After a few moments, Michael went stiff, backing away a few steps. A shriek tore through the air. Celine’s mouth dropped open. “What happened?” Celine asked.
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it doesn’t sound good,” Damien answered. Celine gripped his hand tighter. Within moments, the barn door opened. Stefano emerged, dragging Benjamin Abbott with him. He held his right arm at the wrist. Damien gasped. He glanced to Celine, disgust on his face.
“My God!” Celine exclaimed, matching his expression. “He’s broken his hand!”
Damien was speechless. They returned their gaze to the barn. Michael stood watching for a few more moments before backing away and returning to them.
Celine welcomed him back with a hug. “I assume the painting is complete?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said in a shaky voice. “Yeah, it’s done. And so are Benjamin Abbott’s painting days.” He raked his trembling hand through his sandy blonde hair.
“Yes, that much was apparent when he emerged from the barn with Stefano,” Celine said, putting her hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the memory. “Anyway, we have other problems.”
“Oh, are you kidding? What else?” Damien asked.
“They’re moving the painting to Northcott’s tonight.”
“What?” Damien asked, incredulous.
“Yeah. He insisted.”
“How the hell are we going to get it now?” Damien exclaimed in frustration.
“We snuck in once before, we’ll have to do it again,” Michael said.
“Yeah and we got stuck there for hours. On top of that, how do you expect us to sneak back out with a giant painting?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” Michael answered, collapsing back onto the ground.
Chapter 29
“Calm down,” Celine advised. “Both of you have just sustained a great trauma witnessing Marcus’ misdeeds. We shall see where they take the painting and we shall make a plan to recover it then.” Michael nodded, as did Damien. She took both their hands in hers. “We’ll solve this, together.”
They waited as the sun lowered in the sky. Darkness was already creeping over the area when Stefano returned. They spent a few moments inside the barn before the barn doors opened again. Stefano pushed them back, opening them to their maximum. A moment later he and Teddy emerged, carrying the painting. The Duke followed behind them. They were careful with the large portrait, ensuring they did not damage it.
“It’s a beautiful portrait, Celine,” Damien said, smiling at her.
“Thank you, although I can take no credit for it. You should compliment the unfortunate Mr. Abbott,” Celine answered. “Let’s follow them.”
They allowed the trio to get far enough ahead that they could follow at a safe distance unseen. As Michael stated earlier, they took the painting to Marcus’ home. Michael, Damien and Celine watched from their hideaway as Stefano and Teddy carried the portrait up the stairs, placing it in one of the bedrooms.
Stefano retrieved brandies for each of them from the sitting room. The three men appeared to toast the painting before sharing a drink. After finishing the drinks, Teddy and Stefano left Marcus to enjoy his new acquisition alone.
Marcus spent several more minutes admiring the painting. As they watched, Damien said, “Is he… is he talking to it?”
“Yes, I’m pretty sure he is,” Michael answered.
Soon after, Dembe appeared, relieving Marcus of his glass and helping him undress for the evening. “Well,” Celine said, “he’s retiring for the evening. There will be no retrieving the painting tonight.”
“Yeah, looks like he’s going to sleep with the portrait,” Damien said. “I mean in that room.”
“We won’t be getting that painting tonight,” Michael admitted.
“It’s an appropriate time to return to the house, regroup, discuss a plan and rest,” Celine said.
“I guess,” Damien said. They followed the path back to the house. With the household upset from Mrs. Buckley’s illness, formal dinner had been canceled. Celine offered to have trays delivered to them since they had missed dinner. She disappeared into a hallway while Michael and Damien went to the sitting room to wait. They were both in desperate need of a drink to calm their frayed nerves and soothe their disappointment.
They found Alexander and Gray already inside, conversing over a brandy. “Where have you two been and have you seen Celine?” Gray demanded.
“We were with Celine, searching for her painting,” Michael answered, pouring both himself and Damien a drink.
