Lilly paused before getting out of the coach. “Thanks for coming Duke. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m glad you’re with me.”
When Lilly spoke to me like that, no obstacle or unpleasantness mattered. I was with her, no matter what, through good or bad, sickness or health.
I helped Lilly out of the carriage and we walked to where her parents were waiting. She hugged her mother and father, not tightly, but not totally devoid of feeling either, and stepped back to my side.
“Mom, Dad. I’d like you to meet Duke.”
I turned to Iris first.
“Welcome to our home, Duke,” she said, and there was some warmth in her eyes after all. Maybe I’d have to revise my earlier opinion.
I turned to Bryer, and clasped hands with him. He had a firm, sure, handshake, and looked me dead in the eyes.
“Mr. Grandfather,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you. Lilly has told us about you.”
The words were nice enough, but the tone conveyed a different meaning to me. The message being sent was, “I know you’ve had your filthy hands on my daughter, and if I can find an excuse, I’ll cut them off for you.” I couldn’t really blame him. Dangerous necromancer or not, Lilly would always be his little girl.
Rose stepped forward with a huge smile and embraced Lilly tightly, while I reached around and shook hands with the soon-to-be groom.
“Bancroft Denning,” he said. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
When Lilly broke free from Rose, she introduced me, and Rose promptly wrapped me up in as tight of a hug.
“I can’t believe I finally get to meet you!” she squealed. “I’ve heard so much about you from Lilly!”
When I could breathe again, I told her that I heard a lot about her too. That was true, although a lot of it wasn’t flattering.
With that, the introductions were over, and we walked toward the house, leaving the bags in the care of the servants. We were given cool drinks, exchanged idle small talk about our trip and the weather, and Lilly showed me where our rooms were. Yes, rooms. Lilly and I were to be in separate bedrooms, which was amusing and bothersome at the same time.
“Don’t be grumpy, Duke,” Lilly said, as she entered her room. “It’s only for a few days.”
She blew me a kiss as I harrumphed my way into my own room, and shut the door behind me.
Unsurprisingly, the room was huge, with a massive four poster bed dominating the center of it. I never had so much space to myself and felt lost, so I ended up standing there dumbly, not knowing what to do. But I should have trusted Lilly. A few moments later, there was a knock on the door, and I opened it to find her standing there, bags at her feet.
“Come on,” she said with a mischievous grin. “You didn’t really think I was going to stand for that, did you?”
A short while later, we were in what the Deerbornes referred to as their drawing room, which was yet another large, well-appointed chamber. A servant neared and quietly asked me if he could get me anything to drink.
“Sure. How about a nice mug of ale to help wash the trail dust away? Thanks.”
I smiled at him as he bowed his head and moved away, but when I turned around, I caught a look of horror on Iris’s face that she quickly hid. I wasn’t sure if it was me asking for ale that got to her, or my familiar tone with the staff.
“Mr. Grandfather,” Bryer said. “Tell us about yourself. Lilly has mentioned that you also work for the City Watch?”
“Well, not quite. I do work with them sometimes, and that’s actually how I met your daughter. But I’m not really employed by them. I’m independent, what’s referred to as a Nuisance Man. Are you familiar with the term?”
“I can’t say that I am,” Bryer said.
I filled them in, telling them what a Nuisance Man did, about the Board, and how we operated.
“In other words,” he said, “you’re a bounty hunter.”
I never considered myself such, but Bryer looked to be trying to start an argument. That wasn’t going to be a trap that I fell into, so instead I looked him squarely in the eye and said, “I guess you could say that if you wanted. It’s not quite the same, but we can call it that for the sake of argument, if you wish.”
Lilly reached down and took my hand, squeezing it gently. I knew the signal, and squeezed back. I wasn’t going to get in an argument with her father.
More, much more, idle talk went on while I sipped my ale, and another that gloriously appeared as if by magic when the first was gone. Most of the conversation revolved around Rose and the upcoming wedding, of course. I could see why they were holding it here. The mansion had more space and more beautiful gardens than anywhere I had ever been.
The evening passed. Dinner was served in a cavernous dining hall. After dinner conversation continued back in the drawing room with dessert included, and then finally Lilly and I were alone in our room again.
“You did great,” she said to me. “But tomorrow is the real test.”
“Why, what’s tomorrow?”
“I thought I told you. Mom and I are going with Rose to get her dress from the seamstress. It’s a big deal.”
“Well, can’t I come with you?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s a girl thing only. You’re going to stay here with Bancroft and Daddy. And I think he has some other friends coming over as well.”
“I see…and what are we doing?”
“Not sure. I think Dad said something about hunting, but you’ll have to ask him.”
As I lay in bed that night, I kept thinking about Bryer’s dark, dark eyes, and wondering exactly what the prey was going to be tomorrow.
The next day dawned bright and clear, and the women left early, talking eagerly about dresses, flowers, cakes and other wedding essentials. I was left on my own to wander around the mansion and grounds until the afternoon. I didn’t see either Bryer or Bancroft, but a servant told me that my presence was requested for lunch at noon.
