by Jane Charles
At the sound of voices, the girls ducked behind the shrubbery. They’d been warned to not go near Harrington Manor. As they were actually on Westbrook’s back lawn, they quieted since they didn’t wish to be caught.
“Who is that with Olivia and Victoria?” Rosemary whispered.
Eliza leaned forward, her eyes squinting as if to see better. “I don’t know.”
Sophia watched them as they drew nearer, walking toward the cliff.
“It’s odd that my brother doesn’t have any servants to even come to the door, though it shouldn’t be unexpected,” the gentleman with Olivia and Victoria said.
“It’s their older brother, Earl of Norbright,” Eliza said so quietly that Sophia almost hadn’t heard her. Not that she needed to say anything at all. They all knew who Westbrook’s brother was. “He arrived earlier and mentioned calling on Westbrook.”
“But Gabe does have servants,” Victoria said, though she sounded confused on the matter. “I don’t know where they would have gotten off to.”
“How many would you say he has?” the earl asked out of curiosity.
“At least a dozen, I suppose,” answered Olivia.
“Why are we walking toward the cliff?” Victoria asked with concern.
“I thought perhaps Gabe might be out here. He always did enjoy the fresh air and ocean breezes, which is why he detested London so much.”
The sisters frowned at each other, confusion marred their brow.
“I haven’t read that he hated London,” Rosemary whispered.
“Hush,” Eliza chastised.
“Oh, look, a path to the beach,” the earl said with a bit of surprise.
“He’s a bad actor, and I don’t feel good about this,” Eliza muttered. “Do you think he’s a warlock too?”
Sophia had to agree. Not that Norbright was a warlock, but something didn’t feel right. Why would Westbrook be away from his house, unless he was riding his horse again? But even so, where were the servants?
Her heart skipped a beat. Was he on the beach now? Was he doing whatever he’d planned with her father? If so, his brother and sisters were going to walk right into it. Except, she didn’t know what it was, and she certainly couldn’t say anything.
As soon as the girls and the earl could no longer be seen, Sophia, Eliza, and Rosemary hurried toward the cliff to look down on the path the three had taken. They couldn’t see anything until the three emerged onto the beach were two men waited.
“Who are these men, Peter?” Olivia asked, then glanced up the path.
“Friends who will make sure you behave.”
“I don’t understand.” Victoria frowned.
“You are here to make sure your brother does exactly as he’s told.”
The two men who were waiting pulled out guns and pointed them at Olivia and Victoria.
Olivia stepped back and once again looked to the path and then right at Sophia. Her eyes widened with panic.
Sophia nodded, hoping the girls understood she was going for help.
The earl grabbed Olivia’s arm, and Sophia ducked out of sight for fear he’d look up.
“Come along. There’s no escape.”
“Someone will help us,” Olivia insisted.
“Who?” Norbright laughed. “Your headmistress thinks you are off visiting with your brothers, they won’t coming looking for hours.”
Sophia’s heart pounded as she and her friends ran back toward the school. Whatever her father had planned was happening tonight, and the earl was about to ruin everything. Miss Morris had to know, and if not, then Lord Atwood. Regardless, an adult needed to intervene before it was too late.
“We are not having this conversation,” Claudia insisted.
“We don’t even have a fortnight,” Wesley reminded her.
“Actually, we do,” Claudia returned. Wesley was convinced she and Gabe were going to have a Christmas wedding. However, they were not going to have any wedding at all, Christmas or otherwise, but the man was being very difficult about accepting that fact.
Claudia glanced to Tess and Natalie for assistance. She winced and shrugged. There would be no help coming from them.
She then looked to Atwood, who simply stared at her.
Surely, there was something else they could discuss. Her guests were only here because the school overlooked the beach, and they wanted to remain close in the event anything unexpected occurred, not to discuss plans for a wedding that was not going to take place. However, they did need to discuss something, and it couldn’t be what was happening on the beach, and the fictional wedding was the only reasonable option for why Wesley, Tess, Atwood, and Natalie had come to call after supper.
“Tea?” she asked with a grin just as the front door slammed shut and the troublesome trio ran in.
“What is going on?” Claudia demanded as she came to her feet.
“Victoria and Olivia are in danger,” Eliza blurted out.
Claudia looked to Sophia for confirmation. She was the only one of the three who did not exaggerate or invent stories.
“It’s true. We saw Norbright walk with this sisters to the cliffs complaining about Westbrook not being at home and not having any servants.”
Claudia rushed from the room. Olivia, Victoria, and the earl were supposed to be in the front sitting room. Someone should have told her if they wished to leave. The girls couldn’t just leave the school without permission, even if they were with an older brother, a rule the three before her tended to forget.
Her heart started pounding to find the room empty and returned to the girls.
“They took the path to the beach and two men were there,” Rosemary cried.
Then Eliza told her the rest.
Why would the earl hold his own sisters at gunpoint? Her heart pounded in fear for the two girls.
Did the earl know what his brother was up to, and if so, why was he trying to stop Gabe?
Her stomach knotted as Atwood and Wesley fled the parlor.
