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“Come,” said Peg, putting her arm around Jacqueline’s shoulders and guiding her away. “We must protect the children.”
Will nodded thanks to her and turned back to Loxdon and Richards. “Be sharp and keep your eyes open. She may be right, there might be more of them.”
“I can get it out of this one if you like,” said Richards, nodding down at the bleeding fellow on the floor beside him and sliding one of his knives from its sheath.
“We’ve no time,” Will replied, taking out a key and tossing it over to him. “Tie him up and lock him in there.” He jerked his chin toward his temporary sleeping quarters. “If he dies while we’re taking care of his fellows, that’s one we won’t have to be concerned with later. If he manages not to bleed to death, then Horton can look after him when he has a moment.”
Bending, Richards took the prone man by the collar and dragged him away under protest. As soon as he returned, the three set out. Starting with the ground floor, they swept the school.
Will reached the top of the stairs to the second floor, and the plaster by his left ear exploded. Dropping, he waited until the pounding of blood in his ears subsided. The hoarsely whispered words of what sounded like an argument—between three men—echoed back.
The blackguard downstairs had lied.
I hope the bastard dies, because if he’s still alive when I’m finished up here…
Quiet as a mouse, Loxdon crawled up and gestured for him to take the left while he took the right. Richards would bring up the rear.
Careful not to make any noise, both men stood and edged up to the opening. At Will’s nod, they leaned out, guns at the ready. Two shots rang out, and he heard Loxdon curse.
Seeing nothing before him at which to shoot, Will spun about, but Richards had made it up and was in his line of fire. He could only watch as Richards’s blades whipped in and out, glinting in the low lamplight as he turned and ducked, slashed and stabbed.
Another shot was fired, but from whose gun it came, Will couldn’t tell. No one fell, which meant they’d missed. A moment later, Loxdon kneed one assailant, sending him tumbling down the stairs. Will moved aside as his friend leaped down after the fellow. Now he could see that one of the shots fired had hit its mark. An invader lay crumpled in the hall, a dark pool slowly spreading from beneath his body across the floorboards.
Hearing a pained grunt, he turned in time to see Richards shove a man off his blade. The intruder slumped to the floor and didn’t rise.
“Any more of them, do you think?” asked Richards.
“I’ve no idea,” he said truthfully. “If so, then they’re in a different part of the school.” Going to the stairwell, he peered down. All was silent. “Loxdon?”
“Here,” replied his friend, looking up from the bottom. “I think this fellow’s back is broken. Claims he cannot move his legs. I’ve taken his weapons and tied him up to be sure.”
“Stay there with him and guard the stairs,” Will called softly. “See if you can get any information out of him,” he added. He then motioned for Richards to take the left hall, while he took the right. When they met in the middle on the opposite side with no incident a few minutes later, he let Richards take the lead on the narrow staircase leading to the servants’ quarters.
They quickly found the gabled window where the men had gotten in. The rain would’ve all but extinguished the fire by now, but it would also make getting across the rooftop a slick, treacherous business. Together, they barricaded the window to help delay another incursion.
Returning to the second level stairwell, he paused before going down. “Loxdon?”
“Still here,” replied Loxdon from below. “I’m alone now.”
“Did he say anything?”
“Not a bloody word.”
Damn. He looked at Richards. “Well, at least we don’t have to carry him.” It earned a dry chuckle. On checking the one in his room, he discovered him dead, as well.
Jacqueline was keen to know what had happened. “Did you encounter any more of them?”
“Three,” he answered. “All dead. We blocked their point of entry, but we should be prepared in the event another attempt is made.”
“I doubt they’ll do so in the rain,” she replied, echoing his earlier thoughts. “The roof is too steep.” She swayed a little and caught herself on the back of a nearby chair. “When Monsieur MacCallum and his men arrive in the morning, we will have them ensure no one else can get in that way.”
Will didn’t mention that the rain might keep them away. “You should take some rest,” he told her, marking the dark circles under her eyes. “I’ll keep watch.”
She shook her head. “I cannot until this is over.”
“I know how you feel, but if you don’t get some sleep you’ll be in no condition to face your enemy. Rest while you can.” He took up her hand and brought it to his lips. “Dawn is around the corner.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and went to find a place to lie down. He watched her slow progress across the room—she stopped several times to give out a comforting pat or word of encouragement.
