Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,36

to his shoulder, but it was naught but a graze, thankfully.

“Captain Jones, sit yourself down,” Cook instructed. “You’ll be exhausted if you don’t.”

“I’m fine,” Samuel said, but he did as he was bid, patting the footman next to him on the shoulder. “You did well.”

The footman flushed at the praise from the well-seasoned military man but did not have the chance to respond as Cook interrupted.

“The sounds we could hear from the basement were terrifying. I thought there would be nothing left of the house when we emerged, I tell you.”

Samuel smiled, his usual laconic cynicism gone. “They weren’t expecting the little surprises we had arranged for them.”

“It’s no wonder Napoleon was defeated with tricks like that up your sleeve,” Dawson said admiringly.

“It was completely different over there. I was on a horse and very much at the forefront of charging at the enemy. This needed a little more delicacy,” Samuel said with a grin. “But I did pick up a few ideas from other regiments.”

They had rigged some explosions that could be set off with long lines of gunpowder. It had been risky, but thankfully no wind or rain had hindered the careful plan Matthew and Samuel had put together. When the explosions had gone off in various locations, away from the escaping party, it had concentrated the activity of the men attacking the house.

They had been forced down an almost single corridor of attack, which had given the advantage to the few people in the house. Samuel had known they had little edge over the men determined to breach the building and take the child they thought still inside, but he had used every possible advantage of being aware the attack was coming.

The attackers had not expected any of the household to be outside; some of the men had been able to shoot at the aggressors as they approached. It had been a risky strategy, but along with a footman on the upstairs balcony who had turned out to be an excellent sharpshooter, they had managed to whittle the numbers down to a more even fight.

There had been ten men. Some had been shot dead, but there were enough of them still alive that there might be the opportunity to glean some information from them before they hung. Samuel was fairly confident that there were no others waiting in the background to continue their plans of seizing Isabella. He had actually been surprised there were so many. It had clearly been a serious attempt to somehow undermine the monarchy.

The surviving rebels had been taken to Sidmouth prison and would be transported to London the following morning. He had insisted they be heavily guarded with no chance of escape or of persuading their gaolers to set them free. There would be many men escorting them to London. He was determined they would not escape.

When Cook placed a bowl of ice and a towel in front of him, he grimaced up at her. “My good looks gone forever?”

“For the time being,” Cook answered damningly.

“That’s the problem with being heroic – it is all rather messy.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” Cook said quietly. “I am sure you will be returned to your usual handsome self by the next time you see her.”

Samuel looked sharply at the cook. It was an impertinent comment, and he would normally have issued one of his damning retorts, but now was not the time, after they had all worked together so closely.

“I have eyes in my head, young man, and my ear to the ground,” she said before starting to speak to the maid who had remained with her.

He picked up some ice, put it in the towel, and held the ice pack to his cheek. Gritting his teeth, he was thankful for his bruising, for he was sure he had blushed like some Johnny Raw at her words.

Beside him, the footman coughed. “She frightens me most of the time. She knows everything,” he said very quietly.

Both blinked at the knowing yet chastising look Cook shot at them.

“Good God,” Samuel said. “I think you’re right.”

*

The morning after, Samuel arose stiff and sore. He dressed and went straight down to the kitchen. There was no point in staying above stairs when he was the only guest in the house.

Cook nodded in approval as he walked into the warm room. “Glad to see you aren’t too high in the instep to join us after all the excitement is over.”

Samuel laughed. “I would be a poor being if I