The stubbing that her foot took made Lisa grunt into the hand over her mouth, but the sound was drowned out by the crash of the chair hitting the floor and then she saw Bet startle awake. Much to her relief, in the next moment, the maid was shrieking at the top of her lungs and on her feet, coming around the bed to try to help.

Whether it was the oncoming Bet, or the fact that her screech surely hadn’t gone unheard and help would most likely be on the way that put off her attacker, Lisa didn’t know. But in the next moment she was released and crashing to her knees on the bedroom’s hardwood floor. Bet halted in her forward charge to kneel beside her, her gaze sliding from Lisa to the man making his getaway as she asked, “Are ye all right, Miss?”

“Aye,” Lisa gasped, glancing over her shoulder in time to see her attacker just pulling himself onto the window.

“What the hell?”

Robert’s voice drew her head around as he crashed into the room. She opened her mouth to explain, but apparently he’d spotted the man climbing out her window and was already charging forward. Lisa shifted to the side on her knees to get out of the way, but the fellow was already gone by the time Robert reached the window. That didn’t stop him, however; quick as a whip he was following her attacker’s path and climbing out of her window as well.

“Oh dear,” Lisa muttered and struggled quickly to her feet with Bet’s help. She staggered to the window then, wincing as her knees, shins and stomach muscles all complained of their distress and recent mistreatment. Ignoring that, she bent to rest on the ledge and leaned out to see what was happening. She was just in time to see her attacker drop from the tree and race from the yard. Robert was still a good distance from the ground when he allowed himself to drop from the branches to the grass below. He landed with a grunt and then gave chase, but Lisa could see the fellow had a good start on him. He was also moving like the devil himself was on his heels, while Robert had apparently injured himself and was limping somewhat.

“Lord Langley’ll never catch him,” Bet said with disappointment.

“Nay,” Lisa agreed on a sigh and pulled the window closed once Robert left the yard and disappeared from sight.

“Shouldn’t ye leave it open for Lord Langley to return?” Bet asked with a frown.

“I’m sure he’ll use the front door rather than climb back up the tree,” Lisa pointed out.