The Artisan and the Duke

by Abigail Agar

  Gregory relented and took his wife’s hand. He tugged Jules along with him to the house. “I’m sorry. It has just been a really horrible week.”

  “For me too,” Jules agreed.

  The back door was open, and so was the cellar. They started with the cellar and quickly regretted not bringing a light with them. However, just at the bottom of the cellar was the lantern. It’s light dim but there.

  Jules picked up the lantern. “The wick needs letting out,” Jules said as she turned the metal knob on the side and the light bloomed brighter from the lantern.

  The light spilled out over the cellar and showed Jules and Gregory immediately that Fredrick was not there. There was, however, another section of wall missing.

  Gregory walked over to it and shook his head. “Whoever put me in my cubby hole must have put someone else in here. You said that you and Fred did not find Uncle in the house?”

  “No, we saw no one,” Jules said softly. “What sort of cellar has such things?”

  Gregory pursed out his lips and said, “Lots of them. People hide all manner of things, including sometimes other people.”

  “So, where’s Fredrick? If he found your uncle or someone, then where is he? His horse is still here,” Jules said with worry.

  Gregory shook his head slowly to avoid the pain of jarring his head too much. “I intend to find out. The first place to look would be the house. If he did not leave, then he had to settle here for the night,” Gregory said reasonably. “Do not think the worst until we know more.”

  “I am trying my best, but with my past experiences, it is proving difficult,” Jules said.

  Gregory put his arm around Jules’ shoulders and led the girl back to the stairs. “I am having a bit of a crisis of faith myself,” Gregory admitted, “but that will do Fredrick no good. He is a soldier and a hard man to kill. If anyone can get out of a scrape, then it would be Fred.”

  They made their way up to the back door which was still ajar. Gregory went in first despite his wound. He insisted on being the first in, and Jules eventually relented. Inside, the house was as quiet as it was the night before.

  The silence was broken by a moan, and Jules grabbed Gregory’s arm. Gregory put his hand comfortingly over her hand as they moved towards the study. Gregory peered inside and saw the form of his uncle lying on a couch there.

  “Uncle,” Gregory said as he went over to the man quickly with Jules right behind him.

  Uncle Lawrence’s pale hair was flecked with dried blood. His eyelids blinked open, and he startled. “Gregory,” Uncle Lawrence’s voice croaked out.

  Gregory told the man, “Calm yourself, Uncle. How badly are you injured?”

  “Do not,” Uncle Lawrence grimaced, “know. I don’t know.”

  Jules asked, “Was Fredrick here?”

  Uncle Lawrence nodded as best as he could. “Yes. He dragged me up here from the cellar. Never thought he would be able to, but he did,” Uncle Lawrence said as he blinked back tears. “I am so sorry, Gregory. This is my doing, my fault.”

  “Save your pardons for later and burden your priest with them. We need to get you to the doctor,” Gregory said as he reached under the man and lifted him. Uncle Lawrence was light enough that Gregory could carry him, but Jules aided as best she could by holding doors out of the way.

  Once Uncle Lawrence was on the stallion, Gregory sighed. “I don’t think Fredrick is here. He would have made himself known by now. We’ll get Uncle looked at, and perhaps he can help us piece together what happened,” Gregory said quietly to Jules who just nodded.

  Gregory rode with his uncle to keep the man from falling off the horse, and Jules followed them back to the doctor’s house.

  The doctor and his wife were out on the porch when Jules and Gregory approached. It took the doctor little time to recognize another patient. Gregory helped the doctor get Lawrence inside.

  “What happened to him?” the doctor asked as he began checking the man over once Uncle Lawrence was in a bed upstairs.

  Gregory shook his head. “That we do not know. He apparently was walled up the same as I was, but I do not know what happened before that,” Gregory said with a sigh.

  The doctor sighed. “Let me work, and I will see what I can do for the man.”

  ***

  “We need to return to London, but I cannot do so until I find out what has happened to Fredrick,” Gregory said in anguish.

  Jules said softly, “I could return ahead of you and see if I can aid your mother.”

  “No,” Gregory said firmly. “I cannot bear the idea that you will be lost to me again.”

  Jules put her hand on Gregory’s shoulder as they sat near his uncle’s bedside. “I know it will be a long while before you are comfortable letting me out of your sight again, but I can take care of myself. I was simply guilt-ridden and caught off-guard by David last time. I will be fine.”

  Uncle Lawrence groaned,and Gregory was quickly over to the man. “Uncle?” Gregory asked gently. “How are you feeling?”

  “Thirsty,” Uncle Lawrence croaked out. Jules watched as Gregory gave the man a drink of water. “Thank you,” Uncle Lawrence said with a sigh of relief.

  Gregory ventured, “Do you feel up to telling us what happened last night?”

  “No, but I will do so anyway,” Uncle Lawrence said as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. “He dragged me up to the study. He got some water and said he was going to shut the house up tight. There was a storm, thundering lightning outside, so he dared not venture out with me.”

