sat quietly with her, periodically nudging her good-naturedly with his healthy shoulder to ensure that her thoughts didn’t become too dark.

All around them the activity continued as several mattresses were lined up and the children were laid down for the night, using up the few blankets and pillows to have survived the beast’s attack. Ian eventually gave up his mattress to Theo and one of the younger girls. He found a quiet corner to prop himself up in and leaned his head back on the wall, finally dropping off to an uncomfortable but deep sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, he awoke from his shivery, cold sleep to the hushed tones of adult whispers. The earl, it seemed, had returned with Perry and Thatcher, and Ian could just make out what they were saying in the front hallway. “… followed the trail to the edge of the cliffs but we lost it in the thick grass there. At first light, after we’ve moved the children safely to Castle Dover, we should round up as many men as we can and give the entire area a proper search,” the earl was saying.

“What if the creature comes back tonight?” asked Madam Scargill, her voice quivering ever so slightly, and Ian shivered, not just with cold, but with that terrifying prospect.

“We’ll be ready for it,” said the earl confidently. “We’ll rotate the men guarding the doors. Landis, you, Freddy, and Charles continue your vigils at the doors for another few hours or so, then wake us no later than three a.m., and Thatcher, Perry, and I will relieve you. Masters Goodwyn, you two get some sleep near the men you’ll be relieving, but have your rifles handy should the beast come back.”

“Right,” said several men in unison, and Ian heard the shuffle of feet as they moved off to their positions.

“How are the children?” asked the earl after another few moments.

“As well as can be expected,” said Madam Dimbleby “They’ve had a very frightful evening, and I’m sure there will be quite a few nightmares to deal with in the coming weeks. Thankfully, none of the children save Ian, Theo, and Carl actually saw the beast. The rest only heard it. We’ve tried to salvage as much as we can from the wreckage. There’s very little left in working condition, I’m afraid, so we most appreciate you bringing these blankets and pillows over, my lord.”

“The least I could do, Maggie,” said the earl. “I’ve got my staff readying some rooms for the children at Castle Dover. We’ll move them there at first light, when it’s safe, and they can stay until we return the keep to its proper order. And you two are not to worry about what cannot be salvaged. I will replace everything that was broken. You’ll have to remember that it could have been much worse,” he finished gravely.

“Yes, it certainly could,” said Madam Dimbleby. “Come, Gertrude, let’s make these brave men some tea for their watch and cover the children with the blankets, shall we?”

Ian listened as the two women moved off and quiet followed. He was quite troubled with the guilt he was feeling about leading the beast to the keep and he lay awake for a long time. He did, however, try to feign sleep when Madam Dimbleby came into the parlor to cover some of the children who hadn’t been given a blanket earlier. He had to smirk when he felt her lay a blanket over him and whisper, “I know you’re still awake, Master Wigby.”

Ian opened his eyes. “It’s not easy to sleep sitting up,” he admitted.

“Here,” she said, gently leaning him forward. “I’ve given all the other pillows away, but I did manage to find one of the sofa pillows in the wreckage. It’s small but it might help.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” he said, attempting another smile.

“Ian,” she said, and something about the way she was holding herself filled him with concern. “I want to apologize to you and Theo.”

Ian was shocked right down to his socks. “Pardon me?” he said. “Madam Dimbleby, whatever could you be sorry for?”

“Theo came to me this afternoon and told me the two of you had spotted some sort of wild dog out along the cliffs. I’ll admit, I was attending to supper and I didn’t pay her much heed. If only I’d alerted Landis and maybe someone from Castle Dover …”

“Madam,” Ian said, his insides filling with guilt, “if anyone is sorry, it should be me.” He