Louisa shoved her hair from her face and surveyed the slowly improving chaos. Between them all, they had righted the furniture and cleaned up the worst of the mess. She shook her head to herself. Much longer and Hugh would have brought the inn to the point of ruin. Now that everyone except Julianna and Knight had returned home, she took a few moments to stand behind the bar and draw in the sensation of being home.

She’d have to spread the word that Hugh was gone and business would return to normal—all her usual patrons had ceased coming by the sounds of it. She could hardly wait until it was back to how it should be, despite her sore palms and throbbing feet. Her eyes were gritty from the desperate need to sleep after such a long day, but she would not be able to rest until everything was righted.

“All will be back to normal soon.” Julianna leaned against the bar in front of her. “Thank goodness. That man was vile.”

Louisa nodded. “Thank you for trying to ensure he did not do too much damage.”

“It was not fun, believe me.” Julianna chuckled. “But I made life difficult for him when I could.”

Grinning, Louisa shook her head. “I can well believe it. But should you not be going home? Especially after all the work you have done.”

Julianna lifted her shoulders. “Drake said he had to check on something so I was going to wait until he returned, but it is getting late.” She scrunched up her nose. “I should have queried him, but I forgot in all the excitement.”

“He’s probably gone to check on the ship or something.” Louisa snatched up two glasses and placed them on the bar. “Which means I think it is time for us to enjoy a drink.”

“Do not forget me.” Knight stepped in from the hallway that led up to the rooms, ducking to avoid the low beam.

“You have finally managed to get Harry to release you, I see.” Louisa smiled at the memory of the little boy clinging to Knight as soon as the children were reunited with Abigail. He’d insisted on being carried everywhere until it had been settled that Abigail and the children would stay at the inn until they could find suitable accommodation. Louisa hoped Abigail would accept a position working with her. It looked like she would need some new help after Hugh had chased off several of her staff.

“The children are sleeping now. Finally.” A tiny smile played on Knight’s lips that Louisa suspected only she would notice. “She should have stayed with Red. There’s much more room there.”

“I think you and I both know what it is like to stay somewhere you do not feel you belong.” Louisa poured a generous helping of whisky into each glass and shoved one toward Knight.

“You shall have to tell me all about your trip home, Lewis,” Julianna said. “How much debt did Father leave you?”

“Enough,” Knight muttered.

“I do not think I could have coped with returning.” His sister gave a shudder. “I’m glad you have decided to rent it out.”

“I didn’t have much choice.”

Louisa kept her lips pressed together. She doubted Julianna much cared about what happened with the estate, but there would be a few people who would question Knight’s decision. After all, how many men would return to a simple life in Cornwall after being offered such an opportunity? She smiled at him, meeting his gaze and seeing the promise there.

Regardless, she was grateful he had opted for that.

“Knight, will you bring some barrels up from the cellar before it gets too late?” Louisa asked. “I want to be ready for tomorrow.” She threw back the glass of whiskey and savored the gentle burn as it worked down her throat with a sigh. “Hopefully I shall have customers once again by then.”

“Of course.” He drained his drink and snatched one of the lanterns from the wall.

Julianna watched him go then faced Louisa. “Why did you accompany him home? You could have returned with Abigail, could you not?” Her smile grew knowing. “Did you two finally—”

A thud and something shattering upstairs made them both freeze. Louisa scowled. “It must have been one of the children.” But her fluttering heart told her otherwise. “I shall go see what’s happened.”

Julianna straightened. “I’ll go with you.”

“Tell Knight to come and find me.” Louisa swallowed. “Just in case.”

Julianna nodded. “There’s a pistol beneath the counter.” She came around and pulled it out. “Drake made me keep it loaded while Hugh was here.”

“I am sure it’s nothing.” Louisa took the pistol nonetheless. She never kept weapons in her establishment, fearing some drunkard might get hold of one. Very rarely did she need to defend herself as it was.

