Page 105 of Exile's Return

The light fell on Agnes’s face, streaked with dirt and ghostly in the lantern light. He thought he had never wanted to kiss a woman so much as he did at that moment.

‘You!’ Leah Turner stepped into the circle of light thrown by the lantern. Daniel gave her a cursory bow.

‘Mistress Turner, how fortunate to find you here. This pistol is primed and I would advise you to keep your peace. Agnes, is there anything in here we can use to keep Mistress Turner quiet?’

Agnes nodded. ‘Some bandages,’ she said.

Leah lunged for the door, only to be brought up short by Daniel’s arm around her waist.

‘I don’t think so,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Agnes, can you deal with this good lady?’

With Daniel’s pistol pointed at her head, Leah made no protest as Agnes gagged and bound her. From the woman’s grunts, her bindings may have been a little tighter than was needed. Daniel pushed her down to the floor beside Kit and tied her ankles. Behind the gag, she mumbled something that did not sound particularly flattering.

He turned to his brother. In the dim light of the lantern, Kit looked terrible, his face drawn and his eyes sunk in dark recesses, but his voice sounded strong enough as he said, ‘No time for pleasantries — I fear they have set a trap for you, little brother.’

Daniel held out his hand. ‘Can you get up?’

Kit’s fingers tightened on Daniel’s and he hauled himself to his feet. Daniel slid an arm around his brother’s waist, securing his good arm across his shoulders. Kit slumped against him.They were not going to get far with him in this condition, Daniel thought grimly.

He turned to Agnes. ‘Hurry.’

‘I can’t leave Peg,’ she said.

Daniel glanced at the old woman, who lay huddled on the floor, curled in a ball, gibbering to herself.

‘We can’t take her,’ he said.

‘But … ’ Agnes protested.

‘No time.’

They turned for the door, only to be brought up short by a large, bulky figure.

‘You see I was right, Turner. They are sentimental fools.’

Tobias Ashby stood aside to admit Septimus Turner and two armed soldiers, both with horse pistols drawn and ready.

‘Only one of you?’ Ashby enquired and he scowled. ‘That’s annoying.’

Daniel released his grip on Kit, hoping he would keep his feet. He hauled Leah up and pushed her forward, the pistol to her head. She tottered and would have fallen if he had not had a good grip on her arm.

Behind Ashby, Septimus Turner lunged forward, only to be prevented from further movement by his commander’s hand.

Ashby let out a deep sigh. ‘What are you doing here, Leah? I gave express instructions…What is your name young man? Not Lucas, I assume.’

‘Lovell,’ Daniel said.

‘Ah…you must be that annoying youth I recall from Eveleigh.’ He gestured at Kit. ‘His brother, I presume. Where was I…oh yes…if you should happen to harm my dear Leah, my two men here will have no hesitation in cutting down the lovely Agnes.’

The pistols of both soldiers moved obediently to point at Agnes. In the space, they could hardly miss.

‘Now I suggest you throw your weapons onto the table there, Lovell.’

When Daniel hesitated, Agnes clutched his arm. ‘Daniel, please. He will do as he threatens. You, above all, know it.’

Daniel tossed his pistol and sword onto the table.

‘God rot you, Ashby,’ he said with feeling, pushing Leah forward into the arms of her brother, who removed the gag from her mouth.