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'Dead.' Luke glanced at Jon. 'They had pistols up there but there were too many of us. There's still plenty to be had at the house. They're throwing everything out before the fire takes hold. We'll need all we can. The Maroons want payment. The rebels won't give us shelter in the hills unless we offer them something in return.'

He bent to the head and ripped away the diamond earrings. 'I don't need these. Take them, my pockets are full.' He offered them to Jon and jerked his head at the house. 'There's plenty more where these came from, if you're quick enough.'

Catching the head by the curling ringlets of the wig, he stuffed it into the sack and swung it to his back once more. 'I'll see you at the bay then. Make it sharp. The Maroons won't wait long.'

'Wait!' Daniel caught Luke's arm. 'What about the house servants? Adanna. Is she...?'

'You mean that girl the mistress dressed in her cast-offs?' Unable to speak, Daniel nodded.

'Then she's dead with the rest of them.' Luke shrugged. 'No one can serve two masters. Anyone in The Salutation tonight was our enemy.'

Daniel felt his brother's arms lock around him. A single gunshot cracked the night. Moments later a volley of shots sounded from below. Instantly the drumming stopped.

'They've raised the militia,' Jon said softly over his shoulder. 'Go on down, Luke. Gather your family and run to the bay.'

'You'd best take your own advice. They're on to us.' Turning from the brothers, Luke skidded away down the shingle path.

Daniel struggled to free himself. 'Why didn't you tell me it was tonight? Didn't you trust me?'

There was a pause before Jon answered.

'It wasn't you I didn't trust.' He bundled Daniel about to face him. 'Mother is weak. She needs you now. And Pearl, what of her? Would you abandon them? One of us must help them. The only reason I'm going up there is to take something to pay our way. Luke is right, the Maroons won't shelter us for free. Find Mother and Pearl, and lead them to Kirtle Bay. It's been arranged—boats will be waiting. I'll join you as soon as I can.'

A flare exploded in the sky, bleaching the woodland with sudden cruel brightness. Daniel screwed his eyes shut against the brilliance. After a moment, he heard a sigh.

'Go to her then, if you must. I won't stop you.' Jon loosened his grip. 'All I ask is that you think of the future, not the past, brother.' Daniel opened his eyes. Jon had taken a step back, leaving the way to The Salutation clear. Face hidden in shadow, he pointed at the stony track. 'You were a boy until this night, but now you must be a man. Up or down, it's a hard path. I'll not force you. You must decide. And then you must live with your conscience.' Above them the broken backbone of The Salutation was blurred by smoke and flames. Even at this distance they could hear the dreadful groan of the timbers as fire engulfed the building. The acrid scent of charred wood filled the air. No one could survive the madness and the fury.

But his mother and Pearl lived. They needed him. Daniel swallowed ash and made the choice that left his heart a blackened cinder in the blaze. He could barely form his next words.

'I'll...I'll go down.'

Jon reached out to smudge away the tears that streamed down his brother's face. 'Mother kept your secret all this time. Now you can repay her. Guide them to safety before it's too late.' Their eyes locked. 'If nothing else, do it for Adanna.'

Mute with misery, Daniel nodded.

'Save me a place on the boat.' Jon's voice was muffled by the strength of their embrace and the rough fabric of their shirts. 'Take these.' Something small and hard was forced into Daniel's hand—the jewels from the severed head.

'Use them to pay the boatman if...'

Unwilling, or perhaps unable, to finish, Jon released him and turned swiftly away.

As Daniel watched his brother begin again on the path leading up to the Great House he knew, with the certainty that told him the sun would rise every day, that it was the last time he would see him.