Get the cricket bat
Henry and Charlotte were rudely woken in the middle of the night by a scream.
"That is coming from Alison's room!" cried Charlotte.
Henry jumping from the bed and found his robe... telling Charlotte to wait but knew she wouldn't listen. He passed her the cricket bat and they rushed towards the next room.
The door was locked and they could hear her voice ... "leave me alone... don't you dare touch me... Edward warned you!"
"It is Sebastian... he must have climbed through the widow... we need to open the door" Charlotte urgently spoke
"Don't be scared... I will show you what it means to be with a real man...not my meek brother" spoke Sebastian as he moved closer to Alison who was being backed into the corner of the room. Alison moved slightly to her left so she was against the door and her hand was on the lock. She was not fast enough and knew she was going to have to act so she could open the door. She could hear voices outside the door and knew help was coming but the drunk figure of Sebastian was moving closer.
Charles had come from his own room and saw Charlotte holding a cricket bat... it looked like she was about to smacked Henry in the head.
"Charles... go and get Edward... Sebastian is attacking Alison" ordered Henry as he placing pressure on the door with his shoulder.
Alison Heywood was a resourceful woman who's father taught his daughters how to defend themselves... it was not just the boys who learned how to box!
When Sebastian was in her range Alison swung her fisted hand with all force aiming for his throat. She was successful and Sebastian moved backwards crying out in pain as he clutched his throat. It gave her enough time to unlock the door and was planning to flee towards Edward's room. She ran into a large barrier who steadied her. Looking up to her relief found it was her brother-in-law and standing next to him was her sister holding a cricket bat above her head.
Sebastian who had recovered launched himself towards Henry who was still moving Alison aside and didn't have time to react ... Charlotte stepping forward and swung the bat with all her might hitting him in the face... completely knocking Sebastian out!
"You vile man... you messed with the wrong family" commented a angry Alison who looked proudly at her sister's efforts
Edward who had just arrived with Charles witnessed Charlotte's action. They grabbed Sebastian and tied him to a chair... noticing swelling and bruises around his neck area.
"How did he get this injury? asked Charles
"I punched him in the neck !" replied Alison showing the bruise forming on her hand. Edward calling for ice took her in his arms. Henry was also checking Charlotte... the babe was moving so they breathed a sigh of relief.
Lord North and Lord Castle had just arrived as they had been woken by the movements of the servants in the house. They took at look at the battered Sebastian and paled as they realised he had attempted to take advantage of Alison. He had told them he would try but they had thought very little of it.
The men wisely chose not to share this piece of information. Both deciding it was time for them to return back to London... they left after breakfast. Mrs Crowe and Miss Heywood's actions were widely spoken about in the men's clubs and were admired for their courage ... but... that they were women not to be played with.
Sebastian was locked in his bedroom. When he woke up he was subjected to an interrogation by Henry and Edward... who refused to tell the women what transpired in their time alone with Sebastian.
A pale Sebastian with a few more injuries was bundled into a carriage and delivered to his home in London.
Charlotte and Henry... Alison and Edward watching the carriage disappear
"Finally... we had ridden this home of those vile men!" exclaimed a triumphant Alison and her smug smile was replicated on Charlotte's.
