A Knight Such as This: Enhanced with Interactive Content: (Time Travel Romance) Book 1 & 2 (Ravenhurst Series)

by Lorraine Beaumont

  “I do not know.” Sebastian was stumped.

  “Fine, let us stick to the facts,” Grayson said. “Katherine, where did you see her?”

  “I was in a room off the gallery. I was looking for Sebastian.” My voice came out sounding defensive. “No one was here.”

  Sebastian jerked his head around. “I was looking for you outdoors. I checked all the rooms several times before Milford and I finally decided to look outside.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “If you were inside the entire time, why did not you answer me when I called out for you?”

  What to say? Oh right, I was hanging out in a secret passageway while you were out freezing your ass off looking for me? “Um, well…ah, I may have been in the bathroom, maybe…” I shrugged stupidly. Oh my GOD! Seriously the bathroom. Most embarrassing answer ever.

  “The bathroom?” Sebastian gaped at me. “Really?” he asked, his disbelief rang out loud and clear.

  “I am sure Katherine was simply wandering around another part of the house,” Milford interjected.

  “Of course, that must be it,” I said, quickly. Perhaps too quickly, judging by the look Sebastian was giving me.

  Sebastian tossed back the rest of his drink. What in the hell was Milford doing? The man had just given her a viable excuse. He could not help wondering if Milford was somehow involved in this debauchery as well.

  “What is this, a trial?” Devlin asked indignantly. “Sebastian, are you now the judge as well as the jury?”

  “Leave it!” Grayson had enough. “We are not getting anywhere with these accusations.” He rubbed his forehead. He was getting a bloody headache. “Sebastian, you and Milford were outdoors. Katherine, you were off looking for Sebastian, and he was looking for you. We know what you were both doing, but Devlin, what were you doing when you were taken?”

  “Huh?” Devlin tore his gaze from Katherine. “Oh right, I was on my way inside here but then I saw a woman fleeing from the house. I thought Katherine was trying to get away from you.” He glared at Sebastian. “Of course at the time I had no idea that was her name.” He beamed at Katherine and then continued his story. “Of course, I had already realized she was not Marguerite,” he boasted. “I do have very good investigative abilities, you know.” He paused for effect. “Although, I will admit it did take some time to realize the obvious differences between the two but I was not fooled for long.” He flicked his gaze in Sebastian’s direction. “I am of course, a quick-witted person so it did not take as long to figure it out as I am sure it would have most people.” He lifted his brow. “Say, Sebastian, how long did it take you to figure out she was not Marguerite?”

  “I knew she was not Marguerite when I returned.” Sebastian glared back at Devlin.

  My fingers tightened on the arms of the chair. He had known that long and he kept looking. I stared at him until his gaze slid back to mine. “Thank you,” I mouthed.

  The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “You’re welcome,” Sebastian mouthed back.

  A surge of irritation flared in Devlin as he watched Sebastian make googly eyes at Katherine. He wanted to punch the dimples right off the do-gooder’s face.

  “Devlin, where is Judith?” Isabelle asked, forcing her mind back to present.

  “Judith?” Devlin squawked out her name, the pitch of his voice far too high. “How would I know?” he added defensively. “The last time I saw her, she was running off with your cloak and jewels.”

  “What?” Isabelle yelled out in shock.

  “Oh, right…sorry…” He made a face. “I was looking for you and instead happened upon Judith. We had words, and then I left,” Devlin said offhandedly.

  “You left her where?” Isabelle queried.

  “I left her at the ravine,” Devlin said.

  Milford and Sebastian looked at one another in surprise, their eyes round.

  Devlin did not notice. “I was done being a pawn in her games. I had no idea she was such a scheming whore.”

  Isabelle scoffed. “Oh please, you expect me to believe you had no knowledge of what kind of person she was?”

  “Well, perhaps a little,” Devlin amended. “You know Isabelle, everyone deserves a bit of redemption.” Devlin’s chest tightened. “You are no paragon of virtue either, you know. You have not always stayed on the righteous path,” he snapped, feeling guilty. “We all make some mistakes once in a while.”