I walked around the place, admiring it now that I had a chance to look it over on my own. It really was exquisite. The artwork was amazing, the furnishings stylish, and the layout actually made sense when you got used to it. I asked Lilly about it all the night before, and she told me that her father inherited a lucrative shipping company from his father. All of them were wizards, who specialized in moving items quickly and safely from one location to another, even far away. It was normally a huge expenditure of energy to do so, but her grandfather found a way around that.
Magic stuff. I still don’t get it, but it certainly paid off for these folks.
I strayed out onto a large covered porch that looked out over the gardens when I heard voices from below. I leaned out to look, and there was Bryer, and a man that I didn’t recognize. From his dress, he ran in the same social circles as the Deerbornes.
“I don’t care,” Bryer was saying. “I should have been informed.”
The other man shrugged.
“I agree,” he said, “but it’s where we are now. It’s there already and we can only hold it for so long. We’ll need to come up with a plan to deal with it.”
“It better be soon,” Bryer replied. “I don’t want this coming back on me.”
They started walking away as Bryer said this, so I couldn’t hear any more of the conversation. But from what I heard, it sounded like Lilly’s dad was involved in something that he shouldn’t be. I didn’t know that for sure of course, but why else would Bryer have been worried about something coming back on him?
Either way, it wasn’t my business. I always assumed that anyone who had the type of money that the Deerbornes did must be involved in some shady dealings somewhere. That was their affair; I was there for a wedding and to be with Lilly.
Shortly before noon a servant directed me to a large stone patio on the back lawn, where tables groaned under the weight of the food that was piled on them. Bryer and Bancroft were already there, as well as several other men, all very wealthy looking
.
“Ah, Duke,” Bryer said. “Glad you made it. First a little lunch, and then off to the hunt.”
He was smiling as he said this, but again I noticed that the warmth never quite reached his eyes. I was starting to get used to that, and made up my mind that it was part of Bryer’s personality, and not directed at me personally.
“Sounds good,” I said.
“Good, good. Oh, allow me to introduce Wallace Worthington, the Fourth. Wally to his friends. He’s an old school chum of mine. Known each other for…what? How long now Wally?”
“Too long to bring it up, Bryer,” the man laughed.
Wallace Worthington was the same man I saw Bryer talking to earlier. I shook his hand, not letting on that I recognized him.
“Good to meet you, Mr. Worthington,” I said.
“Wally, please. Any friend of Bryer’s and all that. How are you finding country living so far, Mr. Grandfather?”
“Duke. It’s been a treat. I can’t say that anything’s been lacking. But I have to admit, I do miss the city when I’m away from it.”
Bryer and Wally both laughed as if I made a joke. I laughed along with them, wanting to keep the peace for Lilly’s sake, and because I really had nothing against Bryer. He was a little cold and distant, but I believed that was just his way. Besides, anyone who raised someone as great as Lilly couldn’t be all bad.
“What are you hunting for today?” I asked.
“Whatever’s around,” Bryer said. “I’m looking forward to trying out the new line of crossbows. They’re supposed to be more accurate and with a better range than the old model, so I had a few delivered and thought this would be a good chance to try them out. You know, while the women are out spending the money.”
“Will you be joining us, Duke?” Wally asked.
“I’ll go along,” I said, “but I don’t think I’ll actually do any hunting. I do enough of that in my line of work.”
If I harbored any secret fears that my job could be in jeopardy from any of the mighty hunters in attendance that day, they were quickly dispelled. There was a good size group of men, around twenty or so, all armed to the teeth with crossbows and bolts. Or rather, the servants were armed to the teeth, because they came along, one per hunter, to carry the crossbow and wait on their lords hand and foot.
Not only that, but the lunch itself came with us, carried along by even more servants. The party tramped through the forest surrounding the Deerborne’s estate, shouting to each other, firing crossbow bolts at anything that moved, and stopping frequently for food or drink breaks. It was all very amusing, and the local wildlife was in no immediate danger, unless they were stupid enough that it would be a blessing to the gene pool if they were dispatched.
The only exception to the overall merriment was Bryer. He ate and drank, and indulged in some good back and forth with the others, but he also kept a sharp eye out, and at one point, aimed and fired, taking a buck with a precise shot. The poor thing never saw it coming, although why it stayed around with such a racket going on was beyond me.
That deer was the only thing that was actually shot that day, but Bryer’s skill with the crossbow impressed me. I hadn’t thought that he had it in him.
When the sun started to sink low, the party started to wane. We started back to the estate, led by the servants who hurried ahead of us to clear the way, now that we weren’t trying to sneak up on anything.
Back at the mansion, the girls returned, and Bryer announced that changing rooms were available for his guests in the lower level. Apparently, the wives and girlfriends of those gathered there were soon to be arriving for a gala that evening. It was to be a celebration before the celebration.
I was about partied out after the days trek through the woods, but I was learning that for the high society set, socializing was everything. Everyone who was anyone wanted to be near the Deerbornes, who felt an obligation to live up to what was expected of them.
