“We’re leaving,” Marcus said. “And I think you ought to come with us. I won’t force you, but if you’re coming it has to be now. Get dressed and leave everything else behind.”

The oldest of the three women looked at the other two, then nodded wordlessly. They bustled back to their rooms as Uhlan came back in.

“The carriage will be ready in five minutes, sir,” he said. “But Aldio is missing.”

“Hell. If he’s snuck out, I hope he has the sense not to come back.”

Raesinia’s voice came from the top of the stairs. “Marcus! I can’t find Andy! Her room’s empty!”

Marcus blinked, then got it. “Squeeze them into the carriage. Whoever doesn’t fit will ride outside. If you’ve got time, load some pistols.”

“Marcus!” Raesinia’s voice again, more urgent now, from the landing window. “I see torches coming up the street!”

Marcus ran toward the rear of the house, checking the hall closet, the spare room, and the kitchen. They turned out to be in the pantry; he hauled the thick door open to find a tangled blanket on the floor and the Mierantai boy frantically tugging his trousers back on. Andy, mostly naked, sat against the back wall.

“Sir—” the boy began, accent even thicker than Uhlan’s.

Marcus snatched his shirt off the floor, thrust it into his arms, and shoved him out the door. “The stables. Go!”

Andy got up as the boy rushed off. Marcus kept his eyes resolutely on her face, but nevertheless she flushed under his gaze. “Are you sober enough to shoot?”

“Probably.” Andy blinked. “What’s happening?”

“Patriot Guards coming to get us. We’re leaving. Get something on and get to the stables.”

“Oh.” She paused a moment. “Oh, fuck.”

“Go!”

She ran. Marcus followed her as far as the landing, where Raesinia had her face pressed to the window. Marcus could see a row of lights halfway down the street and getting closer fast.

“There’s at least twenty of them, all with muskets,” Raesinia said. She had her hands cupped against her eyes to shut out the lights. “Maurisk isn’t fooling around.”

“Get to the stable.”

“Are we going to have room for everyone?”

“We will if some of us sit on top.”

Raesinia grinned. “I always wanted to try that.”

Andy appeared at the top of the stairs, trousers and boots on, still pulling a shirt down. Raesinia raised an eyebrow.

“I seem to be walking straight,” Andy said to Marcus.

“Good.” Marcus led the two women downstairs and through the short covered passage to the stables.