The Alchemist's Key

by Traci Harding

  ‘Nah, too stoned,’ Wade explained. Then, remembering Andrew’s warning about mentioning such things around his father, Wade glanced over to catch Talbot’s reaction. The butler was going about his business as if he hadn’t even heard the comment. Wade, who was not used to having other people around him all the time, decided he would have to be more careful about his off-the-cuff comments.

  By that afternoon, Wade and Hugh had explored the interior of the manor.

  There was only one room upstairs they had yet to stumble upon and that was the conservatory — to be found at the far end of the mezzanine level of the library.

  Wade, being a softy at heart and rather fond of animals, found this room most disturbing. The bug and butterfly collections he could almost appreciate, but the sight of the other stuffed creatures made his stomach turn. ‘What compels someone to hunt down and slaughter little furry animals?’

  Hugh could have predicted this would be his friend’s reaction. ‘In this instance, I believe it was probably for scientific observation.’

  ‘It’s still sick.’ Wade screwed up his nose and left.

  Downstairs, off to the left at the rear of the Great Hall, was another drawing room. The two bedchambers adjoining had an en suite each. The only difference between them was that one of the bedchambers was slightly wider than the other.

  A hallway led straight out of the back of the Great Hall, and took you past a cool room and pantry into the huge kitchen and servants’ dining area. At the far end of the kitchen, a hallway led past the servants’ sleeping quarters to an enclosed stairwell. This flight of stairs gave access to Hugh’s rooms — back before the Restoration period his had been the master’s chambers. Another room, dividing the kitchen from the eating area, housed a staircase that led to the little hall between the music room and the round picture gallery upstairs.

  Downstairs, at the foot of the enclosed staircase, but off to one side, was a door that led outside. Opposite the bottom of the staircase, was the door to the cellar — a very well-stocked cellar, at that.

  ‘And last, but by no means least,’ Wade announced as he headed towards the double doors located to his right and at the rear of the Great Hall, ‘the marble dining room.’ Wade breezed inside, though he nearly had a coronary once he beheld the opulent splendour of the chamber within.

  It looked more like a Roman temple than a dining room. Fluted alabaster columns towered up and down each side of the room and statues of classical gods and goddesses were inset into small individual shrines around the walls. The dining table had been placed hard up against the wall, along with the twelve or so chairs; this was so that nothing would detract from the beautiful mosaic in the polished marble floor.

  ‘Wow, what is it?’

  ‘I’m not too sure.’ Hugh eyed the design closely.

  It was in the shape of a cross, with arms of equal length. A central feature in the simple design was a lotus flower. At each end of the cross’s arms was an equilateral triangle. Two of these were pinnacle up; the other two were pinnacle down. One of the inverted triangles had a line drawn across the middle, as did one of the triangles that was right way up. The two remaining triangles were perfectly plain.

  ‘The symbolism is strikingly masonic, but don’t quote me on that,’ Hugh stated at last. He had seen these symbols during the course of his studies, though for the life of him he couldn’t recall where.

  ‘Masonic?’ Wade frowned.

  ‘Yes. You know, as in the freemasons,’ Hugh prompted, though Wade seemed none the wiser. Hugh was about to expand on his explanation when Talbot knocked and entered.

  ‘Sorry to disturb my Lord, but —’

  ‘Now what did we agree about my title, Talbot?’ Wade interrupted.

  ‘We have company, Baron. Lady Louisa Sinclair, who handles the affairs of your stables, awaits your presence in the lower drawing room.’

  ‘My mistake,’ Wade granted, looking back to Hugh. ‘Do I bow to this one?’

  ‘No.’ Hugh got them moving. ‘This one bows to you.’

  ‘Louisa Sinclair, my Lord.’ She strode straight up to shake Hugh’s hand.

  ‘I could be wrong, of course,’ Hugh uttered for Wade’s information, passing Louisa’s hand onto the rightful recipient.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Louisa,’ said Wade, delighting in her bemused expression. ‘This is my friend, Hugh Prescott.’ Wade returned her hand to Hugh’s, who bowed accordingly.

  ‘Delighted, my Lady,’ Hugh stated, as he considered to himself: A beautiful, tenacious, redhead … how interesting.

