She squeezed his hand. “Together.”
“If you want,” he spoke quietly now, hope in each word.
“I do.”
He beamed at her then and she felt a warmth rush through her entire body.
“Then so it will be. I shall speak to your Father today.”
He raised his free hand and placed it on her cheek which she pressed into the palm of his hand.
“I wish Henrietta could have known you. You would have gotten along ever so well. She was a spitfire, just like you.”
The mention of his sister made her look up. “It was the memory of her that drew you out of your amnesia, was it not?”
He nodded, dropping his hand.
“It was. That and the Coat of Arms. But yes, if not for the memory of Henrietta I would not have recalled who I am.”
“It was her gift to you. I truly believe that.”
He sighed. “Then I have been doubly blessed, once by her and again by you, for you are a gift to me as well.”
Her heart almost melted at his words, but she did not have the occasion to say anymore for from outside, footsteps approached, and her breath almost got caught in her throat when she recognized her father’s voice.
Lysander stood up. “Remain here, My Dove. I will return in a moment.” With that, he got up and walked out of the barn and stepped into the stable yard. The voices of her father, Cynthia, and George could be heard alongside Lysander’s. She heard them discussing the kittens and then the conversation appeared to be diverted toward the horses.
She exhaled. Somehow, Seraphina had been certain her father had come for her. She relaxed and turned her attention back to the kittens. Two of them, the orange-and-white one Cynthia had named Rudy, and a black-and-white one, were once again awake and exploring the basket.
She smiled for it appeared the black-and-white marked kitten was attempting to explore every last corner of the basket, even if it meant crawling over the others. The one named Rudy seemed to be irked and attempted to crawl away.
“Shall I save you, little one?” She got up and cautiously made her way over to the kittens. She was just reaching for the black-and-white kitten to distract its focus away from its sibling when someone stepped into the box behind her.
“Oli…I must stop calling you Oliver, for—” She turned and froze. The man standing before her was not Oliver at all.
“Who are—” she had no chance to complete her sentence as the tall man stepped forward, and kicked her backward with his foot so she fell onto the ground. A moment later, to her utter horror, she saw that in his free hand, he led a sack. “No, please! what are you doing? Don’t you know who my Father is? He will surely—”
It was too late. The man rushed toward her and grabbed her, covering her mouth with his hand and then pushing a piece of cloth between her lips as a gag. She struggled for as long as she could, but the man soon placed the empty sack over her head, robbing her of the light. Disoriented, she staggered as he took her and felt herself being lifted off the ground and carried away.
Chapter 34
The Castle came into view long before they arrived at the gate house. Located on a hill, it looked imposing. The building was beautiful, as was the vast land that surrounded it.
So, this is what our families have fought over for nearly 100 years.
He shook his head. It was breathtaking, that much was certain. However, was it worth the century of discourse and arguments? He wasn’t sure.
Half an hour later, the carriage approached the gate house and a burly-looking man stopped them. Liam frowned. Had word already spread that a Keswick was on his way? Certainly, the Duke would not be quite this alarmed, even it was the case.
“State the purpose of your visit,” the man said. Liam realized that he was a parish constable and stepped out of the carriage. After announcing himself, he stated his business.
“I am here to see the Duke of Oxshire in regards to the young man he is housing. Τhe one with amnesia.”
The constable frowned. “Is he expecting your call?”
Liam shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”
The constable shrugged. “No carriages are allowed in or out the Castle grounds without a search.”
A search? Liam glanced around. Something was indeed the matter here. He spotted an array of men riding in and out of the gate beside him, each and every one with a concerned look upon their faces. Just beyond the gates, he saw groups of people congregating, some women were crying, others carried a determined expression on their faces.
“Search ahead,” he told the constable. “What is it you are in search of? The Crown Jewels?”
The constable stepped inside the carriage, removing cushions and blankets before stepping back out.
“It is no joking matter, My Lord. His Grace’s daughter has been missing since yesterday. It is a tragedy.”
The Duke’s daughter, missing? Liam frowned. This was an unexpected turn of events. He wondered if the mysterious man who may or may not be Lysander might be somehow connected to the disappearance. Scratching his chin, he waited for the constable to finish his search and then re-entered the carriage.
They had driven a further ten and the severity of the situation was now apparent. As far as he could see people were searching for the young lady. Maids, footmen, and stable hands; it appeared everybody in the Castle was engaged in the endeavor, along with what appeared to be a great many towns people.
They were on the path that led up to the Castle, and the imposing building was almost in front of them when Liam spotted a group of riders that stood out.
