SeductivePersuasion

by Frances Stockton

  “Why would they say that?” Aisley asked. “When I was living in the village, few people had actually seen Lord Danford, much less thought to accuse him of something evil. He is not a wizard or an ogre. As for his servants, they no longer fear him, especially after seeing him with Angelica, the child he helped rescue from a cozener.” As Aisley defended Garrick, she was amazed to realize the truth of what she said.

  Despite the difficult day, she still viewed him as an honorable man. So then, how did one explain or accept his tales? How could she accept that he believed he could change into a leopard, that he was several hundred years old?

  “Once the Earl knows what Jerold told you and Andrew about the babe, I’m certain I will gain his permission to continue healing.”

  “I shall pray that he does,” Nelda said.

  “He will,” Aisley assured, smiling again. “Now, I need to visit some of the other villagers. I’d imagine Howard Jones is in need of more cough remedy. I told Jerold the recipe, but given what I’ve learned this day, I wonder if he mixed it correctly.”

  “He’s been coughing of late,” Nelda told her.

  “I must go then,” Aisley insisted, gathering her bag and heading for the door.

  Outside, she ran into Andrew. “She’s fine. Go to your wife.”

  “I’m grateful you’ve come,” Andrew said, then rushed inside.

  Aisley marched back to her cottage, found vinegar, licorice and some honey and made a quart of cough remedy. It took time, but it was worth it to make certain Howard Jones had the medicine that would ease his coughing. Carrying the mixture outside, she noticed Valiant had left his post. The strange woman she’d seen near him was gone.

  More than a little worried, she continued on her way to the Jones’ house and knocked on the door. Charlotte Jones answered the door.

  “Oh, m’lady, I n’er thought to ‘ave a visit from a countess,” Charlotte greeted as she ran her fingers through her gray hair.

  “Whatever you’ve been told, I assure you that I am still a healer. Unfortunately, I cannot stay long. I just wanted to deliver this remedy for your husband’s cough.”

  Charlotte Jones accepted the remedy and smiled. “Thank ye, m’lady.”

  Aisley nodded, made to turn away, but hesitated a moment longer. “Charlotte, did Lord Danford’s physician bring medicine to your husband?”

  “He did,” she said. She sniffed the jar. “Wasn’t this.”

  “I see. I’m sorry for that. Give Howard my remedy and let me know if it helps.”

  “Thank ye,” Charlotte said again and closed the door. Aisley headed for the well.

  Those who’d been near the well earlier had long departed. The villagers were hard at work. Some were out in the field, and some tended to the bread ovens. Others were in the woodshops and the water mill and the smell of burning charcoal wafted through the air. Things were as they should be throughout the little village, and yet, something simply wasn’t right.

  A flash of movement near the village tavern caught Aisley’s eye. For a moment, she thought she saw Valiant fleeing into the forest leading away from the village, heading toward Fernley. Curious, she hiked up her hem just above the ankles and rushed in the same direction.

  She forged into the green and brown forest and followed a narrow, rock-laden path and the sound of heavy breathing. “Valiant, are you there?” she called out, slightly winded.

  A good distance into the cover of branches and bushes, Aisley spotted the small frame of the woman from the well. The stranger ducked and weaved and then hid behind a dying, vine-covered tree.

  “You there, show yourself,” Aisley demanded.

  The woman peeked around the tree as commanded. “M’lady, do not harm me,” she begged. “You are to be the…Countess of Danford, aye?”

  “How would you know that?” Aisley asked. Carefully, she crept forward.

  “Your clothing,” the younger woman said. She had the eyes of a doe, her face was flawless. Her frame was tiny, almost frail and lost in her brown dress.

  “I’ll have your name,” Aisley commanded.

  “Edwina, m’lady, I’ve come to meet you,” Edwina said slowly. To Aisley, Edwina’s words seemed practiced, as though she wasn’t accustomed to speaking pleasantly.

  “Why?” Keeping her arms to her sides, Aisley stood her ground.

  “You have my daughter,” Edwina revealed. Aisley’s heart leapt.

