Lord of the Abbey

by K. R. Richards

  “I’ll have Woollard set up work crews to come in shifts to dig through this tunnel and shore it up during the day, and set a watch for night. At least until our reinforcements arrive.”

  Harry continued, “The four of us need to alternate staying in the gallery at Stonedown to protect the sapphire and ampullae. I’m certain Lady Rowena, her aunt and Sir John won’t mind taking turns sitting in the gallery together for a few hours during the day. Let’s just hope some of our society fellows arrive soon!” Harry paced, ran a hand through his hair as he thought.

  “I spoke with Woollard earlier. He has hired some carpenters to begin making benches and tables to spread about the grounds on the day of the Faire. That’s one thing being taken care of,” Lyon informed his friend in a positive tone.

  “Good. Lyon may I place the planning for the Faire on your shoulders? I shall help whenever you require it,” Harry propositioned.

  “Absolutely, Harry. I will be happy to do it.”

  “Micah, will you devote your time to research so we can locate the rest of the treasure, especially these ‘Holy Secrets’ William emphasizes. And the chamber. If you found the secret chamber it would help immensely. William said the Abbot’s letters told the exact location of everything hidden.”

  Micah nodded. “May I have the assistance of Lady Rowena? I find her intelligence and knowledge of these matters quite invaluable.”

  Harry looked at Micah for a long moment. He narrowed his gaze. “As long as her intelligence and knowledge is all you are interested in Micah, you may.” He lifted one dark brow in warning.

  “We are all quite aware that you’ve staked your claim on Lady Rowena, Harry.” Micah righted his spectacles and grinned widely.

  Harry laughed, nodding his head as he did. “Yes. I suppose I have, at that. That being said, my responsibility shall be keeping the ladies and Sir John safe until help arrives. Lady Sperring and Lady Rowena will have much to do in town with the Ball. So I will accompany them on their errands when necessary. And I’ll ask Charlie to spend as much time among the locals in town as he can for now. See if he can’t find out anything about those damned men who wear the brown coats.”

  Harry sighed in frustration, “First one, then two, and today six of them! It would be too good to hope that some of our society members decided to drop everything upon receiving our messages, leave immediately and rush to Glastonbury and appear by nightfall. My nerves would be calmed tremendously if even one man showed up this evening.”

  “I dropped everything and rushed to Glastonbury, Harry! Why wouldn’t someone else?” Micah questioned.

  “True, Micah. Very true.”

  “I’ll stay here until Woollard sends some guards,” Lyon insisted. “Leave me one of your pistols. I’d feel better having two seeing as I am alone.”

  “From this moment on, we shall always be well armed and carry extra ammunition.” Harry stated. “And by twos unless it can’t be helped.”

  “Micah, do you wish to accompany me to Abbey Grange and have your arm looked at there, or do you wish to wait for me here and return to Stonedown.”

  “Stonedown. The bleeding has slowed. I’ll sit with Lyon until you return.” Micah lowered himself to sit on the edge of the large hole. “There’s safety in numbers. Will you bring a couple extra weapons back with you? Maybe some clean rags and good bottle of brandy? To clean the wound.”

  “Yes. I’ll tell Woollard to send at least two armed men to guard until he can get a work crew together.” Harry mounted his black and headed toward Abbey Grange. “I’ll be back in a quarter of an hour with weapons and brandy.”

  Chapter Nine

  It was past time for luncheon when Harry and Micah returned to Stonedown. Micah went straight up the stairs to change. He didn’t want to upset the ladies by the sight of blood on his clothing. Harry nearly plowed into Rowena as he passed the stairs, for she was hurrying from the gallery to meet him.

  “Is everything in order at the Abbey? Did you find out what those men were doing?” Rowena searched Harry’s face and person to make certain he was hale and whole. “You are not harmed, are you Harry?”

  Though Harry knew Rowena was nervous and impatient to hear an explanation, he did momentarily savor the warm tug at his heart at the realization that she was concerned for him and rushed into the entry to seek him out. “There were six of them this time, Rowena. Brown coats and hats. There was a struggle. Micah was shot, but just grazed. He’s fine. He’s gone upstairs to clean the wound and change. They discovered a tunnel. It seems they knew exactly where to dig. The scoundrels got away. We are wondering if they found a letter in one of the books that were stolen. Where are Lady Sperring and Sir John?”

  “In the gallery, with Charlie. We didn’t want to stray too far from our treasure while you were gone,” Rowena informed him.

  She continued, “I will go check on Micah after I fetch Betsey, and get some clean linen and salve from the kitchen.” Rowena was about to turn away from him when Harry’s hand caught her arm.

  Harry looked around to make certain there was no sign of a servant lurking about. He lowered his head and kissed her. It was quick but passionate. Then he grinned devilishly at her. Wishing he could do more, he reluctantly watched his Lady smile back at him, then head the opposite way while he continued on toward the gallery.

  Harry briefed the others. Micah joined them, just as he was finishing up. Rowena followed him.