  Gregory sat down on the end of the bed as his uncle spoke.

  Uncle Lawrence sighed, “I blacked out for a bit. I don’t recall how long. Then there was a loud noise, some shouting. I could not make out the words. Then there was silence. I called out for Fredrick, but he never came. I eventually fell asleep, I suppose. Then you were there.”

  “Someone took Fredrick,” Jules said softly. “But the highwaymen from before said that Uncle Lawrence told them to do it.”

  Uncle Lawrence looked sheepish, “I only meant them to delay Fredrick.”

  “Well, that is not quite the story they gave, Uncle,” Gregory said. He wanted to give the man a lashing for it or worse, but he did not have time, and apparently someone had already beaten Gregory to it. “Who did this to you?”

  Uncle Lawrence wrung his hands and looked away from Gregory and Jules. “I told Boris what I had done, and he became angry,” Uncle Lawrence said quietly. “He said I was as bad as the rest of my family and that I should pay the price with them.”

  “I assume he means the St Claire family,” Gregory said, and Uncle Lawrence nodded. “I do not understand it. Family means everything to Boris. Why would he actively seek to destroy us?”

  Uncle Lawrence shook his head. “The only thing that means more to Boris than family is duty. Let us face truths, Gregory. You have gone out of your way to shirk your duties at every turn.”

  Gregory nodded slowly. “Perhaps. At least he finally saw you for who you really are, eh Uncle?”

  “Yes,” Uncle Lawrence said quietly. “I never really tried to hide who I was Gregory, and you would have been happier in the long run if I had taken the title. You despise society, just look at your choice of brides.”

  Jules huffed, “Pardon me?”

  Uncle Lawrence said, “No offence meant, Your Grace, but you becoming Duchess is a bit of a snub to the high-society ladies that Gregory deals with, do you not think?”

  Jules pressed her lips firmly together. Gregory sighed. “Uncle, I have never hidden the fact that I dislike the way society works or rather does not work. And the Duchess is of no concern to you,” he told his uncle.

  Uncle Lawrence nodded. “I will admit that I think I would rather have a commoner over a nobleman like Boris. I thought better of the man, but he is quite unstable.”

  “Yes, I fear he might be, and I also fear he might have my brother,” Gregory said silently.

  Jules put her hand
s on her hips and said, “Look, as we speak, Boris is probably telling all of the House of Lords his tale of betrayal and intrigue.” Uncle Lawrence looked at her curiously.

  “That’s right,” Jules said. “He means to take the title or at the very least get it stripped from Gregory by accusing him of attempted murder of himself and the probable murder of you, Sir Lawrence.”

  “He’s been working for some time to crack any residual loyalty left for the St Claire household,” Lawrence said quietly. “He has been putting out a rumour that the Duchess and Fredrick were having an affair, quietly sowing in the doubts that perhaps Gregory is not fit to be a peer to the House of Lords.”

  Gregory nodded, “That would not be hard to do.”

  “True,” Uncle Lawrence said then he smiled, “but he will have a harder time convincing the Lords of my disloyalty to society. No. He picked the wrong enemy in me, Gregory. If he has Fredrick, there is a good chance he will have taken him to London.”

  Jules said, “So let us go there.” The two men looked at each other and nodded their agreement.

  Chapter 16

  Gregory strode up the steps of St Claire manor and was met at the door by William whose face was a mirror of worry. “Your Grace, I am so happy to see you alive and well,” the old man said as he embraced Gregory without thinking of the etiquette.

  With a smile, Gregory patted William on the back. “I am very happy to be seen,” Gregory said. He looked over William’s shoulder and saw his mother coming towards the door eagerly. “Mother,” Gregory said as the woman swept out the door.

  “I was beside myself with worry,” Lady St Claire said as William stepped aside so the mother could embrace her son.

  Gregory pulled his mother to him in a warm hug. “It is going to be okay,” Gregory promised.

  “I do not know if that is true,” Lady St Claire said softly. “Come in, and I will explain as best I can. But wait, where are Jules and Fred?”

  Gregory smiled, “Jules is right behind me with a guest.” Sure enough Jules, Uncle Lawrence, and one of the stable boys came along with the older man bracing himself on the stable boy.

  Lady St Claire’s mouth settled in a scowl. “What is he doing here?” she demanded.

  Gregory said soothingly, “Perhaps inside would be best to explain.”

  “Yes, that might be best,” Lady St Claire said as she went back inside while glancing worriedly at the older man being helped up the steps.

  Once they were all settled around the dining room table with the cook’s food spread before them, Gregory explained to his mother what had taken place as far as he knew. Lady St Claire listened and nodded. Gregory ventured, “You do not seem as surprised as I thought you might be.”

  “It has been a long day, Gregory,” Lady St Claire said softly. “Boris and the guardsmen have been here several times looking for you, Jules, and Fredrick. I did the best I could, but Boris has spread lies everywhere. There is a good deal of the fellows who may not believe the story he is spreading but are eager to make an alliance with the man due to his upcoming nuptials.”