  ‘I should have guessed.’ Louisa looked back to Wade and smiled warmly. ‘You have your grandfather’s eyes.’ She paused only long enough for Wade to recover from the mention of his grandfather, before she withdrew a few paces. ‘I am sorry I was unable to be at the reading of the will. I had an important auction to attend … and I think that the late Baron would have wanted me to make sure that everything ran as usual.’

  ‘So is that what you do for me, buy and sell the horses?’ Wade motioned for Louisa to take a seat, as he and Hugh did the same.

  ‘I buy them, race them, breed them, and sell them. As well as hire and fire employees and generally take care of all the financial dealings of your stables,’ she concluded confidently.

  Louisa looked to be in her late twenties, and it seemed an awful lot of responsibility to have been placed in the hands of one so young. ‘You, alone, do all that?’

  ‘I’ve been involved with horses since before I could walk, Baron. I have a gift,’ she assured him. ‘Your grandfather highly recommends that you listen to me.’

  ‘Does he now —’ Wade began.

  ‘Wade, too, has a gift when it comes to racehorses,’ Hugh informed Louisa, to head off any unpleasantness.

  ‘Really.’ She was surprised, though delighted, to learn this. ‘In what area — breeding, training?’

  ‘Punting, actually,’ Wade explained, proud of the fact.

  Louisa found this information amusing, though she was gracious, careful not to insult the new owner. ‘So you think you know a winner when you see one.’ She gave a cheeky smile. ‘Then you must come down to the stables and take a look at our latest acquisitions.’

  ‘Well, let’s go.’ Wade was on his feet immediately, which surprised his guest.

  ‘You wish to go now, Baron Ashby?’ She rose accordingly.

  ‘Well, it’s only a short walk.’ Wade recalled seeing the stables on the layout of the property.

  Louisa, understanding his misconception, again smiled. ‘Those are your personal stables, my Lord. Your commercial stables are in the next county.’

  ‘Oh.’ Wade sat back down, not yet ready to leave his new home. ‘Some other time then.’

  ‘I should be passing by here next week,’ Louisa said, as she lowered herself back into a seat. ‘How does Tuesday suit?’

  Wade looked to Hugh to catch his thoughts.

  ‘I’ll be off to Oxford, come Sunday. You’re on your own, old boy.’

  ‘How exciting.’ Louisa’s interest shifted to Hugh for the first time since she’d discovered he was not the Baron. ‘What courses do you intend to study?’

  ‘Philosophy.’ Hugh was quietly stunned by her sudden change of focus. ‘Lit Humaniores,’ he further advised.

  ‘How wonderful. Does that mean there is a Masters or a Doctorate on the horizon?’

  Although this was Hugh’s ultimate goal, it seemed so far off that he couldn’t even think about it at this stage. ‘God willing,’ was all he said.

  ‘Well, then,’ her attention reverted back to Wade, ‘will Tuesday be suitable for you, Baron?’

  ‘Sure, why not?’ Wade figured, as Talbot entered bearing lunch.

  Although Louisa had been informed of Wade’s passion for horses, she discovered over lunch that he’d never actually ridden one.

  ‘Then this afternoon you shall have your first lesson,’ Louisa decreed.

  The lady proved to be an exce
llent instructor, as far as Wade was concerned anyway. Poor old Hugh barely got a look-in all afternoon. He felt like little more than a spare appendage of his friend, the Baron, by the time the lesson was over. Louisa was polite enough when she had to be, but from the way she lavished her attention on Wade, Hugh began to suspect she might be after something. Or perhaps he was just jealous and she really did find Wade more attractive. Usually, just the opposite was the case.

  It wasn’t that Hugh was any better looking than Wade; it was that most women, especially the refined ones like Louisa, found Hugh more readily charming.

  Whatever the reason behind her attraction to Wade, she was seducing him with enthusiasm. Hugh had seen that glint in Louisa’s eye when she’d first approached to shake his hand, mistaken in thinking he was the Baron. The expression, once she’d realised her error, had seemed to Hugh rather more like disappointment than confusion. He must have been mistaken, however, as she was clearly not disappointed with the new Baron now.

  ‘What a nice girl,’ Wade concluded, as they watched her sports car tear out of the roundabout and down the drive.

