Page 24 of A Stormy Season

“And I have a key in my purse that we might be able to use for a weapon.”

While she was still speaking, Luke felt the mortar crumble around the brick his fingertips were testing. He pulled at it, rocking it up and down and back and forth until it came loose and fell on the floor. He quickly picked it up, holding it against his stomach, since his hands were still tied.

“Let me get your bonds untied,” Jane said, taking hold of the brick and placing it on the floor. She began working at the knot.

“It’s very tight,” she whispered as she stood in front of him. “And are you sure you’re all right? You lost a lot of blood.”

“I am well.”

“You are not even dizzy?”

“No.”

“A headache?”

“A slight one. But I am well and ready to fight my way out of here.”

“I can fight too. Henry taught me how, and I have my heavy door key and I can stab a man in the throat or the eye. I know how to hurt a man, and I am ready.”

“Very good. You don’t have to convince me. I won’t try to stop you.”

“Good.”

She continued to work at the knot, and after a few more minutes, she got it loose. His hands were free.

“Your wrists are bloody from the rope.” Her voice was strained as she held his hands close to her face.

How soft her hands were. He had missed this. In fact, he wasn’t sure Anne had ever touched him with so much care and concern.

“It is nothing.” He pulled his hands away from her and picked up the brick. “We need to make a plan.”

“Of course. Shall we wait by the door and then attack them when they open it?”

“It might be better to hide our weapons until they come into the room.”

“But they will see that our bonds are off,” Jane pointed out.

“Perhaps we can make it look like our hands are still tied, drape the bonds over our wrists. And when they draw close to us, we will attack.” But this was no rough groom or gardener he was talking to. This was a young lady, Henry’s only sister. “No, no, it’s no good.”

“Why do you say that?”

“We should wait and let them ransom you.”

“Why?” She looked at him as if he’d said something offensive.

“I could never forgive myself if you were injured.”

“I won’t be injured. I’ll stab them in the eye. They won’t hurt me.”

Luke shook his head. “It is too dangerous. Your brother will pay your ransom and they will deliver you back home, safe and well.”

“I can help fight them.”

“I cannot allow it in good conscience.”

“I am not asking your permission.” Jane’s voice was slow and even, but there was an edge in her voice.

“Jane—I mean to say, Miss Gilchrist—you must listen to reason.”