“What’s going on?” Eliza cried.
“I’ll explain later, but right now, you must go to your room.”
Mrs. Wiggons stepped into the parlor. “Is something amiss?”
Claudia didn’t have time to explain. “Please, keep an eye on those three. Do not let them out of your sight.”
Mrs. Wiggons nodded and then narrowed her eyes on Eliza, Rosemary, and Sophia and pointed to the stairs.
Claudia hastened from the school with Tess and Natalie following after her.
Chapter 16
And as to their will, the reader will find that it cleaves unchangeable to evil, and that they continuous sin in pride, envy, and gross covetousness; and that God, for his own glory, permits them to work against His will.
~ Malleus Maleficarum by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger
Gabe stood at the entrance of the cave as the boat was rowed to shore. He could not make out their faces, but there were five men. He assumed Marseau and one of his sons were two of the fellows and that the other three were French spies, who with the help of Ashford and Keegan would be arrested this night.
Stationed behind the crates were his servants now dressed for their current roles as smugglers, as well as Severen and Kazokov. Ashford and Keegan were above them on the cliff, hidden and keeping watch, with their long rifles at the ready. The crates, as he’d been told, held brandy, tea, gin, wine, lace, silk, bolts of various fabrics, tobacco, and tea, which were all illegal imports. Also supplied were exports, crates of wool, to give the illusion that an actual smuggling operation was occurring beneath Creighton Manor. Nobody expected the crates to be inspected, but it was best to be prepared.
A second boat followed, which Gabe had not anticipated. They were to receive two spies and their contact. Who were the men following? Those within the cave shifted and readied themselves, and the air grew tense. Between those with Gabe and the men in the boats, they were outnumbered fourteen to twelve. It was almost even odds since his men were hidden and pro
tected, with the exception of Gabe, whereas those in the boats would be out in the open as they crossed the beach to the cave, more vulnerable if matters turned. Every man who arrived by boat would be arrested and held in the cell beneath Creighton Manor until the authorities could arrive, including Marseau and his son, to protect them from suspicion, even though they’d manage an escape at a later time.
The cell would be crowded, but it served their purpose. At least it did after they finally convinced Kazakov to return the door, which for some reason he had removed. He had refused until his wife told him that it was necessary that it be done.
As the boats were pulled ashore, the men hopped out onto the sand, then lifted their weapons. Gabe did not react, but wanted to pull his gun for protection. Doing so would be threatening, and he needed them too far from their boats to escape by water.
It wasn’t until they were closer that Gabe recognized one man, and his heart nearly froze in his chest. What the blazes was Peter doing here?
His brother smiled and nodded. “Exactly what I anticipated.”
“What?” Gabe asked.
“I’m no fool, brother. I know who you work for, and I am well aware that you’ve taken Harrington Manor.”
He stared at Peter in confusion. How did his brother know anything? He certainly couldn’t know the truth. “I work for no one,”
The men that had arrived with Peter leveled their weapons on him and gestured toward the cave.
“I suggest your men inside lower their weapons and come out.”
“Why are you here, Peter? This is none of your concern.”
He laughed. “It is very much my concern.” He took a step forward. “It is my duty to see that England fails and France is victorious, just as Mother wanted.”
Gabe’s gut tightened. “As Mother wanted?” She only wished to return to France and be away from Father. Besides, Mother and Peter had never been close since the majority of the time, Peter sided with Father in everything.
“Such a fool you’ve been,” Peter mocked. “Mother’s puppet. The child she kept close because she recognized your sickened devotion to King and Country, your desire to do right, and morals you’ve hidden from all of Society. We knew better. We saw it in you as a child and weren’t fooled when you became so reprehensible.”
“I am who I am,” Gabe bit out.
Peter snorted. “You’d have me believe you’re a smuggler now? That you are willing to harbor French spies?” He laughed. “Give it up, Gabriel. Mother learned before you ever left Oxford what you’d become.”
Gabe narrowed his eyes on his brother. It was impossible anyone knew the truth outside of a very select few, especially while he was still at Oxford.
“Do you think Mother allowed so many men to bed her simply to thwart Father?” Peter drew in closer. “She did it for France. Sold her body for information. A few of your professors were some of her favorite lovers.”
Gabe’s gut churned as bile rose to his throat, but he would not react. “And you took over when she died. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Not so far as the bedding.” He smirked. “There are a few lines even I will not cross, and sodomy is frowned upon even in my circles, though not yours from what I understand.”
Gabe would not allow his brother to bait him. “Though smuggling spies into England is a line you have no problem putting behind you.”
“I did not bring spies. I knew this was a trap as soon as I learned the location.” He lifted his weapon and aimed at Gabe. “Now order your men to leave their weapons and come out of the cave.”
“To what purpose?”
“To eliminate you, of course.” He smirked.
“You’d kill your own brother?” Gabe asked. Even though he now knew what his brother truly was and there had never been any love lost between them, Gabe wasn’t certain he could kill Peter.
“Yes.” The answer was cold and deliberate. “It doesn’t bother me to kill, and I’m surprised it does you.”