  ‘That girl is a woman,’ Hugh pointed out, ‘and I’d proceed with utmost caution, if I were you.’

  ‘Proceed, I will,’ Wade assured. ‘The lady wants me bad, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘And everything that comes with you, like the stables, I’ll warrant.’

  ‘You’re jealous.’ Wade picked up on it at once. ‘Well, fancy that. I’m hitting it off with the female aristocracy better than you are, and that bugs you.’

  ‘Not really,’ said Hugh. ‘You’re one of them, so that’s to be expected.’

  ‘Well, it’s Louisa then,’ Wade concluded with a smile. ‘Fancy her, do you, Hugh?’

  ‘No, I do not. And even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. Her kind don’t see a man, only a title and estates,’ Hugh stated, turning to head up the stairs to the front doors.

  ‘Well, I think she was just being nice to the new owner of her business.’

  Hugh paused, and was again compelled to smile at how naive Wade was. ‘Well, if she doesn’t try to get you in the sack next Tuesday, we’ll know for sure, won’t we?’

  ‘But what if I coax her into it?’ Wade queried.

  ‘Somehow, I don’t think you’ll have much trouble doing that.’ Hugh headed indoors.

  ‘Bastard,’ Wade mumbled. ‘Now he’s spoilt the fun, whichever way it goes.’

  As the weather kept them indoors for the next few days, Wade and Hugh didn’t get the chance to explore the gardens until the morning of Hugh’s departure.

  This was most disappointing for Hugh, as he did not have the chance to make use of the huge telescope inside the temple observatory. This was located beyond a large fountain that had been erected between the observatory and the gazebo.

  ‘I shall come for a weekend, soon. And every other chance I get,’ Hugh vowed, as his baggage was loaded in the Rolls. For in truth, Ashby’s old-world charm and elegance had Hugh completely enchanted. ‘God, if only I could stay a while longer.’ He gazed up at the house mournfully.

  Wade gave him a chug on the shoulder, not wanting to get too emotional over a couple of weeks without his mate’s company. ‘Give me a holler once you’re connected.’

  ‘Will do.’ Hugh gave a wave and headed off. ‘Oh, and if any of these bloody heiress’ talk you into marrying them, promise you’ll call me before diving in?’

  ‘Of course,’ Wade assured. ‘You’ll be my best man.’

  Hugh hesitated before climbing into the car. ‘And for heaven’s sake, don’t knock any of them up.’

  ‘Yes, Dad.’ Wade waved him goodbye to encourage his departure.

  Once inside the Rolls, Hugh wound down the window. ‘Well, aren’t you going to wish me luck?’

  ‘Luck is not a factor with you, Hugh,’ Wade assured. ‘Go, knock ’em dead.’ He pursued the car a ways, one arm raised in victory. Wade held this gesture until the car was out of sight.

  A sense that playtime at Ashby was over descended upon Wade. Now that he had nothing to distract him, he supposed it was time he took some sort of interest in his responsibilities, like the stables and the arts college.

  ‘This could be fun,’ he decided, unable to keep the grin from his face; both the Contessa and Lady Sinclair were appealing associates indeed. ‘I have to hand it to you, grandfather. Your taste in women was exquisite.’ Wade turned to view the mermaid fountain and, admiring it a moment, nodded in firm agreement with himself.

  That evening Wade took an early dinner in front of the computer, and so retired the servants for the day. After a few joints he became heavily engrossed in a 3D animation program, and lost track of time.

  It must have been well after midnight when the door that led from the hallway to the music room creaked slowly open.

  Wade, not easily spooked, paid this no heed, expecting that a draft had set the door in motion. But when he glimpsed a movement out of the corner of his eye, Wade froze. It was the cat from his dream. It could have been a lion, such was the fear that set Wade’s heart pounding in his chest.

  The animal was every bit as large as memory served, and sported the same folded ears. Its colouring was primarily deep blue-gray, with white legs and underbelly, and huge amber eyes. The gray colouring encompassed its face, apart from a little white on its mouth and cheeks. In fact, the cat looked like it was wearing a Batman mask.

  The feline had crossed the room and jumped onto a chair that was positioned before a small bureau. For the first time since it had caught Wade’s eye, the cat turned to note his movements.

