Page 97 of By the Sword
Jonathan looked up at his sister. ‘Is Tom all right?’
Nell nodded. ‘He’s fine. We’ve put him to bed and Ellen gave him a stern talking to about staying out so late.’ She caught his hand and looked into his face, her eyes hard. ‘Is this Major Prescott’s work? Did he hurt her?’
Jonathan stroked Kate’s bruised cheek. How could he even begin to explain to his sister the tangled web of events that had begun ten years ago and had ended tonight?
‘Why?’ Nell sounded on the edge of tears. ‘I don’t understand, Jon. Tell me what happened?’
Jonathan ran a hand across his eyes. ‘Not now, Nell. I’ll tell you the whole story in the morning, I promise.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Where is Prescott?’
He looked away, unable to face Nell’s accusing gaze. ‘Prescott is dead. Now, I am leaving Kate to you. Giles and I have unfinished business.’
***
Price came the next morning and it fell to Nell to deal with him. Crammed into the priest hole with Giles, Jonathan chafed with impatience. He hated hiding like a rat in a hole but they had no choice.
It seemed an age before Nell swung back the beam and the two men crawled out into the light.
Giles took a deep breath. ‘If you’ll excuse me, my knee hurts like the very devil. I will retire to the comfort of the bedchamber.’
He limped out leaving brother and sister alone together.
Jonathan stretched his stiff sore muscles and turned to face his sister.
‘What did Price want?’
Nell crossed her arms and fixed her brother with a hard glare. ‘He came to tell me that Major Prescott had been found dead on the side of the Kidderminster road this morning. They suspect it was the work of footpads. He was knifed. The weapon was found in the body and his purse is missing. He wanted to know when we had last seen him.’
‘What did you tell him?’
‘I told him that Major Prescott was here yesterday evening. He had come to advise us that his soldiers would no longer be occupying this house. I said he had left just after dark and that Kate had warned him of the dangers of travelling abroad after dark in these unsettled times.’ She took a deep shuddering breath. ‘None of that is true. You killed him didn’t you, Jon?’
Jonathan swallowed and nodded. ‘In self-defence, Nell.’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t doubt your word and it was clever to disguise the sword wound with the knife. I suppose they will bury him properly, not that I think that he will be greatly mourned. Certainly not by me but I will pray for his soul.’
Jonathan laid a hand on his sister’s shoulder. ‘You can pray for mine too.’
Her lips twitched in an unconvincing smile. ‘You are constantly in my prayers, Jon.’
He walked across to the window and looked out at the sweep of the Thornton land.
Nell joined him. ‘Jon?’ she said softly. ‘Go and rest. You are strung like a bow.’
He shook his head. ‘Later, Nell.’
He couldn’t tell his sister that every time he closed his eyes he saw only Prescott’s face, contorted with hatred.
‘I know what lay between you. Giles told me about your affair with Prescott’s wife. Small wonder he hated you so much.’ She laid a hand on his sleeve, compelling him to look down at her. ‘Why did you do it?’
He took the hand, pressing it to his lips. ‘My dear sister. It was another lifetime ago when I was a different person.’ He sighed. ‘Mary and I paid dearly for that affair and I’m only sorry to have had to involve any of you in my sorry business.’
Nell threw her arms around him and held him tight. ‘I just hope that this is the end of it, Jonathan. For all of us.”
As they parted, she asked. ‘What happens now, Jon?’
Jonathan blew out a breath and looked up at the fine plaster ceiling, hoping for inspiration. ‘I will return to France by the easiest route I can find.’
