Once Upon a Duke

by Sandra Masters

  “Emma, dear friend. Thank you. Let’s hope I don’t have to use it on him. It is sharp.” She practiced handling it. “Please sew it into this black carriage dress. I must go down and keep Madame Yolanda occupied while Josephine searches for the portal key.” LeBran was bigger and stronger. If there were to be a confrontation, could she muster the courage to wield the weapon across his neck?

  Her heart palpitated. She pulled in a breath to calm the inner excitement. She changed her dress. Emma took it to perform the task. Serena slipped quickly into the only other frock she’d brought and watched as her maid busied her needle.

  Oh, dear God. What have we come to? She’d never hurt a living creature. How could she wield the knife at LeBran?

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Lord LeBran left for a meeting with his seditionist friends as he did every Thursday afternoon. Serena went to the main hall where his mother occupied herself with the wedding details. Serena pretended to have an interest and asked many questions.

  “Madame Yolanda, do you have any idea when the gowns will arrive?” She forced a cordial tone.

  “I believe the seamstress will be here sometime this afternoon with them. In that way, if there are any small alterations, she can have them for us tomorrow.”

  “Do you have any word on when my brother arrives?”

  “My son tells me Sir Henry will be here Sunday morning in time for the ceremony. Are you anxious to see him?”

  Serena lowered her eyes to appear humble. “Yes.”

  They were interrupted by a servant who held an envelope. An older man, he had a noticeable limp. “Madame Yolanda, a messenger delivered this letter for Lord LeBran. Shall I bring it to his room?”

  “No, leave it with me. I will give it to him when he returns.”

  The servant complied and left the room without a backward glance. He left the door ajar. That’s when Serena spotted Josephine heading toward the chapel. She gave a slight nod at Serena.

  “I’ll leave you now, Madame Yolanda.” Serena excused herself.

  She entered the chapel and sat next to Josephine and whispered, “Did you have success?”

  “Yes. I found the key on a ring post. What do we do next?” She kept looking over her shoulder. “I am not suited for this type of stealth.” Josephine gave the key ring to Serena who dropped it in her pocket.

  “Neither am I, but we will do what is necessary. Have faith.”

  The chapel door opened. They both turned.

  Lord LeBran stood tall and formidable. “What have we here? The sinner and the sinless? What have you done to your hair, Josephine?”

  “I-I tried hairstyles for the wedding. Do you like it, brother?”

  He walked to her and pulled her from the pew. “You did not seek my permission. Such vanities make it obvious it is the devil’s doing.” He pointed to Serena. “She wants to turn your head.”

  Josephine cowered under his hateful gaze. “Mother approved, Leland. It is a special day.”

  Serena rose from her seat, kept her voice low and respectful. “There is nothing wrong in a change of hairstyle. It suits her well, Lord LeBran. It is not frivolous, yet makes her appear regal, as should the sister of a prominent man such as you.” The words nearly gagged her.

  “Leave us, Josephine,” he ordered.

  “Yes, brother.” She rushed out of the chapel.

  “I am not a simpleton, Serena. There is a change in you. You are up to something.”

  Serena stepped back a pace. “Yes, I am, my lord. I have accepted my fate. I cannot change the inevitable.” If he jostled her, the key ring might jangle in her pocket.

  Lord LeBran moved forward a step. “I have received word from your brother that there will be an attempt to prevent our wedding ceremony. Are you aware of anything?” His tone threatened. “He has not given me the details, but has warned me to hire mercenaries.”

  “I have no such knowledge. How could I? You have kept me captive.” Serena moved back another step until her hip was at a pew.

  “I think you lie to me, which would be a terrible mistake on your part. It would be wise to tell me what you know. Or do I have to shake it out of you?” His mouth twisted.

  “We are in God’s house, and I tell you I know nothing. I could not tell an untruth in this chapel.” God forgive her.

  Lord LeBran, a hair’s breath away, placed his hand on her right cheek. “I see you are bruised. It would be wise not to invite punishment.”

