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Relieved to have one problem resolved for now, Connor drew the curtains and turned to Tahlia.
“Right, now we go upstairs and keep watch. If we each take a room, we can make sure we can keep an eye on all sides of the house,” Connor ordered.
Everyone nodded and made their way up the stairs and, under Isaac’s direction, took up positions in the upstairs rooms to keep watch until dawn, and reinforcements, arrived.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The next morning, Tahlia was so tired she wasn’t even certain what time of day it was. She was so tense from having spent the night studying the shadows that she felt as though she would shatter into a thousand tiny pieces if she had to endure any more stress. As it was, there had been no further incidents since the last of the attackers had disappeared over the wall. The thugs Isaac had shot had long since disappeared with the shadows, although nobody could be quite sure where they had gone.
Tahlia didn’t care where they had disappeared to as long as they didn’t come back. It felt like she was trapped in some sort of horrifying nightmare that wouldn’t end. Still, she wasn’t going to sit and be threatened by some invisible enemy who was after either her or Connor. She had to do everything to stay safe and help Connor with this until they were able to find a way to leave London in one piece. Just the thought of being able to see Joseph again, and live in the peace and tranquillity of her home, filled her with renewed determination to get out of London the first chance she got. She just didn’t know how yet.
“You look like a cinder child,” Connor teased.
Tahlia jerked. She hadn’t even realised he was there. She wrinkled her nose but didn’t have the energy to care how she looked. She was beyond tired; she was exhausted.
“Why don’t you get some rest? There is no smog today so they are less likely to attack for now. They will wait for darkness, so it is important we get out of here before night falls again,” he whispered.
Tahlia studied him. She wondered how he was able to cope with the anxiety brought about by situations like last night. She was still trembling through fear, worry, and lack of sleep yet Connor looked tired but ready to do whatever was necessary.
“Where will you sleep? I didn’t think about it last night, but the other bedrooms are closed down. I think Henry had them emptied when he knew they wouldn’t ever be used. Cecily and Oscar have their quarters but, apart from Henry’s room, everywhere else is uninhabitable,” Tahlia frowned.
“I will stay in one of the chairs downstairs. I think Isaac has commandeered your uncle’s room, and I won’t disturb him. He snores.”
Tahlia smiled.
“I don’t think I am ever going to sleep again. Not until I reach Rutland in any case,” she whispered with a half-laugh that was entirely humourless.
“Would you like me to stay with you for a while?” He asked hesitantly.
To his surprise, she nodded jerkily.
Connor nodded. “I will go downstairs to get us a drink and will be back in a little while.”
He closed the door on the sight of her looking a picture of such forlorn misery that he immediately wanted to hold her. Instead, he gave her some time to herself to get into bed, and went in search of a drink.
By the time he reached the hallway, a rapid series of knocks on the front door prevented him from going any further. Rather than try to peer out of the shutters, he knocked back in a brisk tattoo and waited. Sure enough, a series of knocks in reply broke the silence.
Heaving a sigh, Connor yanked the door open.
“Thank God you are here,” he murmured, blocking the entrance. Keeping to the shadows, he peered through the crack in the door and stared hard at Barnaby.
Barnaby froze and knew immediately that something had gone wrong. “Had trouble?”
His gaze slid over Connor’s soot laden clothing.
Connor snorted. “You could say that.”
He briskly explained what had happened last night.
“Get us out of here, Barnaby. Today. They will be back.”
Barnaby nodded. “I will go and get reinforcements. He handed a sheet of parchment through the door. It is Henry’s death certificate. I have spoken with the doctor myself. Henry died of a heart attack. There was nothing unusual at all about the house, or Henry, when the doctor inspected the body.”
“Tahlia will be relieved to hear that,” Connor whispered. “Thank you.”
“I have also had the jewellery she received yesterday assessed. Both items match pieces stolen in raids over the last couple of months.”
“Jesus,” Connor whispered. “Why send them here then?”