Cradling the weapon, she made her way upstairs. Her breaths were thick and uncomfortable. It was ridiculous. Young children were often clumsy and rambunctious. It was almost certainly one of them having knocked something over.

She tapped her knuckles on the door. The baby was crying and she heard scuffling. “Abigail?” She tried again when there was no response. Keeping the pistol tucked at her side, she pushed open the door and scanned the small room.

“Oh no.” The baby laid in the cot, red-faced and bawling. All three children were alone in the room.

“Papa,” Harry said, pointing out of the open window.

“Oh no,” Louisa repeated and peered out of the window to see two figures hastening away from the inn. The light from the downstairs windows clung to their outlines, and she saw Abigail trying to pull away from Hugh.

Grabbing her skirts, Louisa hastened downstairs only to smack into Drake’s chest as he stepped through the doorway that led upstairs. She stumbled back to view his slightly ashen face.

“What—”

“Go look after the children,” she commanded, pointing upstairs. “Go, now!”

His wide eyes flicked down to the pistol, but she didn’t wait for him to respond. Pushing past him, she barreled out of the door, heart thumping heavily in her chest. When she stumbled outside, she took a moment to search the spot in which she’d seen Hugh and Abigail. She squinted into the night. Icy shards of moonlight rippled across the bay before being hidden behind clouds. Blast, if only it were a lighter night.

Gun cradled to her chest, she ran over to where she’d seen them and stopped to scan the area. The land around the inn was barren, mounds of scrubby grass and rocks scattered the area, but there were few places to conceal a person. What little light the inn provided told her Hugh had not settled on going into hiding.

Drawing a breath in through her tight chest, she peered down the hill but gloom blanketed the area. Clouds had swallowed any remaining moonlight and the lights from the village down the hill dominated the shadowy canvas that was Penshallow. The sea stretched out from the cliffs, an ominous black expanse ready to swallow her if she made the wrong move.

She needed to think. What would Hugh do with Abigail? He clearly had no intention of giving up the inn, and she doubted he’d seized her with any intention of taking her home, so he’d want to rid himself of her as quietly as possible.

Which meant he would not take her to the village.

A salty breeze whirled around her, pressing her skirts to her legs. Bile rose in her throat. He was going to throw her into the sea. It would be the easiest way to rid himself of Abigail.

“Abigail?” she called, as she settled the pistol in one hand, fingers trembling.

She hastened toward the cliff edge and her foot caught on a rock, sending her heart into her throat as she righted herself. The rush of waves beneath reminded her what fate awaited her if she stepped incorrectly. She glanced left and right and called out again.

A muffled scream came from the left. “Abigail?” Louisa followed the faint outline of the cliff edge, more cautiously this time.

Another scream. Then a very male grunt. Her gaze caught on two shadowy figures not far ahead. Louisa rushed forward as a gap in the clouds lit the area and revealed Hugh and Abigail.

“Stop!” she demanded as Hugh fought to control Abigail. She thrust the gun out, fingers shaking on the trigger. Her palms were clammy and damp against the wood, and she had to use her other hand to cradle it.

Hugh whirled around and drew Abigail hard into his chest. “I’ll kill her,” he threatened, and light glinted off a blade.

He was going to kill her regardless, Louisa had no doubt about that. But she could not shoot him while he had Abigail. Pistols were notoriously inaccurate, and she had no experience using guns.

She forced down the knot in her throat. “I’ll shoot you if you do not release her.”

“I’ll slice her neck first.”

Abigail wriggled in his hold but the blade against her neck forced her to still. “Please, Hugh,” she begged, her voice clogged. “Think of the children.”

“If you had just let this all be I would have sent you money,” he spat. “Now shut up.” He clamped a hand over her mouth.

Abigail sobbed against the hand while Louisa inched closer. “If you hurt her, I will shoot.”

“You can try.” She heard the smirk in his voice.

Darkness slipped over the cliff top as clouds flitted across the moon. Louisa cursed under her breath. Now he was but a shadow again and impossible to aim at. What was she going to do?