Harry nodded. He took Gabriel Chynoweth into Micah’s main study.
Harry first briefed Gabriel on their immediate situation.
“Trevan feels we should still send Lyon to London, though it may be more dangerous for him now. This is why he sent Pendarves and Carlyon. They are both known to visit the hells and bowels of London when it is necessary. And they are good men; sneaky and tough brawlers as you well know. They won’t let Lyon out of their sight. This mysterious Mr. Crow may see it as a trap right away, we cannot be certain. But Lyon is the only one of us who can positively identify the man. Even if he is able only to alert Carlyon and Pendarves to what this Mr. Crow looks like, they can at least watch him in the future from afar.”
Gabriel continued, “We think Mr. Crow may be Lord Crowhurst. We got that from one of our prisoners at Menadue. If so, we must proceed with caution because Crowhurst is deeply involved in politics and the workings of the government and could be close to the King. Also, several of the prisoners referred to themselves as Knights of the Brown Order.”
“Brown Order?” Harry asked. He shook his head. “I never heard of a Brown Order.”
“Neither have we. The first thing that needs to be done is to find Lady Elizabeth, rather Lady Wincanton. She is family, all in Cornwall adore her. She has long been the apple of the Chynoweth family’s eyes. She is Owen’s sister and Micah’s wife, one of ours.” Gabriel brushed at some dust on his coat. “We rode straight through with no rest. After take a quick meal, I’ll take three of my men and see if I can find Owen and Newt. I’ll go up and see Micah first before I go.”
Harry nodded. “Do you think you can find Libby with your gift, Gabriel?”
“I will try. That’s why I’m going up to see Micah. You realize I can’t always tap in to someone. Since I know Libby well, and have known her since she was a young girl, I’m hoping I can.”
Harry nodded. “I hope so.” He frowned. Their situation appeared to be quite grim. He worried for the lives of both Libby and Micah. He worried for the safety of his wife and Sophia, as well as Lyon’s safety while in London. Two servants at Horethorne Hall were lost. He decided it prudent to call a meeting of the staff with Micah injured and give each man more pay to keep them loyal and willing to stay. He needed every man he could get at the moment.
“Micah! Micah!”
Micah heard Libby’s voice. Then he saw his Libby. Beautiful. Smiling. She stood outdoors, near trees. The wind whipped the skirts of her sapphire gown. He frowned. He saw a cut and bruise on her forehead. “Libby!” He reached out to her.
“I live, Micah. You must live also. You must live, Micah. Can you see where I am? I am not familiar with this place. Please, live. Find me.”
The vision faded.
“Libby! Libby, come back.” Micah opened his eyes. He saw Gabriel Chynoweth of all people. “I saw her, Gabriel. In a dream. She was outdoors. She’s hurt.”
Gabriel nodded. “You know of my gift, Micah?’
“Yes,” Micah croaked. He burned from the inside.
“I’m going to take your hand. Close your eyes. Try to see Libby again. Talk to her. I need to find out where she is.”
Micah nodded. He closed his eyes and gave in to the pull of Morpheus.
Gabriel closed his eyes and entered the in-between world. He felt her spirit almost immediately. He saw Lady Elizabeth dressed in a deep blue gown that whipped in the wind. “Lady Elizabeth! Libby! Look at me. Talk to me.”
Libby turned around. Blood dripped down her forehead from a gash surrounded by a dark bruise. “Micah?”
“It is I, Gabriel Chynoweth. I am with Micah. Micah, lives, but he is ill. He has a fever. He needs you Libby. Tell me where you are and I will come for you. Look around. Let me see where you are. Help me find you.”
“I cannot see. I am not awake. I dream. I do not wish to live without Micah. I cannot.”
“He lives. He still lives, Libby! Your spirit must return to your body. You must wake. You must look at your surroundings so I can see where you are and find you. Micah needs you here. He is weak, Libby.” The vision began to fade. “Come back.”
“I cannot see. I am not awake. I dream.”
The vision faded.
Gabriel opened his eyes. Lachlan and Wyldhurst stood beside him. “His fever has come up. We must get it down. Libby is hurt, she has a head wound. Her spirit speaks to him. I saw her and felt her. If I can keep contact with them both we may be able to find her.”