  She jerked her head back from his touch.

  “Do I frighten you?” He sneered.

  “I am not used to harsh treatment.” Her voice wavered; her hands gripped the shawl she wore tightly around her arms, covering her pockets.

  “Your brother told me your late husband scarred your back. How did you provoke him?” His hand circled her cheek then his fingers touched her chin and moved to her hair.

  Serena raised her head high. She shivered at his slimy touch. She didn’t want to show her trepidation, but the unpleasant feeling invaded her, and once again warned of the danger this man presented. Would he try to grasp her again? What if he shook her?

  “I existed. It became a torment to him.” She lowered her lashes.

  “I can relate to such distress. So you claim no knowledge about any rescue. This is an old fortress and it would take many men to storm it. I will be prepared for any trickery with my own armed men. If you are aware and have not told me, I will make your life a living hell. Now withdraw from my sight.” He stood aside.

  She brushed against his dark jacket, moved around him and left the chapel with a quick gait. Serena wouldn’t run and show him he had the power to scare her. Free from his sight, she hurried up the steps, entered her chamber, closed the door, and shook uncontrollably.

  Emma came to her mistress. “What has happened?” She took Serena’s hands in hers. “You’re shaking as if you’re ill.”

  “I have a need to hear good news. Otherwise, I will throw myself into the ocean. That man is vile. I prefer death rather than have him lay hands on me. If I had a pistol, I would shoot him and my brother.” Tears streamed over her cheeks.

  Emma led her to the far side of the room near the window and whispered, “I do have good news.” She related everything John had conveyed to her mistress.

  “We are to be ready at five in the morning on Saturday. They set sail on Friday and will wait in the harbor. If we can make our way to the beach portal door, Lord Geoffrey and his men will be there. If we could not find the portal keys, they are prepared to use explosives to enter. All hell will break loose.”

  Emma took a deep breath. “Upon landing from the boats, they will be on the ocean side outside the portal door. We must unlock it and wait. When told, we will push with all our strength since most likely the door has not been opened for many years.”

  “What if we cannot open it?” Serena questioned.

  “It will still be dark, and we should be able to see the men in the full moonlight. If they have to use the explosives, they will speak to us. If so, we must move far away from the door so the blast does not harm us.”

  “If explosives are used, how do we know the roof will not fall and block the passage?” Serena’s mind whirled.

  “We are all in God’s hands,” Emma gazed skyward. “All we can do is pray, mistress, that the roof is as strong as the architects intended.”

  Serena stood and paced. “Three of us pushing on our side and the men pulling on the heavy iron ring might allow it to open with some ease.”

  She pulled Emma to her in an embrace. “My dear friend, how brave you are.”

  Serena’s eyes brightened, “At least now, we have a sliver of hope. You did inform John there would be three of us?”

  “Yes, mistress. I explained all to him. The cook chaperones me to the market. When I saw John, our eyes held each other. He walked to the church. I asked Cook if I could light a candle for my departed grandmother. She was hesitant, but then agreed and cautioned me not to tarry. I fo
llowed and all was done as you instructed.”

  “We have the keys we need. It will not be an easy task for us to move down the staircase to the lower kitchens to the causeway portal. Josephine knows the way and we will follow her with candles. I pray the timid dear will not change her mind when the time is upon us.”

  She related to Emma the encounter with Lord LeBran in the chapel. “He received word of a possible rescue attempt and will have armed men. My God, how are we to get through this?”

  “One thing, mistress, you will not be defenseless against LeBran’s abuse again. Your dress is ready.”

  “Let me see.”

  Emma retrieved the black garment from the wardrobe. “See, mistress.” She pulled a small knife from the hidden sheath in the skirt. “It may not be a pistol, but it is a weapon. Sometimes we are called upon to show courage. You have enough for both of us.”

  Serena inspected the gown. “Excellent, Emma.” She replaced the dress in the closet then opened a door to the hallway. Josephine’s door was ajar. She called to her in a soft whisper.

