Betrayal at Lisson Grove (Treason at Lisson Grove)

“Because if they come in with force, these people may react violently,” he explained. “They are tense now. In their own way they are frightened. They know the cost of losing. They will certainly be hanged. We cannot afford to panic them. Whatever we do, it must be so stealthy that they are unaware of it. Everything must appear normal, until it is too late.”

“I see,” she said quietly. “I thought I was being brave when I said Here we die. It looks as if I was more accurate than I intended. I will remain here in this room, where I have been so happy in the past.” She gazed out of the window. “Do you suppose heaven is like that, Mr.… what is your name?”

“Narraway, ma’am. Yes, I think it may well be. I hope so.”

“Don’t humor me!” she snapped.

“If God is an Englishman, ma’am, then it certainly will be,” he said drily.

She turned and gave him a slow, careful look. Then she smiled.

He bowed again, then turned away and walked to the door.

Outside in the landing he saw one of the armed men halfway down the stairs.

The man must have caught the movement in the corner of his vision. He spun around, raising the gun.

Narraway stopped. He recognized Gallagher from Special Branch photographs, but he did not say so. If any of them realized who he was they might shoot him, on principle.

“Get back there!” Gallagher ordered.

Narraway stood where he was. “What do you want?” he asked. “What are you waiting for? Is it money?”

Gallagher gave a snort of contempt. “What do you think we are—bloody thieves? Is that as far as your imagination goes? That’s all your sort thinks of, isn’t it! Money, all the world’s money, property. You think that’s all there is, property and power.”

“And what’s yours?” Narraway asked, keeping his voice level, and as emotionless as he could.

“Get back in there!” Gallagher jerked the gun toward the upstairs sitting room again.

Again Narraway remained where he was. “You’re holding Her Majesty hostage, you must want something. What is it?”

“We’ll tell you that when we’re ready. Now unless you want to get shot, get back in there!”

Reluctantly Narraway obeyed. There was an edge of fear in Gallagher’s voice, a jerkiness in his movements that said he was as tight as a coiled spring inside. He was playing for the highest stakes he could imagine, and this was the only chance they would have. This was win, or lose it all.

Back in the sitting room Vespasia looked at Narraway the moment the door was closed.

“They’re waiting for something,” he said quickly. “Whoever it is here, he’s not in charge. Someone will come with a proclamation for Her Majesty to sign, or something of the sort.” He gritted his teeth. “We may be here for some time—this has been put to the prime minister—if they are arguing this thing in the cabinet. We’ll have to keep our heads. Try to keep them calm, and possibly even convince them they have a hope of success. If they lose that, they may just kill us all. They’ll have nothing to lose.” He looked at her white face. “I’m sorry. I would prefer not to have had to tell you that, but I can’t do this alone. We must all stay steady—the household staff as well. I wish I could get to them to persuade them of the need for calm. One person in hysterics might be enough to panic them all.”

Vespasia rose to her feet a trifle unsteadily. “Then I will ask this lunatic on the stairs for permission to go and speak with the household staff. Perhaps you will be good enough to help me persuade him of the necessity. Charlotte will manage here very well.”

Narraway took her arm, holding it firmly. He turned to Victoria.

“Ma’am, Lady Vespasia is going to speak with your staff. It is imperative that no one loses control or behaves with rashness. I shall try to persuade the men who hold us hostage to permit her to do this, for all our sakes. I am afraid we may be here for some little time.”

“Thank you.” Victoria spoke more to Vespasia than to Narraway, but the comment included them both.

“Perhaps they could serve everyone food?” Charlotte suggested. “It is easier to be busy.”

“An excellent idea,” Vespasia agreed. “Come, Victor. If they have any sense at all, they will see the wisdom of it.”

They went to the door, and he held it open for her.

Charlotte watched them go with her heart pounding and her stomach clenched tight. She turned to Victoria, who was staring at her with the same fear bright in her eyes.

Out on the landing there was still silence … no sound of gunfire.

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