Lord Stanley and Charlotte were the last to leave.
Charlotte paused briefly, staring at the empty cages in disbelief.
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly, though the words felt painfully insufficient.
But none were needed.
Lord Stanley merely inclined his head.
‘Come,’ he said softly. ‘Let us leave this accursed place.’
Together they made their way back through the maze of tunnels. Charlotte’s thoughts felt dazed and distant, the world around her strangely unreal.
Her strength began steadily to fail, and the ground itself seemed to tilt beneath her feet.
‘Careful,’ Lord Stanley murmured.
She leaned instinctively against him, too exhausted to resist, as they navigated the labyrinthine tunnels. He draped his coat around her shoulders, its weight grounding her—keeping her warm and steady.
Near the tunnel entrance, they were reunited with Tom.
When they finally emerged above ground, cool night air struck Charlotte’s face.
Freedom at last.
She drew in a deep breath of clean air.
‘Where are we?’ she asked faintly as Lord Stanley helped her from the concealed entrance.
‘This,’ he said grimly, pointing towards the lake in the distance, ‘is upon the Alderley grounds.’
Charlotte turned sharply.
The manhole was astonishingly well hidden amongst the field. No one would ever have noticed it unless they knew precisely where to look.
‘I saw the Captain carry you inside, Miss Lucas. From my treehouse.’
Tom slipped his hand into hers and pointed proudly towards a great oak tree standing nearby.
‘I stayed awake all night until Uncle Henry came home. Then I told him.’
Charlotte stared at him.
‘But how did you know how to find me within the tunnels? It is a veritable maze...’
Then she stopped abruptly, realisation dawning.
She knelt beside him.
‘You have been exploring the tunnels all this time, have you not?’
Tom looked sheepish but nodded.
‘I saw Miss Locke dragged in there by two large men when I was little. I told Mother, but she would not believe me.’
Charlotte drew in a sharp breath.
Of course she had not believed him.
