‘Mercedes Stanhope.’ Reinhardt snapped the words.
‘Err, will she be able to stand for her vows?’ Percy queried.
The American swore softly. ‘Untie her,’ he ordered.
Seconds later, Mercy was rubbing her wrists as she got slowly to her feet.
‘Please stand closer to your… husband to be,’ the curate ordered. Mercy was pushed roughly towards Reinhardt, who grabbed hold of her arm, pulling her against him.
‘Dearly beloved,’ Percy began, glancing behind her to the window.
Reinhardt didn’t appear to notice, but Mercy had to resist the urge to look behind her. Seconds later there was a loud crash.
‘Ah’ll nae be giein ye ma purse ye tumshie, so gaun jus’ bugger aff wid ye.HELP, HELP.’
Incredibly, Mercy realised the voice was Finn’s and it was coming from underneath the window. She’d had no idea he could shout so loudly.
‘Ignore it,’ ordered Reinhardt through gritted teeth.
‘Ech,he be awa in the heid. HELP. Ah’m bein KILL’D.’
‘I’m afraid I’m unable to continue with such a racket going on outside,’ Percy said diffidently. ‘Perhaps one of your associates might encourage the person to stop?’
HELP. Ah’m gaun tae beDEID.’
‘For God’s sake, get down there and shut the little bastard up. I don’t care how you do it.’
Smith wrenched open the door and clattered down the stairs. ‘Shut the bloody door,’ Reinhardt ground out as the yells got suddenly louder.
Glancing at Mercy, Percy obligingly went over to the door, but before he could shut it there was a loud clang and for a second the yelling stopped.
‘Thank G…’ Reinhardt began, then
‘Ah’m bein MURDER’D. HELP.’
‘Find out what the bloody hell the idiot’s doing.’ Reinhardt was nearly incandescent with rage as his second ruffian took to the stairs. Waving his pistol towards Percy he bit out, ‘Get. On. With. It.’
‘Dearly beloved,’ Percy started again. There was a second clang, followed by silence.
‘Dearly beloved,’ he repeated, only to be stopped this time as Reinhardt suddenly held up his hand. ‘Is something wrong?’ the curate asked timidly.
‘Where the hell are they?’ He let go of Mercy’s arm and pushed her back towards the chair, ‘Sit’ he barked. Swallowing her fear, she sat down.
‘They do know they are required as witnesses?’ Percy’s hesitant words were apologetic.
‘I know they’re required as witnesses,’ Reinhardt shot back savagely. ‘That’s why they’re here.’
The curate gave a small cough. ‘Except they’re not,’ he pointed out politely.
By this time Reinhardt was waving his pistol around like he was conducting an orchestra and Mercy found herself shutting her eyes every time he directed it towards her.
She had no idea what her grandfather could possibly have done to shut the two thugs up and she could only hope that whatever it was didn’t traumatise Finn forever. Not daring to move she watched as Reinhardt strode towards the window. While he was trying to see through the grimy glass, she tried to catch Percy’s eye, but when the curate gave a small shrug, she realised with a surge of terror that he didn’t know what the Reverend was up to either…
***
Nate managed to mount Duchess without too much trouble, though it had been a long time since the mare had been required to kneel onto her forelegs to help him. He took hold of the reins with his left hand and whistled to Ruby, who’d been enjoying all the extra attention.
Chastity took hold of Duchess’s bridle. ‘Take care, Nate,’ she murmured. ‘Don’t do anything foolish unless it’s to push Reinhardt into the Thames.
