Chapter Twenty-Two
Duncan could hear thesounds of a struggle. Lucy cried out, a man grunted, and then there was what he surmised was a scuffle. He headed in that direction following the sounds of the fight...until suddenly they ceased. All was silent except for the drip of the rain.
Darkness had fallen now, and though the rain was little more than a mist, he could barely see in front of him. He wanted to call for Lucy. His heart was pounding, not out of fear for himself, but out of fear that something had happened to her. He approached cautiously, his ears straining. And then he heard the snap of a twig and her shout, “Watch out!”
He spun around and met the attack head-on. The man was on him, punching and clawing, and Duncan could do little but defend himself. He finally threw the assailant off his body, took two steps to steady himself, then brought up his fists.
But the man didn’t attack. Duncan moved forward in fighting position and found no one. Lucy rushed down from the hill just above them and grabbed his arms. “Are you hurt?”
“Nothing serious. You?” he asked.
“Nothing serious. Where is he?”
“I threw him off, and now he’s disappeared.”
She didn’t need to be told to take Duncan’s back. She released him and spun around, assuming her own defensive stance. As one, they moved in a circle, surveying the area.
Lucy considered. “He’s either hiding or—”
“—gone to the lodge.”
“He’s done hiding,” she said. “Run!”
Duncan caught up to her in a few strides, grasped her wrist and took the lead. He swept branches out of the way and took the brunt of thorns and prickers himself. Lucy was panting hard when they emerged from the woods and spotted the flickering lamps of the lodge. “Do you need a moment?” he asked.
“No.” And she started running again. He was faster and sprinted ahead. She motioned him forward. “Hurry! Don’t wait for me. Get him.”
Duncan didn’t like leaving her behind. There was power in numbers. There was also a little boy who didn’t stand a chance if Vanderville got into the lodge. He’d escaped Lucy, leaving her winded and in pursuit. The man could handle Lady John and whatever servants were with her.
Duncan burst through the door just as a scream rent the air. James was standing in the foyer, pale and shaken, his hand to his jaw. “Which way?” Duncan demanded.
“The s-servants’ quarters,” James said.
Vanderville knew the layout of the house. He was going to the schoolroom first. Was Johnny in the schoolroom? Most likely not, as Lucy was not with him. Duncan hesitated between heading toward the schoolroom and the direction of the scream and the family quarters where Lady John and her sons were probably playing or reading.
Duncan started for the family quarters, hesitated, then ran for the schoolroom. He passed Molly, white-faced and wide-eyed. Wordlessly, she pointed toward the schoolroom. Duncan skidded to a stop before the closed door, kicked it open and stared at Wilhemina who was cradling Ada.
“What happened?” Duncan demanded.