  “So, for now, until more of our members arrive, we shall hold vigil in the gallery and take turns guarding our precious find from St. Bridget’s Well. We all need to be very careful. We definitely have competition in our hunt for the Abbey treasure. And chances are those two riders of yesterday watched us remove a box from the well. Today we found there are at least six of them. They, just like the original thief, and the men at the Brides, wore brown coats and hats. It appears there are a couple of gentlemen among them, least wise they sat their horses like gentlemen,” Harry informed them.

  He then looked to Sir John, “Tomorrow, Sir John and I shall escort the ladies into Glastonbury to conduct what business they have for the Ball. As our fellow society members begin to arrive, they shall be put up at the Grange, and should be able to take over the guarding of the abbey grounds. If enough arrive we shall place a guard of two on the Tor. Had it not been for our walk there today, we might never have caught the intruders at the Abbey before they found what they were looking for.”

  “If we find a lot of our members answer the call for help, we can put three or four of them to guarding the gallery around the clock. That gives us more time to prepare for the upcoming festivities,” Micah added.

  “Absolutely.” Harry truly hoped a contingent of society members showed. “Let’s pray the Duke of Penrose shows up with his Cornish relatives.”

  “Micah how are you? Would you like me to send for a physician?” Frances asked in concern.

  “I’m fine, Lady Sperring. I cleaned the wound. Lady Rowena provided salve to put on it. She also made me show the wound to her and her maid, and she agreed it does not need stitches.”

  “Let me know if you need anything, Micah. Please do not hesitate to ask. I will instruct Mrs. Brimble to have a table brought in here, and luncheon served in the gallery today. I think you all could use some rest, and this way no one has to stay and guard our treasure while the rest of us enjoy a meal.” Frances stood. Sir John escorted her from the room.

  After seeing the way Harry looked at Rowena, Micah turned and said, “I’m going to the library to reread William’s letters and see what I can find. Join me, Charlie?”

  “Ah, yes. Yes! We’ll be in the library until luncheon, Glaston.” Charlie grinned at Harry then hurried after Micah.

  Harry joined Rowena where she sat on a sixteenth century settle. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but at least there was a cushion. Harry took her hand in his and smiled at her. He knew at any moment Frances and Sir John would return.

  “I’m sorry this has all
become such a burden for you, Harry.” Rowena found herself looking at Harry’s very sensual lips. Strange, how when she looked at his lips, she thought of kissing him. She reached up to smooth back an errant lock of rich, dark brown hair from his forehead.

  “There is no reason to be sorry, Rowena. I am as intrigued by this treasure as you are!” Mostly, he was intrigued by her. Harry’s fingers caressed her cheek. Then he placed a soft kiss there. “I found you, and there is nowhere I would rather be spending my time, Rowena.” He moved to capture her lips in what he intended to be a chaste kiss. Emboldened by the fact that Rowena opened her mouth to accept him and responded immediately and quite passionately this time, he allowed the kiss to deepen. Allowed his fingers to trail up her arm and seek one ripe, firm breast. He allowed his fingers to lightly trace and tease. At the sound of footsteps not far off, they quickly released one another. Rowena righted herself and scooted a little farther away from Harry.

  Harry was never so unable to keep himself in check, so unable to keep his hands from a woman’s body before. He was always a master of control in this arena. He felt like a young, green lad who just discovered his – well. Suffice to say, his hands and lips seemed to be rather obsessed with Rowena Locke’s very impressive body.

  “I’m glad you found me, Harry,” Rowena whispered as she looked up into his dark brown eyes. She was, however, unaware that she was positively glowing when her aunt and Sir John returned to the gallery. Then again, so was he.

  Lyon returned for luncheon. After the meal, Aunt Frances and Sir John retired to the drawing room to begin writing out the invitations for the Faire and Ball. Charlie took up vigil in the Gallery until it was time for dinner. Lyon rode into town to place orders for the supplies he and Harry agreed they needed to prepare for the Faire.

  Harry, Micah and Rowena sat in the library.

  “So the first letter was found in a book that meant something personally to William Dulac. The second was found in the wardrobe we believe belonged to William Dulac. And we are assuming the men who watched us yesterday, and dug in the Abbey today are the same or at least united in their search. We are guessing they knew exactly where to dig for they found one of the underground tunnels right off. We think they also are responsible for stealing the books from the library at Stonedown, and that somewhere in a book on the Dulacs or the history of Glastonbury, two things extremely important to William Dulac, they found a letter stating the exact location of the tunnel,” Harry mused aloud.

  “Apparently, William Dulac hid his letters in places that had meaning for him personally.” Micah leaned back in his chair.

  “For certain one, mayhap two letters were hidden in books. Let’s look at the titles in the library again.” Rowena continued, “Most of the older books original to the Manor are kept in the glassed cabinets. Of course, it is entirely possible there may be one or two on the open shelves.”

  “Let’s look at the titles, knowing that William hid a letter in one that was special to him. Of course we would never guess that St. Augustine on the Trinity was special to him. How could anyone know he found the book on the abbey grounds after the Abbey was destroyed?” Micah mused.

  “We might even try making a list of people, places and things that we know were special to William Dulac,” Rowena suggested.

  “Good idea, Rowena,” Harry commended his Angel.