The only men Gabe had ever killed were in self-defense. “I’ve never committed murder.” Why weren’t those behind him, who were sheltered in the cave not firing upon those aiming into the cave? This could be dealt with quickly and efficiently even if it meant Gabe would be shot in the process.
“Oh, there are those nasty morals again.” Peter shook his head. “Perhaps a little incentive.” He nodded down the beach.
Two men marched behind Olivia and Victoria, and Gabe’s stomach sank. “You’d kill your sisters as well?”
“Only if necessary, though it would be a pity.” He tsked and shook his head. “I’ve plans for them.” A cold smile formed on Peter’s face as he looked over at Olivia and Victoria. “I hadn’t realized their worth when I made them leave, but now I do.” He focused back on Gabe. “Their marriages have already been contracted and will benefit me.”
He’d grown to hate his brother, but his loathing had never been this strong.
“Of course, they’ll never breathe a word of what happened here. Only that I was an innocent bystander who’d come looking for my brother and got caught unawares in the wrong place and time.” He smirked with confidence. “My sisters will be distraught, of course, and I’ll remove them from the school and return them home where they might mourn you in privacy, then I’ll send them to France to their future husbands.”
Gabe looked to his sisters as plan after plan formed in his mind, only to be discarded instantly because of the danger. It didn’t matter what happened to him, but he would not let Peter use Olivia and Victoria as pawns and certainly not for the destruction of England.
“However, if you don’t do as I say, I can kill them easily enough.” He shrugged. “The marriages are not as important as finally being rid of you.”
“Let them go.”
“Surrender your arms and come out,” Peter called into the cave.
If they did come out of the cave unarmed, everyone within would die. If they did not surrender, a firefight would ensue, and the girls could be killed. They were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t.
He could feel Peter staring at him, waiting for an answer while Gabe remained focused on his innocent sisters.
A shadow shifted behind Olivia and Victoria. He blinked, but did not react.
Gabe turned and studied the men behind Peter. None of them were watching anything but the cave, ready to fire.
“There is no escape,” Peter said. “I see you calculating and looking for a way out. There isn’t one, I assure you.”
Gabe glanced back at the girls as the two men guarding them crumpled to the ground in front of Atwood and Wesley. Gabe lifted an arm and gave the signal as he dove to the side of the cave and fired at the first man on the beach he sighted.
Claudia, Tess, and Natalie ducked around the cliff to avoid the gunfire coming from the cave and toward the beach. They were far enough away not to be in danger, but one could never be too cautious in situations such as this. The firing seemed to continue forever, and all she could think about was Gabe caught in the middle between the cross-fire. Had he been wounded? Was he dying? Fear twisted her heart.
What would happen to her if Gabe died? She couldn’t lose him. Not now. Not this way, but he was out there, and his brother wanted him dead.
And, what of her father and brothers? Had they come ashore with the other men in the boats? Had they fired on the cave? Were they not who they claimed to be either? Or had they been caught unawares as well? If so, were they on the beach or safe somewhere?
When the gunfire ended, the silence was nearly as deafening. Claudia slowly sat up and peeked around the cliff. Wesley and Atwood had flattened themselves over Olivia and Victoria to protect them, but all four were now stirring. She looked further. All fourteen of the men who had come ashore lay in the sand bleeding or unmoving. Gabe was on the ground too. Stifling a cry with her fist, she raced to his side. As she reached him, he pushed himself up from the sand and winced. Blood soaked into the sleeve of his coat, and s
he started to push the fabric from his body. Please let it only be his arm.
Gabe stood and glanced past her. “My sisters.”
“They’re fine,” she said and moved so that Gabe could see for himself. Atwood and Wesley were helping the girls up. They dusted the sand from their clothing and even though they were crying, the twins seemed unharmed.
“Thank God,” Gabe breathed out, then looked back at his brother, who lay on the beach unmoving. The sorrow that filled Gabe’s eyes nearly brought tears to her own. It didn’t matter what ill-will the two felt for each other, that was still his older brother who lay dead, and Gabe had to mourn his loss on some level.
She glanced back at the twins. Were they aware their oldest brother was now gone? Her heart broke for them. They’d already endured enough tragedy in their young lives and now to witness their oldest brother die in such a tragic manner was more than anyone should have to endure.
Gabe shook his head sadly as he pulled his coat off and looked down at his arm. Claudia studied the rest of his body, looking for other injuries but found none. Tears sprang to her eyes and relief flooded through her as she threw herself at Gabe, wrapping her arms around his waist and burrowed against his chest. “I was so afraid.”
“This from a woman who refused to marry me?” he chuckled.
“I did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”
Gabe brought his arm up and rubbed her back then kissed her head before saying, “You never told me you did.”
Claudia swallowed back against the lump in her throat. She’d intentionally not confessed her feelings and, until this moment, hadn’t realized how truly deep they ran. She tilted her head up, unable to stop the flow of tears.
“Is it true?” he asked quietly, studying her eyes.
“Yes. I just didn’t realize how very much until I thought I’d lost you.”