“You were with Celine? Then where is she?” Gray questioned.
“She’s getting us something to eat. We missed lunch and dinner,” Michael answered.
“How terrible. My condolences,” Gray grumbled.
“Wasn’t asking for your sympathy,” Michael muttered.
“Any news on the painting?” Alexander asked.
Michael began to answer but Celine’s entrance into the room interrupted him. “Sandwiches are being sent up… Gray, Alexander, I didn’t realize you were both here. How is Elizabeth?”
“Not well. I was just speaking with Alexander about making the arrangements for us to travel. Celine, we must draw the Duke away from here so Mother can recover,” Gray said.
“Yes, I agree, Gray.”
“Alexander will stay here until things improve,” Gray informed her.
“I’m very sorry about all of this,” Celine said.
“It’s not your fault, Celine,” Gray said. He poured her a brandy, guiding her to the fireplace to sit. “Have a brandy for your nerves and the chill you’ve been in. I understand from Michael and Damien you’ve been searching for the portrait.”
“Yes, we have,” Celine said, sipping the brandy.
“Have you found anything?” Alexander asked again.
“Yes,” Celine said, sighing. “The news is not good.” She paused for a moment. “Marcus has the painting.”
“You’re sure?” Gray said.
“Positive,” Michael chimed in. “He has it.”
“Where?” Gray asked.
“In his bedroom,” Damien said. “Creepy right!” Gray made a face at him. Damien swallowed some of his brandy, staring at the floor.
“Is it finished?” Alexander asked.
“Yes, it is,” Celine answered. “Benjamin finished it earlier today.” Celine’s expression clouded.
“What is it, Celine? What’s wrong?” Gray asked. “If it’s the painting, don’t fret, darling. We’ll get it back or we’ll have Benjamin paint a new one.”
“That will prove difficult, Gray,” Celine said, her voice breaking. “I doubt Benjamin will ever paint again.”
“Why, Celine?” Alexander asked.
“The Duke broke his hand,” Michael said.
“Irreparably, too, I might add,” Damien said.
“You saw this happen?” Gray questioned.
“I did,” Michael said.
“Damien and I only witnessed the aftermath. It was obvious even without witnessing the actual event that…” Her voice trailed off.
Gray put his arm around her. “Don’t remind yourself of it, darling.”
“We’ll find a way to get it back,” Michael promised.
“While I’d prefer the painting be in this house before we leave, that may not be an option,” Gray said. “I’m not sure how much longer Mother can hold out. We must prepare to leave within the next few days.”
Celine nodded. The painting was important, but not more important than the health of the house’s inhabitants. It was useless to retrieve the painting if there were no family members left alive for the painting to protect.
A maid arrived with a tray of sandwiches for Michael and Damien. “You should eat, too, Celine,” Gray told her.
“Yes, I second that,” Damien said, biting off a piece of sandwich. “You missed lunch, too.”
“You must take better care of yoursel
f, darling,” Gray said, retrieving a sandwich from the tray and delivering it to her.
“She didn’t want to eat any of the scones I pocketed at breakfast this morning,” Damien said. “I think they’re still tasty even after a few hours in my pocket!”
Gray gave him a sideways glance. Celine held back a laugh.
“Cook’s scones are delicious, I quite agree, Damien,” Alexander added.
They finished eating their small meal. “You should try to rest,” Gray suggested to Celine.
“As should you two,” Celine said, nodding to Michael and Damien.
“I’ll be up in a short while,” Gray said.
Celine smiled at him. “Good night, Alexander,” Celine said. Everyone articulated their good nights to each other, and Celine, Michael and Damien left the room. They walked upstairs together, stopping outside of Michael’s door.
“It sounds like you have many things to attend to, Celine,” Michael said. “Let us worry about the painting.”
“Nonsense,” Celine said. “Despite Gray’s hurry to leave, I have every intention of reclaiming the painting. I propose we meet early for breakfast to discuss a plan. Are we agreed?”
