Trevan looked at Tremayne, they both shrugged.
The library doors swung open again just several minutes later. Diggory held one door open.
The click of multiple pairs of heels upon the parquet floor in the corridor filtered into the room.
Chairs scraped back on the fine carpets as every gentleman present stood to welcome the colorful entourage of ladies who entered. They carried books, foolscap and inkwells. They wore serious, determined expressions. Their backs were ramrod straight. Their heads held high, none looked at any man as they filed into the room.
“Ladies.” Trevan bowed as Lady Glaston, followed by Wenna and the rest of them, passed him and made their way toward the table in the back. None of the women gave him a second glance. He saw determination on each face.
The ladies moved past him with expressions as serious as soldiers in rank, their focus impenetrable. It certainly looked like trouble to him.
He looked across to the next table to see Micah and Lyon trying to suppress their grins. Owen chuckled then covered his mouth with his hand. Jack was grinning from ear to ear. Gabriel looked highly amused.
Harry’s mouth was practically wide open and he appeared to be in shock. He hurried toward the table where the ladies were now seating themselves.
“Rowena, what is this?” Harry motioned to the table filled with ladies. His eyes narrowed as they all turned toward him, giving him looks that he suspected could shrivel the ballocks off a man.
He heard Lyon’s muffled but amused laughter from across the room as he mumbled, “Oh, Harry!”
“We are working on the Secretum Domini in the library where it is more comfortable and where the references we need are at our disposal, Harry. What we are doing is just as important as what you gentlemen are doing in here. We believe it would be beneficial if we worked together.”
Trevan had walked up to stand behind Harry.
Wenna looked to Trevan. “Besides, we ladies have most of us, been harmed by these Brown Coats, or Knights of the Brown Order.”
“We have every right to be here,” Tuesday said.
“We do.” Libby added with a nod.
Harry sighed. His features softened as he looked upon each of the ladies. “We did not know you wished to join us. Welcome ladies,” Harry surrendered. He gave the ladies a bow and smiled upon them. “Please accept our apologies. It was not our intention to alienate you. We thought perhaps you wished to be on your own while you worked.”
Trevan winked at Wenna while he still stood behind Harry.
Micah approached the table and offered Libby his hand. “We can use you at our table to help us translate the Greek scrolls, sweetheart. Do you ladies mind if I steal my wife from you?”
“Of course not, Micah. I think you gentleman should know we can be very useful. We are all of us very intelligent.” Rowena raised a perturbed brow in the direction of her husband.
Harry cracked a smile. He could never be truly angry with his Angel, especially when she looked so adorable. He bent and kissed his wife’s temple. “Carry on, my love. Let me know if you need anything. Ladies.” Harry gave the ladies a nod.
Rowena beamed up at him. “We will. Thank you, Harry.”
Soon the library was abuzz with normal conversation as the party got back to work.
Marrek sought his sister, Elowen. “Where is my wife?” He thought her to be among the ladies working on the Secretum Domini.
“She said she was feeling a little fatigued. She looked a little pale,” Elowen answered him. “Tuesday said she went upstairs to lie down.”
“I will check on her,” Marrek said.
“Creed, I must check on my wife,” Marrek informed him as he passed him. He hurried upstairs.
He knocked on the connecting door between their rooms and heard nothing. Alarmed, Marrek knocked again. Still, there was no sound, no answer. His fingers covered the doorknob. Should he intrude? He thought for a moment. Of course, he should. He had to. It seemed something was amiss. He twisted the knob and opened the door. Kitty was his wife. He must make certain she was well. The room appeared empty. Now he was truly concerned.
“Kitty?” he called out.
Then he heard the telltale sounds coming from her dressing room.
He found his beautiful wife on her hands and knees, retching into the pot. “My poor darling.” Marrek went at once to the pitcher of water and wet a cloth. He went down on his knees beside his wife. He sponged her beautiful face with the wet cloth. He whispered words of comfort and rubbed her back as she proceeded to empty her stomach of the remains of her breakfast.
When it appeared it was over, and she leaned weakly against him, Marrek carried her to the bed. He was concerned that she felt so light and weightless in his arms. He made a mental note that he should take more notice of how much she was eating.
“Do you want tea, broth? What can I procure for you, Kitty? What will help you settle your stomach?”
“Perhaps some tea,” she said weakly.
He found her maid, Marie, and sent her for some tea.
When he returned to her chamber, Kitty was standing with her arms reaching behind her, trying to unlace her gown.
He came up behind her. He gently brushed her hands away and unlaced her gown. He turned his back while she removed her clothing. He heard her open the press to remove her bedclothes. When he heard her slide into the bed, he turned back around. She still looked very pale.
Marrek brought a chair up next to the bed and sat beside her. He felt rather helpless, but he would not leave her until he knew she felt better.
“I am sorry, Marrek. You have work to do. You should return to the library. I will be fine,” Catherine tried to assure her husband. He looked worried.
“No, I want to stay with you. I will stay with you until you have improved.”
