Hill was steep and Ransom was chugging like a steam engine upon arrival, whereas Rosy hardly took a deep breath. Standing bent over, his hands on his knees and gasping for breath he heard someone say, "Is that you Ransom Peabody?"

          "Aye, tis me," he panted.

          "I'm Lord Geoffrey Stuart, the arbitrator between you and Sir Errol Standish. I'm here to make certain the duel is carried out by the accordance of the rules. I don't see a second with you."

           Straightening up and puffing out his chest, Ransom figured since he was most likely going to be shot dead, he might as well look courageous even if he was a coward at heart. Pointing at Rosy he said, "She'll be my second."

            "I'm not sure that the rules will allow a woman to act as second," Lord Stuart stated. 

           "Well...if that's the case," Ransom said, "Then I guess the duel is off."

               "Not so fast...if Sir Standish will accept your second, then I see no reason to halt the duel."

                Sir Standish, confident that Ransom was as good as dead replied, "It's fine with me. Let's proceed with the duel," and then sneering at Rosy continued, "I have an evening engagement with a real lady and I don't want to waste any time than absolutely necessary."

                  As soon as the two duelists had selected their weapons and were standing back to back, their pistols loaded and cocked for action the arbitrator said, "After I count off ten paces, you may then turn, aim and fire at your opponent."

                 "One...two...three..." The count was on and Ransom wasn't feeling very cocky at the moment as he looked at the flintlock pistol, which he was holding near his head and pointed skyward. He couldn't help smiling when he noticed that his hand was no longer shaking and thinking what can be so difficult about firing this gun. All I have to do is aim and pull the trigger - Sir Standish is so fat, how can I possibly miss.

          "Eight...nine...ten." Ransom spun around faster than the portly gentleman but he wasn't fast enough pulling the trigger. He heard a loud explosion and then felt the round lead ball from his opponent's pistol buzzing by his right ear like an angry hornet, taking a portion of the lobe with it. He couldn't believe he was still standing as he aimed his pistol at Lord Standish's heart. Wiping the blood from his ear he looked down at his hand as it dripped between his fingers onto the ground.

                The arbitrator, a puzzled expression on his dour countenance asked, "Aren't you going to fire your pistol?"

               "Do I have to fire it right now? Is it mandatory that I kill him?"

               "No. But I've never heard of anyone refusing to fire their weapon."

                 "Well in that case," nonchalantly gazing at Lord Standish's terrified face, his slumped shoulders and empty pistol sagging towards the ground he said, "What's your life worth sir?"

                 "What do you mean? Take your shot! You couldn't hit a barn door if you were ten paces away."

                 Hmm,,,he has a point there he thought but I'm still the one with the loaded pistol pointed at his heart so he said, "You may think I'm just a commoner sir but I'd wager that you don't know that I served in the Queen's Regiment and was a marksman of deadly aim. I once had the opportunity to shoot Napoleon himself."

          Lord Standish chortled and said, "Well we all know you missed, if you're even telling the truth."

          "Well...I didn't exactly miss. The horse he was riding lifted his head up at the sound of the gunshot and the ball hit it directly between the eyes. So what's it going to be? Are we going to palaver about the amount of money your willing to part with concerning your life or do I pull the trigger? Really makes no difference to me, I've killed quite a few men." As he watched Sir Standish pondering the question, he was hoping he didn't have to fire the pistol because in all reality he would most likely miss. Besides, he was no killer, the whopper of a tale concerning Napoleon was all a lie, he'd never been a soldier of any kind and had never killed anyone.

           At last Sir Standish said, "I don't believe anything you said but what's your price Ransom?"

             Breathing a sigh of relief he answered, "I know you're a wealthy man and not being the greedy sort, how does 5,000 pounds sound? Surely your life is worth that measly much."

          Sir Standish shook his head, which was beginning to turn as purple as a ripe beet and sputtered, "Certainly not; that sum is preposterous. 500 pounds seems more than fair to me."

          Squinting down the barrel of the musket lining it up with Sir Standish's head he continued, "Since you don't seem to put much value on your life, perhaps it's best if I put you out of your misery."

          "Now...now...hold on young man, let's not be too hasty. You're right, but 5,000 pounds is is still too high of an amount. I'll give you 2,000 pounds in cash today if you spare my life."

           Lowering his pistol, Ransom said, "I believe we have an accord sir and you are my witness, are you not Lord Stuart?"

            "Indeed I am sir."

            "Just one more thing before the final deal is struck sir, I'd like to keep these two dueling pistols. Not so much for me but for your sake sir. The last thing you need to be doing is challenging people like me, excellent shooters at duels."

             "Agreed. You may have the pistols as well. Is there anything else and if not, I'll meet you at the Horse and Dog Tavern in about an hour," said Lord Standish and smiled as he thought about how low a figure they had agreed upon. He would have given Ransom a lot more money: if he only knew.
          "Ah, aye. There is one more thing required to seal the deal so to speak. You must apologize to Rosy for your outrageous behavior towards her."
           "I'll do no such thing. Like I said before, she's nothing but a common tavern maid."
            "Then, Sir Standish," slowly raising his pistol to eye level, "You leave me no choice."
              Realizing Ransom was determined he raised his hands in protest and rolling his eyes said, "I'm sorry."
              Wiggling the pistol at Sir Standish Ransom said, "Not good enough sir. You must look directly at Rosy and apologize in a gentlemanly fashion."
            As much as it galled him to make such a gesture, Sir Standish reluctantly did as required.

          Ransom and Rosy lingered on Duelist Hill until Sir Standish, his second and the arbitrator had disappeared from view. Taking Rosy in his arms he quietly asked "Did you mean what you said about giving me anything I desired Rosy dear?"

          Realizing that the duel hadn't ended the way she expected,  she was ever so glad that Ransom had survived, even if it was purely luck. He had risked his life for her honour, a mere tavern maid and that was more than enough for her. Gazing into his big brown eyes, she nodded and put her lips to his. The kiss was sweet and urgent as he gently laid her down on the grassy hill and lifted her dress, only the trees, bushes and some nearby birds would witness the loss of Rosy's virginity...cheers, eh!