Page 152 of Feathers in the Wind
“She was with him at Byton, but I thought when I saw her here that she had...” Toby’s brow creased, and tears filled his eyes. “Oh sir, I don't know what I thought.”
“Did you know your sister was the traitor in these walls?” Luke demanded.
The boy shook his head, his eyes large with fear and disbelief, and this time Luke believed him. Toby crumpled back to the ground.
“I'm your man, Cap’n Collyer. I’d no part in her wicked ways.” Toby snivelled.
Luke looked at the faces of his officers. No further explanation was necessary.
“Do you think she’s taken Deliverance?” Penitence ventured.
“I'm sure of it,” Luke replied. “But just to be sure, I want another search of the castle—”
He got no further as a man came charging into the hall. “Captain Collyer. Come quickly, you're wanted on the wall.”
“It can wait.” Luke rounded on the man.
“It's Colonel Farrington, and he's got Mistress Felton with him,” the man said, his breath coming in short gasps from his haste.
Deliverance… in the hands of a man who had murdered a garrison in cold blood.
Ignoring the pain that rapid movement caused to his throbbing head, he ran out into the courtyard and up the steps to the curtain wall beside the gatehouse.
Farrington stood just out of range of the muskets, surrounded by his own men. He held Deliverance’s upper arm in his left hand and a pistol in his right, its muzzle resting just above her right ear.
Luke narrowed his eyes and scanned Deliverance’s face looking for signs of violence. Even at the distance, she looked dishevelled but otherwise unhurt.
“Collyer,” Farrington shouted, his voice carrying well in the still air. “I think the time has come to discuss surrender.”
“What are your terms?” Luke responded.
Farrington laughed. “I don't think we need to discuss terms, do we? Very well, the terms are simple, your unconditional surrender for the life of this woman.”
Surrender or Deliverance dies? What choice did he have?
“What are you going to do?” Ned asked, tight-lipped. “He wouldn't really kill her, would he?”
“You saw what he did at Byton? He's capable of anything, Ned. He may not kill her but by all that is infernal, there are other things he can do to her.”
Ned paled beneath his freckles as Luke’s meaning became clear. “God help us all.”
Luke turned back and looked down at Farrington. “I will give you an answer in an hour, Colonel,” he said.
“An hour? It would seem to me that your answer is fairly clear, Collyer.”
“It is not my decision. I must consult with the lady's family,” Luke said.
“Very well. An hour, Collyer.”
“Who is there to consult?” Ned said in a low voice. Luke looked at Penitence. “Well?”
Penitence turned despairing eyes on him. “Save her!”
Luke turned his eyes heavenwards. “We need a distraction.”
Chapter 20
Deliverance sat on a stool in the corner of the clergyman's parlour, sunk in despondency. An hourglass stood on the table in front of Charles Farrington and he leaned back in his chair, watching the sand trickle through it. Lovedie had draped herself across the back of his chair, curling his hair in her fingers.
