The Heir - Catherine Coulter [111]
What had the Frenchman said? “Her ladyship? Trapped?” he repeated slowly, staring at the foreigner he wanted so very much to leave.
“Damn it, man, we must be quick. The rocks may collapse on her at any moment. She could already be dead! Hurry, hurry, fetch the earl.”
At that moment, the earl appeared at the top of the stairs. “What is this about Arabella being trapped? In the old abbey ruins, you say?” He bounded down the stairs.
“We were exploring the subterranean chambers in the old abbey ruins. One of the chambers caved in and she is trapped. It is all my fault. Oh please, my lord, we must hurry.”
“She is still alive?” The earl’s voice was as hard and cold as granite.
“Yes, yes, I called to her. She is unharmed, but I fear there will be more falling stone. It is all unstable.”
The earl threw back his head, and bellowed, “Giles!”
When the second footman came running into the entrance hall, the earl said, “Go quickly, Giles, and fetch James and all the stable hands. Tell them to gather their shovels and picks. Her ladyship is trapped beneath the ruins of the old abbey. Go, man, I shall meet you there.”
The earl turned to Crupper. “Inform Lady Ann and Elsbeth. I shall be at the ruins.” He turned to follow Giles, then stopped abruptly and looked back to see Gervaise quickly mounting the staircase.
“Monsieur.” His voice was soft, yet it cut through the air with the sharpness of a rapier.
Gervaise spun on his heel and turned to face the cold set features of the earl.
“Do you not wish to assist in rescuing my wife? Did you not say it was your fault? Are you not concerned?”
Ah, the earl’s voice was so soft, so quiet—it scared the comte to his toes. “I—certainly, my lord. I merely intended to go to my room for but an instant.” Damnation, what was he to do now? “Please, my lord, you must hurry. I shall join you in a moment.”
The earl said very quietly, “I do not think so, monsieur. You will not join me in a moment. You will not go to your bedchamber. You see, I require your presence at once. Now, not a minute from now.”
What to do? Gervaise cursed with silent fluency. All this and he would gain nothing at all. It was very hard to clamp down on his rage, but he managed it, shrugging. “As you will, my lord.”
The earl turned to the now astonished Crupper and said in a loud, clear voice, “You will remain here, Crupper, and, if you will, guard Evesham Abbey. No one—I repeat, no one—is allowed beyond the entrance hall until my return. Do you understand?”
The old man felt mired in confusion. He heard the earl’s words and, of course, understood them, though their intent was quite lost on him. It was what his lordship required of him. It was enough that he could obey. “Yes, my lord. I will remain here. No one will enter.”
“Excellent, Crupper. Monsieur? Let us go.” The earl stepped back and waited for Gervaise to precede him through the front doors.
Arabella drew her legs up close to her chest and hugged herself for warmth. The dust and sand had settled and she could breathe more easily. She tried not to think of the skeleton but an arm’s reach away, and of the terrible truth that she had discovered. Surely Justin must come to her soon, if, she thought grimly, Gervaise indeed wanted her to be rescued. But what had he to gain by leaving her here? What of Justin? Of course he would come for her. That, she could not doubt.
She felt tears sting her eyes. The wetness of her tears mixed with the grime about her eyes and burned. She lifted a corner of her skirt and rubbed it against her cheeks.
Suddenly she thought she heard movement from the other side of the fallen wall. She raised her head and peered into the blackness.
“Arabella? Can you hear me?”
“Justin!” She jumped to her feet, bruises and cuts forgotten. “I knew you would come. I’m trapped in here. Please, oh, please, get me out of here.”
Again she heard