‘Get out of here, Matt. This has nothing to do with you,’ Sebastian said, not letting his eyes, or his aim, leave Freddy.
Matthew uttered a short exclamation, his eyes widening in surprise. ‘I don’t think I can,’ he said, his voice high and the words no longer slurred.
Freddy smiled and Sebastian let his gaze move to Matthew. Jenkins stood behind his brother with a knife at his throat.
‘Drop your pistol, Somerton,’ Freddy suggested. ‘Oh, and Dempster, I think you should probably get out here too. I’mcertain Lord Somerton did not come alone. That is why I brought my own insurance with me.’
The knife tightened on Matt’s throat, drawing blood. Matt yelped.
Behind Sebastian, Harry uttered a violent oath and stepped out into the light, laying his pistols on the barrels.
Freddy took a step back out of the immediate light thrown by the lantern. His hand slid beneath his jacket and withdrew holding a pistol.
‘I was afraid this would happen. It seems, Jenkins, that my plans may have gone a little awry.’
Jenkins gave an interrogative grunt and Freddy waved his pistol at Sebastian and Harry.
‘You two, I want you face down on the ground with your hands behind your back. Jenkins, you can pass that idiot boy over here while you tie these two up.’
When neither Sebastian nor Harry moved, Freddy glanced at Jenkins.
‘If you don’t start doing as I ask, my man here will start making your brother’s life extremely unpleasant. He knows how to kill a man slowly.’
In answer, Jenkins moved the knife to Matthew’s ear, cutting a nick. Matt gave a sharp cry and squirmed in the man’s grasp as the wound began to bleed, staining the pristine white linen of his neckcloth with bright blood.
Sebastian and Harry complied. From the supine position Sebastian found himself in, all he could see of Matt were his booted feet, stumbling across the floor as Jenkins dragged the young man across to Freddy.
Jenkins set about his work quickly and effectively, securing Sebastian’s wrists behind his back and then his ankles. To make certain there was no risk of escape, he ran a rope between Sebastian’s wrists and ankles, forcing his knees to bend into an agonising position. While Jenkins secured Harry, Sebastianrolled onto his side to relieve the cramp in his limbs and to give him a better view of Freddy.
Freddy held his pistol to Matt’s temple and, even in the dim light, Sebastian could see the sweat on his brother’s forehead and the fear in his eyes.
‘Why did you kill Anthony?’ Sebastian tried to keep his voice level and neutral as if lying trussed on a dusty floor was of no consequence to him.
Freddy gave a theatrical heave of his shoulders. ‘I didn’t intend for him to die, just come off the blasted horse and break his leg.’
‘That doesn’t answer my question.’
Freddy gnawed his lower lip for a moment before replying, ‘The bastard had stopped paying me.’
‘Why?’
Freddy gave a snort of derision. ‘Said he had run out of money. Told me he had invested everything he had in some gold mine, and it had been a fraud. He said he didn’t care what happened to him anymore. Told me to do my worst.’ Freddy laughed. ‘Not sure he anticipated what my worst could be.’
Jenkins grunted to signify he had secured the two men.
Freddy’s voice became clipped and efficient as he issued his orders.
‘Excellent. I regret we are going to have to take leave of your generous hospitality, Somerton. Pity to disappoint Fanny. She had such high hopes of a happy marriage. Jenkins, the small coach and the bays are stabled at the dower house. Go and hitch them up.’
Jenkins gave a low growl and stomped out of the room.
‘Excellent man, Jenkins. I found him in London and saw his value at once. He had his tongue cut out for some misdemeanour to his lord and master. You are an upstart, Somerton. You have no idea of your place in this world. You wouldn’t have the guts to cut out a man’s tongue for talking back to you.’
‘You’re right, Lynch, I wouldn’t. But don’t mistake me, I have killed men without compunction.’
For the first time, the smile left Freddy’s face, and he pushed the pistol harder into Matt’s temple.
‘And so have I. Now, what am I going to do with the three of you?’