  Rowena again noted Harry addressed her by the familiar in the company of Micah Wychcombe. Micah seemed to think nothing of it.

  “Well then, let’s get to it. I think making a list first may help us search for books.” Harry looked to his lady, “Rowena, will you be our scribe?”

  “Of course, Harry.” She accepted the foolscap, quill and ink Micah pushed her way. “I’m ready.”

  “People important to William Dulac,” Harry began.

  “Abbot Whiting and Lady Dulac,” Micah offered.

  “His wife, Anne. Their children. Their children! Oh Micah,” Rowena pointed to a book near him, “I think I remember seeing that some of William’s children are mentioned by name in The History of the Dulacs of Glastonbury.”

  “I’ll look, Lady Rowena.” Micah took the book and began leafing through it.

  “The King’s knight, oh I don’t remember his name.” Harry looked to Rowena for assistance.

  “Sir John Darney,” Rowena supplied. “Good Harry! William did mention him a couple of times and did seem to genuinely like him.”

  “He mentions the Virgin Mary, Jesus, St. Brigit, St. David and St. Joseph in his letters,” Micah reminded.

  “And King Arthur,” Rowena added.

  “The George and Pilgrim, rather, The Pilgrim’s Inn it was then.” Harry was recalling the compelling story William Dulac told in his first letter.

  “Oh!” Rowena’s brows drew together. Determination suddenly burned in her eyes. “Of course, the George and Pilgrim! How did I miss such a thing? Where is the first letter, Micah?”

  “Right here, Lady Rowena. I was going to read it again, along with the other. For about the tenth time.”

  “What is it, Rowena?” Harry asked. His lady was on to something, he was sure of it. There was a spark of determination in her blue eyes. Though he preferred her lips parted awaiting his kiss, he found when she pursed them in concentration it fired his blood as equally as the other.

  “Perhaps William Dulac and Abbot Whiting weren’t the only ones who knew about the treasures.” Her free hand waved animatedly as she spoke with the excitement of her discovery. Rowena paused to skim the letter. “Aha. Here it is. Esau Davitt. I thought it was Davitt. How could I have missed the connection? Esau Davitt had to know something to open the door from the tunnel to the cellar of the Pilgrim’s Inn and allow William entrance. William was sitting in the public room waiting for the Dulac servant to arrive when Sir John Darney arrived and took him instead. The Abbot had to trust Esau Davitt implicitly to not give William away, for William might have been turned over to Cromwell’s men as were some of the other monks. Esau Davitt surely was loyal to the Abbot for he would have been in danger had it been found out he helped William escape. Why did he take such a risk?” Rowena posed to the two gentlemen whose attention she held fully.

  “He helped them!” Micah rose. “Of course! Why had we not questioned this before? Harry, Lady Rowena, think about it. It is recorded in history that the Abbot had long been frail and ill. William was a ten year old boy. They carried chests filled with gold chalices and other Abbey relics. The bones of many saints and kings. Books and holy manuscripts. All heavy burdens to bear. The Abbot was being closely watched. They could not make many trips being watched as they were. They had to have help. I’ll wager it was Esau Davitt!”

  “Oh, I agree. Esau Davitt had to help them. That is why the Abbot trusted him to get William safely to Dulac Manor that day. William did not mention Esau Davitt in the later letter, but just the one mention of him in the first I find to be quite enough,” Rowena thought aloud.

  “It would have taken many trips and hours of agonizing work for the Abbot and William alone to carry so much treasure through the tunnels. I see what you are saying.” Harry surmised, “This Esau Davitt may have left a written or verbal record with his family.”

  “Who still live in Glastonbury.” Rowena rose. “At least, there is a Davitt family still here. Perhaps they are his descendents.” She beamed brightly.

  “Tell us about them,” Harry encouraged her.

  “They live in Glastonbury at Bove Town. They run the George and Pilgrim. Percy is the eldest, but only about thirty or so, and came into some money some years back, though I do not remember how. He left Glastonbury somewhat suddenly. He lives in London, I think. When he does return to town he is dressed as a gentleman. His brother Joshua took over the George when he left, and does a much better job they say. There are two sisters, both married, Grace to Simon Pennycross who runs a small store in town. Mercy, the youngest, married a wealthy merchant named Philip Milligan from Wells. The parents have been
deceased for some years now.”

  “We have a couple of hours left before dark, Rowena. Would you introduce us to this Joshua if he’s at the George and Pilgrim today?” Harry raised a questioning brow to his Angel.

  “Of course, Harry.”

  Frances pleaded a headache, and sent Micah, Harry and Rowena on to town without her and Sir John. She requested they stop at the apothecary to pick up some Willowbark tonic for her.

  They chose to take the phaeton. Harry took the reins, with Rowena beside him. Micah sat upon the smaller back seat. Once they arrived in front of the apothecary, located conveniently near the George and Pilgrim, Harry escorted Rowena in to that establishment. Micah went on to the George.

  “Hello, Millie,” Rowena greeted the plump young woman behind the counter.

  “Lady Rowena! Always a pleasure. What can we do for you today?” The young woman smiled brightly.