  “That cannot be true.”

  Edwina shook her head. “My daughter, she acts like a babe, but she is much older. Word came to my village that the Earl of Danford had taken in a troubled girl and I had to come and see if it was so.”

  Suspicious, Aisley glared at the woman. “Do you even know your daughter’s true age?”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her,” Edwina claimed, casting her eyes to the side.

  “A mother wouldn’t forget her child’s age, unless she gave the child to someone and wanted to forget.”

  Edwina frowned, accenting her heart-shaped face. Continuing to keep her eyes averted, she struggled to find words. “To my shame, I gave her away. I was alone. I had no coin to care for a child like her. I’d thought he could help her.”

  “So you remember the man’s name?”

  “Aye, Sedgewick.”

  “Do you remember your daughter’s?” Aisley asked.

  Perplexed, Edwina lifted her face. “M’lady?”

  “You remember a stranger, yet hesitate to say your daughter’s name.”

  “Her name’s Merry.”

  Aisley didn’t believe Edwina. “Why have you come looking for Merry after so long a time?”

  “I had little money for a journey.”

  “That’s changed?” Aisley tested, finding a bit of truth in Edwina now. Something about Edwina’s features held a similarity to Angelica’s round-faced features, the possibility of their relationship existed and it scared Aisley to admit it.

  “Much has changed. I have married. When I told my husband about the child, he insisted that we come and see if she’s safe.”

  “I doubt anything you say, but hear this,” Aisley warned. “I will never let you anywhere near my daughter.”

  Again, Edwina lowered her face. “I only want to see her once, if you’ll permit it.”

  “I think you should leave before I call for the Earl of Danford and have you removed from his land.”

  “Nay, you wouldn’t.”

  “I would.” Arms akimbo, Aisley stood her ground, prepared to protect Angelica from the likes of a woman who’d abandoned her. “Fair warning, do not return, unless you are prepared to deal with the Earl of Danford’s wrath. He is my betrothed. He will protect our daughter from the likes of you.”

  “What of my husband? He will be angry if I leave without seeing Merry.”

  “That is for you to deal with. Before you go, tell me what happened to the young man who’d been helping to draw water from the well earlier.”

  “I don’t know any young men from this village,” Edwina replied.

  “Then why were you watching him?” Aisley demanded.

  “If you mean the tall, fair-haired boy, he ran into the woods,” Edwina said. “I cannot say why.”

  “He wouldn’t have done that. Did you lure him away?”

  Edwina shrieked, “I’d never lure a boy. I’m married!”

  “So you claim,” Aisley scoffed. “Why isn’t your husband with you now?”

  “He was afraid to come to the village. He has made camp further into the forest and is awaiting my return.”

  “You and your husband must leave. Do not attempt to return or see my daughter ever again,” Aisley warned.

  Lowering her slight shoulders, Edwina bowed her head. “M’lady, I hope that your decision does not upset my husband. He is not a man to cross.”

  “Nor is Lord Danford,” Aisley stated. “Be gone with you or I will call for the guards.”

  Edwina said nothing and stomped into the brush like a petul
ant child. Aisley waited, listening, the woods were quiet save for Edwina’s small retreating footprints.

  A dry twig cracked to her right. Aisley almost wished she would hear Sir Knight’s familiar sawing. But as she drew her eyes to the sound, a dark figure rose from behind an enormous bush.

  Aware that she’d been lured into the woods by a stranger, Garrick’s long ago warning to be leery of strangers came roaring back to her as she turned and fled through the trees. Losing direction, she kept going, hoping to gain distance. Then she saw Valiant lying prone and bleeding. Pausing, she screamed when hard, heavy footsteps approached her from behind. A big arm lifted and her scream died as something thick and heavy cracked into her skull.

  Pain and darkness overcame her as she fell to the ground and then she felt nothing.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Lord Danford, there is trouble!” Valiant shouted, storming into the Earl of Danford’s solar with the hope of finding Aisley.

  “Valiant, what is amiss?” his mother asked.

  “I need to speak with the Earl,” he said.

