Chapter 69

NORA PACED HER bedchamber nervously. It neared midnight, and she had seen no sign of Jack since dinner that evening. What would he do now? Would he attempt to come for her tonight? Guards stood sentry at her door. Could he dispatch them without raising an alarm? He must have already killed at least one to gain a uniform. He must know that she could not go looking for him.

Even if he did get to her and intended to aid in her escape, she couldn’t leave without the stone. She had no idea where it was. She’d seen the frustration in her father’s eyes when he’d told her he didn’t have it. Oddly, she believed him. So, then, where was it? Had it fallen out of her pocket on the ride? Had one of the soldiers taken it and not handed it over to her father—if they even knew what it was?

A quiet tapping sound stopped her pacing. She listened for a moment trying to determine where it was coming from. When she realized it came from her window, she gasped in sur-prise. Pulling back the heavy draperies revealed Jack, swinging outside. She stared at him for a moment, surprised to see him dangling two stories off the ground. When he motioned for her to open the window, she sprang into action.

She pushed the panes open and stepped back as he swung his way in, his feet silently touching the hardwood floor. She was in his arms a moment later.

“You came!” she said quietly.

“Of course I came,” he hissed in return, kissing her forehead. “You didn’t think I would leave you to him, did you? Surely you know me better than that by now. I found rope from the stable to lower myself down from above, but it is not enough to get us safely to the ground. We will need the sheets from the bed.”

“The secret passageways,” Nora replied. “The two of us can take care of the guards outside my door.”

“The outside exit of the passageway is blocked. I already tried it.”

Nora hurried to the bed and quickly began removing the linens. “How did you know what room I was in?”

“I have already been by out in the hall. This is the only room with guards,” Jack explained. He took the sheets from her and quickly fashioned knots strong enough to hold them, attached the sheets to the rope, and swung it out the window. He leaned out to ensure it got close enough to the bottom. Once he was satisfied, he turned to Nora.

“Ready?” he whispered. She nodded. “Hang on to me. You’ll get on my back, and that will leave my arms and legs free to get us down the side of the building.”

He took her hand and they both squeezed into the win-dow box, awkwardly arranging themselves in the way he needed. They would have to ease out of the window with Nora going out first. Before they pushed off the ledge, Nora gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek.

“For luck,” she whispered.

“I am already lucky,” he replied. “I married you.”

She smiled and then bit her lip to hold in her scream as he pushed them out the window, and they quietly repelled down the side of the building. Nora clung to Jack for dear life. Wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, it was a wonder he could even breathe.

Jack bounced his feet off the stone wall as they went down, pausing by windows to ensure they avoided detection. The only sound was their labored breathing and a quiet crunch under Jack’s boots as they came in contact with the wall. They reached the bottom quickly, though it felt like an eternity on the way down. Filled with relief, she lowered herself to the ground.

Jack grabbed her hand and began to lead her along the dark manor toward the end to get to the woods. But luck was not on their side after all. Spotting them, the guards began to run after them.

“Stop! Stop that man! He has the prisoner!”

Two soldiers were swiftly upon them as others began to file into the courtyard. One pulled a gun, pointing it at Jack and Nora.

“Step away from the prisoner, sir! I will shoot,” the man ordered.

“Back away, gentlemen,” Jack replied, stepping in front of Nora. “It is not my wish to kill anyone else.”

“Step away, sir,” the man insisted. “My orders are to bring her back.” He cocked the rifle and took aim.

Nora stepped in front of Jack just as the gun fired. She crumbled against Jack as the pain ripped through her, and he caught her before she hit the ground.

“NO!” Rogan shouted from across the courtyard.

Jack picked Nora up and drew his rifle, pointing it at the men. “Step back!” he ordered. He fired into the ground right in front of the soldiers. They instantly moved back.

“Let them go!” Rogan ordered. “Do as he says!”

The men retreated and Jack backed away, his eyes locked on Rogan.

“This is not over, sir,” Rogan warned. “You cannot keep her from me.”

“No,” Jack snarled, “it is you who cannot keep her from me.”

When Jack was assured that no one else was going to come forward, he turned and bolted for the nearest horse. Doing his best not to jostle Nora too much, he mounted and escaped into the night.