Lilly and I returned to our room to ready ourselves for the evening, where she fell onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“What a day,” she said. “I’m so glad to be back. What do you say we hop in a carriage tonight and head back to the city, where it’s calm and quiet?”
“Don’t tease me,” I said, stretching out next to her. “Did you have fun?”
She shrugged.
“It was okay. Rose is a little high strung at the best of times, so a lot of the day was spent trying to keep her calm. One more day, then it’s all over. I tell you, Duke, I love my family, but I don’t miss all this one bit. How was your day?”
I considered telling her about the conversation that I overheard that morning, but decided not to. As I said, it was Bryer’s business, not mine. Instead, I told Lilly about the “hunt” and how impressed I was with her father’s crossbow skills.
“Oh yes, Daddy does love his crossbows. Do you know that he has one of the very first ones made? It’s this huge thing with a crank on the side. He loved it though, and would shoot whenever he got the chance.”
“It shows. What’s tonight all about?”
“Just a party. This one is for all the neighbors and visitors that are here for the wedding. They’ll all be there for that too, of course, but this is another good excuse.”
She sighed.
“Guess we should get dressed. Evening wear is expected.”
“I don’t own any evening wear.”
“Go look in the wardrobe over there,” she said, pointing across the room. “You’ll be surprised.”
Indeed I was. I looked good in the black, formal clothes that I found there, and Lilly’s beauty was upped another notch or ten. I took her in my arms and kissed her soundly.
“Let’s go, Grandfather,” she told me, a half smile on her face. “And thanks.”
The party went as you would expect; small talk, being introduced to a lot of new faces, and a lot to eat and drink. I didn’t know how the folks that lived like this avoided becoming obese. Or at least some of them, since there was plenty of that in evidence also.
The only strange thing about the evening was when I noticed Bryer and Wally off to the side, away from the festivities, standing in the shadows under a tree. They both had cups of wine that they raised to their lips from time to time, disguising what they were saying. Wally said something behind his cup, and his eyes scanned the area until he saw me, watching them. He made a comment to Bryer, who also looked at me, then raised his glass slightly.
I did the same, and went to find Lilly. Whatever was going on, it still wasn’t any of my business.
Rose and Bancroft were in luck. The day of their wedding dawned bright and beautiful. Once again, Lilly would be busy with her sister and her mother, so I was left to my own devices. I thought I’d help with set up or whatever was needed, but that was before I realized that the Deerbornes had servants for everything, so there was really nothing for me to do, but wander around again, which was why I was walking outside when I heard the commotion from the front door.
I still believed that whatever was going on wasn’t my business but I didn’t want anything to add more stress to Lilly’s day, so I went to see what was going on.
The front door was open, and Bryer stood facing down a disheveled looking man, who was backed up by, of all things, a troll. I had to give it to Bryer; he didn’t let the troll intimidate him in the least. I walked up behind the visitors, moving quietly, to hear Bryer say, “I have nothing to say to you. You knew what we would do if we found out. It’s your problem now.”
Ah. So this related to whatever he and Wally were discussing the day before.
The man replied. “Look Deerborne. You agreed to the transport and took our money. Now there’s a serious problem and you’re going to fix it.”
“I’d thank you to leave my property immediately,” Bryer returned. “Our business is concluded.”
The man snarled at that and motioned the troll forward. That was all I needed. He may be cold and a bit of prig, but thi
s was Lilly’s father. I moved forward quickly, pulling my gun from my belt as I did so, but I didn’t arm it with special troll-killing metal balls. I had a feeling the troll was only a lackey and I didn’t want to kill it if I didn’t need to.
I stepped past the troll, grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him backward, over my leg, sprawling him out on the ground. I lifted my gun and aimed it directly at the troll’s face.
“You boys probably don’t know me,” I said, “but I can guarantee you that I can kill you both in an instant. Now back away.”
I don’t know if they recognized me, or my gun, or if my bravado simply caught them off guard. The troll stopped in his tracks, beady eyes focused on the barrel of the gun, and huge brows knitted in what passed for thought. The man scrambled to his feet and retreated to stand next to the troll.
“This is none of your business, Grandfather,” he said. “Yeah, I know who you are. You’re not so tough either. Put that fancy weapon away and see what happens.”
“Now why would I do that? You’re under a misconception, friend. I’m not here to play around. You have two seconds to get out of here, or I shoot your troll in the face and then turn my attention to you. One…”
The troll didn’t wait, which said more for his intelligence than the man’s. He turned and lumbered back down the carriageway, moving with that loping run that they have, which looks ungainly but eats up the miles. The man, not as smart as his partner, glared at me.
“You don’t even know what you’re tied in with,” he said. “We’ll see you again.”
He jammed his hands in his pockets and started away, mumbling as he went. I kept my gun out, but lowered it and watched him until he retreated from sight. I turned to face Bryer.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, or what you and Wally have been whispering about, but it’s time you told me. We can’t have a repeat of this later.”
Duke Grandfather- The Whole Story Page 26