Lord Satan

by Judith Laik

  “I believe Papa is annoyed about Tom’s preoccupation with our local scandals more than concerned about his studies.”

  “Oh, that.” Alonso wrinkled his nose, his eyes turning cold.

  She recalled her idea to gain admittance to The Castle. “Your papa attends upon Lord Cauldreigh, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  The blunt syllable did not encourage Libbetty, but she forged on. “Could you ask him about the marquess’s condition?”

  “No.” Alonso’s blue eyes turned to ice. “He would not tell me if I asked, and I wouldn’t ask.”

  Libbetty’s face flamed, and it felt as though birds had taken up residence in her belly. “I didn’t ask merely from curiosity, or to have a tale to tell around the village. I asked for Edwina’s sake. Her mother wishes her to marry Lord Cauldreigh and is making life exceedingly difficult for Edwina because she hasn’t even met him yet.”

  “Why would she blame Edwina because he is ill? That doesn’t make any sense.” His mouth twisted.

  “Mrs. Hogwood is quite set on getting her own way, and Edwina isn’t able to defy her. All the pressure has overset her.”

  “What nonsense.” Alonso said disgustedly. “I can’t imagine why anyone should want to marry, anyway.” He smiled at her though, apparently accepting her explanation.

  Would Alonso help her to sneak into The Castle? Libbetty relinquished the plan to meet Wat to pursue her idea of enlisting Alonso.

  He could think up wonderful schemes. She was sure she could overcome his reluctance and inspire him with the difficulties and challenge of the endeavor. All she needed was to find the right way to approach him. She continued in a friendly fashion, “I’m sure you will change your mind about marriage when you are older.”

  “Perhaps I shall. Not for years and years, though.”

  Concobhar snorted and sidestepped as a breeze shook a branch that poked out into the lane almost by the thoroughbred’s nose. Libbetty’s attention was diverted to controlling the horse.

  “Care to race?” Alonso nodded his head toward the stretch of land leading away from the road.

  “Not today. Alonso, I must talk to you about something.”

  He cocked an inquiring brow, and she hastened on, “Edwina and I need you to help us find a way into The Castle.”

  “He needs peace to heal, not silly girls disturbing him.”

  “We wouldn’t disturb him.”

  “What would be the good of meeting a man raving with fever? You’re both attics to let if you think that will avail you.”

  “If we could but see him and be reassured that he is not being harmed by Lord Neil, it would ease her mind—and mine.”

  “‘Harmed by Lord Neil?’ You’ve caught the same madness that has affected the rest of the village. Do you think my father would lend himself to such a scheme?” Alonzo’s hands tightened on the reins, making his horse toss its head and step restively.

  “No, of course not. However, he might not realize…“

  “Oh, now he is not venal, only incompetent. He cannot tell the difference between a man with a fever and one who is—what?—being poisoned?”

  Tears came to Libbetty’s eyes. “I never said that, Alonso. I would never insult your father or question his knowledge. But he is not with Lord Cauldreigh every minute, is he? And everybody says Lord Neil wants to inherit the title and wealth.”

  “Oh, gossip! People love a scandalous story! It doesn’t matter whether there’s anything to it. You’ve always had more sense, I believed. Is it associating with Edwina Hogwood that’s made your brain soft?”

  The injustice of his words stung. “I don’t necessarily believe it, but I don’t discount it either. And that’s why I need to find out the truth for myself. Not all gossip is lies. It’s true that Lord Cauldreigh’s father ran away with Mrs. Whitelow, isn’t it?”

  “Ye-es, that’s true. But why have you appointed yourself the truth-finder? It doesn’t affect you one way or another.”

  “It would affect me if Lord Cauldreigh is killed and I could have prevented it.”

  Alonso was silent—and from the expression on his face, it was not the silence of belief, but of having all his arguments rebutted and having nothing else to say.

  After a short silence, Libbetty ventured, “I made sure you’d think it an adventure. Can’t you think of a way into The Castle? It wouldn’t be easy. Maybe you wouldn’t be able to do it. But think if you did. It would be more of a challenge than stealing Beddoes’ apples, even more than what you and Tom did to old Roscoe.”

