Page 53 of The Lady’s No Angel

Angel gazed at Leo, wondering at this man who was so strong, so obviously above her in station, not only asking her opinion but offering to serve her, to do as she bade, trusting her as she had promised to trust him.

“I think we need confirmation that Toby is in there, and where. Then we need to set the fire. Leo, do you think you could get onto the roof?”

He grinned at her, little more than a flash of white teeth in the gloom, but it was enough to lighten her heart. “Reckon so.”

She nodded, excitement coursing through her as the plan came together. “Then Milly and I will wait outside. Milly, do you reckon you could hit one of them over the head with a shovel?” she asked a little sceptically.

Milly put up her chin. “Just see if I don’t.”

“Then we have a plan.”

“We do,” Leo agreed, lifting his head to skies as the rain fell with more enthusiasm. “So, let’s get to it or we’ll never get the bloody fire to light.”

Chapter 15

Fire in the Hold

Somewhere on Penenden Heath, Kent, 10th April 1816

Angel could feel her heart thudding, could hear it in her ears, and yet every step she took seemed to echo through the darkness, announcing their arrival for all to hear. She told herself she was becoming overwrought, that the villains were tucked up in their barn and would not be expecting them.

A clank beside her had Angel and Leo turning to Milly, who froze in place. She was carrying the lamps, unlit, for they intended to use the oil to set the hay alight. Angel had given Leo her dagger, and he also carried a pickaxe and a spade. Angel had the tinderbox stowed safely in her pocket, plus some thin rope which she was hoping she might make use of.

It was a slog, picking their way across the scrubby land in the dark. Even Leo, who seemed as surefooted as a cat, got his boot caught down a rabbit hole and struggled to get himself free.

Finally, however, they made it to the dilapidated hay store. Leaving Milly on guard, armed with a shovel, Leo and Angel gathered as much hay as they could carry and moved silently towards the barn doors.

As they crept closer to the barn, Angel caught the sound of low voices and they both stilled.

A woman’s laughter drifted from inside, followed by a high-pitched “No!” that made Angel’s blood run cold.

She met Leo’s eyes, saw the rage boiling there, and knew they had no time to lose. At least they were certain Toby was in there now, and closer to the small door than the large ones where they intended to set the fire. So far, so good.

The abrupt sound of a door opening startled them both, and Angel gasped as Leo dropped the hay and grabbed her about the waist, one hand covering her mouth as he hauled her around the side of the building.

Angel tugged at his wrist, and he dropped his hand. They both eased towards the corner of the barn to peer around. The small door stood open, the woman who had masterminded Toby’s abduction standing in the opening holding a lamp. Beside her was the villain Angel had shot—and now she wished she had aimed for something other than his arm.

“Now, remember,” the woman said, her voice sharp. “You just bring ‘em here. Nowt else, and don’t you even think about getting drunk. If you mess this up, I’ll chop off your ears. Got it?”

“Aye, Mercy, I said I did, didn’t I?” grumbled a low, unhappy voice.

Mercy? Angel almost laughed, but then again, her name wasn’t entirely appropriate either. As they watched, the man who had held the knife on Toby—he must be Stan—left the barn and made his way to the pony and cart which they’d hidden out of sight behind a small copse of trees. With a jolt of excitement, she realised he was going to The Bull to wait for them, which only left one villain and the woman to deal with. Their odds had just improved significantly.

“He’ll mess it up,” groused the fellow with the sling. “You should ‘ave sent me.”

Mercy snorted in disgust. “I sent you last time too and see how that turned out. Nah, I need someone with all his limbs intact in case the big fellow gets any ideas in his head. I ain’t taking no chances. Not this time.”

With that, they went inside and closed the door.

Angel turned and met Leo’s eyes. It was time.

Hart was desperate to get his hands on someone and make them pay for the terror he’d seen in Toby’s eyes, but it took them another trip before they were certain they had enough hay to smoke out their quarry. Once it was arranged in a heap against the barn doors, Hart undid the lamp he’d brought and poured the oil over the top.

“You have the tinderbox?” he whispered to Angel, who nodded. “Right, wait until I’ve reached the roof, then set the fire.”

“I will. I’m going to set rope in place and come back, then Milly and I will go around to the door and wait for them to come out. You deal with the thug, we’ll deal with Mercy.”

He nodded, hesitating for a moment before reaching for her. Hart heard her soft gasp as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It was swift and hard, not nearly enough, but it had felt necessary. “I just want you to know—I think you’re wonderful. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, Angel.”