Leaving them in complete darkness.
“Well, this is a fine pickle. Any ideas?” Lady Mary asked.
“Can you turn your chair so you can reach my muff?”
There was a moment of silence. “Your what now?”
Eleanor rolled her eyes, the gesture pointless when no one could see it. “My hand muff. On my lap. There’s a knife inside. If I try to maneuver behind you, I fear it will fall to the floor.”
“Right.” Lady Mary didn’t even question why Eleanor had a knife in her muff, just set about scooting her chair.
Eleanor looked to the darkened doorway, praying the scraping noises wouldn’t bring Miss Abbott back to investigate. Her worry was cut short when the leg of Lady Mary’s chair smacked into her knee, making her eyes water. She gritted her teeth through the pain. “Can you reach it?”
“Yes.” Lady Mary’s voice was strained. “I just about…. Got it.” There was a moment of silence. “How do I get the knife out of the muff? It won’t do us much good covered in fur.”
“Perhaps if I use my knees…?” Eleanor gripped the muff between her legs. “Can you scoot forward?”
More squeaking and thumping ensued until Lady Mary said triumphantly, “It’s free.”
“All right. Try to hold it upright.” Eleanor started her own noisy progress, turning her chair so she and Lady Mary were back to back. She felt around until something sharp pricked her arm. “Found it. Hold still. And don’t drop the knife.”
Lady Mary huffed. “Just get to work.”
Eleanor tried to saw at her bonds. It was difficult. Her position didn’t give her much leverage to work her arms up and down. The best she could do was hold her wrists pressed to the blade and try to rise up an inch or two before plopping down.
Her thigh muscles strained. She cut her skin as much as the rope. But eventually she felt one of the ropes around her wrists loosen.
“Hurry.” Lady Mary whispered. “She’s coming back.”
Eleanor looked to the doorway. A dim glow framed it, and her heart sank. It was either Miss Abbott returning holding her candle, or the fire she’d set was getting close. Either way, it was too late.
Chapter Forty-Four
Lady Mary
Ileaned backward,increasing the pressure of the knife on Eleanor’s ropes. She gasped in pain, but I ignored it. I couldn’t concern myself with minor cuts and scrapes now. I’d feel badly about hurting Eleanor later.
If there was a later.
A sound I wished I wasn’t familiar with met my ears. The whoosh and crackle of fire eating wood. The glow at the door brightened, and I knew the front of my club was in flames.
I swallowed. Something else I’d wait to feel badly about.
“Pull at your wrists,” I hissed at Eleanor. We’d cut through more rope. I could feel the give beneath the blade. She must be close to being free.
“I am pulling.” The heat in Eleanor’s voice matched that of the fire. “It’s just not…Oh!”
The pressure at the knife disappeared. Then Eleanor took the blade from my hand. “I’m free. Let me get the rope at my ankle then I’ll free you.”
I wasn’t sure I appreciated that order, but I bit my tongue and waited for Eleanor to cut me loose. When she finally did, I shook out my hands as she freed my leg. I didn’t object when she helped me stand. My legs felt unsteady, and I didn’t know if it was from my muscles cramping from being tied up, from the traces of smoke I could now smell, or from fear.
I sniffed. It had better not be that last one. “The back door. Let’s go.”
We trotted for the exit, only to find it locked.
“I don’t suppose you have the key on you?” Eleanor asked.
I inhaled sharply. “I do not.”