  Beddoes was a mean, miserly farmer, and Roscoe a carter. Tom and Alonso had seen Roscoe beating his old, broken-down horse, and administered their own brand of justice, sneaking into his hut while he was sleeping, putting stinging nettles in his clothes and boots. They had not allowed Libbetty in on the latter adventure, claiming it was too dangerous.

  Alonso looked intrigued, but he argued, “It isn’t the same thing. Beddoes and Roscoe deserved what they got. Lord Cauldreigh hasn’t done anyone any harm.”

  “We wouldn’t harm him, just look at him. But I guess you don’t think you can carry it off, so never mind.”

  “What makes you think I can’t?”

  Chapter Three

  The following afternoon Edwina appeared at the vicarage for their ride with no explanation for her absence the previous day.

  They set out for Cauldreigh Castle. Apple blossom petals littered the lane on which they rode and the grassy meadows all around them. Bees buzzed tentatively around the few blossoms remaining on the trees. The spring day was fair but cool, a few clouds obscuring the sun from time to time, casting the Cauldreigh woods into shadow. The coolness refreshed Libbetty, as her riding habit, of heavy greenish-gray wool, grew uncomfortably hot in warm weather.

  Edwina’s habit in bright burgundy was also wool, but of a lighter weight, and she shivered whenever the sun disappeared behind a cloud. Despite this, she insisted on continuing their ride.

  Libbetty brought forward her scheme to have Alonso help with their plan to storm The Castle.

  “I don’t want an outsider involved.” Edwina’s mouth set mulishly.

  “Alonso is not an outsider. He is a good friend, and he would not give away any secrets if he agrees.”

  “Tell me why you think Alonso should help us.” Edwina appeared ready at last to listen to reason.

  “Well, he is clever, and he’s thought up wonderful tricks. I’m sure he can think of a way into The Castle. His father attends upon Lord Cauldreigh and has been inside several times. He would not talk to Alonso about the marquess, but I’m sure he would not consider describing The Castle as gossip. People like to hear about big old houses, and no one thinks anything wrong in that. We could find all manner of useful information.”

  “Would he do that?”

  “I have him almost persuaded. If I tell him you agree to follow his instructions, as I already have, he’ll go ahead.”

  “Very well, tell him I’ll go along. But do it soon. I shall go quite mad if something does not happen.” Edwina spurred her horse and it darted forward. Her recklessness proved the girl was upset.

  Libbetty followed. “Edwina, you are unjust. It matters little to me whether you marry Lord Cauldreigh. I have only tried to help you. Scarcely anyone has as great an interest in your meeting the marquess as you have—except your mother, and I have not observed she has contributed anything of use.”

  Edwina’s face screwed up with incipient tears. “You are right. I have been all wrapped up in my own concerns. But you cannot know how Maman has nagged at me. She is obsessed with my marrying Lord Cauldreigh, and cross-grained because Papa and Francis have not managed to scrape an acquaintance with the Coltons. They can escape from her whenever they want, but I cannot. And, oh, Libbetty,” her voice broke, choked with tears, “you know how I have always hated discord,” she finished in almost inaudible tones.

  Libbetty sidled her horse close enough to pat Edwina’s arm. �
��I know. It will all come about, I vow.”

  Her friend regained control. “Well, I will be guided by you. Come, let us go home.”

  They turned and rode back along the path. As they rounded a curve, Lord Neil Colton blocked their way, astride his black horse, which nickered and strained at the firm hands on the reins.

  Edwina gave a stifled shriek and pulled on the reins, forcing her horse back on his haunches and nearly unseating her. Libbetty startled as well, and the drumming heartbeat that echoed in her ears sounded loud enough for the others to hear.

  Lord Neil’s smiled without a hint of real humor. He was waiting for us. He knows about our daily rambles on his land and he plans to end them. Libbetty’s throat tightened as she made herself ride up to him. Edwina followed more slowly.

  “Good day, ladies.” He swept off his top hat in a mock-courtly gesture. She saw no sign of the consideration he had displayed toward her at their last meeting. She nodded warily.

