Page 124 of Waking Roslyn

I cried out and fought to get away, surprised when the arms loosened. “It’s just me,” the man said.

I spun to face him, shocked to see Everett there, his hands up at his sides. “Get away from me!” I screamed, backing away, my chest heaving. “Why are you here?”

“Why didn’t you leave?” he asked, his tone disbelieving and his face tortured. “I tried to prevent this. I sent you a note, warning you away.”

“That was from you?” I asked, astonished.

“Yes, but you were too stupid to take my advice, so now I have to do this.” He reached for his belt and pulled out a knife.

My throat closed off and I froze. “Everett,” I said in desperation.

Though his expression seemed to hold real regret, he still brandished the blade at me.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said in a bare whisper.

“We don’t choose our family, Roslyn. I certainly didn’t choose mine.” He gripped the knife tighter. “But I am loyal to them.”

“Roslyn!” someone screamed from behind Everett.

He turned to see who had shouted, and as soon as he did, I moved in. I took hold of the wrist and hand holding the knife, pulling it toward me as I turned my back to him. Then I pushed my hips back and heaved him over my shoulder until he landed on the ground, flat on his back.

I backed away, shocked that I’d successfully performed the maneuver, and even more shocked that it hadn’t felt difficult. I even ended up with Everett’s knife in my hand.

Footsteps pounded behind me. Was it Neil coming after me again? I whirled to face the newcomer, the knife held out in front of me.

“Whoa,” John said as he skidded to a stop, disarming me before I knew what was happening. “It’s me. It’s just me.”

“John,” I said in relief.

He was about to reply, but then he pulled me behind him. Everett was trying to climb to his feet, but John took a step forward and swung a fist straight into Everett’s face.

Everett fell back to the ground, unmoving.

“You’re lucky I don’t break your legs,” John growled at Everett’s still form.

My heart continued to pound a frantic beat, and when John came back toward me, I pointed to the garden. “Neil. He’s—”

“I know. Captain Sterling has him incapacitated.” He spoke soothingly and took a step closer, reaching for my trembling arms.

I collapsed against him.

“How did you get away?” he asked. “Are you hurt? Did he touch you?”

He tried to draw back, but I clung tightly, needing to feel the warmth of his body pressed to mine, assuring me that I was well. “I’m not hurt,” I said, trying to get my breathing under control. “And I didn’t let him touch me.” I spoke into his shoulder as he rocked me back and forth. “I found…a staff, and I hit him with it.”

This time he succeeded in pulling back. “You hit him?”

“Three times, I think. With a rake. I just remembered everything that you had taught me. Or, at least enough.” I dropped my head back to his shoulder as my limbs started shaking. “I don’t ever want to do that again.”

“But you did do it.” He maneuvered to wrap his arm around me and lead me toward the house. “You’re amazing.” He kissed the top of my head. “You dropped Lord Everett flat on his back. I’m so proud of you, Rose, but I hope you never have a reason to do that again either.”

He was able to hold me for only a few moments before my mother’s cries reached us. I pulled back, hoping that I would have enough strength to assure my mother of my well-being when all I wanted to do was snuggle up to John and let him take away my fears.

Chaos surrounded me and followed us inside. My parents, soldiers, servants. Everyone was rushing around, trying to figure out what was going on and how to help. The shock on my parents’ faces when I told them how I had defended myself was gratifying.

My parents and I settled in the sitting room, answering the questions asked of us and demanding answers of our own.

“After the magistrate arrives and conducts his own interviews,” Captain Sterling was saying, “I will personally go with him and escort Lord Neil and Lord Everett to the prison.”