  Gregory sighed, “Unfortunately, it will be my word against his as far as the alleged attack goes.”

  “But he cannot blame you for my death if I am indeed not dead,” Uncle Lawrence offered. The man cleared his throat. “I know you do not like my being here, Miriam, but I promise you that I have only the best of intentions.”

  Gregory asserted, “He has come to help us rein in Cousin Boris.”

  “He may fare better than I,” Lady St Claire said sadly. “I fear that not even invoking your father’s name has done much to dissuade people from siding with that ridiculous buffoon of a cousin.”

  Uncle Lawrence said, “Gregory, if you would send for that barrister friend of yours, we will need to get straight into it if we are to stem this tide of panic. First off, we need to make him look as ridiculous as Miriam thinks he is. Indeed, the less credible he is the better.”

  “I will send Olly to fetch Dulock immediately,” Gregory said as he stood up.

  Uncle Lawrence turned to Lady St Claire, “And you, Miriam, should do what you do best.” Lady St Claire gave him a confused look as if searching for the insult in what the man had said. Uncle Lawrence clarified, “You should throw a party, a dinner party perhaps. I am sure many curious nobles will attend hoping they get a front row seat to some dramatic antics.”

  “It is distasteful, but if it helps my sons, then I will do so,” Lady St Claire said as she stood up and dusted her dress off.

  Jules said, “What about Fredrick? Is there something I can do?”

  Uncle Lawrence shook his head. “I have no idea where Fredrick would be. Boris did not speak much to me of his plans,” Lawrence said with a sigh. “I think you would do best to stay within these walls. The guards will still be looking for you.”

  While Uncle Lawrence and Gregory met with Barrister Dulock, Jules was forced to help Lady St Claire with her preparations.

  The idea of planning a party was such a ludicrous thing while who knew what happened to Fredrick. Jules resigned herself to do what she could. They had to have Boris tell them where to look for Fredrick. Otherwise, they would waste time scouring the countryside and likely find nothing.

  Lady St Claire needed all the help she could get Jules soon discovered. The woman was holding up fairly well, but every so often Lady St Claire would waver and break down.

  Jules put her hand on the woman’s back as she sobbed yet again into the silken tablecloth. “It feels like when my husband went missing all over again,” Lady St Claire said as she dabbed her eyes.

  “Only Fredrick will return just like Gregory did. We have to have faith,” Jules said to the woman earnestly. “I worry for him fiercely, but what more can we do?”

  “I know,” Lady St Claire sniffled.

  ***

  As Uncle Lawrence had predicted, most of society had turned out for Lady St Claire’s dinner party the following evening. Everyone talked quietly over the soft muse played on the piano and violin by a couple of musicians that Lady St Claire invited.

  There was a distinct tension in the air. It was not until Boris arrived though that things became so intensely uncomfortable that Jules stuck close with Lady St Claire and Gregory.

  Boris made a beeline towards Gregory and Lady St Claire. The crowds parted for the man and the guards that followed him. Whispers broke out, and everyone was sure that what they had come to see was about to take place.

  Gregory eyed his cousin and the guards. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “I heard of your arrival home and the celebration that was being thrown for you. Unfortunately, Cousin, you are wanted for attempted murder and the murder of a nobleman.” Boris said all of that calmly.

  The guards started to walk forward, but Gregory shook his head. “If this is about that ridiculous claim that I tried to attack you then I suggest you leave now before you make a fool of yourself,” he said dismissively to the man. The guards looked at Boris confused as they had expected a different response from the Duke.

  “Arrest him,” Boris growled.

  The guards hastened to do as they were bid, but Uncle Lawrence called out as he came down the stairs. “Unhand my nephew!”

  There were excited whispers as the people gathered looked between the men at the centre of the spectacle. “It is you that needs to be arrested, Boris,” Uncle Lawrence continued as he came down the stairs. “Did you really think that you would get away with attacking me and then leaving me for dead?”

  All eyes went over to Boris who was turning a decidedly bright colour of red as he looked between Lawrence and his cousin. “What is going on here?” Boris asked as his voice rose. “Gregory told me that he had killed you.”

  “Are you so delusional that you believe your own lies, Boris?” Uncle Lawrence asked as he came to stand next to Gregory. “I might not agree with my nephew, the Duke, all the time, but he is family.”

  Boris laughed, “Family? Y
ou tried to kill his brother.”

  There were more gasps. Uncle Lawrence said, “No. I hired those men to delay Fredrick. If anyone told them to kill him, then it was you.”

  Uncle Lawrence looked at the faces of the crowd, “He was angry with me because he thought I would foul up his plan. That’s what he said right before he knocked me unconscious and sealed me up inside the very wall of my own cellar to die. And he talks about duty and family?”

  “Duty is everything,” Boris said incensed. “I am not on trial. Your whole lot is on trial for your misdeeds.”