Her suspicions lulled, he’d been too quick for her.
When she had held out her hand he had yanked her hard against him and threatened her with the dagger he’d whipped out of its concealment in his pocket. Thrusting a silk handkerchief into her mouth, he’d bundled her into the Gallery where earlier he had hidden a lantern. Then, with the knife at her throat and her arm twisted up behind her back, he had forced her up the stairs.
‘You see, I don’t trust you to keep your word,
mavournin
.’ Sean said conversationally, pushing her further into the small bare room. ‘You might succeed in finding a way to keep the money all to yourself and cheat us.’
Kate’s brows flew up in eloquent scorn.
Sean halted, an ugly expression flickering for an instant across his thin features. ‘Think what you like of me, but I’ll have the last laugh.’
Kate stiffened, the pain in her arm forgotten as the import of his words sank in.
Amusement danced in the cold grey eyes. ‘Aye, I’m afraid I’m going to have to kill you, Mrs Devlin. The world believes you to be Kitty Nixon and I need your corpse as proof that my snivelling little cousin is dead.’
He laughed. ‘I hoped to lure you outside and drown you in the lake, a fitting solution, don’t you agree? But I soon realised I’d never be able to smuggle you through the crowd downstairs. Then I remembered the priest’s escape hatch and thought of the perfect
tragic accident
for you.’
Releasing Kate’s arm, but still keeping the knife at her throat Sean indicated the concealed exit. ‘Pa brought me here on a visit when I was a boy. Lord Cedric took us on a tour of his infernal curios. They bored me senseless, but this was different.’
His feral smile appeared, more frightening than ever in the shadowy light. ‘The next day I made Emma show me exactly how it worked. She didn’t want to, but after a bit of ah…persuasion…she did as she was told.’
Kate watched helplessly as he pressed the release mechanism and the panel slid open.
A waft of cold dank air entered the room, releasing the same emanation of ancient misery which Kate had sensed once before. She forced herself to ignore it and concentrate on what Sean was saying.
‘There’ll be a hue and cry when you go missing, of course. Even Kitty might turn up to find out what’s going on.’ Sean giggled spitefully. ‘Naturally, everyone will assume
she
is the impostor. By the time the confusion is cleared up, it’ll be too late!’
The deadline for Kitty to claim her fortune expired next week. Frustration boiled in Kate, overcoming her fear and she strove desperately to think of some way of outwitting him.
Thank God he was enjoying himself too much to make a quick end of her!
‘Now would you like me to knock you senseless before I send you to meet your Maker?’ A malicious parody of solicitude infused her tormentor’s tone. ‘I dare say you’ll break your neck straight off, but then again they might not think to search the cellars for days…’
In spite of herself, Kate couldn’t help shuddering as his voice trailed off suggestively.
Her reaction made Sean laugh gleefully. ‘It was a mistake to bite me, eh,
mavournin
!’
He was laughing so hard that the pressure at her throat slackened and, seizing her chance, Kate lashed out, forcing the blade away. At the same time she kicked him as violently as she could on the shin.
He staggered. ‘You little—’
Kate hared for the door, but before she could snatch it open Sean grabbed her and, in spite of the frantic flailing of her fists as she tried to fend him off, managed to drag her towards the priest’s hole.
The door crashed back on its hinges and a voice of thunder roared, ‘Let her go!’
His mouth gaping in astonishment, Sean swung round to behold Lord Redesmere standing in the open doorway, sword in hand. Taking advantage of his surprise, Kate wrenched free.
‘Get behind me, Katharine.’ Randal gave the order with a cool calm as Sean unsheathed the Cavalier’s rapier he wore at his hip.
Kate obeyed and watched in horror as Randal advanced and the two blades met with a hiss of steel. Sean had a speed and skill which alarmed her until she realised that he had met a master of the art.
Randal, who had the longer reach, wove a net of flashing steel around his opponent, driving him back relentlessly and Kate saw Sean’s confidence give way to panic. Sweat dripped down his face and he was gasping for breath as he attempted ever more desperate flanconades.
‘Give this up, Sullivan.’ Randal parried the attacking thrusts with a cool ease.
Too hard pressed to have breath left to reply, Sean scowled and launched another onslaught.
Once more the broadsword smashed his rapier aside.
Sean stepped back abruptly. ‘All right,’ he panted. ‘You win.’