  Josephine ran to Serena in tears. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No. Dry your eyes. We must not show fear. If we do, we give him strength. We will go to the main room for our Friday night supper. When we come back, and I am locked in my room, after Madame Yolanda has retired and the house is quiet, I will unlock my door and come to you. Place pillows on your bed and cover them so it appears you are asleep. We shall leave and make our way down the stairs. Wear a warm cape and boots. Stay strong, Josephine. I am depending on you.”

  “Serena, I’m frightened.”

  “You are not alone in that regard, my dear. There is no shame in fear. I am afraid, too, but sometimes fear makes us stronger than we ever believed we could be. We cannot despair.”

  “Come, Josephine, let us sit near the window and I’ll explain what is to take place. When the sun rises on Saturday morning, we will be free.”

  Serena straightened her skirt with her hands. “This is what we shall do.” Serena spoke quickly as Josephine listened. Serena placed her wool shawl over Josephine’s shoulders. They opened the door, walked to the steps, and descended.

  Serena tried to quell the uneasy roil in her stomach. Food would not be welcomed. They both entered the main hall and sat near the fireplace that warmed the room. Madame Yolanda appeared calm while Lord LeBran seemed pensive.

  “Mother,” Lord LeBran asked. “Have the arrangements been made for the armed men?”

  “I have taken care of everything as you requested. There are provisions for at least a dozen mercenaries.”

  “Good,” he took a tankard of ale and raised it to his lips.

  No further conversation ensued during the meal, but the air vibrated with hostility.

  Serena attempted to control the shaking soup spoon in her icy hands. After the scene in the chapel, she hoped her feigned fatigue would be plausible.

  She could bend, but this willow would snap back.

  One corner of LeBran’s mouth twisted upward. His steady gaze impaled her. “I see you do not eat. Is the food not to your liking, Serena? If you are unwell, perhaps I can prepare you a cup of a special blend tea to settle you?”

  Her stomach knotted. LeBran never spoke to her at dinnertime nor did he ever offer comfort. Alarm bells rang. Oh, my God, he was going to poison her.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Upstairs, sometime after three in the morning, Serena and Emma tiptoed about. They bundled their beds to appear as if they were still asleep in them. With great stealth, Serena placed her ear to the door, heard nothing, and turned the key.

  “Emma, go tap on Josephine’s door. Keep your voice low.”

  “Yes, mistress.” Emma left.

  Moments later both women entered.

  They moved to the far wall where their whispers could not be heard.

  “Did you lock your door?” Serena asked.

  “Yes, and I fixed the bed as you instructed.”

  “Around midnight, I heard men’s voices in the hall. I peeked out, went down a few steps unnoticed,” Serena told Josephine. “They were armed. When we sneak down the steps with our long skirts and lit tapers, how do we avoid alerting them?”

  “We may not have to do this,” Josephine suggested. “There is a back stairway to the lower kitchens. The door is behind your armoire.”

  “Are you sure?” Emma’s face beamed.

  “Yes, I doubt it got walled up. It has not been used for years. As a little girl, I used to hide there from my mother. One day she discovered me and had the door blocked with the armoire.”

  Serena went to the wardrobe and attempted to move it. “It is a heavy piece. I do not know if we have enough strength to pull it away. It is a good thing we wore our riding boots. We can lie on the floor and push it with our feet.”

  She placed herself on the floor with her knees pulled up and her boots against one side. Emma and Josephine joined her.

  Serena whispered, “Push with your knees, try to eliminate the noise.”

  They shoved in unison and felt the wardrobe slide. “Right after I count three, we push again. One, two, three—push.” It moved further. The noise created by the armoire scraping across the floor sounded like a loud church bell in the stillness of the early hour. They huddled together, took deep breaths, and listened for footsteps.

  Josephine got up. “I can see the door. Who has the keys?” She reached for the handle, and to her surprise it opened with a squeak.

