Page 25 of A Stormy Season

“Must I? You don’t think I can fight. You think I will get hurt. But they may not keep me safe, may not deliver me safely home. These are evil men, and I say we fight. I am not afraid, and the truth of the matter is that you cannot stop me, and I will fight, with or without your help.”

Heavens, but she was determined. “Very well, but take my brick. It is a better weapon than the key.”

“I disagree. I would much prefer the key, as I have thought a long time about how to use it effectively.”

“Very well.” But his heart sank even as he said the words.God, please don’t let anything happen to her. If I cannot protect her and she is killed . . .

He remembered how unbearable the pain had been, realizing Anne had been trampled and run over in the street and he had not been there to protect her, to save her. He wasn’t sure he would ever stop thinking about it. Was he destined to feel the same pain and regret over Jane Gilchrist? How would he face her brother if she died? How would he live with the guilt?

He ran a hand over his face, realizing how drained of strength he felt after losing so much blood. But somehow he had to find the strength to fight off their kidnappers.

Jane sat down on the mattress on the floor, which looked dirty in the bare light that was coming through their only window.

He had to admit, she was handling this better than most of the men he knew. But she certainly was not a man, as evidenced by the soft curve of her jawline, her perfect pink lips, the strands of her hair that were coming loose and resting against her cheeks.

“We may as well rest until they come back,” Jane said. “Come and lie down. You must surely still have a headache from where they struck you.”

“No, I am well. You rest. I will sit by the door and listen for them.”

They both picked up their bonds and wrapped them around their wrists without tying them, practicing throwing them off in a hurry and taking up their respective weapons—his brick and her key.

Jane leaned her back against the wall, her wrists draped in the bonds, the key tucked in the palm of her hand. “I don’t want to fall asleep,” she said, yawning.

“I’ll wake you if I hear them coming.”

She nodded, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the wall.

Luke sat near the door, doing the same with the ropes that had formerly been tied around his wrists. Now he just had to listen and wait. And pray nothing went wrong.

~ ~ ~

Jane awoke and quickly remembered where she was. Her throat was so dry it burned.

She’d tried to stay awake but found herself falling asleep in spite of herself. And since it might be a long time before the men returned, she finally gave in and stretched out on the mattress and fell asleep.

Luke Watley was sitting where he had been before. His eyes were closed but she suspected he was awake. After all, how could anyone sleep with his head straight up like that?

She had dropped her key and it lay on the mattress beside her hand. She snatched it up, adjusting her bonds to make them look like they were still tied around her wrists. Then she stood and looked up at the window.

The sun was out. How long had they been in this room with no water and no food, or any other necessities? Soon she would have to knock on the door and ask to use whatever facilities could be had. She hoped she might be able to at least wash her face and hands, as she felt dirty after lying on the filthy mattress. But more importantly, they both would need some water soon.

Luke Watley was looking at her. How strange to have fallen asleep while he was in the room. But he was a gentleman. He would never do anything untoward.

“How are you feeling?” she asked him.

“I am well. And you?”

“Just thirsty. But I think the sleep did me some good. Were you able to sleep at all?”

“I dozed off a few times. It has been very quiet.”

“Do you think they’ve left us here?”

“I don’t know,” Luke said, staring thoughtfully at the opposite wall. “If I knew we were alone I could try to break the door down, or at least break off the doorknob. But I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Jane said. But perhapssheshould be worried abouthim. After all, their kidnappers might not harm her, being a lady, but they had no qualms about harming him, as they had shown when they struck him unconscious. Her dress, still covered with his blood, was proof.

“I have examined the hinges and the doorknob, and both are quite solid, made of iron. But I might try to knock the doorknob off.” He held up the brick in his hand. “But as I said, I don’t want to endanger you.”