“Agreed,” Damien said.
“Sure,” Michael said.
“Good night, then,” Celine said. They both wished her a good night. Celine strode down the hall to her suite.
Michael grabbed Damien’s elbow before he entered his room. “Let’s talk,” he said.
“Sure,” Damien said. They entered Michael’s room, shutting out the rest of the world.
Michael slipped off his jacket and loosened his collar. “This trip has gone from bad to worse,” he said, tossing his jacket down in frustration.
“You aren’t kidding,” Damien agreed. He shook his head. “We need a plan to retrieve that painting!”
“It’s a tall order but, yeah, we do. It sounds like our time is running out.”
“We’ve got to make a move tomorrow,” Damien said.
“Yeah, but how?”
“Knock on the door and politely request the painting back from him?” Damien suggested. Michael shot him a glance. He held his hands up. “I’m just kidding!”
“It’s not the worst idea, and right now it’s our only idea.”
“It’s not our only idea, it’s just the only idea I wanted to express out loud. Neither of us want to say the truth here,” Damien admitted.
“That our only option is to sneak into the Duke’s house and steal the painting right out from under him?”
“Yep,” Damien concurred. “And then get that painting hidden inside another painting, put that painting in the house AND return to our own time!”
“And all before Gray takes Celine wherever they’re going to get away from the Duke.” Michael closed his eyes, shaking his head.
“As much as I hate to say this, we might have to involve Celine in our wonderful plan.”
“Plan? I wouldn’t call what we have a plan. It’s more like a wish and a prayer,” Michael said.
“Still, I can’t figure out how to get everyone out of the house so we can steal that painting. Celine will need to distract somebody somewhere along the line.”
“She can’t distract everyone at once. There’s the Duke, Stefano, Dembe. Plus, I doubt he will leave that painting unattended for any period of time. He didn’t steal it and break Benjamin Abbott’s hand just so one of the Buckleys could waltz in and take it right back while he’s out having tea with Celeste and Teddy.”
Damien threw his hands in the air. “This is impossible.”
“We’ll do whatever we have to do, perhaps some sleep will help.”
“Yeah. We can’t solve anything tonight, anyway. The creep is sleeping with the painting in his room. There is no way I’m sneaking around with him that close.”
“Agree. Let’s sleep on it and see what we come up with.”
“Okay, see you in the morning. Hope you sleep.”
“You too,” Michael said. He squeezed Damien’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out, man. Try not to worry.” They parted ways, each climbing into bed, preparing for a night of tossing and turning.
Celine paced the floor of her bedroom in her dressing gown. The news was not good. Gray’s family was paying the price for her choices, as were people in the nearby town. She had brought all of this onto them. She fought for her independence, not wanting to be shackled to a life with Marcus Northcott. Was she selfish? Should she have accepted her fate, married him and bent to his will? No, she reflected. Michael and Damien were right, she had done nothing wrong.
They would leave, Marcus would follow. The family would be safe then. After a while, tensions would ease, tempers would cool, and Marcus would give up the chase. They could then return to their home and live out their lives in peace.
Before she left, she would prefer the painting sheltered inside these walls. Gray had commissioned it for a reason. It was designed to protect the inhabitants of this home, capturing a piece of her soul to forever guard them. Now that piece of her soul was trapped in Marcus’ clutches.
A knock at the door interrupted her rambling mind. She hurried to the door, pulling it open.
“Celine,” Alexander puffed, “you must come quickly.”
“What is it?” Celine exclaimed.
“It’s Aunt Elizabeth,” he said, steadying his breath, “she’s taken a turn for the worst.”
Celine and Alexander raced down the hall to Elizabeth’s room. They burst through the doors. Gray sat at Elizabeth’s bedside along with Amos.
“Mina, thank God you’re here,” Gray said. “One minute she was talking, the next she had collapsed. Her breathing is shallow, and her fever seems worse.”