The man at the head of the party was dressed in a regal-looking riding outfit. His horse’s saddle was richly adorned, and combined with the man’s appearance, led Liam to assume that he had to be the Duke of Oxshire.
“Halt the carriage,” he ordered, and the horses slowed. He opened the door and jumped out of the still moving carriage and bowed before the man. An unorthodox way of introducing himself, and certainly not what he’d planned, but sometimes you had to simply take the opportunities as they presented themselves.
“Your Gr….” He got no further, as he heard a voice from the back of the group. He turned his head to see a rider jump off his horse and run toward him.
“Liam?” The familiar voice was like music to his ears. A blink of the eye later, his cousin appeared before him. He stared at him and noted with relief that he was in one piece and looked just as he had the last time they met, except for the slight tan and the light streaks in his hair. He’d been out in the sun more than usual, that was for certain.
“Lysander! I cannot believe it is you.”
They rushed toward one another and embraced, slapping each other on the back as they did. When they parted, Liam rested his hand on his cousin’s shoulder.
“I cannot believe it is really you. I had hoped as much, but to know it is true—”
Lysander frowned. “What do you mean? Did you not receive my message?”
Liam shook his head, “I have not.”
The confusion was written all over Lysander’s face. “Then why are you here? I do not understand.”
“I received word from a friend of mine of a young man with amnesia who was residing on the Duke of Oxshire’s estate. I came to see if it was you. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that it is. You must tell me all that has happened, for I cannot imagine what—”
The man on the horse whom he’d thought to be the Duke of Oxshire cleared his throat. Both Liam and Lysander looked up at him.
“I am sorry, Your Grace. May I introduce my cousin, Liam Keswick, the Earl of Millsbury.”
Liam bowed to the Duke who nodded.
“I would say it was a pleasure to meet you, My Lord. However, I have pressing matters on my mind, I hope you will forgive me if I am not in a hospitable mood.”
Liam swallowed. “Of course, Your Grace. I heard about the disappearance of your daughter. I am ever so sorry to hear it.”
The D
uke nodded but turned his head, a wounded appearance on his face. Liam turned his attention back to Lysander; whose face was equally strained.
“I would love nothing more than to converse with you further, Liam. There is much to discuss. Alas, I cannot. I must…Seraphina has been gone for an entire day already and I dread to think what could have befallen her and if—” he paused and pressed his lips together. Liam noted that his eyes were glazed over with tears that wanted to force their way out.
Seraphina, he could tell, was more than just the Duke’s daughter. Much more. He placed his hand on Lysander’s arm.
“I understand. And if you find me a horse, I shall ride out and assist in the search. If Your Grace agrees, of course.”
“Of course, I won’t say no to another set of eyes,” the Duke of Oxshire said, and then motioned for one of the men to get off his horse. “Get another from the stable, the Earl will ride out with us.”
Taking the reins, Liam threw himself atop the horse and joined in the search for the young woman who had made such an impression on his cousin. Watching Lysander who rode beside him made it clear: The young woman had captured his heart. And if she was not found that heart would certainly be crushed.
Chapter 35
Lysander couldn’t not stop himself from glancing at his cousin every few steps, so surreal was his appearance here. He’d expected his family to come, although not so soon.
And to think Liam never even received my message. To come to the Duke of Oxshire, the enemy of our family, just on the faint hope to find me—
And now, here he was, riding alongside Lysander in search of a woman he’d never even met. Of course, Lysander and Liam had always enjoyed a bond that did not need a great many words. Truthfully, it was a connection he’d had with Henrietta as well. Although never with Harry. No, he and Harry had never been truly close, no matter how much Lysander tried.
Lysander and Liam rode alongside the Duke and his men for some distance, using the time to fill one another in on the events which had transpired these past few weeks.
Lysander was careful to speak of Seraphina only quietly, not wanting to upset the Duke more with details their clandestine love affair, which was not so secret anymore. He was about to ask after his mother and Harry when the Duke stopped.
“I shall ride out to the west. I will take George with me.” The old groom nodded, a grim expression on his face. “You two,” he pointed at two footmen, “go east along the stream. And you, Your Grace, perhaps you can take your cousin and head out toward the north side of the estate. It is easier to survey due to a lack of trees. Given that you don’t know your way around my property.”
Lysander noted the emphasis the Duke placed on the word ‘my’ but let it go. He was right after all. He simply agreed and was about to turn his horse when George approached.
“Do ye know the old monastery at the north end of the estate?”
“I have never visited but Seraphina has spoken of it. It is rather out of the way, isn’t it?”
“Aye, it is. Worth a look I reckon.”
Once they were in agreement, George rode away with the Duke, while Lysander and Liam rode along the stream toward the monastery.
