Black Powder Read Online Free

and hunt them down.’ He threw open the door and strode out into the passageway.
    â€˜No! Please!’ Tom made to dash after him.
    Weasel Face blocked him. ‘Get back! And don’t think of trying anything, or my friend here’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.’ He fingered the knife at his belt then slid out after his master, slamming the door behind him.
    Tom stared down into Edward’s tear-stained face. What have I done, little Ned? What have I done?

Chapter Five
    A strangled groan jolted Tom to his senses.
    â€˜Mother!’ He set Edward down on the floor and rushed over to her. Pulling the cloth from her mouth, he fumbled at the rope round her middle.
    â€˜Don’t worry about that.’ She gave a hoarse cough. ‘Edward, is he all right?’
    He picked him up again and checked him over. ‘Yes, just hungry, I think.’ He held him out to her.
    â€˜Thank God.’ She pressed her dry lips to the baby’s rosy pink cheek and closed her eyes.
    Tom swallowed against the knot in his throat. How long would Father stay safe now he’d betrayed him? He lay his brother down again and sank to his knees in front of her. ‘I – I – I didn’t want to tell them, but that man. He was going to hit you and . . .’ The words dried into shuddering sobs. He hung his head.
    â€˜Shhhh, son. It wasn’t your fault.’
    â€˜But it was. Father told me to look after you and Ned while he was gone. And I tried, but—’
    â€˜I know, Tom. But, you are just a boy and they’ – she licked her lips – ‘they are devils.’
    A boy! He jumped up, cheeks burning. But she was right, wasn’t she? Only a puny milksop would betray his own father and give in to Skinner like that. His eyes stung. He turned away so she wouldn’t see his tears.
    â€˜Listen to me. There’s still a chance your father will get the priest to safety before those brutes catch up with them.’
    â€˜But what if he doesn’t? And if they do escape, how can Father ever come home again?’ He hugged his arms to his chest and stared at his boots. If only Father had never met the priest in the first place . . .
    â€˜Tom.’ His mother’s voice sounded urgent. ‘You want to help your father, don’t you?’
    He shot his head up. ‘Yes, but . . .’
    â€˜Then you must listen to me very carefully.’
    His heart leapt. Did she really know a way?
    â€˜My prayer book. It’s inside a small pouch fixed to the underside of my apron. Get it for me please.’
    He sighed. So that’s what she meant. Well, praying wasn’t going to help Father now.
    â€˜Quickly!’ Her eyes darted to the door. ‘That rat of a henchman will be back soon.’
    He bent down and flipped up the edge of her apron. A small sleeve of cloth was sewn into it about halfway up. He reached inside and fished out a leather-covered book. Hecleared his throat. ‘Which page do you want me to read from?’
    A sad smile flickered across her lips. ‘It’s not for that.’
    He frowned. ‘What then?’
    â€˜It’s the key to the help we need.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’ He shook his head. She wasn’t making any sense.
    â€˜Open it to the first page.’
    He did as she told him. Beneath the printed title someone had written a short neat inscription in black ink: To my dearest sister, Anne, as a token of love on her birthday – Anthony M., Cowdray House, December 1588 .
    His frown deepened.
    She cleared her throat. ‘It was a gift. Your uncle gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. The day before I left my family home for good. It’s him I want you to go to now.’
    His eyes widened in amazement. ‘I’ve got an uncle? You never told me! Who is he? What’s he like?’
    His mother’s cheeks flushed pink. ‘I know and I’m sorry.