Celine pushed past him, laying her hand on Elizabeth’s forehead and cheek. She pressed her head against Elizabeth’s chest, listening to her struggling breaths.
“Well?” Gray asked as she stood.
“Her fever has risen, and she’s struggling to breathe.”
“Can you help her?” Gray inquired.
“I can try,” Celine said. “But I must gather some ingredients.”
“I’ll accompany you,” Alexander said.
Celine nodded to him. “Give me a moment to dress,” she said. Turning to Gray, she said, “Stay with her. Shift her onto her left side, keep a cold cloth on her face, as cold as you can but keep her chest warm to help her respiration.”
Gray nodded. “Please be careful.”
Celine squeezed his hand. She dashed from the room, racing back to her suite. She tore off her nightclothes and donned a dress, hastening to fasten it. She met Alexander in the foyer. He helped her don her cloak before they entered the chilly night air.
Celine informed Alexander of the ingredients she sought and together they hunted for them. After gathering them, they returned to the house where Celine prepared two mixtures to help Elizabeth.
“How is she?” Celine inquired, hurrying into the room.
“Her breathing is worse,” Gray said, fear entering his voice.
“My poor Elizabeth,” Amos said. He turned to Gray and Alexander. “Prepare yourselves, gentlemen, I imagine she is taking her last breaths.”
“Not if I can help it,” Celine said.
“What do you want us to do, Mina?” Gray asked.
“Move her onto her back and tip her head back. We must get her to drink this,” Celine said, holding the first concoction she had prepared. “This should reduce the fever.” Alexander and Gray positioned Elizabeth to allow Celine to pour the mixture into her mouth. “This one,” Celine said, rubbing it onto her throat and chest, “should help with her breathing.”
They waited a few moments. Elizabeth moaned. “What’s happening?” Gray asked. Her breathing became more labored, she panted as if struggling to catch her breath. “It’s not working, she’s getting worse. Is there something else you can try?”
“Give it another minute, this should work,” Celine insisted.
Elizabeth gasped, then exhaled a long breath. “She’s not breathing!” Alexander exclaimed.
Gray reached for her, but Celine stopped him. “Wait,” she cautioned.
A moment passed and Elizabeth appeared lifeless. They waited with bated breath. Elizabeth’s body shuddered as though a shock-wave passed through it. An unearthly groan escaped her lips. Then her breathing resumed.
“She’s breathing again,” Alexander said, sighing with relief.
“Her breathing appears normal again,” Amos said.
Celine breathed her own sigh of relief. “She isn’t cured,” she said to Gray, “but this should keep the more dangerous symptoms at bay until we can depart.”
Gray nodded to her. “Can we step outside for a moment?” He led her from the room, closing the doors behind them. “Celine, we need to leave tonight, now.”
Celine shook her head. “Gray, we can’t. I understand your concern for your mother, but I cannot leave until I return Michael and Damien to… wherever they’re from.”
“Wake them, send them back now, we cannot delay this.”
“We won’t delay it, but we’ve no arrangements. We’ll leave tomorrow, I promise. But you must give me time to finish my own preparations.”
“Fine,” Gray said, nodding. “We’ll leave tomorrow evening. I’ll make the arrangements in the morning.”
Celine agreed. “Tomorrow evening, yes. Now, go spend time with your mother and father. I’ll be in our room if you need me.” She turned to leave.
“Celine,” he said, pulling her back into his arms. “I love you.”
She smiled at him. “I love you, too, Gray.”
“Get some rest, darling.”
“I’ll check with you in the morning before you leave to make the arrangements to travel.” They kissed goodnight. Celine returned to her room to pace the floor for the remaining hours of darkness.
As the sun rose, Celine checked in again with Gray. Elizabeth was still asleep, but her fever had lessened, and her breathing remained steady throughout the night. Celine dispensed more of her medication to Elizabeth before leaving to meet Damien and Michael for breakfast.
Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 2) Page 27