Keeping her friend close, Sabrina warned of obstacles and helped Simone step over various tools that had been left in the path. Sabrina couldn’t help but feel they were finally safe.
“Going somewhere?” Her uncle asked when she came face to face with him around the next turn.
Chapter 31
“What are you doing here, Uncle James?”
“Shouldn’t it be obvious? I’ve come to insure you don’t return above ground. The men who were supposed to take care of you thought it sufficient enough to leave you in the depths of this mine.”
Sabrina stepped back, holding Simone by placing with an arm around her waist and holding the lamp in the other hand. For a moment she considered disappearing into the mine again.
“Clearly they underestimated you, which is why I knew I had to finish the job.”
Where was Marius? Surely he knew she was missing by now. Would he even think to check the mine? It was dark out when she and Simone had been taken and he probably didn’t know where to begin searching. Hopefully he would think to search for her here, and soon.
Sabrina kept backing up. Her only choice was to disappear into the darkness again.
Lord Chesterfield produced a gun. “Don’t even think about hiding from me Sabrina. If you run I’ll shoot you all the sooner.”
Sabrina stopped. She couldn’t run with Simone by her and she couldn’t risk Simone being shot, even though her uncle probably intended to do that very thing. Her best chance was to try and buy some time. “Why are you doing this? Does the estate mean so much to you that you had to kill my father, all the others, and now me?”
Chesterfield had the audacity to laugh. “This estate? Don’t be an idiot. Now that you have married, I have nothing. As soon as you have a son, I won’t even have a title.”
“So you are killing me because I may someday have a son?” Sabrina asked. Her uncle was truly mad. “Why should that even matter. Ramsey is next in line for the title. I am simply a female born into this family.”
“It wouldn’t matter even if you had only worthless daughters. I’m ruined,” he ranted without answering her question.
Sabrina stared horrified at her deranged uncle. He was making no sense. “I don’t understand.”
“The legacy you stupid girl,” he roared.
“What legacy?” There was no legacy that she had ever heard of.
“Enough. It is clearly beyond your understanding.” Raising the pistol he took aim.
Instinctively Sabrina stepped in front of Simone. “Please uncle. I beg you. I’ll give you everything I own.”
He didn’t answer her, but aimed his gun at her chest and cocked it. Just as he depressed the trigger a shovel came from out of nowhere, striking his arm and sending the shot wild. Stunned, Sabrina stared at him as he attempted to reload while looking for his assailant.
“Run, my lady. I’ll find you,” a young boy’s voice came from behind her uncle.
“Yes move Sabrina, now.” Simone pulled her backwards with a force that astounded Sabrina.
“It’s going to cave in. Move!” Simone ordered, now pulling harder, but her uncle had reached out, grabbing her arm and wasn’t letting go.
“He has me, Simone. Untie our wrists and go to safety.” Her words were lost in the deafening roar as rock and dirt came plunging down on them. Sabrina couldn’t protect herself because her uncle had one arm and she was tied to Simone with the other. Dropping to her knees, she ducked her head, hoping she wasn’t crushed or worse, buried alive.
The cave-in was over in a matter of seconds. Sabrina remained where she was, waiting to see if anymore of the ceiling fell and convincing herself that she was still breathing. In fact, she had only been struck with a couple of rocks and only her side was paining her. Raising her head slowly, Sabrina opened her eyes. She had been thrust into the darkness again as well as complete silence. Testing her limbs she began to stand, only she couldn’t get upright. The rope tied to her wrist wouldn’t let her move. “Oh Lord, Simone.”
Falling to her knees, Sabrina felt along the ground for her friend. Sliding her hand up Simone’s arm and down her body Sabrina was assured Simone hadn’t been crushed. However, a sob broke when she felt the sticky wetness on Simone’s head. Quickly Sabrina brought her hands back down her body, relieved to feel the heart beat and pulse. She sent a prayer of thanks that Simone had only been knocked unconscious and hoped all she suffered was a headache. Isn’t that what had happened to her earlier?
Feeling along the ground, Sabrina realized her eyes had begun to adjust to the darkness again. Faint shadows could be made out so they couldn’t be completely sealed off. Fighting the panic growing inside, she untied the rope and began to search for the lamp and flint.
She hadn’t expected to find a hand and recoiled instantly with a screech. Simone was behind her so the hand had to belong to her uncle. Afraid he was waiting to grab her, Sabrina scooted away. . Simone didn’t move behind her and her uncle had not stirred either. Finally, Sabrina tentatively reached out again, prepared to yank her hand back at the first movement. The fingers lay still and she adjusted her position so his hand couldn’t grab her easily and felt up his arm. She got only as far as the elbow before there was nothing but dirt and stone. Slowly she felt her way back toward his hand. He had no pulse. Her uncle was dead. Apparently crushed by the cave-in he had caused. She could not mourn the man. Instead, she felt a tremendous amount of relief because that particular danger was now behind her. Now what to do?
Standing, she felt along the pile of rocks and dirt. There must be a small opening somewhere or she wouldn’t be able to see the shadows.
