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They dug out the outline of the door, but it took an inordinate amount of time since the boards splintered each time they were stuck into the earth. After persevering for several minutes, though, the dirt was cleared away from the bulk of the door.
“Ready to escape?” Not for worlds would he show her just how fiercely his shoulder ached. Blood had nearly soaked through the makeshift bandage, and if they didn’t hurry, he would be in dire straits.
“Absolutely.”
They both tugged on the iron ring that served as a handle on the door, but the panel didn’t budge. Hawk shot her a look. “Once more.” Again, they both pulled, Belle with both her hands. This time the door gave only slightly. It was the encouragement he needed. “We mustn’t give up now.” He renewed his grip on the iron ring. So did she. “One, two, three!”
This time, the door swung open with a fierce groan. Obviously, no one has passed this way in many years.
Stifling the need to cry out from the pain in his shoulder, Hawk grabbed the candle holder that contained the lit nub. Sweat clung to his brow. “Nothing else left for us to do except plunge forward.”
“You are bleeding again.” She reached out to touch his bandage, but he shook his head.
“You can nurse me back to health later. Or berate me. Your choice.” Yet his strength was flagging. He knew this and he was certain she did too. “The light won’t last long.”
“Neither will you, you stubborn, annoying man.” She moved to the dark, gaping hole of what was probably another tunnel. A shiver racked her body. “There are rodents in there, Hawk. If one of them drops on me, I don’t know what will happen.” Fright echoed in her voice.
There was simply no time to pander to her fears. “They will be in here before too long, love. At least you won’t be alone. Just hang onto me. We will get through it together.” He gave her the candleholder.
Belle took his free hand with hers and threaded their gloved fingers together. “Now or never, I guess.” But she was the one who led them both into the inky tunnel beyond.
His respect for her edged upward. The bravery she showed during this whole ordeal had caught him by surprise. Where other women would have given into hysterics or fainted away, Belle had done what had been needed without complaint, even when the danger to herself became personal.
“Oh, oh! There are so many cobwebs!” Panic clung to her voice. The candle shook in her hand. “I can hear the chittering of rodents.” She squeezed his fingers while he urged her onward. “I shall surely die if one of them touches me.”
“That is unfortunate, for we still need to talk privately, and there are other, more pleasurable things, I wish to do with you following that.” He tried to keep humor in his voice, but he feared he was in too much pain.
Her laughter was a strangled sort of sound. “I am going to need a long, hot bath after this.”
“Oh, I quite agree.” Hawk conjured an image of her naked and reclining in a porcelain tub into his mind. At the very least, it would help with pain management. “To see you in such a scenario surrounded by bubbles would be the height of scandalous.”
“Do shut up, Montague.” But he heard the smile in her voice.
There was something to be said for having adventures with a partner after all. Missions were much more tolerable with a lady.
By the time they exited the tunnel, the bells from the village church were pealing the arrival of midnight, which meant it was Christmas Day.
“Damn, but I didn’t think it was this late.” Hawk turned his face to the darkened skies. It was snowing in earnest now, and so very cold, but there was no time to spend on worry.
“Look how beautiful it is, though.” She tossed away the candleholder, for the nub had finally burned itself out. “I have never been so grateful to usher in the arrival of Christmas more than I am now.”
“Neither have I.” He glanced at her and stifled a snicker. There were cobwebs stuck to her hair, and part of her pretty upswept coif had tumbled down about her shoulders. Her glorious red gown was hopelessly stained, torn, and generally ruined, but the stars reflected in her blue eyes would always be burned into his memory.
God, I love her so much.
“How far are we from the Dower House?”
In the distance, the distinctive slap and rush from the River Severn met his ears. “Perhaps two or three miles.”
A tiny sigh escaped her. Exhaustion creased her face. “Then we shouldn’t delay.”
Promising himself to take her on a long trip away once everything was settled, he nodded. “Once I find your brother-in-law, I am going to beat the stuffing out of him.”
“You won’t find argument from me.”
By the time they arrived at Brambleberry Cottage, Hawk was barely able to remain on his feet, to say nothing of how cold he was or how much Belle was shivering. Her teeth were chattering together, but as they rounded the house, Ravenscroft was there lugging the final trunk of treasure to a waiting carriage. How the devil the horse would be able to pull the laden vehicle was anyone’s guess. There was one driver, and he was assisting in loading the fortune.
“Damn, damn, damn.” Hawk peeled off his gloves from their hiding place behind a few evergreen trees. “We need to act fast.”