  “Miss Bishop.” he went on. She nodded again, and he gave his attention to Edwina, “And Miss—?”

  “Miss Hogwood.” Libbetty hoped he did not detect the tremor in her voice. What did he intend to do?

  “How do you do, Miss Hogwood?” Another mocking bow.

  Edwina murmured some words in a faint voice.

  Lord Neil’s lips formed a smile that held no amusement. “Perhaps you ladies do not realize you’re trespassing on Cauldreigh land?”

  Edwina simply stared, her face so pale that Libbetty feared she would either fall off her horse in a faint or gallop ignominiously away.

  He didn’t need to act so harsh. It was not as if they were poaching. Her friend’s incapacity obliged Libbetty to speak the excuses Edwina had prepared for this eventuality. “Yes, we did realize it.” She concealed her rising temper with a meek tone. “I hope you don’t object, sir, but the woods have many pleasant paths to ride. On such a warm day, we find the coolness refreshing.”

  A cloud chose this moment to cross before the sun, and Edwina visibly shivered in her lightweight riding habit. Guilty heat flooded her face.

  With a smirk, Lord Neil replied, “I had no idea. I presumed you ladies were native to this region, but I see I was mistaken. You must come from much farther north to find our English weather uncomfortably warm.”

  Libbetty asked, “May we not ride here, Lord Neil?”

  He shrugged. “I have no objection. I would advise you to stay on the paths, however. We have had to put traps out. You may have heard we have had considerable problems with poachers.” His gaze raked them over and, with a last look at Libbetty, he turned his horse abruptly down another path.

  Heart pounding, Libbetty watched the stiff set of his broad shoulders under the black riding coat as he rode away. Although the capricious sun peeped out again, she shivered, a deep wracking shake that came from the center of her body.

  Edwina, still pale from the encounter, rode toward home.

  Libbetty followed. “Did you hear, Edwina? He said they’ve put out mantraps. If we try to sneak into The Castle, we’ll have to go by the road and avoid the woods.”

  “I would not traverse the woods at night in any case. But if I do not learn some news of Lord Cauldreigh soon, I shall go quite mad. How soon can we find out if Alonso will help us enter The Castle?”

  Libbetty paid little heed to Edwina’s words. The dark, mocking expression on Lord Neil’s face had planted itself in her mind. He thinks we believe he attempted to kill his nephew.

  His pain at the fascinated abhorrence everyone showed towards him took root in her chest as if were her own. A warm rush of sympathy followed, along with shame that she had doubted his innocence.

  Then she realized he had taken pleasure in playing upon their opinion of him to intimidate them the more. Her shame dissipated in a wave of anger and confusion.

  No, she would never figure out Lord Neil Colton. Was he trying to kill his nephew?

  *

  Barefooted, wearing trousers and a shirt belonging to her brother George, Libbetty balanced on a damp, slippery branch of the oak outside the window of her room. Her hair was pinned up and anchored by a cap borrowed from Freddie, George’s twin.

  She left the window open a crack so she could reenter, hoping it didn’t create enough draft to awaken her sisters. A quarter moon shining through a haze of clouds lit her way as she clambered down the tree. She located the sturdy boots and coat she had tossed to the ground and put them on.

  The night was balmy, although a light layer of clouds obscured the sky. Walking silently so as not to awaken anyone, she made her way to the garden shed where Alonso waited for her.

  “Let’s go meet Edwina,” Libbetty whispered.

  Hogwood Manor was the other direction from The Castle, and Libbetty had been annoyed by Edwina’s refusal to allow Alonso to collect her before coming for Libbetty. It would add unneeded minutes to the long walk. She and Alonso covered the ground quickly, but Edwina was not sitting on the garden bench behind the house, as she had arranged.

  “Now, what?” fumed Libbetty.

  “Should have known her nerve would fail,” Alonso snorted. “Never known such a namby-pamby miss.”

  “Perhaps she is merely late.” Libbetty walked around the building to Edwina’s window. “Find some pebbles to throw,” she whispered to Alonso.

  Alonso threw pebbles against the window, but it remained stubbornly shut. “What now? You want to give up this expedition?”

