The Guardian

Chapter Sixteen

Jack swiftly dispatched one of the Rogan's soldiers patrolling the southeast corner of the land. He removed the uniform the man was wearing and put it on himself. It was a little loose on him, but not enough to be a hindrance. He briefly wondered how these soldiers appeared to England's other forces. Would the insignia still be identifiable a hundred years later? Did they look at all out of place? They wore the red uniform of the British army, but what did they understand of their leader? Did no one question how this property was being held all this time?

Jack didn't ponder these questions long. He was here for Nora, not to figure out the ways of the deranged Lord Alistair Rogan. But he would be interested to know just how the man was pulling off the deception.

Jack had stashed the horses and cart at the ruins of an old chapel. He took the time to move the man's body far away from the both the chapel and the area the man was patrolling. He was anxious to get Nora back, but he wanted to ensure maximum time before he was discovered. If luck was on his side, he'd be in and out before anyone knew.

However, he didn't for one minute believe this would be that easy. A man who spent a century chasing after his daughter wasn't going to give her up so easily when he finally had her. That was no matter to Jack though. If Rogan thought he would be the one to give up so easily, he was sorely mistaken. He had been looking for Nora all his life. Whether she knew it or not, she had gotten him through some of the darkest times of his life just thinking about her, wondering who she was. Now, that he had her, he'd be damned if anyone took her away from him. Ever.

He approached the manor on the horse from the dispatched sentry. He wasn't stopped and nobody seemed to question his presence. He found the stables quickly enough and secured the horse.

"You're late," said an authoritative voice behind him.

Jack tucked the hat low on his brow, turned and saluted. "I was delayed in the forest investigating a suspicious sound."

"Your accent, sir," the solider began. Jack moved like lightning and knocked the man unconscious. He dragged him to the furthest, darkest stall, bound his hands and feet and gagged him.

He walked from the stables doing his best not look like he was in a rush or slinking around. He took a cheroot from the pocket of the uniform and lit it. Miserable, these things, but a smoke break gave him the cover he needed to assess the inner courtyard and set up of the manor.

The building itself was in a horseshoe shape with towers and a courtyard in the center. Would Nora be in one of the towers? Possibly. The manor itself was very large. It would likely take Jack hours to search it, especially if he was routinely waylaid with orders by superior officers.

A horn sounded and the men moved into line in the courtyard. Jack followed their lead and prayed whatever assignment was to come wouldn't lead him away. As luck would have it, he was chosen for guard duty inside the manor, and he followed the others in his group.

Hold on, Nora. I'm coming.

Nora gingerly sipped her wine, but left her food untouched. She sat to the right of her father, who was seated at the head of the table. They were the only two seated at the grand table with various soldiers standing throughout the room.

"Are you not hungry tonight, princess?" Rogan asked.

"Yes, I am quite famished," Nora admitted. "However, I am afraid of being poisoned."