“I believe they are working for Lord Hoffman,” Lilly said truthfully.
“What?” Meredith asked darkly.
“Lucas kidnapped Lady Allana,” Maggie blurted out.
“I see,” he replied quietly. “Now he has Marcus as well, but for what purpose?”
“Why does it matter, Uncle? It’s Hoffman. This is the chance we’ve been waiting for. The chance to avenge Josephine,” Garret said with conviction.
Lilly looked at him in confusion. What was he talking about?
“Yes, I know, Garret, but we must get details first. Please, Lilly, tell me more,” Meredith instructed kindly.
“He kidnapped Allana, who is now Lord Cunningham’s wife.”
“Yes, I had heard of their union,” William said as he nodded.
“We were on our way to enlist the sheriff in our cause to rescue her. Lord Cunningham and Connor have gone to the Hoffman Estates to try to sneak inside and rescue her themselves, but I’m afraid they may be in grave peril, especially after our attack. We would probably all be prisoners if not for you—oh no. The pain…it’s coming again,” Lilly cringed, grasping at her stomach. She moaned as cramps filled her lower abdomen once more. How long had it been since the first one? Ten, maybe fifteen minutes, or had it been less? “Please, not yet,” she groaned as though trying to convince the baby to wait a while longer. She clutched Maggie’s shoulder to prevent herself from collapsing to the ground.
“Erik. Pick her up. We have to get her to the camp and to my wife. And Thomas?”
“Yes, Will?”
“Stop staring. It’s not polite,” Meredith ordered.
It wasn’t until then that Maggie finally noticed the man’s eyes on her. She blushed slightly, and he gave her an apologetic smile.
A large fellow, one of the men who had arrived with William, picked Lilly up into his arms, ignoring her protests. Meredith then proceeded to lead their little group deeper into the forest while staying by Lilly’s side.
“Why would Lord Hoffman kidnap Allana?” he asked.
“Well, I think he…does he really have to carry me? I believe I would feel better walking,” Lilly complained.
“Do you think you can walk?” William asked in return.
“Yes, now that the pain has subsided,” Lilly retorted.
“Put her down, Erik. Now, you were saying?”
Lilly dug into her bosom, pulling out the letter Declan had sent with them. It had everything in it from Allana’s brutal beating to Lucas’s kidnapping of her. Declan had wanted to make certain there was enough evidence in the letter to convince the authorities a grave injustice was occurring and help was truly needed. She handed the letter to William. “Read this. It explains everything much better than I could.”
William opened the letter and read the contents coolly at first. Then his countenance changed. Rage filled his features as he crushed the letter. “We will help you,” he stated fervently. Both women stared at him in surprise. “Hoffman is a treacherous man,” he explained. “He has ruined too many women’s lives, including my niece’s. He will pay for his actions. I had already planned on lending my aid, but now I am determined to see it happen as soon as possible. Justice must be met.”
“Oh, thank you, Mr. Meredith,” Lilly said as tears seeped into her eyes once more.
“It is an honor, Lilly, and call me Will. Marcus always does,” he said, smiling charmingly to her.
William walked by Lilly in silence as they journeyed deeper into the woods. She’d met him so briefly those years ago, and he had been a fugitive of the law. She never spoken to Marcus about him after, and when he brought Allana the tiny colt that would grow into her magnificent horse, Lilly almost insisted they refuse the gift. She hadn’t trusted this man. Marcus persuaded her William was an honorable man even with his poor reputation. She trusted Marcus’s judgment, but Marcus was not here now, and Lilly had questions.
“I am sorry, William, but I must ask. How do you know Marcus?”
He smiled at her. “Marcus never told you?”
“I never asked. To be honest, I was unsure of you,” she admitted.
“Ah, I see. Marcus and I grew up together. My father worked for his father, and I could have worked for him, but I chose a different path. My life was not a respectable one, but it suited me,” William replied nonchalantly.