  “Not as many as you!” Isabelle yelled.

  Devlin flinched. He did not deal well with screaming women. She was so like Judith in that way; she never knew when to shut the hell up. “I did what I needed to survive!” he argued. “What, pray tell, was your excuse? Do not try to act the innocent with me, Isabelle! You knew what I was when you met me!”

  “Yes, I knew what you were!” Isabelle said, her defeat evident. “What of it, Devlin?”

  “Cease, both of you, please!” Grayson put a stop to the bickering. “Where is Judith now? Is it possible she was the one that took you Katherine, or you Devlin?”

  “I have no idea who Judith is,” I answered weakly but no one was listening.

  Devlin shook his head. “No, it was not Judith. Judith may be a lot of things, but she is not a lunatic…” he trailed off to ponder that for a moment. “Well, maybe she is a bit mad, but no, I know it was not her,” he said finally.

  “That settles that. It was not Judith. What about the legend?” Grayson asked. He realized he must have spoken the magic word, for all eyes were suddenly riveted on him.

  “Legend,” I squeaked and then clapped my hand over my mouth.

  “Yes, the legend of Ravenhurst,” he said as though it had been told a hundred times. “I heard the tale some time ago. I remembered being especially intrigued since my property borders yours, Sebastian, and yours as well, Isabelle,” he said in a matter of fact tone, like it was known by all.

  “I do believe it went something like this…” he said. “ Locked within for all time, no other will be allowed peace of mind…until the key is found.”

  “Ah, yes, the legend,” Devlin piped in. “I always wondered about that. Now what are they looking for?”

  I gaped at Devlin and Grayson like they both sprouted three heads. How in the hell did they know about the Legend? I thought it was supposed to be a secret.

  “What legend are you speaking of?” Sebastian questioned in confusion.

  “Are you kidding me de Winter?” Devlin snorted. “You do not know the Legend? It is about your ancestor.” He gave Sebastian a look of disbelief. “Good Lord man, did no one tell you of your family’s history?” He shook his head, wondering how Sebastian could be so clueless. Or was he hiding something?

  “Apparently I do not,” he said, bewildered by the prospect. He had no idea what Devlin was speaking of and he felt suddenly foolish. Why had he been kept in the dark? He turned away and went to get another drink.

  “Well, I can not speak for Grayson, but I originally heard the tale from a hag selling her wares on the street. She had all sorts of little baubles and trinkets. I thought about getting something for Isabelle at the time, but found I was a bit short of coin and could not spare any on her wares.”

  Isabelle snorted.

  Devlin shot Isabelle a scathing look.

  “What was she trying to sell you?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

  Devlin furrowed his brow, thinking. “Right. I remember now. It was a necklace. Yes, yes it was a necklace. It was rather large, though, and the red reminded me of blood, and the sight of blood turns my stomach.” He shuddered. “I decided to leave it and went on my way.”

  “Yes, I believe I had a similar experience myself,” Grayson interjected.

  “How long ago was that?” Sebastian asked.

  “I think a few months ago.” Grayson said. “Why do you ask? Do you think this has something to do with this woman?”

  “I am not sure,” said Sebastian. “But was that not about the same time Marguerite disappeared?”

  “I do not know.”
Isabelle looked contrite.

  “Devlin, what say you? You think it was that long, or was it less?” Sebastian glared at Devlin.

  “What? Oh, it could be.” Devlin averted his eyes.

  “Well? Do you think it was or not?” Sebastian persisted.

  “Fine, yes, it was.” He widened his eyes at Sebastian. “It was all Judith’s idea, by the way.”

  “What was Judith’s idea?” Sebastian queried, once again completely in the dark.

  Devlin cleared his throat. “She was trying to get rid of Marguerite. Obviously she did not succeed.” He pulled at his cravat nervously.

  “When did this happen?” Sebastian demanded.

  “On your wedding day…she was in the gallery. I thought Isabelle knew and would have told you by now.” Devlin stared at his foot, afraid to see how everyone took his confession.

  Isabelle’s face showed her shock. Horrible thoughts of failure filled her mind. How could she have not known? Sebastian looked her way for an answer. She shook her head back and forth. “I did not know.”