“Lady Sabrina?”
She tilted her head up. Had someone said her name?
“My lady? Are you alright?”
Yes, someone was talking to her from the other side. “Yes. Who is there? Where are you?”
“It’s me, Tommy Ginnis. There is a small hole at the top here.”
Sabrina strained to look up, trying to locate the source of the light and his voice. Finally she saw it close to the wall, not far from where Simone lay. She could barely reach the opening and knew it would be impossible to get through. “ Tommy, can you go get some help?”
“Right away ma’am. I just wanted to make sure you were still alive before I got your husband.”
“Thank you, but we will need a doctor for my friend and my uncle is dead.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.”
* * *
Marius and Richard had been winding their way through the mine when they heard the echo of the gun followed by the rumble from the cave-in. Without hesitation they took off running toward the sound only to be run into by a young boy running equally fast. The boy stared up at him wide eyed. “Mr. Parker, Lord Lavins, sirs, I was just coming to get you.”
“Were you at the cave-in?”
“It was Lord Chesterfield. He is dead now.”
“What about our wives?” Marius resisted the urge to shake the boy for answers.
“Her ladyship and her friend are stuck on the other side. Lady Sabrina is fine but says her friend needs a doctor.”
The two men exchanged a worried look before Marius turned back to the boy. “I want you to get every available man down here. Tell them what has happened. Some men are searching the woods.”
“Yes, sir.” The boy ran off and Marius and Richard proceeded into the mine with caution. At least their wives were alive and Chesterfield dead. They weren’t about to risk another cave-in due to recklessness. Soon they came to the pile of rubble. “Sabrina?” Marius called out, afraid to speak too loudly.
“Marius?” her voice asked from the other side. She sounded far away.
“How can you hear me?” he asked walking toward the blockage.
“Through this small hole.”
Marius searched until he saw a part of her hand. Neither man commented on the fact it was covered in blood. Marius could see Richard clench his jaw as he paled. “Are you h
urt?”
“I’m fine.”
“And Simone?” Richard finally asked.
“She is unconscious. None of her body was covered in the dirt and rocks but she must have been struck on the head because she is bleeding. Her pulse is strong.” Sabrina offered after a moment in an attempt to calm Richard.
“The boy has gone for help. We will get you out of here shortly.”
“I knew you would save me,” Sabrina stated. “I am going to sit down now with Simone. I don’t want her to be frightened when she wakes.”
Richard and Marius shared a concerned look. Sabrina didn’t sound right. Too calm and a bit distant.
“Should we begin digging?” Marius asked.
“As much as I would like to get Simone out of there, it is too dangerous.”
“What do we do?” Marius asked.
“When the others get here, they will want to brace the rest of the walls and ceiling first to prevent any further cave-ins before they dig.”
“So we just sit here and wait?” Marius asked angrily.
Richard turned on him. “It isn’t any easier for me. At least your wife is conscious and talking, but I will not put either of them at further risk.”
Marius calmed slightly. Richard was right of course. He had to be just as worried, if not more. Still Marius found it difficult to only wait.
In a matter of minutes the mine began to fill with men and women. The more experienced men stepped forward to assess the situation and began discussing how to reinforce the mine before they dug.
* * *
Sabrina could hear more voices coming from the other side. She almost wished she couldn’t hear as clearly as she did. She and Simone were far from out of danger. Again, she placed a hand in the center of Simone’s chest. The heart was still strong.
“Sabrina, love, how are you holding up?” Marius asked through the opening.
“I’m not sure how to answer that.” Her voice cracked.
“We will have you and Simone out of there soon.” Marius said with confidence.
“What is happening on your side?” She asked after a few moments. Returning her hand to Simone’s head, she found it was still bleeding and bit her lip, and once again feeling for her heartbeat.
“Some of the men have arrived and are beginning to work on getting you out.”
His answer was evasive. She could hear the worry in his voice even if he did try to hide it.
“Marius.” She began hesitantly.
Even though the others were working silently, he knew Sabrina could hear every word. “Yes.” he finally answered her.
“I heard them talking. I know this could still collapse on us at any moment.”
Marius didn’t respond immediately. “That is true, love.”
“Then tell me what they are doing to solve the problem.”
“First they need to add support all around us before they can begin to dig.”
“You are not helping,” Sabrina half accused.
“They have sent me to this corner, out of their way because I don’t know what to do. I think I am more of a liability and I’d rather trust your life to these experts at the moment.”
Sabrina smiled in the darkness. It had to be killing him to not be working on the rescue.
“You own this mine now. Perhaps you should learn how to work in it.”
“Actually, you own the mine, dear. Perhaps you should be the one to work in here. You wouldn’t be the first woman to do so.”
Sabrina shivered at the thought. “We own the mine.” She corrected him. “And once I am out I am not setting foot in here again.” Pausing she examined Simone with her hands again. “In fact, Marius, after being here myself I think these men and women need a larger raise than you originally planned.”
Marius grinned. “What of all those profits you would lose?”
“To hell with them. Close the place and find these men and women better jobs.”
