‘Then Gabriel and Hope are in there?’ Adam questioned with a frown.
‘Naturally there is no certainty of that,’ responded Nicholas, ‘but we are out of options gentlemen and must act soon if we are to find either of them alive.’
Both Adam and Roan had arrived within half an hour of each other. Although he said nothing, in the Duke’s opinion, both men looked exhausted having clearly ridden hard to arrive in time to lend their aid. While Nicholas was beyond grateful for their loyalty, he nevertheless, couldn’t help but silently wonder whether they had any fight left in them.
‘I suggest Nick and I find somewhere round the side of the house to sneak in,’ proposed Malcolm. ‘I doubt there will be many servants milling about. If Atwood has even the remotest sense of self preservation, he will have cleared them all out, at least for the day.’ He paused, then grinned. ‘Adam and Roan, what say ye both walk in through the front door?’
∞∞∞
‘You can’t lock us up in here,’ protested Caroline Atwood, as she and the Admiral were herded towards what looked to be little bigger than a large walk-in cupboard.
‘It’s roomier than a damned coffin,’ Reverend Shackleford retorted.
‘Please, you’ll need my help,’ cried Benjamin Atwood, frantically trying to convince them one last time. ‘Let me talk to my son. He’ll listen to me. I swear I will be able to dissuade Henry from seeking Gabriel’s death a second time. And believe me, this time he will be certain to finish the job properly.’
To the Reverend’s surprise, Grace placed a hand on his arm, staying his action.
‘What makes you think you’ll have even the slightest effect on your revolting offspring’s murderous tendencies?’ she questioned the Admiral coldly.
‘Because I know why he’s doing it,’ pressed Admiral Atwood urgently. ‘I know why he so desperately wants Gabriel dead.’
‘So, you’re telling me there’s more to it than the fact he’s been drawing the deuced bustle too freely and now doesn’t have sixpence to scratch with?’
The Admiral nodded and glanced over at his wife who was glaring at him in loathing. The Reverend realised it was only the low warning grumbles of the foxhound stopping her from launching herself back at him.
‘Tie my hands,’ Atwood continued. ‘Strap me to the back of the carriage if you must, but please, let me help you prevent further bloodshed.’
Grace looked over at her father. ‘I think there is far more to this than we suspected. Mayhap we should take him with us.’ She shook her head and regarded the weeping Admiral with distaste. ‘Whatever happens now, he is finished. Nicholas will never allow him to walk away from justice.’
Reverend Shackleford frowned wavering.
‘Don’t you leave me in there on my own you… youbastards.’ Caroline Atwood’s sudden shriek decided him. Primarily because the Reverend suspected her husband might not even survive to be brought to trial if he was locked up for more than five minutes with the screaming harridan in front of him.
Chapter Twenty Three
The first man through the door to the cellar was the one Hope recognised as the leader of Henry’s three accomplices. Once he’d ascertained that the prisoners were not hiding behind the door, he stepped aside, hanging a lantern on a hook to the side of the entrance and Henry Atwood sauntered in.
‘I trust you are feeling a little more replete than when you arrived at my house?’ he enquired with mock concern. To Gabriel’s dismay, he directed his question to Hope.
‘I have eaten my fill,’ stammered Hope in reply after a hesitant look at the Viscount.
‘It is not your house,’ pitched in Gabriel through gritted teeth, determined to bring Henry’s attention back to him. ‘It has never been your house.’
‘I beg to differ cousin,’ Henry drawled, his voice not quite concealing an undercurrent of rage.
‘In truth this house belongs to neither of us. Though I believe my claim to it is stronger than yours.’
‘What the devil are you talking about?’ growled Gabriel, fighting to stay calm.
‘This house belongs to my father as the next in line to the Northwood title. Then, on his death it will pass to me as the eldest son.’
‘That may have been true if you’d succeeded in finishing me in Cadiz,’ Gabriel shot back savagely, ‘but as you can see cousin, I am very much alive.’
‘Let’s not go down that route again,’ retorted Henry with mock weariness. ‘You are well aware that neither you nor your companion will leave here alive.’
‘Then why feed us?’ burst out Hope unable to stay silent any longer.
Henry Atwood chuckled and shrugged. ‘Simply this. I wished my dearestcousinto be thinking about something other than his stomach when I broke the news to him.’