“The ransom note just came,” Harry sighed heavily as he entered Micah’s bedchamber. “They want all of the scrolls taken from Glastonbury delivered to Cadbury Hill Fort two days from now at noon. The note says they will deliver Libby to us after they have the scrolls, the sapphire and the cruets brought to Glastonbury by Joseph of Arimathea. We all know they won’t return Libby. If we’re supposed to make the exchange at Cadbury in two days time, they have to be somewhere nearby. We have to find Libby and get her safely back here before then,” Harry exhaled loudly.
Micah’s fever rose throughout the afternoon and burned throughout the night.
Gabriel and three of his men found Owen and Newt. They lost the trail for Libby when the Brown Coats sent four men back to stop them. Though Owen and Newt dispatched the men, it gave Libby’s captors enough time to get away. There was no sign of her or Brown Coats in Templecombe or any of the surrounding towns. Gabriel forced Owen to come back to Horethorne Hall to rest.
When Owen did return, sleep evaded him. He sat with his brother by marriage, Micah, throughout his restless night. If he could not help Libby, he might help Micah.
Gabriel sat with them. He kept hold of Micah’s hand trying to make contact with Libby again.
Finally, near dawn, Gabriel decided they must submerge Micah in cold water. He was convinced he could not reach Libby due to the fever that raged in Micah’s body.
“His wounds cannot get wet, it could further any infection. Lachlan and I will lower him in to the tub on his good side, and keep his wounds out of the water,” Wyldhurst said.
“I’ll assist you.” Owen knelt beside the tub and kept his hands beneath Micah’s torso to make certain his wounds were not submerged.
Gabriel kept hold of Micah’s hand while the others submerged most of his body in the water. He closed his eyes. He crossed the veil, moved through the mist. He entered the land of dreams and visions. “Libby!” His mind called to her.
“I am awake, Gabriel. This is what I see.”
He saw a wide field, filled with wildflowers. There were trees in the distance. In the places where there were no trees Gabriel could see for miles. Libby was up high, on a hill of sorts. He saw the Tor. He could see Glastonbury Tor! Far away, but he could see it. He noted a village spread out below the hill where Libby sat. She was definitely up higher than Templecombe. She was outdoors. He could feel the breeze. Hear the tall grasses and wildflowers swishing in the wind. Libby spoke, “I’m on a flat hill, Gabriel. How is Micah?”
“He lives, Libby. He burns with a fever. He needs you. Do you know where you are, Libby?”
“Micah! Micah! I feel you. I see you. Live, Micah. Please live. I live. I am awake. This is what I see, Micah.”
Again, a panorama of scenery followed.
Gabriel was tapped in to them both now.
“I know where you are Libby! I know that place. Hold on, sweetheart. I will come for you!” Micah spoke in the vision.
“Micah!” Gabriel called to him. “Micah, tell me where she is. I will go to her. Tell me the name of the place!”
The vision faded. Downhearted, Gabriel opened his eyes. He was so close to finding the name of the place. A flat hill. But where? There were many hills around Templecombe.
He leaned nearer to Micah and spoke softly. “Tell me where Libby is Micah, you recognized the place. Tell me! It is imperative we find her soon.”
He watched as Micah’s eyelids fluttered open.
“Cadbury Hill, Gabriel. She’s at Cadbury Hill. Go get
her for me, please. Save her,” Micah’s voice was weak. He turned to face Owen. “Go get her, please!” His eyes started to roll back then closed as he drifted back into slumber.
“I made contact with them both. Micah recognized her location. I’m getting my men and going to Cadbury Hill,” Gabriel said as he rose.
“No, Gabriel! It’s daylight. If they are on Cadbury they will be able to see you coming long before you get near. Where is Micah’s spyglass? He has one, I remember seeing it the last time I visited Horethorne Hall.” Harry surveyed the room.
Lyon entered in time to hear Gabriel’s revelation and Harry’s question. “It’s in his personal study, off his bedchamber. He keeps it pointed in the direction of Cadbury.”
