Chapter 34 #2
Judith was too busy listening for Perry’s shatterstone, tense with the effort.
She picked up the teapot and poured a large measure of cold tea.
Then she set it down again with a clunk.
Just as she did so, she caught the faint sound of a rumble, far below.
She coughed, clearing her throat. Perry was blowing open the cellars, the good boy.
“What was that?” said Ltn Greene sharply.
Judith looked over. “The rumble? That is the waves. They crash right against the castle, you know. It quite unnerved me the first time I felt it, too. I suppose the tide must be in.”
Ltn Greene narrowed his eyes. “Get on with it.” He marched over, opened the bottle, and proceeded to pour a hefty dose of the purple liquid into her cup.
Judith licked her lips. “Sugar is required, I think.” Slowly, she spooned in crystals, hoping that her reluctance would be read as a natural aversion to losing her mind.
Deliberately, she stirred the tea and looked up. “Drumpellier will suspect something. You won’t get away with it.”
“As long as I get away with it for another three days,” he replied, unperturbed. “If I can hold my position for that long, it will all be worth it. Then Drumpellier will really gnash his teeth.”
“Why?” asked Robert. “What is happening in three days?”
Ltn Greene hesitated, but the opportunity to boast was too much. “Bonaparte’s troops are sneaking into England. Into this very castle.”
There was a shocked silence.
“Into the cellars?” Judith was aghast. “You’re going to Travel them in?”
“Indeed. From a turncoat ship in the channel. We can only shift a few soldiers at a time, but if we work night and day, we should manage a fair few before anyone notices. This castle can hide a whole regiment or two, I believe, before we make our presence known.”
“It won’t work,” said Robert faintly. “It’s a mad idea.”
“Fortunately, you won’t remember anything about it.
” Ltn Greene smirked. “Now, come along, drink up. I still have to deal with Miss Onslow, and she is no doubt feeling a little anxious in her dingy tunnel. I don’t want her chatting to your servants through the door either, Lady Avely, in case she lets anything slip. ”
Judith raised the cup. She strained her ears, listening. Had she heard a footstep? Was Dacian creeping up the stairs right now? Would he and Perry burst in? All she could hear, however, was the gulls screaming outside, and the wind keening against the windows. It was a lonely sound now.
“Hurry up, woman.” Ltn Greene grew impatient. “If you don’t, I’ll pull on the wristbreakers now, and then Robert will have no memory and no hands.”
She took a sip.
The tea was over-brewed and very strong. Underneath the bitterness was a rich, tangy taste. It was sweet, like port. She could sense its potency as she let it roll round her mouth. Then, bracing herself, she swallowed.
She glanced over to Robert. He looked the same as ever, his clefted chin pugnacious, his blue eyes worried. “Not so bad,” she said calmly. “Quite delicious, actually.”
Robert grimaced. “My turn.” He put out his manacled hands, reaching for the cup. “We can take it sip by sip.”
Reluctantly, Judith handed him the cup. It was a good idea: eke it out, slow it down. Still, it was difficult to watch Robert take his turn, his eyes widening at the rich taste, his throat bobbing.
Solemnly, they passed the cup to one another, both taking tiny mouthfuls.
Her ears were pricked, wondering if Perry and Dacian had reached the door yet.
They would need to listen for the lieutenant’s voice, to locate his whereabouts in the room.
She held up the cup to ostentatiously examine it, hoping to provoke him into comment.
It worked. Ltn Greene spoke impatiently. “Enough of this stalling.” His voice was loud and suspicious, and his eyes shot to the door. “Drink up.” He raised his hand and hooked a finger through the chain at his lapel, glaring at Judith. “Or else.”
She lowered the cup and took a larger mouthful.
The liquid burned her tongue, and tears started to her eyes.
She could feel herself becoming hazy already, a slight softening around the edges.
Vagueness was creeping upon her, like dusk darkening the sky over the bay.
Yet she must keep talking, so Dacian knew where she was.
“May I say one thing?” She did not wait for the lieutenant’s permission, and held up a hand to foil his anger, turning to Robert.
“My dear boy, it pains me to think we will be strangers again. But I hope I will do better next time. And I think Perry could be a good brother to you, if you would only let him.”
Robert blinked owlishly. “Thank you.” His eyes were wet. “Pass me the damn cup. Let’s get this over with.”
“I concur,” snapped Ltn Greene.
She gave it to him. Resolutely, he lifted it and took a gulp.
He passed it back.
Judith carried it to her lips, waiting, hoping. Where was Dacian? Who, exactly, was Dacian? The thought swum through her mind, and with it, the image of his handsome, smiling face. She didn’t want to forget him. She was waiting for him. Waiting for something.
“Finish it up,” said Ltn Greene harshly.
Under his hard stare, she took another gulp. She held it in her mouth, then swallowed. She pushed the cup back towards Robert.
“Bottoms up,” she said.
It really was quite delicious. Could do with a bit of cream, perhaps.
Robert gave her a dreamy glance, lifting the teacup, but at that moment, the room burst into movement.
Right in front of her, two men appeared. One was tall and dark-haired, his jaw set, his black eyes furious. The other was younger, his arms wrapped around the older man’s waist. His blond head peered out from under one arm, his boyish face contorted in alarm.
Under Judith’s bemused gaze, the young man released his hold and dropped to the ground. The dark-haired man spun around, and power swept through the room.
Everyone froze, held into place by an implacable force. A red-coated soldier stood transfixed by a bookshelf, a snarl upon his face, his hand lifting to his breast pocket.
The dark-haired man stalked forward.
“You bastard.” His voice was vicious as he leaned in.
“You’re lucky I don’t crush your bones to dust.” Carefully, at odds with the fury in his voice, he extracted a chain from the soldier’s lapel.
Judith watched with interest, despite her inability to move.
At the end of it, a flat iron key dangled.
“Here you go, Perry,” said the man grimly. “Unlock Robert. Be bloody careful about it.”
The blond man tried to grimace, but he was unable to move. The dark-haired man sighed, and the stone wall of force dropped away from everyone, except the soldier. He was still fixed in place, glaring, his skin turning a blotchy red, his eyes bulging.
The blond man scrambled to his feet. “Right away, your grace.” Gingerly, he took the key and went over to a young man sitting in an armchair, manacles on his wrists. Judith, horrified, watched as the cuffs were unlocked. The young man let out a sigh of relief, stretching out his fingers and hands.
Then the blond boy came over, his brow creasing above hazel eyes. “Mother! Did I hear you say that Robert and I are brothers?”
“Oh dear,” said Judith, frowning. “Did I say that?” She paused. “Do I know you?”
The dark-haired man took a hasty step towards her. “How much did you drink?” he demanded. He really was quite handsome.
Judith looked down at the cup in her hand. “I’m not sure,” she said, and she slid into a hazy, soft glow of oblivion.