Marianne jumps out of the carriage and sees the group of armed men standing in the road, blocking their way. They are carrying guns and clubs, and their faces are shrouded by the shadows of their hoods.
"Who are you?" Marianne demands, trying to sound brave, though her heart are racing. "You intentionally caused that accident to stop us, right?"
"We're here to make a deal," the leader of the says, his voice low and menacing. "Tell the Viscount to come outside, and we'll let you and your companions go."
Inside the carriage, the Viscountess hears the men's words and feels her blood run cold. The Viscountess's hand flows to her mouth as a wave of terror washes over her. "No!" she exclaims. "We can't let him go out there!"
"We have to do something!" the Viscount says, panic rising in his voice. The Viscountess looks around the carriage, her mind racing. "Beatrice, James, we need to find a way out of here."