  “By no means. I want to discover what I can about Lord Cauldreigh, even if Edwina is too craven.” In truth, the thrill of adventure overshadowed her desire to see Lord Cauldreigh. The rush of blood heightening her senses was a heady potion that she could not forego.

  “Let’s hurry or we won’t arrive there and home before dawn.” Alonso’s long stride set a bruising pace, which forced Libbetty to nearly run. Because of the mantraps, they had to take the longer route by the road.

  The imposing Palladian front of Cauldreigh Castle gleamed in the pale moonlight. Alonso led the way around the massive structure to the medieval wing. Panting, Libbetty followed him.

  “Careful now,” he warned, picking his way across a tumble of ruins from an outer wall. The bulk of The Castle blocked the moonlight, casting deep shadows. Even though her eyes had adapted to the dark, perspective and distance were thrown off by the murky grayness, making it difficult to move silently.

  Libbetty stumbled and caught herself, bruising one hand on a sharp stone through the leather gloves she had borrowed from George. Her near-fall had caused a clatter, and she froze, waiting for some sign she had been heard.

  “Don’t worry,” Alonso reassured her. “No one’s ever in this part of The Castle. It’s almost in ruins.” He had whispered, however. She moved forward again. They scrambled down into a ditch that must have been a moat at one time. She breathed a silent prayer of gratitude for George’s trousers. She could not have accomplished the trek in skirts. Clambering up the other side, she came up against The Castle’s wall.

  Alonso crept along the side to a niche near the corner. Libbetty clutched the stones to keep from falling back into the moat, feeling them crumble under her fingers. Unwillingly, she imagined the entire bastion collapsing on them and had to force away the urge to escape. Her heart pounded and sweat tickled her underarms. Had the falling stone that nearly spelled Lord Cauldreigh’s doom come from above her?

  Alonso gestured at her. “Hurry!” She caught up with him and ducked into the recess, thankful to escape from the illusion of the wall’s tipping over her.

  He fumbled with a latch. “I unlocked it earlier. I deduced they probably didn’t check the doors in this section every night. I hope I…” The door creaked open a few inches. “There! I was right.” He slipped through, Libbetty hard on his heels, a deep breath escaping her at their relative safety inside.

  “It’s a distance to the inhabited part. We need to stay together, or you could become lost.” He still whispered.

  “A
nd wander for years until my ghostly bones are finally discovered?”

  Alonso gave a short laugh. “Almost too true. Be careful now. Someone might hear.” He led the way across stone floors littered with the detritus of centuries. It was entirely black in the room, and if Alonso could see any better than Libbetty, she did not know how. Still, he seemed to know the way, and she followed, clutching the back of his coat. Their feet made crunching or shuffling noises despite their efforts to move silently. The smell of mold and dust thickened the air.

  They passed through a doorway, along a stone-lined passage, up a curving flight of stairs, and into another vast chamber. Several tall, narrow windows cast dim illumination, and Libbetty let go of Alonso’s coat. The flagstone floors were swept bare, evidence someone entered here at least for occasional cleaning. A huge fireplace took up most of one end wall.

  “This room passes into a more inhabited part of The Castle. I think we should split up here. We’ll double the chances we might find Lord Cauldreigh’s bedchamber.”

  “You mean you didn’t discover where that was?” Libbetty gulped, dread arising at the thought of walking about alone.

  “No, I spent my time here finding a door I could leave unlocked, and carrying out my story of great interest in medieval architecture. There wasn’t time to do both. As it was, Father finished his examination of Lord Cauldreigh and sent a servant to look for me. I was nearly caught unlocking the door.”

  “I didn’t realize.” She would not give in to her fears.

  “One hour. Meet me back here whether you’ve found him or not. Otherwise, we’ll never be home before dawn.”

  Libbetty nodded. They moved out of the room and separated. She watched Alonso until he went out of sight around a corner and then headed the other way. Fingers of ice seemed to be swirling around inside her belly, and the heady rush had evaporated. The memory of how Lord Neil had frightened her and Edwina in the woods a few days ago teased at her. If she were caught, it would not necessarily be by him, but a servant would take her to him anyway. What would he do with her? Did The Castle have a dungeon?