Lyon moved to the door on the other side of the bookcase. He opened the study door. It was a small room. There was a desk, several chairs and two bookshelves. The spyglass was set up at the window in its usual place. Lyon smiled as he reached the telescope. He raised it slightly so he could see the top of Cadbury Hill. He studied the area for long moments. “Movement on top of Cadbury; looks like men in long coats, gentlemen. My guess is they are brown!”
Harry moved to the glass. Gabriel gazed at the hill next. Owen took a turn last.
“We’ll sneak in around the base of the hill after dark. We’ll have to leave the horses far off and walk in. First we’ll have to take out any guards below, preferably with knives. We won’t have much time for re-loading so we’ll have to take a lot of weapons,” Harry said. “There’s at least twenty of them up top.” He sighed. “Probably a dozen more for we know they would have a guard below.”
“I’m leaving for London within the hour. I’ll be there in case Libby turns up there,” Lyon offered. “I need to wake Sophia and bid her farewell.”
Harry nodded. “If we don’t find Libby, I’ll send word to you right away, Lyon, since Sophia did end up in London after she was taken. It was also the destination this Mr. Crow intended for Libby when she was first kidnapped.”
Lyon frowned grimly and nodded.
“Gabriel and I need to speak with you before you go,” Harry told him.
“I will meet you in the downstairs study in a quarter of an hour.” Lyon nodded.
Lyon sat on the edge of their bed. His hand covered his wife’s bare shoulder. He shook her gently. “Sophia? Darling?”
Her dark golden lashes fluttered. He gazed into those green gold eyes that entranced him so. She smiled. It was a warm, happy smile. Lyon bent his head and kissed his Lady wife quite thoroughly.
“What time is it?” Sophia asked.
“It’s early yet, darling.”
“You are dressed already? You-“ Sophia sat up quickly as the realization struck her. The smile left her face and was replaced by fear and worry. “You are leaving for London, already?”
Lyon nodded. “I will return to you soon, Sophia. I will be fine, my darling. I will come back.” His lady sat magnificently naked in their bed. She dropped the covers when she sat up abruptly. Her body was so beautiful. Her pert, full breasts tempted him sorely.
“Lyon, I-I will miss you terribly,” Sophia tried not to cry. Yet she could not stop the tears that slid down her cheeks.
Lyon drew her into his arms. He kissed her tears away. “Don’t cry, darling. Please?”
Sophia rose up on her knees. She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. “Come back to me, Lyon! Promise me you will!”
“I promise, my fair Sophia.” Lyon rested his forehead against hers. He placed a kiss to her lips.
“I will hold you to it!” Sophia threatened, pointing a warning finger at him.
Lyon grinned. She had flaming copper hair for a reason, his little hell-cat! He chuckled softly. “I won’t disappoint you. Take care of yourself, my darling.”
“Be safe, Lyon. Please? Stay safe.”
“I have to go now.”
“I know.” She nodded and smiled at him.
“I will keep in touch with Harry. He will keep you informed.”
Lyon leaned down and kissed her deeply and thoroughly one last time before he turned to leave. “I will see you soon, darling.” He gave her his most dazzling smile.
She nodded and watched as he closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in their bedchamber. She called for the maid so she could dress.
“Lyon, there is the chance Crow shall see our trap right away. Either Pendarves or Carlyon or both need to be near you at all times.” Harry looked to Lyon.
“They are both aware of your addiction problems and are instructed to pull you out if you get into trouble that way as well,” Gabriel informed him in a warning tone.
“You do not have to worry about that, Gabriel. I have a beautiful wife whom I’ve made promises to. I’ve no intention of hurting her or letting her down.”
Gabriel nodded.
“If it gets dangerous, you three get out of London and get back here. Also, I’ve sent a message to Sir John at Eveleigh Park and asked for his help,” Harry clapped Lyon’s shoulder.
Lyon offered Harry a confused frown. “Sixty-something year old Sir John Nunn from Glastonbury?” he asked.
“Ah, I guess I haven’t told you, Lyon. I suppose it was Micah I told. Sir John and I have spent much time together in Glastonbury these past weeks with our brandy and port while the ladies of my household met in the drawing room after dinner. Do you remember hearing of a spy called Le Corbeau during the War with France?”
