"That'll be shiny bright." Fortunately Ruby could always be counted on to do absolutely nothing. "What do yer think I am exactly? Yer bleedin' servant?"

"'Ee got no roight after what ee-"

Barron gasped as Devorlane Hawley jerked the stick so hard across his windpipe, Cass was almost jerked off her feet.

"I have every right. You all want Lord Koorecroft fetched, don't you?So let's fetch him. I'm relishing the thought of the little chat I'm going to have with him ...