And both onlookers knew she would brave any and all the dire perils of the lurking marauders, in order to warn back the unconsciously oncoming Hade.
As she sped through the doorway, Brice came to himself, with a start.

Springing forward, he caught the flying little figure and swung it from the ground.

Disregarding Claire's violent struggles, he bore her back into the house, shutting and locking the door behind her and standing with his back to it.
"You can't go, Miss Standish!" he said, in stern command, as if rebuking some fractious child.

"Your little finger is worth more than that blackguard's whole body.

Besides," he added, grimly, "mocking birds, that sing nearly three weeks ahead of schedule, must be prepared to pay the bill." She was struggling with the door.