Page 88 of Never Leave Me
“I have heard rumors regarding this man.” Ickham inclined his head toward Arthur. “Rumors he is in league with the devil.”
“That’s not true.” Harrison jerked again to loosen the grip of Will’s men, needing to aid Arthur somehow.
Ickham’s brow rose, and he took in Harrison’s beardless face. Harrison had already been mistaken on several occasions as a clergyman and had quickly learned that most noblemen had beards. “Lord Burlington, I presume?”
Will positioned himself more directly in front of Harrison. “Leave him out of this.”
“I have it on word from Lord Worth that Lady Ellen is also a witch.”
Harrison’s blood turned suddenly cold. “Neither my wife nor her father are witches.”
“Lord Worth has gathered evidence to the contrary.”
Will didn’t responded with the denial Harrison would have preferred.
Marian’s husband had proven he would fight for many things. But would he fight for a father-in-law condemned to be a witch? Doing so would put a target on him and his entire family.
The desperation inside Harrison spiked. “Look, Arthur Creighton is the kindest, gentlest soul you’ll ever meet.”
“Then how was he able to predict the earthquake?” Ickham asked. “And how did he locate a secret tunnel?”
“He is a learned man.”
“There are those who say his arrival and that of your wife into our country coincides with the outbreak of the plague.”
“That’s ludicrous.” Harrison tried to keep the panic from his voice. “From what I understand, the disease broke out in London over a week ago. Arthur and Ellen arrived after that. Neither are connected to the plague in any way.”
“Everyone knows the previous outbreak of the plague was caused by witches in league with the devil.” The bailiff’s eyes contained a calculated glint. “If we burn the witches as soon as we catch them, perhaps we shall prevent the plague from spreading. Lord Worth has graciously offered to hold the witch in his dungeon and oversee the deed on the morrow at midday.”
Graciously? Harrison’s gaze pinged back and forth between Ickham and Lord Worth. Could they proceed without a trial? Surely they had to follow legal protocols even in the Middle Ages.
“We do not need to resort to such measures.” Will drew himself up. “You will hand my father-in-law over to me, and I shall contain him until the plague has passed.”
Ickham took several steps, his black coat swirling like a phantom about his legs. If anyone was in league with the devil, it was this man. “’Tis possible you may yet take custody of your father-in-law and attempt to subdue his sinful nature.” He glanced at Lord Worth.
The burly man braced his feet apart. “If that is your wish, you must abandon your efforts to oversee the wellspring and devote your attention to your wayward family.”
So that was it. This had nothing to do with Arthur being awitch. The accusation was merely their twisted method of gaining back the wellspring. Since Lord Worth couldn’t use Ellen as a bargaining tool, he’d decided to use Arthur’s life instead. And now they planned to kill Arthur if Will didn’t hand over the well and keys.
As if recognizing the same, Will started forward, raising his sword. Harrison had no doubt Will would battle Ickham and Lord Worth single-handedly if need be.
Lord Worth grabbed Arthur and pressed a knife to his throat. Arthur released a muted cry through the gag, and an instant later, blood trickled from beneath the blade. “Perhaps I shall eliminate him here at this very moment.”
Will halted.
Arthur’s eyes were wide as though he expected this was his end. Was this, then, how Arthur died? In a battle for the holy water over a well that had been dug up because of his research and quest to find the ultimate cure?
Harrison’s heart protested the thought. But even as he tried to make sense of everything and come up with a plan, Will shook his head. “And what is it exactly that you want in exchange for vowing in the presence of these witnesses that you will drop these charges against my wife’s family and nevermore pursue them?”
Ickham nodded to the leather drinking flask at Will’s side. “You will hand over all the water and take none for yourself.”
“No!” Harrison couldn’t contain the word. “We must have at least the drinking flask.”
“We want it all.” Lord Worth’s tone brokered no room for negotiation.
Will glanced at Harrison, his dark eyes deferring to him.
“I need it to save Ellen,” Harrison whispered through a constricted throat.