‘Drop your sword.’
The rapier clattered to the floor.
‘Now move away.’
Sean obeyed and Kate sagged with relief against the wall behind her.
‘Are you all right, Katharine?’ Half-turning in her direction, Randal shot her a worried glance.
Kate was struggling to remove the gag from her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sean’s hand slip furtively into his pocket.
‘Watch out, Randal!’
For one terrible moment Kate thought her hoarse cry of alarm had been too late as Sean lunged and the dagger bit into Randal’s chest.
Then the room became a sudden maelstrom of flailing arms and legs. In the dim light, shadows flickered like crazed giants across the white-washed walls.
The dagger went flying, skittering to the floorboards and Kate darted to pick it up. Retreating from the fray, she waited, ready to use it if necessary.
Randal’s fist crashed into Sean’s jaw. He tumbled backwards and, as suddenly as it had begun, the fight was over.
Randal stared down at the unconscious figure at his feet. Sean had landed right by the escape hatch. An overwhelming desire to kick his body down into the dark depths tensed Randal’s muscles.
‘Don’t!’ Kate hurried to lay a restraining hand on his shoulder. ‘He’s not worth staining your honour.’
Randal laid his hand over hers in silent acknowledgement.
‘I knew something was wrong!’
They both looked up to see Godwin hurrying into the room.
Mr Crawford held up the candlestick he carried and surveyed the Irishman with an expression of disgust. ‘I suppose he was after the inheritance?’
Randal nodded. ‘He wanted Kitty Nixon dead.’
‘For the sake of the family we had best hush up this scandal.’ Godwin glanced at Kate. ‘That is, if you have no objections, my dear?’
Kate shook her head. Sean deserved imprisonment, but the cost was too high.
‘I’ll see to it that he doesn’t get off scot free,’ Randal said grimly.
His great-uncle had introduced him to several of his sea captains. One of them owed him a favour. Working his passage before the mast on the long voyage to India might make the Irishman think Newgate preferable!
Content to leave the matter in his nephew’s capable hands, Godwin nodded. ‘Why don’t you escort Kitty back downstairs? I’ll keep an eye on this rogue until Matthew gets here.’
Randal’s brows lifted in enquiry.
‘I told him to follow me if I didn’t report back in a few minutes.’ Godwin suddenly chuckled. ‘Jupiter, but Emma will throw a fit! Not one of us doing the pretty at her cherished party!’
‘Most improper,’ Randal agreed dryly and, accepting the candlestick Godwin proffered, ushered Kate out.
Eager to escape, Kate hurried down the narrow stairs. Another light came bobbing along the darkened Gallery towards them and, after a few words of explanation, Randal let his brother-in-law proceed upstairs while they went in the opposite direction.
Outside Kate’s room Randal halted. ‘How are you feeling, sweetheart?’ He touched her cheek gently.
‘I’m all right.’ Kate attempted a smile. ‘He didn’t hurt me.’
‘I must go and reassure Emma,’ Randal said reluctantly. ‘If I don’t put in an appearance soon people are going to start wondering what is going on.’
Kate reached out and brushed her fingers across the deep gash over his heart where the thick leather of his uniform coat had turned Sean’s blade. ‘What will you tell her if she asks about this?’
He shrugged lightly. ‘Merely that Sean and I were indulging in a foolish re-enactment of the Civil War.’
A full explanation of how he had come by his bruised knuckles would have to wait for a more appropriate time.
Kate nodded her understanding. They had to try and prevent damaging gossip.
‘Shall I send Mary to you?’
One of Kate’s hands flew instinctively to her hair. She probably looked as dishevelled as she felt, she decided, accepting the offer gratefully.
‘Let me take this. You don’t want to alarm her.’
To Kate’s astonishment she realised she was still clutching Sean’s dagger in her other hand. With a gasp of revulsion she released it into his waiting palm.
For all her horrified expression, Randal sensed that she would have had no hesitation in using the blade in their defence. Most women would have fainted long since, but she had shown exemplary courage.
‘A stiff brandy might help.’
Kate agreed. He was right, she could feel herself beginning to tremble with reaction.
But the nightmare wasn’t over yet.
‘I’ll send a bottle up with Mary.’ He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. ‘Don’t come down. I’ll make your excuses and we can talk in the morning.’
‘Wait!’ Kate laid an urgent hand on his arm as he turned to go. ‘There’s something I must tell you.’
