Page 26 of A Stormy Season

“That is very thoughtful, but—”

He held up his hand, his attention shifting to the door.

Jane heard it too—men’s voices coming closer.

Luke Watley stayed where he was on the floor and tucked the brick behind his back, the rope on his wrists looking as it had before she’d untied it.

She made sure her own bonds looked authentic, while the long iron key was covered by her hand.

The sound of a key grated in the lock and the door opened.

A man with a scar on his right cheek came in first, followed by Lenoir. He closed the door behind him and Jane’s spirits soared—it was just the two of them.

“I hope you had a good sleep,” Lenoir said with a wry smile. “Miss Gilchrist, you will be happy to hear that your brother has quickly agreed to pay ten thousand pounds for your safe return, and he has also agreed to exchange my two men, who were captured in your room, for you and Mr. Watley. So it has been a very lucrative day for me.”

His smile broadened and Jane’s fingers tightened around her key, which was hidden in her skirts.

She kept Luke in her peripheral vision. As they had agreed earlier, as soon as Luke made a move, she would leap across the four feet between her and Lenoir and strike.

“Afraid your men will spill your secrets?” Luke asked from where he was sitting.

“I don’t want to take any chances.” Again, Lenoir looked snide. Neither he nor his henchman looked guarded or very alert.

“It’s hard to get good help, I’d imagine,” Luke said.

“Almost as hard as it is to get a good wife,” Lenoir said.

Jane held her breath as she watched for Luke’s reaction. Lenoir was baiting him, and she said a quick, wordless prayer that Luke would keep his wits about him.

“That is very true, I’m sure,” Luke mumbled, without raising his head or his eyes.

“When will you release me?” Jane asked, trying to sound meek.

“You are not anxious to leave us, are you?” Lenoir asked. “I should think with such accommodations as these, you would wish to stay.”

“We need water,” Jane said, ignoring his facetiousness and again trying to feign meekness.

“Since you have been such gracious guests, I am sure we can get some water for you. Is there anything else you need?”

Jane shook her head. “No.”

“Someone will bring you some water, then.”

As soon as the Frenchman lifted his hand, his guard turned to open the door.

Luke leapt to his feet and Jane lurched forward.

Jane thrust the key at Lenoir’s throat. His arm flew up and blocked her. The key struck him lower than she intended and with less force.

She was aware of Luke and the guard tangling behind Lenoir as she brought her knee up as hard as she could between the man’s legs.

He grabbed her arms as the breath went out of him. He was falling to the floor, but he brought her down with him.

Jane’s shoulder hit the floor first, but she hardly felt it. She struck the man’s throat with the key, causing his eyes to go wide and his grip to loosen.

She jumped to her feet and Luke grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

They ran toward the door and she glimpsed the guard lying on the floor. His eyes were closed and blood was seeping from his head.