Catherine managed a weak smile. “Thank you.” Tears welled in her large moss-agate colored eyes. Her lips trembled. “I was fine, until the ladies decided to go into the library. I was feeling well. I was happy. Then someone said the ladies had all suffered at the hands of these men and they deserved to be in the library as well. I looked around, at Wenna and Sophia’s bruises, Libby’s face. I thought of poor Senny, and I actually thought to myself that I had not suffered by them.”
Catherine continued, “Then Tuesday spoke up about losing Charlie. I was reminded that I had suffered. I lost Charlie. I had forgotten about him, Marrek. For almost an entire day, I was happy. Yet, I felt so guilty forgetting Charlie.” Catherine looked to Marrek, her eyes misting.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued, “I apologize Marrek. I shouldn’t have said such a thing to you. I think the very last thing you, as my husband, would wish to hear was about Charlie. I am happy, Marrek. I am happy with you. I just felt bad for forgetting Charlie. Then I realized, I am carrying Charlie’s child and his family does not know. Tuesday doesn’t know. They cannot know. It would bring shame upon their family. At the same time, it could bring them joy knowing Charlie left part of himself behind. Oh, everything is so very confusing,” she started to cry in earnest.
In the four years he had known her, Marrek had never seen Kitty so downhearted. “Kitty?” Marrek whispered softly as he rose from the chair and sat upon the edge of the bed. He engulfed her slight frame into his arms and held her against him as she cried. His hands moved over her back in a soothing gesture. He kissed the top of her head. After her sobs subsided, he pulled back, placed his fingertips under her chin and gently tilted her face upward. “Look at me, Kitty. Please?” he asked her softly.
Catherine raised her watery gaze to meet his.
“I knew full well that you and Charlie were in love. I know you are grieving for him. I realize it will take time. Charlie was my friend too. I still feel his loss. I do not want you to keep all of these feelings inside. We are dear friends and have been for four years. We are two people who care about one another. We both cared about Charlie. In time, we may be more than good friends. Th
ere is no rush. Even if there is nothing more between us than what we have now, we are still dear friends who are husband and wife. Please, don’t ever be afraid to confide in me.”
He hesitated for a moment then said, “As far as Charlie’s family goes, their pain is still raw, as is yours. I think it best we leave the fact that you carry Charlie’s child a secret for now, Kitty. We must remember that Burrow could still use the child to get to you.”
Catherine nodded.
Marrek kissed her temple. “Remember Kitty, these are not your burdens alone, they are our burdens, we are husband and wife. We will handle them together. You are not alone.”
“You are a wonderful man, Marrek,” Catherine sniffed as she leaned her cheek against his hard, muscled chest. “Thank you.” More tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You are a remarkable woman, Kitty.” Marrek pulled back. “Let me get the pins out of your hair. You need your rest.” Her chestnut hair was soft and silky. It smelled of jasmine. When all the pins were out, he helped her lie back upon the pillows. “Your tea should be here soon.”
“I will just be sleeping. You should go back downstairs to the library. I will be fine,” Catherine urged with a weak smile.
“No, my colleagues and cousins will get by without me today.” He smiled down at her. “I will spend the day and the evening with you, Kitty.”
“But I’m certain you would rather-”
He held up his hand to silence her. “I would rather be right here, with my wife, right now. We haven’t been able to spend much time together. We will remedy that starting today. What affects you, affects me also. We are married. I will not have you thinking you must deal with these things alone, Kitty.”
It pained Marrek to know Kitty felt she must handle everything alone. He had meant to give her space, but he never wanted her to feel she was alone. It was apparent to him she had. It bothered him. Happiness crept into her greenish-gray eyes. She gave him a brilliant smile.
Marrek knew at that tender moment that things between them had changed, for the better. There was hope for their future. He took her hand and pressed it to his lips.
When her tea was brought in, Marrek joined her. He sent word down to Trevan that his wife was not feeling well and he would not be joining them for the rest of the day.
Chapter Seventeen
After luncheon, the ladies and gentlemen once again convened in the library.
Gabriel studied the references given to him from John Madingly. A group of Avalon Society members assisted him.
“Two prominent members of the House of Lords, a member of the King’s cabinet and several gentlemen from very old and noble houses.” Creed frowned as he again perused the list. “We will watch them. Soon, we shall know what they do in their spare time. Pendarves and Carlyon will watch Lord Daventry personally, for we are certain Lord Buxton who perished in the supposed hunting accident is one of the Grand Knights of the Brown Order. Those are the only two of these references who answered Gabriel’s request for a recommendation regarding the Reverend John Madingly, formerly known as Isaac Slaughter.”
“Why was he in St. Mabyn, and why did he become engaged to Wenna? From everything you and Marrek have told us, he was operating as a paid assassin.” Trevan was clearly concerned.
“Marrek and I have talked about it at length. He was either after Gabriel, for he was in St. Mabyn, or he was after you, Trevan, and thought to get to you through Wenna,” Creed offered.
“If he is a member of the Knights of the Brown Order, he showed up in St. Mabyn before the events occurred in Glastonbury which could indicate he was looking for something here, in Cornwall,” Gabriel posed.
