Even as she struggled, she was aware that the Duchess was intending to kill Rory and Torquil and somehow she found enough breath to cry out,
“Help – Oh, God! – Help them!”
Then, when she expected any moment to hear the report of the rifle and know that the Duchess had been successful, a deep voice said behind them,
“Stop, Your Grace, and give me the rifle!”
Once again just as she was about to pull the trigger, the Duchess turned her head.
“Go away!” she snarled. “They have to die and no one shall – stop me!”
It was then that Pepita was aware that Hector, the Head Keeper who had taken Rory out fishing, was reaching out to take the rifle from the Duchess’s hands.
“Leave me alone!” she yelled. “How dare you interfere! I will have you dismissed for your impertinence.”
“Even so I’ll tak
