Less Than a Gentleman - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,111
see how it is done, Charlotte? 'Tis simple."
"I'm afraid!" Charlotte's face paled to a deathly white. "Where's Papa's book? I dropped it. I don't have Papa's book."
"You don't need it. Your Papa is fine."
"I want Papa's book!"
Caroline straightened. She could hardly fling her niece over the balcony. The heat from the house was growing stronger, like a giant oven, and they stood just outside it. How long before the floor collapsed beneath their feet?
"Betsy, go next," Caroline ordered. She spotted Edward running toward the river. Where on earth was he going?
Betsy had almost reached the ground when Pugsley and Hickman rounded the corner.
"Halt!" Pugsley leveled his musket at the servant. "Don't move!"
Betsy yelped and fell to the ground.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Caroline shouted from the balcony. "Do you expect us to stay in a burning house?"
Hickman muttered a curse, then glanced at Pugsley. "Lower your weapon."
Caroline hunched down in front of her niece. "Charlotte, we have to go. I want you to climb onto my back now." She breathed with relief when Charlotte obeyed. She prayed she had the strength to get them both down the rope.
"I'm afraid," Charlotte's voice whimpered in her ear.
"I won't be able to hold you. You'll have to hold on tight." She regretted her words when Charlotte gripped her neck with enough force to choke a mule. "Not that tight."
Charlotte wrapped her little legs around Caroline's waist. Caroline eased over the balustrade. Her niece's breaths puffed rapidly against her ear. She grasped the rope. The rough texture bit into her palms.
The instant she stepped off the balcony, her shoulders strained with the weight. Her hands burned. She gritted her teeth and lowered them down.
When her feet reached the ground, she dropped to her knees. Charlotte slipped off her back. She stumbled to her feet, flexing her sore fingers. The house wavered before her eyes, encased in a cocoon of heat. An orange glow illuminated the front windows. The fire had spread to the front parlor. A low roar emanated from inside, punctuated with sudden snaps. Poor Jane would never see her house again.
And Matthias - he had lost his home. His father. He probably believed he had lost her. With tear-filled eyes, she grabbed her niece and their bundle of clothing and moved away from the house.
"A clever escape." Hickman stalked toward her. "But you're still under arrest for treason."
She swallowed hard. "You have no proof."
"You were using a secret corridor to spy on me."
"What secret corridor?" She motioned to the burning house. "I believe you have set your proof on fire."
Hickman's eyes flared. "Bitch. You'll pay for this."
Glass exploded as the front windows shattered from the heat. Charlotte buried her face in Caroline's skirt.
She wrapped an arm around Charlotte and looked toward the river. What was Edward doing? Her blood froze when she spotted him on his knees in the grove of loblolly pines. She dropped the bundle of clothes. No. He had dug up the horn of gunpowder. "Edward, no."
He leapt to his feet, the musket in his arms.
"Edward, no!" she screamed.
He charged toward them, raising the musket to his shoulder. "I hate you! I hate you!"
"Meddlesome child," Hickman muttered. He pulled his flintlock from his belt and took aim.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Caroline spotted a man darting from the trees toward Edward. She shoved Hickman to the side just as his pistol sparked and fired.
The man and Edward hit the ground rolling. She watched, terrified, waiting to see if either of them would stand up.
"Bitch!" Hickman slapped her so suddenly, she tumbled back on her arse. Pain lanced her cheek.
"I want that man alive!" Hickman bellowed.
Pugsley sprinted toward Edward and his rescuer. He stopped beside them with his musket ready.
Jacob slowly stood and helped Edward to his feet.
Hickman stalked toward them. "You. What is your name?"
Jacob glared at the redcoats.
Caroline rose to her feet. Charlotte clung to her skirts. In the distance, she saw Betsy disappearing into the woods.
Hickman kicked Edward's musket aside and studied Jacob. "You're the slave that lives by the mill, aren't you? You just interfered with my business. I wonder what else you're guilty of."
Jacob's throat moved as he swallowed hard. He shoved Edward toward Caroline.
Hickman stepped closer to him. "If we investigate your cabin, what will we find? Bows and arrows? Gunpowder? You've been sabotaging my supplies, haven't you?"