  “What are you saying?” Sebastian demanded and turned back towards Devlin.

  Devlin sighed. “Are you listening to me? I told you, she was in the gallery the day of your wedding. Judith apparently tried to do her in, but she failed. Someone was calling for Marguerite, so Judith left in case she was found out. When she went back to finish the deed, our lovely Marguerite was gone. Remember? I helped you search for her?”

  “Yes, I remember you helped me search for her, but I, in no way, knew someone tried to kill her. I thought she left me.”

  “She did leave you,” Devlin stated. “She was not in the gallery when Judith went back remember? She could have stayed and told you what happened.”

  “Did she know it was Judith that hit her?” Sebastian asked, disgust resonating in his voice.

  “My best guess would be no. Judith would have snuck up from behind,” Devlin said. “She is a sneaky girl.”

  “Devlin, you can not be serious,” Sebastian said, feeling sick.

  “I am completely serious.” Devlin lifted his brows, giving Sebastian a look like he was stupid.

  “Devlin, did it ever occur to you that she may have thought I was the one who hit her?” Sebastian felt like he had been the one hit. “She may have run, afraid if she stayed I would finish the job,” he said, and then rubbed his hands over his face. He was in shock. He wanted to kill Devlin, really he did. But at the same time, he kept thinking that if Judith had not tried to get rid of Marguerite, would he be married to her now? Would he have ever met Katherine? He looked at Katherine, seeing her clearly for the first time. She and Marguerite shared distinct similarities but there were apparent differences as well. Katherine had a sweet demeanor and Marguerite’s was acerbic. They really were complete opposites.

  I wasn’t sure what to make of the conversation. Marguerite was in the gallery too…was that the connection we shared? What of the legend everyone seemed to know about? Even Devlin had heard of it. And what of Sebastian? I had seen the expression on his face change when Devlin recounted what had really happened to Marguerite. I could see how upset he was. Were his feelings stronger for Marguerite than he had originally realized? Something tightened around my heart…I knew what it was…dread.

  Milford lifted a shaky hand and steadied himself against the wall. If he did not he may well fall on his face. How could this be? Bloody Hell, what was going on? And then he remembered…

  “Good Lord, man, what is the matter?” Devlin asked Milford. “You look as though someone has just walked on your grave.”

  Completely ignoring Devlin, Milford pushed off the wall, straightened his waistcoat, and walked from the room.

  Devlin shrugged indifferently and turned his attention back to Katherine. She looked quite piqued as well. He leaned forward. “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  “Yes, of course,” I said, trying to process everything. “I am just hungry, I guess.” I looked away quickly, wanting to scream. Food and the bathroom? Really? Seriously, those were the only excuses I could think of. I pressed my palms to my face to cool my burning cheeks. It did no good.

  Devlin did not think she was merely hungry. And he was sure she was not in the bathroom when Sebastian was looking for her either. But why would she lie? And why were Milford and her both white as ghosts when the legend was mentioned? Unlike Sebastian, they both knew something. He could see it on their faces plain as day. The problem was he did not know what. He smiled suddenly. He had almost forgotten about his uncanny deductive abilities. It should not take him long to figure it all out, no, it should not take very long at all.

  Sebastian braced his palms against the mantel, staring down into the flames as a million what if’s tumbled through his mind. The problem was he was not sure he wanted to know the answers to any of them, at least not yet. He was completely oblivious of the effect his reaction had on Katherine or the fact that Milford had slipped silently from the room.

  He walked over to the sideboard and poured another drink. He had a lot to process.

  WHAT LURKS IN SHADOWS

  RAVENHURST

  MILFORD crouched awkwardly in the cramped alcove with only a suit of armor for company. He elbowed the armor and was rewarded with a sharp pain that shot up his arm. He let out another irritated sigh and rubbed his sore elbow as he looked towards the chamber Grayson and Isabelle were in.

  Devlin’s room was beside theirs.

  Milford had no idea why he was watching their doors, but Sebastian was adamant that he, Milford, stay in the alcove, out of sight. Sebastian and Katherine were down at the end of the hall.

