Page 51 of Earl of Spades

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Ash woke from a deep sleep having no idea what had caused him to do so. He opened his eyes, Lily’s weight comfortably pressed into his side, her body half on top of his. He’d managed to stuff them into most of their clothes before they’d fallen asleep, and a good thing too. The summer air had cooled with the deepening night.

He turned his head, but the rock and the grass blocked his view of anything besides the trees that towered overhead.

“Your Grace,” a voice boomed over the night, filling the air. “I’d like a word.”

“What the—” He cut off his words, not wanting anyone to hear them.

Lily jolted awake. “Did you hear that?”

Sliding out from under her, Ash held a finger to his lips. Then he rocked up onto his heels, peeking over the rock.

The sight before him turned his blood cold.

A ring of men surrounded the barn. There must have been forty of them on horseback, all facing toward the structure.

Lily peeked over too. “Where are all the soldiers?” she whispered.

Ash’s teeth clenched. “They were camping in the grass.”

“Do you think they’re still there?”

“I hope so,” he answered gently, pushing her down lower. While he was glad to have Lily tucked behind this rock where she was hidden and safe, nearly everyone they cared about was in that barn. And they were surrounded.

“To whom am I speaking?” Bash called back, the window in the loft being propped open the slightest bit.

“Why, I’m the Governor of Groves Square. Pleased to make your acquaintance,” the man said. He sounded as though he was trying to cover a Cockney accent with a more proper one but failed.

“Groves Square?”

“That’s right,” the man hollered back. As Ash’s eyes adjusted, he saw that the moonlight shone off the bright white coat of the man’s mount. This was who Lockton had warned him about. “It’s like Grosvenor Square, only less fashionable.”

Male laughter rumbled through the group of thieves and then another of the men shouted, “You’d not survive a stroll through that garden.” More laughter rippled across the field.

Ash drew in a deep breath. He was a good shot and it now occurred him, with his position behind and to the group’s left, that he was in a good position to pick off a few key players.

Sinking down again, he pulled his pistols from his discarded belt, carefully loading them.

“You’ll forgive me if I don’t recognize the name,” Bash yelled.

“Why would you? My brother and I, along with our merry little band, have hardly been important to the likes of you, but we’re going to be. Soon enough.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ve got an offer for you,” the Governor replied, his voice dripping with derision. “I’ll give you ten thousand pounds and we’ll leave you be.”

“You know that’s hardly a quarter of the club’s value.”

The other man shrugged. “It’s been plagued by thieves, I hear.” More laughter rang out.

Ash’s jaw clenched as he levelled his first pistol. “When the bullets start, do you know how to reload?” he asked Lily.

“Yes,” Lily answered. “I do.”

“That’s my brave girl. I’ll hand you a gun, you pack it with fresh powder and lead. Understood?”

“I do.”