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Heaven help me.

Hewas as demented as the viscountess—perhaps more so, the devil’s spawn.

“You’ll come along, or I'll shoot Fletcher now.” Her ladyship pointed the gun at his head and, with blood-chilling calm, said, “It makes no difference to me if he dies now or in a few minutes. However, I think it makes a great difference to you, Siobhan.”

He isn’t dead.

Simultaneousrelief and renewed terror hitched Siobhan’s breath.

“No! Don’t.” Tears streamed from her eyes. How badly hurt was Fletcher? “I’ll come with you.”

“I thought you’d see it my way.” LadyHuxley stepped over Fletcher’s prone form as if he was an old house slipper or newssheet.

Shewas utterly mad.

OnceSiobhan entered the secret passageway, her ladyship pressed another hidden latch, closing the door.

Apparently, Chandler had revealed everything to her, the rotten traitor.

Thenwhy hadn’t he delivered the note LadyHuxley had given to Siobhan?

Somuch of this debacle didn’t make sense.

Thebrute holding Siobhan released her, and she dropped to her knees. CradlingFletcher’s head in her lap, she tried to assess the extent of his injuries. Blood spattered his neckcloth and coat. His chest rose and fell evenly, though his pallor resembled death and his breathing was shallow.

“Fletcher? Can you hear me?” she whispered near his ear. “Please don’t die.” She clutched his coat. “You cannot die. I haven’t told you how I feel about you.”

Atthis moment, Siobhan didn’t care who knew her judiciously guarded secret—she loved Fletcher.

Shebrushed his hair off his forehead, wincing when the movement revealed another nasty gash. He hadn’t gone down without a fight.

“Bring them along,” LadyHuxley ordered as she slid her gloved hand into Chandler’s bent elbow, still brandishing the pistol in her other hand.

Herbeastly henchmen grabbed Fletcher beneath his arms and hauled him down the narrow passageway, his head lolling to one side and his heels dragging.

Siobhanjumped to her feet and followed.

Aplan.

Shemust come up with a plan.

Butwhat?

Shewas absolute rot at this sort of thing.

God, please protect Paddy and Kimber, and please help Fletcher and me. And please, please don’t let the fire spread to De la Chance.

AsSiobhan trudged along, she kept her focus riveted on Fletcher, silently willing him to wake up.

Hecracked an eyelid open and, winking, formed his lips into a silent “Shh” before feigning unconsciousness again.

Siobhangasped, causing the smaller blackguard to turn and glare at her.

“Spi-der,” she stuttered and gave an exaggerated shudder. “I saw a spider.”

Herolled his eyes in disgust.

Thetiniest morsel of hope sang along her blood.

IfGod heard her prayers, if fate smiled upon them, if Fletcher had a plan, she and Fletcher might get out of this alive after all.