  “I am sorry to have to leave my new dress behind,” Josephine lamented.

  Serena answered in haste, “I will buy you new dresses when we get to London. Rest assured. Now let us be as quiet as mice.”

  They started to descend the steps with lit tapers, one at a time. Cobwebs stuck to their hoods and cape bottoms gathered the dust. A wind blew through the cavernous staircase and Josephine’s candle flickered and almost died. She cupped it and the taper re-flamed. A rodent crossed her boots, and she covered her mouth to stifle a scream.

  They continued down the stairs past the floor that held the armed men, and proceeded to the lower fortress bowels.

  The ladies arrived at the huge portal door. Serena stood on her toes to see out the window. She saw no one. The full moon lit the area like a soft lantern and made it easier for Lord Geoffrey and his men in boats to be seen on the beach when they arrived.

  “I will insert the key and see if it unlatches the door.” Serena took it from her pocket, placed it in the lock. “It goes in, but does not turn.” Frustrated, her hand shook uncontrollably.

  “Give it to me,” Emma whispered. “I thought to bring lard from the kitchen to help grease the workings.” She smeared the grease generously on the metal key.

  Serena tried again, her hands numb. There was a harsh click, as the key turned. They pushed but the door stood fast.

  “What was that? Did you hear a noise?” Serena asked.

  “Maybe it’s his Grace, mistress, and his men.”

  Serena stood again on tiptoe and peered out the dusty window.

  “Three small boats,” she told Emma and Josephine. They’ve landed ashore and men are getting out. Could it be my brother’s mercenaries?”

  Serena hid from the window’s view. The women clung to each other, hearing footsteps approach the portal.

  “John’s instructions stated we were to tap on the door to let Lord Geoffrey’s men know we’d arrived,” Emma reminded.

  Josephine shivered uncontrollably. “If it is my brother leading them in, he will surely kill us all, if he finds us here.

  It was a chance they’d have to take. Serena placed her hand against the door, poised it to tap.

  “Serena, are you there, my love?”

  It was Geoffrey’s voice—the sweetest sound in the world. Serena placed her hand on the windowpane, and he matched it with his from the other side. She no longer feared any harm.

  He motioned to his men and they came to the portal.

  “Pu
sh,” he whispered to the ladies.

  His men pulled.

  “Again,” he commanded in a soft voice. “Harder.”

  The portal opened. Serena ran to Geoffrey. He embraced her, his sword in one hand and his pistol in the other.

  “Geoffrey, you did come for me. I can breathe again. I’m happy.”

  “It is not yet over,” he uttered. “Whatever the outcome, know I love you above all things. Now, go and get you safe.” He released her to the escort of one of his men.

  Serena warned, “Be careful. LeBran hired mercenaries. They are in the main hall. Protect yourself.”

  Her hood dropped. His eyes went to her bruised cheek. He stopped her. “Did LeBran strike you?”

  “It is nothing, my love. I am safe now.”

  “I will make him pay with his own blood tonight, Serena.” He turned from her. “I hear footsteps. Hurry, get into the boat, my love. Whatever happens, you will be free. I will come to you. Have no fear, my Sultana.”

  “You can never know how much I have wanted to hear your endearments and to tell you that I love you,” Serena whispered.

  He nodded, and two of the Saints led the women to the boat. They rowed to the schooner.

  Josephine relaxed. “Lady Serena, if that is the gentleman you spoke about, I would give anything to have one just like him.”

  “For what you have done for me tonight, Josephine, I will sponsor you at your debut ball. You will have a generous dower and many fine gentlemen will seek your hand.” She smiled at the woman. “I, however, seem to have a penchant for Lord Geoffrey. I saw him first and he is mine, but we will help you find one just as suitable.”

  From the small boat, Serena watched LeBran and his brigands appear on the beach. She clasped her hands. “My dear ones, please pray for my love and his brave men. They are surrounded.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Lord Geoffrey heard footsteps near the portal door. It was LeBran and the armed men, weapons at the ready.