Helena swallowed. “I need to get him out of there.”
Silas nodded grimly. “We will.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You won’t have to do it alone.”
Almost a week after her mother’s visit, Helena was getting restless. Silas insisted that they never leave the property because James and his associates had ramped up their activities.
“Benedict’s man says that the apothecary and the woman we saw have left London. You’ll never guess their destination.” James told her.
Helena frowned. “Did they go to Downfield?”
“Good guess, but no. They are holed up at the abbey. Benedict tells me that there are strange nocturnal comings and goings. Things being delivered or sent out from the abbey. Our man followed one of the wagons as they left, and they drove all the way to Dover. Whatever was on the wagon was put on a ship to Marseilles.” He sighed with frustration, “I wish we’d had a chance to look inside the boxes.”
Helena frowned. “What do you think they’re transporting?”
“Could be weapons, supplies… we do not yet know how many men have been amassed or even where they are. But at least we have a connection between your uncle and the abbey. May they all be hanged for treason.”
“What do you think my uncle is going to do? Does he have any idea that you know all this?”
Silas shrugged. “He has grown increasingly volatile in recent days. My people inside confirmed what your mother told us about him staying in his quarters, but they told me it doesn’t seem like he did that willingly. Your mother is also rarely seen. The servants say she has taken to her bed with illness. I think she’s likely afraid of what is to come. We have just recently received word from London that the next shipment that leaves the abbey should be intercepted. We will soon know what it is that they’re moving.”
Helena’s eyes widened with fear and she clutched Silas close. “Will it be you? Will you be the one to intercept the wagon?”
“Unlikely. There are men watching the abbey, and it will be they who will follow the wagon. My job is to stay here and take care of you. It seems you are very crucial to their plans.”
Helena gave him a sidelong glance. “And if I weren’t? Would you still stay here and look after me?”
“Of course I would. At least now, I do not have to disobey orders while I do it.”
Helena nodded but still frowned. “I’m just so worried about Charlie.”
“Charlie is fine. The one in danger is you.”
She expelled an audible breath. “I just want this to be over. I’m so tired of it all.”
“I know. I am too. I cannot wait to catch these treasonous bastards.”
Helena gave him a look. “I cannot wait for my brother to be safe.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Helena was caught in the web of a nightmare, unable to extract herself. Downfield Manor was recognizable to her, the long stone corridor that joined her father’s gallery of oddities with the rest of the house.
She was running along it, barefoot, the floor cold beneath her feet. In front of her, two men were dragging Charlie away as he kicked and screamed, trying to get away from them.
“Stop!”she tried to yell but no sound emerged from her lips.
It did not matter how hard she tried.
She tried to run faster, but it was like running through molasses. There was nobody hindering her movement and yet every step was a monumental effort.
Finally, the men in front of her reached the gallery door. It opened and there stood Sister Frances, a scythe in hand, grinning maniacally and showing teeth stained red with blood.
“Come here,” she hissed, beckoning to Charlie with long dirty nails, “Let me ssseee you, my boy.”
Charlie screamed louder and fought harder.
“No!” Helena tried to yell.