  “He’s bathing,” she told him. “Can it not wait? By the look and smell of you, you could use a bath as well.”

  “Mother, I need to know if Aisley returned to the manor. A bath can wait.” Impatient, Valiant attempted to smooth his hand through his hair and failed. His fingers were caught in drying blood.

  “She has been in her room most of the day.” His mother strolled closer, her nostrils flaring when she scented his blood. “You are bleeding. What happened to you?”

  Unwilling to be pampered, he stepped back before she could touch him. “It matters not. Aisley has not been in her room. She was with me and I lost her.”

  “Explain yourself, boy! Why was my betrothed with you?” Garrick commanded from the doorway. Silently, he marched into the room and waited.

  “Forgive me, milord,” Valiant said, remembering to lower his head and keep his eyes averted. “I accompanied Aisley to the village and was waiting for her by the well when a woman came up to me. She was pretty and I offered to help her retrieve some water. After talking with her, I grew concerned about who she was and followed her into the woods. She seemed such a small woman that I didn’t think she could be dangerous, but she outwitted me with a rock. When I woke in the forest, I went to the village. However, I couldn’t find Aisley. It is my hope that she returned to the manor safely.”

  “A pretty woman, the fall of many good men,” his father said and stepped into the room behind Garrick.

  Surprised that he’d not known of his father’s approach, Valiant vowed he’d learn to use his gifts to their fullest extent. He may have caused trouble for Garrick’s betrothed and he wanted to make amends. “This isn’t the time for jests, Father. If something happened to Aisley, I will never forgive myself for failing to protect her.”

  “It was not intended to be a jest, tell us more.” Lucien replied and walked to a livery cupboard where Garrick kept his ration of sustenance and a supply of cold meat and cheese.

  “Aye, continue, first I will send Catarina to Aisley’s chamber. If you find her missing, ask her maid if she’s seen Aisley,” Garrick commanded.

  “Could she be with Angelica?” Catarina asked.

  Garrick shook his head. “Nay, I’ve just come from Angelica’s room.”

  “Then I shall check Aisley’s chamber, milord,” Catarina said and left.

  Watching Catarina leave, Garrick fought the need to grab Valiant by the collar and shake him. As soon as he heard Valiant’s shout, he’d known something was wrong. Even now, he was certain Aisley wouldn’t be in her chambers, but he needed Catarina to look for her anyway.

  Aisley’s scent lingered about the manor house, though it wasn’t as strong. He’d assumed he was at fault for that. He’d withdrawn his thoughts from her when he’d left earlier and hadn’t tried to reach for her. He was still wounded by her disbelief and he didn’t want to face another battle with his betrothed.

  “Are you all right, Valiant? I see you are wounded,” Garrick thought to inquire rather than pound his fists into the boy’s face.

  “Aye, milord, I’m fine.” Valiant lowered his hand, showing his bloodstained fingers. Garrick had smelled his squire’s injury when he was walking down the hall.

  “Drink sustenance and pour some on the wound,” Lucien urged, handing a chalice to his son.

  “Right now all I care about is whether Aisley has returned,” the squire said as he took the wine.

  “Your concern is true, Valiant,” Garrick said. “Tell me more of this woman you met.”

  “She was pretty, but sad, like she was lost. She surprised me by asking about Angelica. She didn’t say Angelica’s name, but she described her well.”

  Glaring at Valiant, Garrick buried a roar. “Why would she ask about Angelica?”

  Valiant stalled, his amber eyes lowering to the floor. “She said she was the girl’s mother and wished to speak with the Countess of Danford about her daughter’s care.”

  “What did you say? Go on, tell me,” Garrick demanded.

  “I did not believe the woman. I couldn’t sense any affection for the child. The oddest thing was…she spoke as if someone had told her what to say.”

  “You forget, son, she gave the child to a cozener,” Lucien said.

  “Nay, I haven’t, nor did she deny her misdeeds.”

  “We’ll worry about the woman’s claim later. First, Valiant, continue. What happened next?”