  Apparently, after he left the library earlier, the group volunteered him to take the first watch for the night, just in case the lunatic decided to come back. That is what he got for leaving the room. He wondered why anyone would take Devlin. Perhaps he got in the way. But Katherine as well? It was almost as if a much larger force were at play here.

  His stomach rumbled in the darkness. He rubbed his belly. He was hungry and he already lost feeling in his right foot. Reaching up, he placed his hands on the armor and pulled himself back to standing. It felt like tiny needles were poking the bottom of his foot. He thumped his foot on the floor and the runner muffled the sounds from his boot, but it did nothing to diminish the other sounds emitting from the across the hall. Someone growled in the darkness and Milford’s entire body tensed. Then a loud howl of laughter followed, accompanied by a moan of pleasure. He poked his fingers in his ears and turned his face away from the door, but unfortunately, it did nothing to quiet the noise. He did not need to stretch his imagination very far to figure out what Isabelle and Grayson were doing to pass the time.

  Milford smothered a groan of his own when he heard another moan…followed by a “Yes… yes…yes!”

  He tried to rid his mind of the visuals he was getting. Good Lord, if he had to hear one more moan about the Duke’s prowess in bed, he would be sick. He felt like yelling at the top of his lungs…“Have some regard for who may be stuck outside your damn doors listening! At least try to keep it down!” Even though he doubted Katherine and Sebastian could hear—but Devlin was in the adjoining room. And if it was that loud for Milford, just think how loud it must have been for him.

  But then again, perhaps the scoundrel deserved at least a little of what he was getting, especially after the atrocious way he had treated Isabelle. By God, the man had locked the poor woman in her very own cellar. Oh well, perhaps Devlin should hear their love play, but he did not need to.

  Disgusted, he glared at the door. His stomach rumbled again. He was famished. Unlike the others, Milford had no opportunity to eat anything for dinner earlier. He cast a wary glance down the hall and then back towards the stairwell. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he decided to run down to the kitchens for a quick bite. His excuse was that there was so much noise coming from across the hall it would likely scare the hell out of any assailant anyway. He shook his head and caut
iously stepped out of his hiding place, past his armored buddy. He gave the door across the hall one last look of derision before turning and descending the stairs to the kitchens.

  Unfortunately, he never saw the cloaked figure emerge silently from the shadows.

  The fire in the hearth burned down, leaving only reddish-orange embers that cast a dim glow about the chamber. The dark blue bed hangings were pulled back on one side. Grayson gently caressed Isabelle’s bare shoulder. Her arm draped across his chest and her long shapely legs tangled around his own under the blankets. They had only just found their mutual release moments before.

  A chill swept into the room, bringing life to the dying embers in the fireplace. Grayson tightened his hold on Isabelle and lowered his lashes, feigning sleep.

  A shadow slid eerily over the bed as a figure moved silently through the room to the adjoining chamber. The door opened silently and then the figure slipped inside.

  This room was empty. Advancement was easier this way. Another door opened soundlessly into yet another room.

  This one was not empty.

  The cloaked figure’s eyes filled with a fiendish gleam as it espied its target. Directly in the middle of the massive bed was the girl. She was curled up on her side with her knees pulled up to her chest. The figure cocked its head to the side, watching mutely, recalling another time, with another person looking much the same. A sad, bitter wave coursed through its body, accompanied by a severe pain throbbing from within as another pair of eyes opened and filled with rage. The shadowy form turned away from the bed, reassessing the room. There was another person in the room…the current Lord of Ravenhurst was sleeping in a chair in front of the fire with his back facing the door.

  The satisfaction they had been craving for so long would finally be theirs for the taking. A barely contained jubilance spread through the assailant’s body, bringing painful memories to the forefront of their mind. Gliding silently across the room, its gnarled hands pulled a long, steely blade from the folds of their cloak, moving even closer. The hands shook with emotion. After all these long years of waiting, they would finally have their vengeance. Vanquish all opposition in one swift maneuver. The steely blade glinted in the firelight as they prepared to plunge the blade into the blackened heart of their foe. Only then would they be free once and for all.