Marcus stepped closer and whispered in Anna's ear. "I can't have her back at the monastery. Not after what she has done. Don't make promises I cannot keep."
She turned and gave him a weak smile. "I know."
"I am a thief, a liar, an evil woman," Selene sobbed as she wiped the tears from her face. "I do not want to hang."
"You're not going to hang," Marcus reassured her. "No one will know of it. We all swear to say nothing of the matter. If you come down, we will do as Miss Sinclair suggests. We will find a solution."
He didn't have the heart to tell her that her brother would most probably hang once the revenue ship intercepted the lugger. Unless they had the money to pay the duty for all the goods they carried.
The first few spots of rain began to fall. Light enough so one might think they'd imagined feeling the wet drop land on their skin.
"Please, Selene," Anna implored as the drizzle threatened to progress into a downpour. "Come down so we can all go home."
Selene shook her head, her frantic gaze flitting between Anna and Marcus.
"Let Andre help you," Marcus added. "He has always been a true friend to you, and you're making him ill with worry."
"He will not want to be my friend when he learns what I have done."
Andre pulled himself up to the next rock. "I will," he shouted across to her.
"You will all hate me." Selene's fearful gaze locked with Andre's. She shuffled sideways, lost her footing on a loose stone and slid down to the rock below.
"Good God!" Marcus' loud gasp was accompanied by Anna's scream and Andre's French curse.
They all looked on in horror, but then gave a collective sigh of relief when she managed to stand up.
Andre stretched his hand up to her despite being too far away. "Come, Selene. Let me take you home."
With fear in her eyes, Selene pursed her lips and nodded in resignation.
As with any such task, it was always easier to climb up than it was to descend. Numerous times, Selene slipped on the damp rocks, grazing her elbow, tearing the hem of her dress. Amidst all the gasps and sighs and words of encouragement, Andre reached up and offered her his hand. They all sighed again when Andre placed his feet firmly on the ground, and he lowered Selene down to safety.
"Merci, Andre. Merci," Selene muttered as Andre hugged her. "You have always been good to me, and I did not mean to disappoint you."
Andre whispered to her in French; the words were said too quietly and quickly for anyone to hear. Selene looked up at him and nodded.
Breaking away from Andre, Selene walked over to Anna and clasped her hands together in prayer. "Forgive me, Miss Sinclair. I should never have given you the tonic. I should never have left you in—" She stopped abruptly and broke into a sob.
"Let's talk about it back at the monastery," Anna said casting Marcus a nervous glance. "We are all getting wet, and I've not eaten for hours."
Andre stepped forward. "With your permission, Mr. Danbury, I will escort Selene back."
Perhaps all the time he'd spent with Anna had softened his heart. It was impossible to make any decision regarding Selene whilst standing in the wind and rain. "Very well. Be on your way. We will head back to the village to collect my horse and the cart."
Andre nodded, put his arm around Selene and led her away.
"Just a moment," Anna shouted after them. When Selene turned, Anna said, "Do you have my Bible?"
Selene struggled to look their way. "Yes. It is safe."
Anna sighed. "And did you have help getting me into the tomb?"
Marcus knew why she had asked the question. To know the identity of one's enemy brought a level of strength and determination, a level of confidence in one's ability to overthrow them in battle. To be blind and naive brought a constant fear of the unknown.
Selene coughed and cleared her throat. "I said I drove the cart to town, but that was a lie. I came here instead. You were still able to walk a little although your eyes were closed and you were sleepy. There is no one else to blame. Only me."
As Andre led her away, Anna exhaled deeply.