  “I told her to leave or I’d take her to you,” he said. “She fled into the forest, heading toward Fernley. I thought it best to follow her. I didn’t trust what she might do to Angelica. Aisley had gone to visit a villager and I believed it was safe to leave for a short time.”

  “Thus explains the knock on the head with a rock,” Lucien said. “Son, you have much to learn if you are to take my place amongst the Abcynians. Charging into the forest was foolish enough. To take your eyes off your foe, male or female, could have been deadly.”

  “Do not rebuke him, my friend. His instincts were to protect Angelica.” Garrick defended Valiant. Lucien’s son had meant well by following the woman. “Do you recall the woman’s name, Valiant? I will send some guards to look for her.”

  “Edwina,” Valiant said. “Father, I’m aware of my error. Next time there is trouble, I will not fail Lord Danford or his family.”

  Garrick heard Catarina’s quick steps coming toward the solar. As soon as she entered the room, he questioned her. “Was she there?”

  “Nay, Garrick. No one has seen her. Nor were they aware she’d gone.”

  “Bloody hell, how did she leave without passing Brandon?”

  Valiant responded. “She climbed out the window.”

  Garrick scowled and pinched his nose, something he rarely did to show his impatience. “How do you know this?” Hoping he didn’t sound angry with his mate, he made certain to keep his voice steady. He wasn’t certain if he was angry with her for escaping his guards notice or with himself for failing to stay and ease her fears.

  “I watched her.” Valiant finished his wine and walked to the cupboard. Pouring more sustenance, he kept his face turned away.

  “Garrick, I was in the forest earlier. I did not sense Zotikos near Danford,” Lucien said.

  “Nor I, but he could have sent the woman. I need to go after her.” Deciding on a course of action, Garrick looked at his squire. “Valiant, take your mother to the Angelica and keep watch over her. I’d feel better about leaving if I know the two of you are watching over my daughter.”

  Saddened because he’d failed to do protect his mate, Garrick vowed to make amends to Aisley the moment she returned. Her fears had been worsened by his temper and he hadn’t tried to ease them. He should have been more patient and given her time to accept the truth.

  “Is there anything else we can do?” Catarina offered.

  “Protecting Angelica is enough. Inform Brandon that I’ll need him to keep watch over t
he manor house while I’m gone.”

  Finding himself at the doorway, he wasn’t surprised when Lucien joined him. He knew he didn’t have to ask the eldest of Abcynian kind to help find Aisley.

  Together, the two men marched to the courtyard, each taking a moment to look up at the graying sky. The sun was setting and they could have commanded men from the garrison to assist, but they wouldn’t need it.

  Garrick found Aisley’s slightly weakened scent in the woods separating the village proper from the manor house. Aisley’s scent grew stronger near the well. He’d also found the scent of a woman who’d recently lain with a man. The man liked to douse himself in ambergris, likely using the scent as both a lure and a mask, as it was more commonly used by women. Thinking it might trace all the way to Zotikos, Garrick’s worry increased.

  The panthera within him caught the scent of almond oil over myriad scents lingering in the village. Lucien moved closer, following the scents and two sets of female footprints.

  In the woods, Lucien roared mournfully when he came upon a rock stained with his son’s blood. Further into the density, only one set of footprints remained and they weren’t Aisley’s. Her feet were bigger, her walk heavier than Edwina’s. Garrick looked about and spied the broken and cracked branches left behind by someone who was large, male and sweated profusely, infusing the ground with a trail to follow.

  He had smelled the sweaty male once before. He would never forget it. The man was Sedgewick Haywood, but the ambergris perfume did not belong to him. With such knowledge to track his mate, Garrick looked to Lucien, nodded and stalked into the thickest part of the woods.

  Though it was still light, the full moon would aid his change. Quickly, he removed his clothes and tucked them under some brush. Offering a prayer for Aisley’s behalf, he lifted his face skyward and called to the leopard.

  * * * * *

  Pain, insistent and pounding, alerted Aisley to danger. Opening her eyes to find herself staring into a fire, she tried to sit upright and fell back as a wave of sickness threatened to overwhelm the throbbing in her head.