Eyes lifted heavenward, she muttered her displeasure before lowering her head and scanning the area in search of some plant to aid his healing.Jane is the one who has the most knowledge with remedies; she would know what to look for. She…her thoughts silenced as she noted several plants bearing familiar toothed leaves growing by a rock.That might help.
Harvesting the root, Mary frowned at her find. Jane had used it many times for cuts and burns, but rarely alone and usually prepared. Yet, there was nothing for it. All they had was a bit of water back at their camp, this, and whatever clean looking cloth they might find. What if she made his arm worse?
And what if she did nothing?her worried mind asked in return, her decision made as she turned in the direction of Richard.She had to act.
“Do you expect me to just sit here?” their prisoner asked as she walked past him, her steps stilling beside him.
Setting her hand on the handle of her knife, she asked, “I think you should.”
His jaw snapping closed, he chose instead to stare at his feet, her idle threat taken as genuine.
Eyes alight, she made her way toward Richard, his fingers deftly tying a knot as he finished binding one of the men.
“Richard,” she began, “you will never guess what… ahhh,” she screamed as she was ripped to the ground, the face of Ian above her, a knife at her throat, and a trickle of blood drawn before she could even reach for her blade.
The man’s eyes frightening in their fury, Mary’s courage wavered, a strange pulsing in her ears causing his voice to sound distant, “I’d stay still if I was yous missy; the pair of yous have crossed me for the last time!”
“Let her go,” the hard voice of the Colonel resounded, his words sounding from somewhere amid the roar of her ears.
“Let the other two go, then we’ll talk… I’ve your lady friend, see, and if your look is anything to go by, you’re too fond of her to risk disregarding me. Isn’t that right, soldier boy.”
Her ears at last calming, Mary’s eyes widened at the dangerous tone which sounded nearby, “If you harm her, you will learn exactly what this soldier is capable of.”
“And if you don’t do as I say, you’ll learn just what I is capable of.”
Taking an unsteady breath, Mary focused her attention on the knife at her throat as her trembling hand reached for her own, a deadly gamble formed in her mind.
Once again gripping the handle, she dredged up whatever courage was within her, the blade on her throat drifting a breath away her signal to act.
Whipping her blade against Ian’s throat, her eyes narrowed as his danced between surprise then fear and anger. All she could do was pray his anger did not win out.
Her gaze steely as she sought an appearance of intimidation, Mary’s thoughts raced within, her fear fought but not yet won.
The silence deafening as their battle of wills pressed on, she could count every beat of her heart, her grip on the handle tightening as Ian let out a deep, “Gah!” his arm lifting back as he handed the weapon to Richard. “It ain’t worth it… but remember, this ain’t over yet. The rest will follow the trail we left before long, and yous won’t have the luck had with us.”
Ripping Ian away from her, Richard drew the man near, “Well then, if they are so close, you and your friends can wait here for them.”
Snatching the cravat from Ian’s throat, little time passed before he had Ian bound to a nearby tree; the other two receiving similar treatment before each of them were gagged.
“There,” he remarked as he turned away from them, “at least their cries cannot quicken the pace of the others.”
Forcing herself to stand, Mary trembled, the whole incident flashing through her mind wildly, the fear she had managed to overcome in the face of near death threatening to overwhelm.
They might have been killed. Richard. Her. Even these wicked men. The shot fired a moment prior, a knife slipping… she might have lost Richard. Or her life. She might have…
“Mary,” Richard’s gentle tone broke through her thoughts. “Shh, Mary,” he said again as he drew her into his arms. “It is alright now.”
Face wet, she pressed herself into his chest, a noisy gulp following as she sought to breathe. “You. We.” she said uselessly.
“I know,” he answered. “We could have, but we did not. You are alright, and in every way possible I will see you safe. In every way,” he reassured, though as he drew her closer, Mary wondered if it had been as much to reassure himself as her.
Several minutes passed, his arms never leaving hers, until at last, her tears abated and breath easy, he slowly let her go. Mary’s head lifting toward his, she laid a hand upon his beard, the lines of worry across his face piercing her.
“It will be alright,” she smiled up at him, the lines he bore lessening ever so slightly. “Now, we ought to retrieve our things and see to your arm; we have a long day ahead.”
Chapter 13
Miss Elizabeth Bennet in Hertfordshire
