We are not going to give up
Sidney and Angus followed the path of bodies until they found Georgina Lamb helping one of the injured guards.
"They came through the back taking Lady Babbington, Miss Parker and Miss Crowe. They had barricaded the front door and it took us time to force it open. We found Duncan dead and then we were suddenly set upon." The man gasped as Angus looked at his shoulder.
"Miss Lamb?" She had a gash on her face, and it was evident she had been lucky to be alive.
"They were carried out and put into a carriage. I was hit on the head when I tried to stop them. Anne was unconscious!" Angus was already angry, but he had instantly turned deadly when hearing about Anne. There had been evidence of a carriage and horses which gave credence to Miss Lamb's words.
Sidney pausing to take a deep breath and calm his racing heart. Hector had always told him that a good leader had to display control even when everything appeared to be in chaos.
'There will be a time son, when you will be tested. I have prepared you as best as I can and know you will rise to the occasion. Don't let fear or anger cloud your judgement!' Hector's words coming to Sidney M. He turned to his cousin who was struggling to maintain his composure.
"I swear when I find this man, I will kill him!" Angus ground out while checking for survivors and found another man who was still breathing. Sidney calling for a doctor and Georgina volunteered to go to the doctor's surgery. Sidney M reminding Angus they must remain strong for everyone. Filipe arriving with their horses and men. He jumped off his horse and he also took on a grim look when informed of the situation.
"What is the plan?" Filipe asked
"Angus you need to track this carriage, but I suspect it is a roost… it is too obvious, but we need to cover all ground. Send a messenger if you need help! We will be in town for a while searching houses" Angus agreeing and within moments was gone with a number of men.
"We will be searching houses on the assumption they are being hidden." Sidney M informed his cousin whom he trusted. They went back into the store to be confronted by three worried fathers. They had been told by Georgina who rushed out to find the doctor. Charles was holding Joy's earning, Sidney Anne's shoes and Henry Isabella's bag. Sidney M standing tall and knew he needed to give them reassurance. Every bit of training he has received from Hector was now going to help him in this hour of need.
"Angus is on the trail of a carriage and we are going to start systematically search all buildings BUT we need to ensure all other family members are safe. Trafalgar House will become the centre of our operations." Sidney M spoke with purpose and was thankful the older men agreed without argument.
It was decided:
1. James Parker and Angus Campbell would collect everyone from the beach and secure them at Babbington house.
2. Henry, Charles and Sidney would take Charlotte, Janette, Amanda and Susan back to Babbington House before returning to Trafalgar House.
3. William, Christopher, Filipe and He would start searching empty houses in the township from the current vacant list collected from Tom's office. Once they finish the list they would start knocking on occupied homes. Steward Montrose enjoyed his luxuries and would not have selected a place lacking. It would reduce the number of residences to search.
4. Men would be posted at the entrances of the township
The Montrose men who had been outside walked in and all eyes were focused on their Laird. He spoke in their mother tongue …
"Steward Montrose had been attempting to break the Montrose Clan, but it will stop today. He must answer for the blood he has spilt with his hands which includes Hector and Andrew Montrose. Only trust each other and the Englishmen standing in this room" Sidney going over and placing his hand on each man's shoulder as a sign of acceptance before returning to the centre of the room.
"Steward Montrose is a killer and currently at large. He has kidnapped my future wife, Angus's future wife who is also my sister and the woman I believe will soon become the wife of Filipe. These women are kin, and we must not stop until we find them. I hold in my hand a letter from the Attorney General's office that protects any man from prosecution if they kill Steward Montrose. Be careful! Remember your training and God be with you while we seek justice for our Clan" Sidney M finally finished. James was interpreting Sidney M's speech for Sidney, Charles, Henry, William and Christopher who watched with open admiration for Sidney M's complete control.
Once finished everyone left leaving only Sidney and Sidney M. Father and Son embracing each other.
"Be careful Papa and I will see you soon" Sidney M spoke as he held his father. He needed his support as he was fearful for everyone's lives.
"I will son… see you soon" gruffly spoke Sidney and was thankful it was his son who was in charge. He couldn't think and knew in the past he had acted rashly. Their time interrupted by Filipe who brought through the doctor. They arranged for the injured men to be taken to Trafalgar House and those dead to the funeral director. Sidney M frowning when the doctor told him that it was Amanda Crowe who had fetched him and not Georgina Lamb.
"Filipe! Do you know a Miss Georgina Lamb?" Sidney M asked his cousin who knew more of his Uncle acquaintances in France.
"I don't know that name and I was too busy keeping Evangeline away from Isabella to meet Miss Lamb yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if Evangeline is helping my Uncle. She can be a vicious woman and it was our Uncle who introduced her to me" spoke Filipe with concern on his face.
They exited the building to begin their search while in another location….
Steward was feeling very pleased with himself as he watched the drama unfold before him. It would not be long until he would become 'The Earl of Montrose'.
Anne, Isabella and Joy were bound and thrown into a locked room. Anne was unconscious after being roughly thrown over a man's shoulder. Joy knew they had to keep calm and a solution will present itself. Isabella had a knife in her boot but decided they needed to wait until Anne woke up.
Isabella looked around the room and could see they were in a home owned by someone with money. They tried screaming but strips of cloth had been tied tightly around their mouths. The door suddenly opened, and they saw 'Evangeline' enter with a huge smile on her face.
"Why have you taken us?" demanded Isabella even though it came out as a mumble. She had never liked this woman and was not afraid to speak her mind.
"Lady Babbington and Miss Parker are here because of Lord Montrose but you my dear Miss Crowe are here for me" The young French woman speaking triumphantly with hands on her hips and as she finished speaking the man of the hour arrived.
"Welcome ladies! You will be my guests until The Lord of Montrose' surrenders his title to me. I also warn you if you try to escape, I will kill you" Steward Montrose's cold eyes sent shivers down the girls' spines. Both Steward and Evangeline giving them an evil smile before walking out of the room. The door was locked from the outside leaving the girls alone.
Isabella and Joy mumbling to each other that they had a knife in their boot. Their bindings were tight, but that was not going to stop them from trying to escape.