“What do you mean?” Lilly asked. Maggie walked by her side in silence listening to the conversation.
“I am ashamed to say, but I was a smuggler and a thief, and so were my men.” When Lilly looked at him in shock, he tried to explain. “We are honest men now. The land we live on is my own, but I must stay in hiding, for I am still a wanted man.
“In my youth, I joined a band of pirates and eventually took on my own ship. I did not continue in piracy, but smuggling was quite profitable. As captain, I ran my ship with discipline and respect. I never killed without merit, and I was just in my dealings—well as just as a smuggler could be. I met my wife several years ago as a stowaway on my ship. It is quite a story. But suffice it to say, for me to marry her, I was forced to turn to a life of honesty. I willingly did so. I own a shipping company now. My brother, Joseph, helped me start it. It was several years later the law discovered who and what I was. I was to hang for my crimes, but Joseph saved me. And it cost him his life. I have been in your debt for the help you gave trying to save him. I do not expect you to trust my words—or me for that matter—but know this. I will rescue your family, and I will see you safely to the best healer and midwife in the area.”
Tears entered her eyes for the hundredth time that day. “Thank you,” Lilly replied. “You have a good soul, William Meredith.”
He smiled at her. “It is the people I have known that have made it so.”
There was silence afterward, yet it did not last long. Another contraction hit, sending Lilly to her knees.
“Hold on, Lilly. We are almost to the camp,” William said as he motioned Erik to pick her up once more.
The last leg of their journey seemed to last an eternity for Lilly, but finally their little group came to a clearing that opened up into William Meredith’s camp.
Camp? It was more like a small village in the woods. Erik gently placed a stunned Lilly back on the ground. Both she and Maggie were staring in shock at the large, very organized camp that stood before them. Not only were there men, but also women and children and elderly folk. This was not some rundown camp that thieves would establish.
“Welcome to our humble community,” William said, smiling proudly from the wide-eyed looks on Lilly’s and Maggie’s faces. “Now if you will excuse me, I have an army to organize.”
The two women watched as he walked away from them and toward the center of his small village. As he walked, he spoke to Thomas and Garret then disappeared inside a large hut near the center of the camp.
Thomas began shouting orders, ordering every able man to ready his horse to prepare to storm the Hoffman estate by order of William Meredith. Lilly watched in astonishment as men began darting off in different directions, gathering their weapons of choice and saddling their horses, not waiting for further explanation about their mission. Apparently, they trusted William’s judgment and leadership, seemingly willing to follow him wherever he led.
“Pardon me, ladies,” a beautiful, young, black-haired woman said as she approached Lilly and Maggie. “My uncle mentioned you might be thirsty and possibly hungry. We will not be preparing lunch for another hour, but if you would like a bite to eat, I am sure I could find some bread and cheese for you.”
Lilly’s stomach growled at the mention of food. They had started out early this morning, and she hadn’t realized how much time had passed since they had last eaten.
“Thank you. We would love something, anything,” Lilly replied.
“Are you certain you should, my Lady?” Maggie asked, referring to Lilly’s pains she had been having.
“I am fine,” Lilly replied. “I haven’t had a pain s
ince—Oh!” Once again cramps filled her stomach and she doubled over.
“Lilly!” Maggie cried as she reached to help Lilly. The dark-haired woman was by her side as well.
“William, bring her to our hut,” a musical voice said from somewhere to Lilly’s right. William and his lovely wife were coming toward Lilly and Maggie when Lilly’s pains overcame her. Immediately, William swept Lilly into his arms and took her to one of the huts with his wife leading and Maggie following close behind.
The young black-haired woman watched them go, but she did not follow.
William laid Lilly down on the soft, makeshift bed inside the hut. “Lilly, you remember my wife Kara. She is the midwife I spoke of earlier. She is very experienced and will help you deliver this baby.”
“Oh, no. I cannot have him yet. I need Marcus here,” Lilly pleaded.
