A Spy at Hampton Court: Can Kit save the queen? (Kit Scarlett Tudor Mysteries Book 3) by Adele Jordan

Author:Adele Jordan [Jordan, Adele]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2022-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

“Iomhar,” Kit whispered, pulling at his arm as Lord Ruskin stepped forward.

“Shadows in the cellar, what may they be?” Lord Ruskin said with humour in his tone as he struck a light, trying to see the two of them better. He stepped further into the cellar, reaching for the tallow candle they had just put out and lighting it again. Kit inched forward, longing to put it out with one blow, but Lord Ruskin held the flame over the gunpowder barrels, warning her not to come any closer. “Miss Scarlett, still as poorly dressed as ever, I see,” he chuckled before his eyes turned to Iomhar.

Kit watched the expression change in an instant. The skin around his eyes quivered, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Iomhar hadn’t yet said a word, though she felt how still he had become. She was aware that he believed that Lord Ruskin knew who had been responsible for the death of his father.

“Mr Iomhar Blackwood,” Lord Ruskin exclaimed, his voice high. “Ye look more like your father these days.”

Kit felt Iomhar move from behind her. He reached around her with his hand outstretched, as if threatening to take Lord Ruskin by the throat.

“Nay further!” Lord Ruskin warned, pulling out a pistol and pointing it in Iomhar’s direction.

Kit and Iomhar froze, neither of them wanting to tempt a shot in a room full of gunpowder.

“Ye are responsible for this,” Iomhar said darkly, gesturing to the powder. “This is your plan? Kill the queen and those around her in one explosion?”

“It has impact,” Lord Ruskin said with a smile. “Drama, don’t ye think? They will talk of it as the spark of a revolution.”

“Or the end of a golden age.” Kit shuddered at the delight he took in his own words. “Are you the one who wrote to Lady Gifford? Giving her the instructions for the poisoning?” she asked, watching as Lord Ruskin struggled to move his eyes to her, preferring to keep them on Iomhar.

It suddenly made sense to her. Even if the queen did not die of the poison, she would be in no state to be moved, leaving her vulnerable to the explosion. What was more, if the poisoner was caught, Lady Gifford was the one who would be punished. Lord Ruskin had sacrificed his Lily to protect himself.

“Ye have been busy asking questions.” He flicked his eyes to Kit once, before looking back to Iomhar.

“What happens now?” Iomhar asked, holding his hands outward. “Make a move to light that powder, and we will stop ye.”

“Have ye not seen this?” Lord Ruskin asked, waving the pistol. “I may not be the best shot, but I think even I could hit ye at this distance.”

With his other hand, Lord Ruskin unwound a stretch of rope Kit had not seen before. One end of it was tied to the barrels, with the other end having been coiled up on the floor like a snake. He unwound it quickly and tossed the free end toward the staircase, evidently preparing to light it and make his escape.

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