Chapter Thirty-Four

Upstairs, sometime after three in the morning, Serena and Emma tiptoed about. They bundled their beds to appear as if they were still asleep in them. With great stealth, Serena placed her ear to the door, heard nothing, and turned the key.

“Emma, go tap on Josephine’s door. Keep your voice low.”

“Yes, mistress.” Emma left.

Moments later both women entered.

They moved to the far wall where their whispers could not be heard.

“Did you lock your door?” Serena asked.

“Yes, and I fixed the bed as you instructed.”

“Around midnight, I heard men’s voices in the hall. I peeked out, went down a few steps unnoticed,” Serena told Josephine. “They were armed. When we sneak down the steps with our long skirts and lit tapers, how do we avoid alerting them?”

“We may not have to do this,” Josephine suggested. “There is a back stairway to the lower kitchens. The door is behind your armoire.”

“Are you sure?” Emma’s face beamed.

“Yes, I doubt it got walled up. It has not been used for years. As a little girl, I used to hide there from my mother. One day she discovered me and had the door blocked with the armoire.”

Serena went to the wardrobe and attempted to move it. “It is a heavy piece. I do not know if we have enough strength to pull it away. It is a good thing we wore our riding boots. We can lie on the floor and push it with our feet.”

She placed herself on the floor with her knees pulled up and her boots against one side. Emma and Josephine joined her.

Serena whispered, “Push with your knees, try to eliminate the noise.”

They shoved in unison and felt the wardrobe slide. “Right after I count three, we push again. One, two, three—push.” It moved further. The noise created by the armoire scraping across the floor sounded like a loud church bell in the stillness of the early hour. They huddled together, took deep breaths, and listened for footsteps.

Josephine got up. “I can see the door. Who has the keys?” She reached for the handle, and to her surprise it opened with a squeak.

“I am sorry to have to leave my new dress behind,” Josephine lamented.

Serena answered in haste, “I will buy you new dresses when we get to London. Rest assured. Now let us be as quiet as mice.”

They started to descend the steps with lit tapers, one at a time. Cobwebs stuck to their hoods and cape bottoms gathered the dust. A wind blew through the cavernous staircase and Josephine’s candle flickered and almost died. She cupped it and the taper re-flamed. A rodent crossed her boots, and she covered her mouth to stifle a scream.

They continued down the stairs past the floor that held the armed men, and proceeded to the lower fortress bowels.

The ladies arrived at the huge portal door. Serena stood on her toes to see out the window. She saw no one. The full moon lit the area like a soft lantern and made it easier for Lord Geoffrey and his men in boats to be seen on the beach when they arrived.

“I will insert the key and see if it unlatches the door.” Serena took it from her pocket, placed it in the lock. “It goes in, but does not turn.” Frustrated, her hand shook uncontrollably.

“Give it to me,” Emma whispered. “I thought to bring lard from the kitchen to help grease the workings.” She smeared the grease generously on the metal key.

Serena tried again, her hands numb. There was a harsh click, as the key turned. They pushed but the door stood fast.

“What was that? Did you hear a noise?” Serena asked.

“Maybe it’s his Grace, mistress, and his men.”

Serena stood again on tiptoe and peered out the dusty window.

“Three small boats,” she told Emma and Josephine. They’ve landed ashore and men are getting out. Could it be my brother’s mercenaries?”

Serena hid from the window’s view. The women clung to each other, hearing footsteps approach the portal.

“John’s instructions stated we were to tap on the door to let Lord Geoffrey’s men know we’d arrived,” Emma reminded.

Josephine shivered uncontrollably. “If it is my brother leading them in, he will surely kill us all, if he finds us here.

It was a chance they’d have to take. Serena placed her hand against the door, poised it to tap.

“Serena, are you there, my love?”

It was Geoffrey’s voice—the sweetest sound in the world. Serena placed her hand on the windowpane, and he matched it with his from the other side. She no longer feared any harm.

He motioned to his men and they came to the portal.

“Push,” he whispered to the ladies.

His men pulled.

“Again,” he commanded in a soft voice. “Harder.”

The portal opened. Serena ran to Geoffrey. He embraced her, his sword in one hand and his pistol in the other.

“Geoffrey, you did come for me. I can breathe again. I’m happy.”

“It is not yet over,” he uttered. “Whatever the outcome, know I love you above all things. Now, go and get you safe.” He released her to the escort of one of his men.

Serena warned, “Be careful. LeBran hired mercenaries. They are in the main hall. Protect yourself.”

Her hood dropped. His eyes went to her bruised cheek. He stopped her. “Did LeBran strike you?”

“It is nothing, my love. I am safe now.”

“I will make him pay with his own blood tonight, Serena.” He turned from her. “I hear footsteps. Hurry, get into the boat, my love. Whatever happens, you will be free. I will come to you. Have no fear, my Sultana.”

“You can never know how much I have wanted to hear your endearments and to tell you that I love you,” Serena whispered.

He nodded, and two of the Saints led the women to the boat. They rowed to the schooner.

Josephine relaxed. “Lady Serena, if that is the gentleman you spoke about, I would give anything to have one just like him.”

“For what you have done for me tonight, Josephine, I will sponsor you at your debut ball. You will have a generous dower and many fine gentlemen will seek your hand.” She smiled at the woman. “I, however, seem to have a penchant for Lord Geoffrey. I saw him first and he is mine, but we will help you find one just as suitable.”

From the small boat, Serena watched LeBran and his brigands appear on the beach. She clasped her hands. “My dear ones, please pray for my love and his brave men. They are surrounded.”