Sterling waited patiently as Sabastian delegated amongst his own. After all, even though he wished to be of assistance, this was truly not his own fight. As the carriage was pulled up along side, he could not help but remark that he had seen such a vehicle in the stables where he had rented his own mount earlier. Indeed it was so very much alike it surely was one and the same.
The fact that transportation was on loan, did not aide in narrowing down the field of suspects as to whom would venture into terroitory so well guarded. Still, Sterling had some thoughts on the matter and volunteered to offer them to his companion. Thankfully, Sabastian seemed at least willing to listen.
“As to this carriage, Killingsworth, is not the type of weasel to come skulking too far from his hole, or to go to such extremes as to sneak about another person’s property. He is, in all rights, a true fop, his nature is just that. Tis not a sham he plays in order to confuse those about him. He would much rather wait until his prey comes closer to him, then to go the distance. I would say tis safe to think tis not he, who has breached your walls. If you have not personally crossed Robert Darnely, Monsieur, then Master Killingsworth has struck yours because either you or she have crossed him. To him, if indeed, it twere him, what has been done to your poor lady, was just a matter of convenience whilst he hunts down his true victim,” he paused with a soft sigh. “Which may all too well be a certain actress of mine acquaintance. As I do not wish to presume to tell you the nature of your business regarding your own home, I just wish to, hopefully, allow yer mind to rest easy regarding Killingsworth and your current trespass….” Sterling could not finish as all eyes, especially his own, were drawn to the rear of the cottage as the back doors were slowly pushed opened and Christophe lunged as silently as a cat, making successful capture of a woman.
“Oh… bloody… hell…,” Sterling remarked, slowly drawing out the oath, his eyes rolling as he recognized not just the first person to emerge but the second as well. As the glitter of a knife, caught by a bit of sun, sparkled against the woman’s throat, the captain could not help but reach up and press his fingers to his eyes as the slight pounding that had started earlier, now suddenly increased one hundred fold. He moved slowly closer to Sabastian as his host watched in amazement at what was unfolding before them. As Reiley grabbed Aurore and brought a pistol to bare upon her, both Sterling and Sabastain took forward steps only to halt themselves least they cause undue alarm to them that held the weapons.
As the party, now with ladies under fire, as it were, slowly began to retreat back into the cottage, Sterling could only mumble, “Given time, I ,,,um...might be able to ...ahem.... actually ...explain this.”