“Don’t worry, love. There is still time. If all goes well, William will have your husband here before this baby comes,” Kara said, patting Lilly’s hand gently.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Maggie asked.
“Kara, this is Maggie. I have a feeling she will not be leaving Lilly’s side, so use her help,” William instructed.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll keep her busy,” Kara said, winking at Maggie who smiled in return. “Josephine, take Maggie and show her where we get fresh water. Josephine?” Kara sighed as she looked around the small hut. “William, where did Josephine go? I thought she would assist.”
“I don’t know. I thought she was right behind us, but apparently she slipped away. Maybe she went to fetch some water. Either way, there is no time to deal with her now. I need to be off if you want Marcus here before anything exciting happens,” William said.
“Thank you, William,” Lilly said, reaching out to him.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. “I am simply glad I could help,” he said with sincerity. He gave her one last reassuring smile before leaving the small hut followed by his wife.
* * *
“Be careful, William,” Kara said to him once they were outside the hut.
“I will, my darling,” he replied, pulling her close and kissing her tenderly. He looked at her long and hard before walking away from her and to his men.
There were at least fifty strong men ready to charge the Hoffman estate. “Are we ready, Garret?” William asked his nephew and most trusted follower. He was also the man who ran his business affairs in London since he could not.
Garret nodded.
William turned to Thomas, who was his second in command. “Then give the word,” he ordered.
“Mount up!” Thomas yelled. Most of the men were already mounted, but those who weren’t quickly obeyed the order.
“Now we ride. Yah!” William spurred his horse to a gallop, receiving woops and yells from his men as they followed him into the woods and toward Lord Lucas Hoffman’s estate.
Chapter 37
Allana looked down the second flight of stairs just in time to see Declan slide toward the piece of vase at the bottom. “Declan,” she whispered as Lucas stood over her.
“I love the spirit in you, Allana,” Lucas said deeply. “It is so attractive. It’s what makes you unique.” He smiled coldly, pulling her to her feet.
She struggled against his grasp, trying to keep her eyes on Declan.
“I don’t know why you continue to fight me. You will be mine whether you like it or not.” He heaved her like a bag of potatoes onto his shoulder and started back up the stairs.
“No!” she screamed, beating against him with her fists.
* * *
“Stand up,” the mercenary ordered as he continued to threaten Declan with the sword.
Slowly, without dropping the shard, Declan stood while continuing to work at his cords. The man stepped back enough to give Declan room to stand. The other mercenary was now standing by the first also holding a sword out protectively. Declan felt the rope that bound his wrists break against the shard.
Finally, he thought. Now he just needed a distraction….
Allana’s scream pierced the air, causing the two mercenaries to glance up the stairs past Declan. He whipped his hands in front of him, throwing the piece of shard at the man closest to him. The shard lodged itself in the man’s throat, causing him to drop his sword and clutch the injury. The blow was deadly, slicing an artery in the neck that gushed blood when the man foolishly pulled the shard out. It seemed only seconds passed before the man lay motionless on the floor.
The other mercenary watched the scene with horror that changed to rage when he realized his comrade was dead. He thrust his sword at Declan, but Declan rolled quickly away, snatching up the dead man’s sword and stabbing his opponent with it. The man dropped to the floor, joining his friend in death.
After the quick blow, Declan lunged for the stairs only to come up short when a dagger came out of nowhere and pierced the wall inches from Declan’s head. He spun around to find Rupert grinning wickedly at him with sword drawn.
“It seems it’s just you and me,” the man said.
Declan walked toward him dangerously. “I don’t have time for this, Scarface. Walk away and you will not have to die.”
Rupert’s grin turned to a snarl, and he charged at Declan with furry. Declan parried the attack with agility, creating his own opportunities to strike out at his opponent. Rupert, to Declan’s surprise, dodged the attack and fought him with skill. Compared to the other mercenaries Declan had dealt with, Rupert actually fought well. He countered several of Declan’s attacks, even cutting Declan’s shirt with an unexpected move. But he did not fight that well. One mistake and Declan cut him down. Rupert had gone for a high attack on Declan not anticipating Declan’s speed. With one quick move, Declan blocked the strike before driving his sword into Rupert’s side. It wasn’t a lethal blow, but it brought the man down to his knees.
