The rumbles of thunder grew louder, and she turned to Giles, waving and pointing at the Manor.
He nodded. “It’s time, Jeremy. Let’s see if we can get people indoors before that breaks…”
“Easy,” grinned Jeremy, turning to the crowd. “I need some lads…the ale’s got to be moved indoors…”
That was enough. Silently blessing Jeremy, Giles stood back as four strong young men ferried both tankards and ale barrels across the lawns to the open doors and inside.
Where the ale went, the revellers followed, bringing what they could with them, and many helping secure the tents as best they could before joining the rest in the Wolfbridge ballroom.
Evan’s foodstuffs were carefully transported, along with the remains of the roast on the spit, although there was some delay as dishes had to be found to hold the leftover pork.
Lightning flashed, thunder cracked and growled, and yet still there was no rain. The sun had vanished, the gloom grew deeper and darker, and children fetched up against their parents, huddling against skirts and trousers, staring wide-eyed at the tumbling mass of grey and black covering the sky. Their timing had been excellent. Everyone was now indoors, awaiting the storm that now loomed from horizon to horizon.
Giles, Gwyneth and Evan stood by the windows, as Jeremy and Gabriel reassured a group of youngsters and helped them find their parents.
Savage bursts of lightning lit the room brighter than daylight, scarce a second between flashes. It was truly a storm of unusual strength, but Giles had no worries that Wolfbridge could handle it. He was somewhat concerned about the tents outside should the wind rise to gale force…
There was a sharp crack, a mighty flash…Evan shouted something and slid forward…another sharp bang mingling with the crash of thunder…
The window shattered into an explosion of flying glass and Gwyneth cried out as she and Evan collapsed to the floor.
There wasblood…
ChapterTwenty-Eight
It was chaos. Utter and complete chaos.
Gwyneth felt Evan’s body slumped on hers, the warmth of what she knew must be blood soaking into her. For a brief moment she was dazed, caught unaware, trying to comprehend what had happened, and exploring her body to see if she was injured.
Then hands moved Evan and she wriggled away. “I’m all right, I’m all right,” she said, lungs heaving, heart pounding now as she saw Evan. “What is it? Evan…”
“He’s been shot.” Royce was there. “Through the window. Be careful of the broken glass…”
Giles nodded. “Yes. Yes, you’re right.” He seemed as shaken as she was.
The room rumbled with concern as the rain began, and Gwyneth feared for the safety of anyone who might venture outside at this moment. Was there a man out there reloading his rifle? Or a lightning bolt awaiting the unwary? The entire atmosphere around them had changed from one of waiting for a storm, to fear. Palpable fear.
She couldn’t take a chance that it might get out of hand, or wait for Giles to determine a course of action.
“Jeremy. Lift me up. As high as you can.” It was a lot to ask, but he did it, without hesitation.
She put her fingers into her mouth and thanked the Lord that Michael had taught her this trick so many years ago. She whistled, a piercing, attention-grabbing sound that shocked almost everyone into silence.
“Listen, please, everyone. There’s been an accident. I would like all the women and children to start going into the house itself. There are two doors behind you…” She pointed the way. “Once you’re inside, you’ll be quite safe until the storm passes. But right now, we don’t want any injuries from either flying glass or the shards on the floor…”
Pleased to see people moving in the right direction, she glanced down, seeing Royce and Gabriel bending over Evan. She wanted to cry out, to demand they tell her if he lived or died. But she knew that any panic, especially hers, would be a very bad thing at this moment. So she took another breath. “This is a severe storm, and we believe there may be people outside in the middle of it. Right now it’s too dangerous for any of us to leave the Manor and please keep away from the windows. Once the weather clears, we can take care of any damage.”
There were frowns and shaking heads amongst the men—they looked deeply worried.
“Tell them, Gwyneth. It’ll get out sooner or later anyway.” Jeremy dug his fingers into her legs.
He was right. “We believe Evan has been shot. Through the window, breaking the glass.” The announcement brought shocked silence, broken only by the thunder and the rain beating down from clouds that could hold no more.
“We do not know who, or why. Or if there’s anyone out there still. So please, let’s take no chances until the storm passes. For now, we must all stay inside and safe. After everything clears, we may need your help…”
“You have it, my Lady,” shouted one man.
“Yes…”
