Lord of the Abbey (47 page)

Harry ran a hand through his hair. “Things can go wrong with
this
plan too, Micah.”

“
I know. But let’s go back and talk it all out and see what we can come up with. And don’t forget, Rowena has an Angel on her side too.”

Harry nodded. Exhaled deeply.

The men were ensconced in the library for well over an hour.

Rowena knew it had something to do with Dalworth. She just had a feeling. And that meant Dalworth was here in Glastonbury.

She was sitting with the Dowager Lady Glaston, Lady Amesbury and Aunt Frances in the drawing room. Sarah was upstairs with Caroline. Even Sir John was in the library with the gentlemen today. The ladies tried to keep her in their conversation, but being so distracted, she finally moved to the window, sat upon the window seat.

Rowena was looking at the Tor, wishing she could walk up and talk to Archangel Michael when Harry came into the room.

Harry greeted the ladies. His gaze then rested on Rowena. “May I talk to you a moment, Rowena.”

She merely nodded, for there was a lump in her throat.

Her hands trembled.

She looked up to Harry after they exited the drawing room, noted his grave expression and asked softly, “This is about Dalworth isn’t it, Harry? He’s here in Glastonbury, isn’t he?”

Harry nodded. “Yes, he’s at the George and Pilgrim. Apparently he’s quite unhinged and dangerous. And instead of waiting for him to come to us and risk being taken by surprise, we think it might be best if we lure him to us. Lay a trap for him.”

“
How?”

“
You. As bait. But, I will be in the room with you. So will Micah. I wouldn’t ask you to do this, except I think that you, like me, would like to see this end. And be free of the fear of that man, forever. And it will be forever, Rowena. I promise you that. I will make it so.”

Rowena trembled all over. She became so shaky, she stopped to lean against a chair. Took many deep breaths. She wanted to do this. Wasn’t certain she could for the crippling fear that threatened.

Harry’s arms came around her, he hugged her tightly. “I will let nothing happen to you, love. I promise. I’ll be right there with you.” He kissed her temple, stroked her back. Whispered soothingly to her.

“
I know.”

“
Will you come into the library with me? Everyone is waiting, and we can tell you the entire plan. It might make you feel better to know every detail.”

She shuddered. Tried to fight back the tears that threatened to spill. She hated the fear, the way it overtook her, immobilized her. She forced herself to work through it. She wanted to be free of the fear for good. She did. She put her hand in Harry’s. They headed toward the library.

“
It will be tonight, Harry. Whitely just received a message from Davitt. Davitt wants to go it tonight. They need an extra man, a safe cracker and a lock-pick. He inquired if Whitely knew of one. Newt will go in disguise and be that man. Hanford is rounding him up some clothing from the servants as we speak. We need to hurry, and get the message to him about our safe-cracker and the tunnel in time.” Trevan clapped Newt on the back.

“
I told Rowena, we will explain everything to her before she decides.” Harry held his wife’s trembling hand in his.

Trevan nodded. “Take a seat, Lady Glaston. Now, I want you to know there’s no way these men are going to get through all of us. That just isn’t possible. And our luck has improved with us being able to send Newt among them. I think it will be tonight, we won’t know for certain until we hear back from Whitely, Newt or Michelmore later.”

Trevan sat on the other side of Rowena and explained the entire plan.

Rowena listened to the plan. Knew she still trembled, guessed she was quite pale from the worried looks she received from the men seated about her. Harry kept her hand in his, she found strength in that. But the thing she found the most strength in was that this thing could end tonight. She might be free of Dalworth and her fears forever.

“
Tell me your concerns, Lady Glaston,” Trevan concluded softly. He realized the little pixie was terrified, and it bothered him.

“
Please, Trevan, call me Rowena. And I think it is a good plan. I wish to end this as soon as possible,” though her voice was somewhat strained, there was strength there.

Though Harry wanted this thing to end, his heart thundered in his chest.
This was a dangerous situation for his wife to be in!

“
You will be with me, Harry. You and Micah?” Rowena looked to Harry beside her, then Micah across the table from her.

They nodded.

“
And me.” Lyon spoke up then, his face determined. “All Dalworth shall see is one pale cripple who can’t get out of his own bed without help, and a dying Lord Wincanton. Harry can hide behind my bed. It will be harder for Dalworth to discover his presence if I’m in the bed. It will be better with three of us in the room. Though I can’t run or walk, I can still shoot just fine.”

Harry nodded.

Rowena smiled at Lyon.

“
You are certain?” Harry asked his wife.

“
Yes.” Rowena took a deep breath and nodded.

“
Wyldhurst, get to Whitely.” Harry looked to his friend.

Wyldhurst nodded. “And I thought to stop in at the George and Pilgrim after, mention the seriousness of Lord Wincanton’s condition. That we don’t expect him to live through the night. I’ll also visit the Doctor and Apothecary for show, and alert the Constable to be prepared to come to Stonedown immediately when he receives word.

Jack Drayton, Lord Elveston, sat on guard in the Gallery. The outside guards were to gather around a fire in the garden and lament the eminent passing of their comrade, Micah Wychcombe, Lord Wincanton. The guards at the back door were to feign sleep. There was no guard posted at the cellar door.

The ladies and Sir John, along with Charlie, Tristan and Julyan Trevelyan were ensconced in Lady Caroline’s chamber, so the upstairs would give the appearance that all the ladies were retired to their separate chambers awaiting the solemn news that loomed over the household. There were no servants about. They were all in their rooms on the top floor, at the ready, should they be needed.