Randal eyed her in concern. She was shaking like an autumn leaf!
‘You saved my life tonight. I don’t want to go on lying to you any longer.’ Kate spoke in a rapid harsh voice, the words tumbling over themselves as she struggled to get them out. ‘Even if you hate me for it, you deserve to know the truth.’ She took a deep breath and, sending up a silent prayer for forgiveness for breaking her vow, blurted, ‘You were right. I am not Kitty Nixon, I’m an impostor.’
He smiled at her crookedly. ‘I know.’
* * * *
Shock bereft Kate of words and before she could recover they heard footsteps.
‘Randal!’ Emma was hurrying towards them as fast as her heavy skirts allowed. ‘Where have you been? You’ve got to come! Now!’
In a flurry of agitation she grabbed Randal’s arm. ‘I don’t understand a word of what that man is saying, but you must get rid of him!’
Randal cast a look of incomprehension at Kate.
His sister stamped her foot. ‘He is threatening to make a scene!’
Seeing she was on the point of dissolving into hysterics, Randal put aside his desire to wring her neck. ‘Very well, but this had better be important,’ he growled with a quick nod of apology to Kate.
Emma headed for the rear stairs and he followed.
Realising that the unwelcome visitor must have been tucked away to keep him from the guests, curiosity drew Kate to peer down the stairwell. Two couples stood in the small hallway which gave access to the west entrance and several rooms on this side of the house. She didn’t recognise the middle-aged man and woman, but a loud gasp escaped her at the sight of the younger pair.
‘Ned! Kitty!’ Kate hurtled down the stairs and flung herself at Ned Gillman’s thick-set form.
‘Kate! Thank God you are safe!’ His truculent frown fading, Ned caught her in a bear hug. ‘Mary wrote to tell me that Sullivan was here in Chester. We’ve been so worried about you!’
Kate smiled at him mistily. ‘Thank you for coming.’ She turned to the thin-faced girl at his side. ‘Both of you.’
‘As soon as we heard about Sean I knew I couldn’t stay in hiding any longer.’ Kitty Nixon’s soft voice was filled with determination. ‘I have come to claim my inheritance in person.’
‘Will someone please tell me what is going on?’ Emma demanded loudly in tones of angry bewilderment. ‘Who on earth are all these people and what are they doing here?’
Randal stepped forward, and gesturing his outraged sister to silence, took charge of the situation.
‘Mr and Mrs Hogan, I presume?’ The respectably-clad couple nodded. ‘I am Redesmere. My apologises for this unusual reception.’ He bowed to them elegantly. ‘May I ask you to accompany me to my study where I shall furnish you with an explanation?’
They nodded again and he turned to Emma. ‘Please escort our other guests up to the privacy of your sitting room, my dear. I am sure our cousin Miss Nixon—’ here he inclined his head at Kitty— ‘and her friends will be happy to explain.’
Emma’s mouth had dropped open in astonishment. She stared at Kate and then at Kitty. ‘What…? Oh very well!’
In his study Randal questioned the Hogans and then, pushing aside his latest letter from Thomas Young discussing their exchange of ideas on translating the demotic text of the Rosetta stone to make more room on his desk, he quickly wrote out a statement declaring their formal recognition of Kitty.
They signed it and he thanked them for their help.
‘Won’t you accept our hospitality for the night?’ he asked, quite willing to give up his own bedchamber for their use.
‘Nay, my lord. You’ve a house full and we’ve already taken rooms at the George in Malpas,’ said Mr Hogan shaking his grey head and rising to his feet.
His wife, a little dumpling of a woman against her husband’s broad inches, added her apologises for disturbing his lordship’s party. ‘We had intended to visit you tomorrow and then we spied Kitty and Mr Gillman in the inn yard asking for directions to the Hall. Once Kitty told us what had happened we realised that haste was required and came at once in the hope of preventing mischief.’
‘I am thankful you did, ma’am.’
‘You seem to have managed very well without our help, my lord.’ There was a twinkle in her eyes. ‘But I’m glad we could be of service to Kitty.’
Randal showed them out, promising to convey their farewells to his cousin, who would doubtless wish to call upon them before they left Cheshire.
After quickly checking that the ball was continuing to survive his absence, he hurried up to the pretty sitting room which adjoined his sister’s bedchamber.