“Finish me,” Rupert hissed.
“You’re not worth it,” Declan replied, shoving the man to the ground with his foot. Allana needed him, and he wasn’t wasting any more time on this fool.
Declan dashed up the stairs after Allana just in time to see Lucas carry her into a room at the end of the hall and shut the door. Heart racing and adrenalin pumping, Declan ran down the hallway throwing his body into the locked door, hoping to dislodge it and failing. He slammed his fists in frustration against the door.
“You have nowhere to go, Lucas!” he shouted at the door, jiggling the locked handles uselessly.
“Declan!” he heard Allana scream, followed by the sound of a slap. There was a thump, as though someone had fallen to the ground.
“If you touch her again, I’ll kill you!” Declan shouted angrily.
“She’s mine, Cunningham, and I will do what I want with her,” Lucas sneered from the other side of the door.
There were some scuffling sounds, followed by their muffled voices. Declan hacked at the door handles with his sword furiously. He had to get this door open!
* * *
Allana tumbled to the floor from Lucas’s unexpected slap. Her head spun, her body ached, and she could not focus, and right then she needed to be able to focus her mind on what Lucas was doing. She stared at him a moment in confusion. It looked like he was counting the bricks on the fireplace: ten to the left and seven down. He pushed ever so lightly on that brick, and the fireplace began to move to reveal a hidden staircase.
“I knew it,” she whispered. “Declan, there is a secret passage—”
“Shut-up!” Lucas shouted as he leapt toward her and backhanded her. It was enough to knock the fight out of her for a bit. He picked her up and carried her over his shoulder down the cramped flight of stairs.
* * *
Declan heard Allana’s shout then the silence. Lucas, with Allana, was escaping down one of his passageways.
Declan cursed as he slammed his fist into the door one last time, yelling in frustration. He dashed toward the stairs, taking them two and three at a time.
He needed to find the exit to the passageway before Lucas slipped from his grasp and disappeared for good.
Chapter 38
William Meredith halted his men a short distance from the Hoffman estate. Thomas and Garret were scouting out the premises, and William was awaiting their return before ordering his men to attack. Fifteen minutes passed before the two men returned to report what they had seen.
“There are twenty men standing guard outside the manor. They should be easily dispatched, especially since they are Rupert’s men,” Garret said for William’s ears only.
Rupert and his men were scoundrels. They robbed their victims. Then, depending on their mood, they killed, tortured, or raped them. William despised them for it. He wouldn’t feel any remorse for cutting them down.
“Ready the men. We will charge at once,” William ordered.
Thomas gave the necessary signs, causing the group to move forward cautiously. No sense alerting their enemy until they absolutely had to. At the edge of the trees, William pulled out his pistol and spurred his horse to a silent sprint. His men copied his actions and charged in silence. As they drew closer, William brought his pistol up, aimed it at an unsuspecting guard, and fired, killing the man instantly and ending the silence among his men. Turmoil broke out from within the gates as the hired guards spotted the charging men. This unexpected attack caused several mercenaries to simply leave their posts and run. Others fought, but were cut down quickly. In a matter of minutes, the twenty guards were wiped down to only a few who surrendered willingly.
* * *
Connor hurt all over from the fall. He lay in the heap of men, hands tied behind his back, feeling someone’s boot in his ribs. He’d been somewhat protected by the guard who had fallen with him, but Connor soon ended up at the bottom of the pile. Men were climbing off of each other, moaning from the aches and bruises they had suffered. The boot finally moved from Connor’s ribs, as well as the body that was pressing the air out of him. Connor felt like he was floating when the last man climbed off of him. He inhaled deeply only to be cut short by a boot in the gut.
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