“Of course. I remember waiting for news of his exploits in the papers. What young boy didn’t know of Le Corbeau, the Raven? He disappeared after the war, and was never heard of again.”
“His real name was John Nunn. He was knighted for his brave deeds. Hence, Sir John Nunn. He removed to Glastonbury to live an obscure, normal life and is currently the paramour of my wife’s aunt.” Harry grinned.
“Unbelievable. No wonder he shot that Brown Coat at such a distance that day in the long gallery at Stonedown. But how can he help us, Harry?”
“Being a military man himself, Sir John was a friend of William’s before he became King and knows several of his advisors. If this Crowhurst turns out to be our man, Sir John can find out just how close he is to the King.”
Lyon nodded. “Good idea. Keep me informed. Well, I best be off. Send messages to your house in London. One of us will stop by once a day to check in with your butler. I shall move around from member’s house to member’s house so I am not easy to pin down. Crow shall think I am just staying wherever I am when my high wears off. I want to know of Micah and Libby’s welfare, good or bad news.”
Harry nodded solemnly.
“Take care of Sophia for me. If something should happen to me, she should go to Shevington Chase with my mother and sister when they return there. If she does not carry my child, and she does not wish to remain with them, please settle her where she desires to call home, and make certain she can keep the house for life. I want her to be able to live comfortably. If she is with child, I ask that she stay with mother and Sarah, for they will help her through her pregnancy and with the babe. When she is recovered, and is ready to be on her own, you can set her up in a house of her own, if she so chooses. I keep the Amesbury account and my own personal private account at the same bank you use. You and Micah have access to my personal account if needs be. Just see my solicitor. After Sophia is taken care of, the rest should go to mother and Sarah and an heir if there is one.”
“I will keep that in mind, Lyon. But you take care, and come back safe. As long as you remain sober and in control, you’ll have your extra sense; that warning feeling that never fails to alert you. It will keep you safe. Pay attention to it. I expect to see you back here in Templecombe within two weeks,” Harry told him.
Lyon nodded.
Gabriel and Harry walked him outside.
Sophia watched her husband leave with four other men from the window of their bedchamber. She prayed for his safety and that he would come back to her. She greatly
anticipated their life together.
“Sophia?” Rowena called from outside her door.
“Come in.”
Rowena saw the tear-stained face of her friend. She came to her and hugged her.
“We will say a quick prayer that Archangel Michael will protect Lyon for you, Sophia, dear. We’ll have some breakfast. They think they know where Libby is. And you and I have a hard day ahead of us. Micah still burns with fever, and we have to try to keep it down while the men make their plans.”
“Yes, we must make certain Micah is well when Libby returns,” Sophia sniffed. She wiped her tears away.
..
Libby remembered being drugged again. They forced laudanum down her after she tried to get away when first waking that morning. She did not make it very far. They held her down while they dosed her with the laudanum. She could barely move her limbs now. Her head felt rather foggy and there was a persistent, dull, aching pain in her head. Her throat felt dry. She was thirsty. The sound of flapping fabric caught her attention. Libby realized she was inside a tent of some sort. She saw the loose flap jerk wildly with the breeze. She opened her eyes enough to peer through the one opening. She was still on the flat hill. She closed her eyes. She tried to call for Micah.
She saw him thrashing about and felt the heat of the burning fever raging inside him. She called out to him over and over. Micah, my love. Please wake. Please live. I need you Micah. I need you to live.”
He did not answer. A tear slid from the corner of her eye. She could not even lift a hand to wipe it away.
Micah sat up. He got his foot on the floor before Sophia, Rowena and Owen got to him. “Libby needs me. She’s on the hill. I have to go.” He regarded Owen. “Why have you not gone for her? She’s hurt. She needs us!”
Owen held Micah down by the shoulders while Rowena stepped into the hallway and called for help.
“Micah!” Owen shouted. “Calm down, man. We can’t get near the hill in broad daylight. We’re going tonight to get Libby. I’ll bring her back to you. She’ll be back by tomorrow morning. I swear to you, Micah, I’ll find her. I’ll bring her back.”
Lords of Honor Page 21