His face blanked, then rage poured into his expression. “
Why you—!”
He lunged for her.
She weaved back.
“This was a trick, wasn’t it? I’ll teach you—”
He would have to catch her first. Leonora wasted no time arguing; she put her mind to dodging him, darting this way, then that. The desk was big enough that he couldn’t reach her over it.
“Ah!” He launched himself over the desk at her.
With a shriek, she whisked out of his reach. She glanced at the door but he was already scrambling to his feet, his face a mask of fury.
He raced at her. She ran.
Around and around.
The door opened.
She rounded the desk and fled straight for the tall figure who walked in.
Flung herself at him and clutched.
Tristan caught her, then caught her hands, pushed her behind him.
“Out.”
One word, but the tone was not one to disobey. Tristan didn’t look at her. Out of breath, she followed his gaze to Mountford, leaning, panting, on the opposite side of the desk. He was still holding the dagger in one fist.
“Now.”
A warning. She backed a few steps, then whirled. He didn’t need her there to distract him.
She rushed out into the corridor, intending to summon help, only to realize Charles and Deverell were there, standing in the shadows.
Charles reached past her, caught the door, and pulled it shut. Then he leaned nonchalantly against the frame and grinned somewhat resignedly at her.
Deverell, his lips curved in the same, almost reminiscent wolfish smile, leaned back against the corridor wall.
She stared at them. Pointed to the library. “Mountford’s got a dagger!”
Deverell raised his brows. “Only one?”
“Well, yes…” A thud reverberated from behind the door. She started, swung around and stared at it—as much of it as she could see past Charles’s shoulders. She glared at him. “Why aren’t you helping him?”
“Who? Mountford?”
“No! Tristan!”
Charles screwed up his face. “I doubt he needs help.” He glanced at Deverell.
Who grimaced. “Unfortunately.” The word “pity” danced in the air.
Thuds and grunts issued from the library, then a body hit the floor. Hard.
Leonora winced.