He began to see stars, but at last his head broke the surface. He opened his mouth to draw in a huge breath, but the tangled cloak cut off his ability to grab air. As the wheel lifted him, he arched his back, kicking to find purchase with his feet to push himself up and bring a little air into his lungs.

At the top of the turn, the full force of the water rushing through the sluice hit him in the face, blinding him, pushing his head back into the sodden wood. He was being dragged over the top of the wheel and down the far side, headfirst.

Once more he plunged beneath the icy water. Dragged over the rough stones, pinned between the wheel and the raceway. His lungs screamed to be filled, pain arcing through him, inside and out.

He must get air. He must break the metal closure on the cape. He would not survive much longer.

Were these to be his last moments on earth? Regret took hold. There was so much more he wanted to do …

He had intended to find Montgomery’s killer.

He had intended to prove himself a worthy detective.

He had intended to kiss Lady Juliette Thorndike again.

The wheel hauled him up, and he managed to free one hand to dig under the cloak wound so tightly about his neck. He forced open a bare inch of space at his throat and draw in a ragged breath before the sluice doused him once more.

God, please. Don’t let me die like this.

Someone shouted, faint above the roaring of the water and the roaring in his ears.

This time when the waterwheel sent him downward, he managed to flip himself to go feet first, but the force of the wheel doubled him over to tug him along the stony race. Another plunge beneath the surface, another grating, pounding, pummeling trip over the rocks.

And this time the cloak caught on something else, the force ripping the fabric away from him and sending him shooting into the wall of the dam behind the wheel. Struggling to stay above the water, he drew in great whooping breaths, coughing, spitting, drawing in river water and choking it out again.

He was pinned in the small space behind the wheel, roiling water cascading around him. There was no room along the sides to escape downriver. The walls of the dam and chase were slick with mossy slime. His hands were frozen from the frigid water and the beating they had taken.

He was trapped.

Another shout, and Cadogan’s head appeared over the edge of the walkway above. “Swann! Are you all right, sir?”

Do I look all right? I’m about to drown down here!