“We are going to make one,” Gigi explained. “See the cloth on the looms and worktables? Help me gather some pieces and we’ll tie them together. Quickly now.”
She went off to collect the remnants, and Evie did the same. The fabric was tattered but strong enough, and soon they had a rope. However, they quickly realized that their clothing would hinder their ability to climb. They helped each other unhook their skirts and petticoats, letting the heavy layers drop to the ground. Dressed in their bodices and drawers, they were ready to make their escape.
Winding the rope over her shoulder, Gigi said, “Ready to give it a go?”
Evie gave a tentative nod.
To Gigi’s relief, Evie was stronger than she looked and managed to keep her balance while Gigi climbed onto her shoulders. Straining, Gigi tried to reach the edge of the window but came up a few inches short. At the same time, Evie wobbled, and Gigi teetered, her arms windmilling, before the former steadied her stance.
“Sorry,” Evie said breathlessly.
“You’re doing splendidly.” Perspiration dotted Gigi’s brow, her heart thumping. “Can you manage to give me a boost?”
“I shall try my best.” Gritting her teeth, Evie bent her knees in readiness.
“On the count of three,” Gigi said. “One, two, three.”
Evie pushed, and Gigi used that momentum to propel herself past those final inches. She grabbed onto the edge, holding on despite the pain slicing into her right palm. Straining with effort, she pulled herself up and through the opening, grabbing onto the branch. Thank heavens, it was sturdy. She glanced below, and seeing no guards, eased herself onto the limb, then crawled toward the trunk. She secured the rope and crept back toward the window, tossing down the loose end.
“Your turn, Evie,” she called softly. “You can do it.”
Looking scared but determined, Evie grabbed the rope. Gigi’s breath stuttered when her sister-in-law slipped a few times, but Evie braced her feet against the knots and kept on climbing.
“You’re almost there,” Gigi encouraged. “Stay toward the left. There’s some jagged glass on the right side of the window.”
Nodding, Evie followed the instructions, and when she reached the opening, Gigi pulled her onto the branch. When the wooden limb creaked in protest, Gigi scooted toward the trunk.
“Follow me,” she said.
She descended nimbly, landing on her feet. Evie’s movements were slower and less confident, and she lost her grip on the last branch, falling a few feet and landing with an awkward stumble.
“Are you all right?” Gigi helped her up.
Wincing, Evie said, “I twisted my ankle. But I think I can walk.”
“Lean on me. We’ll try to get to the woods, hide there until?—”
A shot rang out.
Gigi’s blood chilled as Anne’s voice rang with triumph.
“I got Godwin. I killed that bastard at last.”
Conrad had only seconds before his maniacal relation discovered his ruse.
After subduing the second cutthroat, he’d bound the man’s hands with his neckcloth and gagged him with a handkerchief.
“Run back to the mill.” He’d waved his pistol in front of his quarry’s wide eyes. “Run as fast as you can, or I will put a bullet through you.”
The bounder had taken off. He’d barely made it out of the woods before Anne took aim and fired. The cutthroat fell, landing face down.
Two down, two to go.
“I got Godwin. I killed that bastard at last,” Anne gloated. “Johnson, verify that the dead body is Godwin’s.”
Conrad crept forward, his pistol at the ready. Once Johnson was in range, Conrad would shoot the bastard. This would leave one cutthroat to deal with, plus Anne…who was probably deadlier than all her hired ruffians combined. Johnson neared, and Conrad tightened his finger against the trigger.
At that moment, he saw a movement at the side of the building.