“I am still in awe that you are here, Liam,” Lysander said, shaking his head.
“I would have been here even sooner, if not for a small accident on the way that required repair of a tire. In fact, I imagine if your message arrived home shortly after my departure, then Harry and your Mother must be close behind us.”
Lysander smiled at the thought of seeing his mother again soon. She was a difficult woman and could be hard on those around her, especially Harry. Yet, Lysander had always been close to her.
“I cannot wait to see them again. Tell me, how has Harry managed in my absence? I have entrusted him with much responsibility these last few months. I had rather hoped to make him my steward, once old Preston retires.”
His cousin’s silence spoke volumes.
“Surely he managed well?” He forced his voice to be hopeful, but Liam shook his head.
“I’m afraid Harry is just not cut out for the role you have in mind for him. In fact, I was going to tell you about some rather vexing discoveries I made in the estate logbook.”
Lysander braced himself for the news he had hoped not to hear but found himself instantly distracted by the gloomy remains of the monastery which had just come into view.
“There it is,” he said as he nodded toward the buildings. The old church building at the front had fallen in on itself and did not look at all safe to explore. Beyond it, to the right was a wing which might at one point have been dormitories. It appeared in a more stable state. To the left, where the renovations had taken place, was the truly scary part. The burned-out remains, of what might have been the infirmary, stood in a chill-inducing manner against the summer’s sky.
“The place looks haunted. I shudder just looking at it.” Liam crumpled his nose in distaste.
Despite the gloomy look of it all, Lysander could imagine Seraphina here, reading. She seemed to enjoy being contrary and interested in everything that was different just as he was.
“Let us tie the horses out here,” Liam said, rousing Lysander from his thoughts.
After securing the horses, they stepped into the right wing. Even though it was bright outside, the interior had a dark tinge to it that made Lysander’s blood run cold. To chase away the discomfort, he turned to Liam.
“I know you said you made unsettling discoveries about Harry. Did any of them perhaps have to do with the man who was following me? Chasing me?”
Liam rubbed his lips together. “He did not share much of his investigation with me, if there was one. Lysander, it is perhaps good to accept that Harry is not suited to run your estate. Much as you might despise admitting it.”
Lysander shook his head and looked out through the blown-out windows into what had once been a courtyard. He spotted what remained of several beautiful statues and an overgrown yard. On the other side of the courtyard was the burned-out wing of the monastery. He shuddered at the sight.
“I know he is not. But what else is there for him? He certainly isn’t cut out for the military or the clergy. I had hoped investigating the case might inspire him. Harry has potential. He truly does. Father thought so too. Alas, Mother never did. I tried to make sure he felt appreciated and valued. Perhaps if he feels that way, he will grow to be the man I know he can be. I—”
Suddenly, Liam stretched his arm out, slamming it into Lysander’s chest and stopping him in his tracks. He pressed a finger against his mouth.
“What?” Lysander whispered. Liam pointed to the left, and then cursed under his breath. “Quickly, against the wall,” he hissed. Together the two rushed forward and stood with their backs against it. “I heard a moan, from over there,” he indicated with his head the direction he was talking about. Lysander leaned forward and closed his eyes, concentrating.
The sound of water dripping from somewhere within the ruin drifted to his ears, birds sang in the distance and then…his eyes widened. Voices. They were coming from somewhere across the courtyard. From the direction of the burned-out infirmary.
He glanced around for something that could be used as a weapon and pointed toward a few stray pieces of wood. He and Liam each picked one up and then made their way carefully across the courtyard.
On the other side, they climbed through one of the infirmary windows. That side of the building had an even more eerie air to it than the abandoned ruin they’d come from. The roof was gone in most parts; the walls blackened and partially crumbled. The sound of water dripping became more noticeable. It had rained the night before and water fell through the parts where the roof had been.
“Please, let me go I” A female voice sounded out from somewhere ahead of them.
“Sera!” Lysander whispered as they pushed on. They walked along the hall until they reached a doorway. Beyond it lay another, smaller courtyard, and behind it, untouched by
fire, another small building. The old rectory perhaps. They made their way across, ducking down as not to be seen and then stopping under a window. Seraphina’s voice was now loud and clear.
“You’ve held me all night. What is it you want from me?”
“I want nothing from you. Nothing, My Lady. You are merely a means to an end. I already told you it is him I am after. The Duke. He must be taught a lesson.”
Lysander paused. The voice was familiar. Yes, he was certain he had heard it before. But where? He looked at Liam, but his cousin’s face showed no sign of recognition.
The Trouble with Saving a Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 24