Marius chuckled. “Then we would be denying England of her resources.”
“I could give a fig.” Sabrina mumbled, once again examining Simone. She knew she was repeating herself each minute by checking the wrist, heart, and head but she couldn’t help herself. Why wouldn’t she stop bleeding?
“Why won’t she wake?” Sabrina asked out loud.
“She will in time Sabrina.”
“Her head is still bleeding.”
“Does she still breathe?” Richard asked.
His anguished tone tore at her and she wanted to kick herself. She had forgotten about Richard. “Her pulse and heartbeat are strong. I keep checking.”
“Sometimes it takes some time to awake from a blow to the head. I am sure Simone will be fine.” Marius offered the comforting words.
Neither said a word for some moments. Finally, Sabrina spoke. “I suppose you are right. I have no idea how long I was unconscious.”
Marius stiffened. “When was this?”
“When they took me from the house.”
“How many?”
“Two I think. All I remember is stepping into the parlor and seeing Simone blindfolded and tied. The next thing I recall was waking up here with a raging headache.”
“Alone?” Marius asked.
“Only Simone and I.”
* * *
Marius was beginning to get worried. Sabrina was losing the life in her voice and was speaking in a hollowed tone.
“Tell me what happened next?” Marius urged, looking at Richard, who shared his worry. “We were much deeper in the tunnel. It was pitch black and I couldn’t see a thing. Simone had laughed.”
“When I said I couldn’t see. I apologized of course. It was really thoughtless of me to complain about the darkness.”
“I don’t believe Simone was angry with you.” Richard offered.
“No, she wasn’t. She laughed.”
When Sabrina remained silent, Marius prompted her to speak again. “Go on, love.”
“How horrible it must have been.” Sabrina’s voice trailed off.
“Keep talking to me Sabrina. Then what did you do?”
She didn’t answer right away. “I’m glad you are here Marius. Simone will be glad Richard’s here as well when she wakes.”
“You know I don’t like to be far away from you, love.”
“I’m frightened, Marius.” Her voice trembled and he wanted more than anything to be there with her, offering comfort and protection.
“I am too.” Marius openly admitted.
When Sabrina didn’t speak, Marius forced her to continue. The men were close to finishing the support work and would begin to dig soon. Still they were far from danger. “What happened next?”
Silence followed. Marius wasn’t nearly as worried when Sabrina was talking, even if she did sound strange. He hoped if he could keep the communication ongoing and she wouldn’t slip away. “You never told me why Simone laughed.”
“She found it entertaining that they had blindfolded her so she couldn’t identify them.”
Richard and Marius shared a strained smile. “What happened next?” Marius prompted, moving slightly to be out of the workers way.
“After finding the lamp and lighting it, we made it this far at a much quicker pace.”
“Is this where you encountered your uncle?”
“Yes. It was very strange. I believe he is, or was,” correcting herself, “quite mad.”
“What did he say?”
“He was ruined because I was married and would lose his title if I had a son. None of it made any sense to me. He said something about a legacy.”
Marius recalled hearing the same thing from Mr. Jacobs but hadn’t bothered to find out what exactly the legacy was. He would make a point to, once free from here.
“He meant to kill me.” Her voice was sounding haunted now, as if she wasn’t really with them. “He would have shot me if Tommy hadn’t hit him with the shovel.”
“Tommy?” Marius asked.
“The little boy I
sent to get you.”
The young man they had run into. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think to ask his name.”
“Why isn’t she waking?” Sabrina despaired.
Marius hoped that as long as Sabrina was worried about Simone she would stay with them mentally.
“I’m sure she will be fine.” Marius assured her.
“She saved me, you know.”
“Simone? Yes, she led you out?”
“The cave-in. Simone felt or heard it before I realized what was happening and pulled me back. I never got a chance to ask her how she knew.”
“She can sense things better than the rest of us,” Richard answered.
“It’s my fault this happened to her.” Sabrina’s voice caught. “She would have been further away if she hadn’t been pulling on me. Uncle had a hold of my other hand.”
Marius hadn’t realized how close Sabrina had come to being buried alive until then. Glancing down, he noted Chesterfield’s foot peeking out from the rubble.
“I wish Phoebe were here.” Sabrina stated after some moments. “Are the men digging?”
“Yes, they are. It shouldn’t be long. Why do you want Phoebe?” Marius asked. Richard had begun digging. When Marius had reached for a shovel, they had gestured for him to remain where he was. They must all think she is teetering on the edge as he did.
“She told me once that even the most minor head wounds bleed profusely, though she didn’t know why. With her experience she would know if I should be worried.”
“That she would,” another voice agreed.
Chapter 32
“Lord Sandlin?” Sabrina asked in an odd voice. She was now beginning to doubt her own mind. Had this entire conversation been unreal, a figment of her imagination? Why would Lord Sandlin appear here when he was clearly in London, unless her mind conjured him at the thought of Phoebe.
“It is I, Sabrina. Phoebe is waiting at the house with Janine.”
“What are you doing here?” Was she really speaking to Phoebe’s husband?
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