  ‘Hi there,’ Wade whispered, not wanting to scare or rile the animal.

  The cat looked back to the bureau, pressed its paw against a small wooden notch at the base of the rolled timber paneling and the desk cover retracted. When the cat stepped onto the open desktop, Wade thought it was time to object, and stood to do so. But as soon as he raised himself, the feline’s ears pressed hard to its head and it hissed violently at Wade. The animal was clearly not about to give up the ground it had gained, and its incessant hissing did not cease until Wade was again seated.

  Then, calm as you please, the cat went back to its business. It perused the various compartments in the bureau before raising itself onto its back haunches — which made it look like an otter. This enabled the cat to draw an envelope from the top shelf using the sharp middle claw of its right paw. The envelope in question fell to the desk, whereupon the cat looked from it to Wade, back to the envelope and then to Wade again. Without further ado, it leapt from the desk and dashed out the door.

  Wade was practically on its heels, yet when he arrived in the tiny hallway both the exit doors were closed, and there was no hint of any movement or sound.

  ‘How weird is this?’ In the belief that he might have imagined the whole thing, Wade spun around to check the envelope was still on the bureau. ‘Maybe I’ve fallen asleep at the computer, and I’m dreaming?’ The sealed envelope was still where the cat had left it.

  Wade walked over and took the letter in hand. He headed into his drawing room.

  The fire had burnt out hours ago, but with a little coaxing and some fuel, Wade managed to get it crackling again. After getting himself comfortable in his favourite chair, Wade broke the seal on the envelope and took out a long parchment which he proceeded to unfold. The letter was written in a stylish, bold calligraphy, and he was stunned to find it was addressed to himself.

  Dear Wade,

  I trust this letter finds you safe and well as Baron Ashby. This inheritance has come as a shock to you, I realise, for my son, Peter, was none too fond of Ashby or his birthright. Of course, you have questions, and I shall endeavour to answer those issues that must be foremost in your mind.

  ‘Well, it’s about time somebody did,’ commented Wade, lighting a cigarette and looking back to the parchment.

  After your parents’ sad death, I roused the courage to contact you, but heart trouble prevented
me from travelling to Australia. As I wanted to meet you in person, I put off introducing myself … for too long it seems, as now I find myself with little time remaining. My condition has worsened, practically overnight, and I regret that I have not been able to prepare you for what lies ahead.

  ‘Not so regretful as I, Grandpa.’ Wade shuffled his fingers down the paper to read on, whereby he nearly set the parchment alight with the burning tip of his cigarette. ‘Whoops.’ Wade stubbed the burning hole out with his fingertips, and placed the cigarette out of harm’s way.

  I inherited Ashby at age seventeen, though that does not make me the youngest Baron. The second Baron, Frances I, was only fourteen when he inherited the manor and title.

  ‘Shit!’ exclaimed Wade, suddenly feeling himself fortunate.

  For sixty years Ashby has been a source of wonder and inspiration to me. For the inquiring mind and adventurous spirit, there is treasure buried in this place. By now you will have noticed that there is something a little different about Ashby, something mysterious, something inexplicable and alluring.

  ‘Yeah, I have as a matter of fact.’

  This is the gift of your forefathers and is not to be feared, but embraced and investigated. The twelve Barons of Ashby who preceded you have all shared a passion for the arts, thoroughbred horses, and the exploration and study of all that is yet to be explained in this world. I have learned, through investigation, that you share this love of strange realms, having taken an active interest in cyberspace. I believe your interest in fusing art with an exciting new frontier is proof that you are an Ashby in the fullest sense. Educated and loving your father may have been, but he was the first of his line ever to fear the unknown. This is what drove Peter from Ashby, and his rightful place in her history.

  This was a true enough claim. His father had always hated discussing ghosts, aliens, or anything else that might be considered bizarre.

  I imagine, from what I have been able to learn, that this shall not be the case with you, Wade. Take what your forefathers have given you, explore it, learn from it, build on it, then pass it on to your sons. Thirteen generations have benefited greatly from what the first Baron, William Ashby, established here. It is up to you to see to it that the next thirteen generations are allowed the same advantage. Your forefathers are watching over you, Wade. My best wishes for your future.