Page 41 of The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire
But she’d already descended several steps.
“Come with me,” she called back.
She heard him curse.
“You’re impossible! And you’re wearing slippers!”
“True on both counts. As for being the middle of the night, I don’t suppose it’s any different down here during the daytime, is it?”
Grumbling, Mr. Studborne followed her down. “Here, give me the lantern. I can hold it higher, and it’ll allow you to use both hands to steady yourself.”
But, as Rosamund handed over the lamp, Mr. Studborne turned on his heel. “Now, you must see sense! I’m escorting you back to your room.”
Reaching out, he took her arm. “Don’t argue, please.”
“Oh! You!” Rosamund stamped her foot, but it did no good. Without light, she couldn’t go any further.
Then, from above, there was a sudden bang and a scraping sound.
Rosamund’s heart froze in her chest. “That wasn’t—?”
Mr. Studborne sprinted upwards.
In the lamp’s glow, Rosamund watched him push against the heavy oak, but the door remained shut.
Someone had locked them in.
Chapter 15
“Areyou sure we can’t open it?” Rosamund tried not to give way to panic.
“The bolt’s dropped.” He rattled it again. “Must have been a draught—blowing it shut. My fault. I should’ve been more careful, propping it open with something.”
Rosamund wasn’t so sure.
“We’ll have to wait here until morning.” Mr. Studborne sat down on the upper step. “My uncle is sure to turn up at some point. He’ll find us and let us out.”
Rosamund fought a wave of nausea. “That won’t do at all. You know it won’t! I can’t stay here—with you!”
Mr. Studborne raised an eyebrow. “But dragging me around after you in the middle of the night was just fine?”
“I wasn’t planning on anyone finding out.” Sitting two steps below, she buried her face in her hands. “Are you sure we’re stuck? Mightn’t there be another way out, from the place below?”
“It’s possible…but we’re just as likely to get lost. From what my uncle has told me, it’s a veritable maze down there.” Mr. Studborne sounded doubtful.
“But there’s a chance, and we can be careful, only turning right each time, or something like that.” Even to Rosamund’s ears the plan sounded thin. And she’d been thinking of exploring the place in search of Bessie! It had been beyond foolish of her.
To Rosamund’s surprise, Mr. Studborne stood. “It’s better than just sitting here. But, if we don’t find another exit within say…half an hour, you must return here with me and wait.”
Rosamund nodded gratefully. It would allow her to set her mind at rest about what was down there, and give them a chance to find another way out.
Descending,the air grew more chill and, brushing against the stone, Rosamund found it damp. After near twenty steps, a space roughly six feet square was revealed, with a corridor leading off on either side.
“The monks’ cells I’d say—see the ledges in the walls?” said Mr. Studborne.
To the left were deep recesses, wide enough for someone to lie upon. The odour was stronger here: of pooled water turned stagnant and foul air. A rotten smell.
What if?