Trevan and seven of his cousins along with Pendarves and Carlyon stayed in the library and walked about, making like a gloomy gathering of gentlemen awaiting the news of the death of their friend.

Micah lay upon the bed which Lyon occupied previously. Wearing a nightshirt, his trousers beneath it and a blanket covering him, he had full view of the doorway. Two pistols tucked beneath the sheets, Micah had a clean shot at anyone who came in. His spectacles were removed and lay on the table beside the bed. Rowena sponged his brow with water often so he would appear feverish.

Lyon lay on the bed across the room, propped on pillows, his cane leaning against his bed. His weapons were tucked behind his body.

Harry was crouched upon the floor between the wall and Lyon’s bed, his arsenal spread out under the bed beside him.

Wyldhurst returned hours earlier to tell them their plan was set in motion. It was a stroke of luck that Dalworth himself was in the public room at the George when Wyldhurst struck up conversation with Joshua Davitt. Dalworth heard of Wincanton’s impending doom with his own ears, that he was being nursed to the end in the front parlour by the new Lady Glaston. Wyldhurst felt the man took the bait and planned to act upon it. Dalworth had actually puffed up, and there was an unholy gleam in his eyes as he sat in the public room.

In disguise, Wyldhurst watched as Davitt sauntered into the public room of the George to see Dalworth. Wyldhurst knew George Whitely earlier informed Davitt of the unknown tunnel to Stonedown. By the wild, victorious look in Dalworth’s eyes when the conversation ended, Wyldhurst knew Davitt planted a seed in Dalworth’s unstable mind. Newt confirmed with a note slipped under the door of room number five, that Davitt intended to let Dalworth go through the tunnel first, and come into the house. Once in, Davitt had assured Whitely that Dalworth would be on his own and no doubt be killed. Davitt intended to make use of the diversion caused by Dalworth to get what he wanted.

So they all sat waiting, playing their parts. The minutes turned into hours as they waited.

It was nearing midnight when the first signal came. A soft rap of Wyldhurst’s knuckles sounded on the window from where he hid outside of the parlour turned sickroom. That meant Dalworth at least, was seen near or on his way through the tunnel. Wyldhurst was to remain outside their window for the duration, hidden from sight by shrubbery.

Rowena began to tremble, quite uncontrollably, knowing Dalworth was on his way. To her.

“
Hold my hand, Rowena,” Micah whispered. His eyes remained closed. “All shall be well.”

She placed her fingers in Micah’s, felt his reassuring squeeze. Felt somewhat strengthened. Remembered Harry was just across the room. Lyon nodded to her when she looked in his direction.

“
Now, you’d best start breathing like a dying man, Micah,” she whispered, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth, as she sponged his brow and cheeks, leaving a moist sheen on his skin. His hair was damp from the numerous times she’d done the same. She was convinced that at first glance he could pass for a very ill man. A quarter of an hour passed.

It was ten minutes later when she heard the slow footsteps coming down the hall, that she reached for the sword of St. Michael pendant and whispered a quick prayer for Archangel Michael to protect them all.

Micah squeezed her hand once more for reassurance.

Lyon groaned and thrashed in his bed. Rowena rose from where she sat on the edge of Micah’s bed. She went to check on Lyon. Lyon opened one eye. He proceeded to give her a wink. Rowena fussed over Lyon a bit, in order to keep up their ruse of nursemaid and patient. He quietened. It was at that moment she heard heavy, raspy breathing behind her. Heard footsteps nearing her.

Warning chills rushed up and down her spine. Slowly, she turned. To face him.
Dalworth!
He leveled a pistol at her. His eyes were wild. He did appear to be crazed or insane. His crooked grin was the same lecherous one she remembered.

“
Get out of my house! What are you doing here? You are not welcome here, sir!” She backed up, her lower thighs brushing up against the side of Lyon’s bed. There was nowhere else to go.

“
I’ve come to bring you to my home and my bed, where you belong. You should have been there these six years!” The man’s face reddened. He licked his lips. He pointed a fat finger at her. “You are mine! I made it so.”

“
I do not now, nor ever did I belong to you. I am married now. My husband, Lord Glaston, will be along any moment! Leave at once!” Rowena tried not to tremble. Couldn’t help but notice how glossy and menacing the man’s eyes looked. How insanely evil he appeared as he leered at her. He didn’t seem to be able to accept reason. Or reality.

“
Then I’ll kill him if he does. Either way, I’ll fuck you, and slowly kill you. For what you did to me. Nearly killed me you did. Maimed me for life. Won’t ever be the same. My cock is nearly useless. You’ll see what you did to me. And you will pay, bitch! After I grow tired of fucking you, of course.”

“
I wish I
had
killed you! I might even do it now!” Rowena spat. Her anger rose, very nearly replacing her fear.

She felt Lyons fingers at her thigh, trying to push her forward. She needed to move to give Harry and Lyon a clear shot. She remembered that. She must move. She was in the way.

A ragged breath came from the other side of the room.

Dalworth’s pistol swung to point at Micah.

“
Micah!” Rowena rushed toward him. She feared Dalworth might shoot him.

Dalworth stepped into her path, reached out and grabbed her arm. “Leave him be, he’s a dead man anyway. Now come with me, whore.” He slapped her hard across the cheek and pushed her roughly toward the door. The momentum of his push broke the hold he had on her arm. She purposely veered left and grasped the door frame. With all her might, she edged backed away from the door. She soon found she backed herself into the corner of the room. She inched along the wall, moving away from him.