Creed nodded. “I can’t argue with that, Gabriel. From everything you have told me, Percy Davitt knew of the treasures well before Harry and Lyon’s initial meeting with Sir John, Lady Sperring and Lady Glaston.”
“The Brown Coats were always one step ahead of us in Glastonbury. We were told they had information from Davitt’s family. We know Davitt’s ancestor, Esau Davitt, assisted Abbot Whiting and William Dulac in hiding the treasures,” Gabriel offered.
“Micah!” Gabriel hailed his friend working at the table across from where they sat. When Micah looked up, Gabriel motioned for him to join them.
Gabriel summarized the content of their conversation and asked Micah, “Why do you think they would send Percy Davitt to Glastonbury, and possibly the Reverend to St. Mabyn.”
Micah thought a moment.
“And why would they send Madingly to St. Mabyn well before Percy was sent to Glastonbury?” Trevan posed while Micah was still turning over the possibilities in his mind.
Micah’s silvery eyes lit up. A look of triumph washed over him. His colleagues know he was on to something.
“When Harry, Rowena and I visited with Joshua Davitt at the George and Pilgrim in Glastonbury, Joshua mentioned his brother, Percy, had been in Glastonbury for several weeks before we knew he was there. If Madingly was sent to St. Mabyn, he and Percy Davitt were sent about the same time. Trevan said Madingly turned up six weeks before he returned from Glastonbury, I believe?”
“Yes,” Trevan answered.
“They knew something was in Glastonbury when they sent Percy,” Gabriel smiled slowly.
Trevan nodded, “So there could be a piece of this puzzle here in Cornwall.”
Micah nodded his agreement. “August and I will leave first thing tomorrow morning for Priory Place. We must decipher those symbols on the Norman arch at St. Anthony’s chapel. I’ve a feeling it is important to this quest.”
“I’m going with you,” Creed spoke up. “And we’ll need Cleve, Marcus and Newt as well. We’ll take ten additional men with us.”
Harry waved Jack over.
“Jack you have some knowledge of ancient picture writing, don’t you?” Harry asked.
“I do,” Jack offered. “Egyptian and Phoenician among others.”
“Will you go with us to Priory Place in Roseland tomorrow?” Creed asked.
“Of course,” Jack answered.
“You must be careful. Up until this point, we had not guessed there was something to be found here, in Cornwall. If these pictographs at St. Anthony’s chapel are part of this puzzle, they will be watching and on us in a moment,” Harry sighed heavily.
“Good thing we’ve got a houseful of able-bodied men here at Menadue. We’ll try to increase the security here without the ladies catching on. At the first sign that our Society is on to something here in Kernow, we’ll be under attack again,” Trevan said low enough so none of the ladies at nearby tables could hear him. “It is best not to worry the ladies over much at this time.”
“Agreed,” Creed nodded. “I must go interrupt Marrek and fill him in. This is something he definitely needs to know. I think we might need to update our Department Superior in London. There are many men in Town who need to be watched now.” Creed rose and left the library.
Marrek quietly closed the door to his sleeping wife’s chamber as he stepped into the corridor to speak with Creed. He listened to what his colleague had to say.
“I will send a message to Lyndhurst at once. He needs to know. I believe Ruan should be returning soon; unless they locate Slaughter or Madingly, whoever he really is.” Marrek took a step away from the door then hesitated. He looked back toward his wife’s chamber. “I was going to go downstairs, but I can’t leave Catherine just now. Can you send a missive to Lyndhurst in my stead?”
“Of course, I will send it by messenger. I just wanted to apprise you of what we have discovered.”
“Thank you, Creed. I shall be staying with my wife for the rest of the afternoon and evening.” He turned toward the door then stopped. He turned back around. “Creed?”
“Yes?”
“Send for Nightshade. I want him here.”
“Shade?” Creed asked. He frowned. “There is a house full here, Marrek. Don’t you fear he might have one of his, ah, episodes?”
“No. I do not.
I can handle Shade. Don’t worry. We need him.”
Creed shrugged. “Very well. Is he at his London address?”
“Doubtful. My guess is he is in the country. He prefers the quiet. Send a summons to each of his addresses.”
Creed nodded.
“Thank you. I must get back to my wife.”
“Is she very ill? Does she need a doctor?” Creed asked in concern.
“No, I don’t think so. Elowen will come back later and check on her again. I need to be here, with my wife.”
Marrek paused. Only Creed and Ruan knew the truth of his and Catherine’s arrangement, he felt free to speak to Creed about Catherine. “In giving her the space I thought she needed, I unwittingly left Catherine feeling that she was alone in all of this. I intend to make certain she understands this is not the case.”
Creed nodded. “You know Ruan and I both have the utmost respect for your wife. If there is anything I can do to help you, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” Marrek nodded. He entered Catherine’s chamber. He was surprised to see her sitting, propped upon her pillows.
“I’m sorry, Kitty. The knock on the door must have woken you. Creed needed to tell me something.”
Catherine stretched. “No harm done. I cannot sleep the day away.”
“You could, if you wished.” Marrek smiled at her. He started to walk toward the chair next to the bed.
“Marrek, that chair is so small you can’t be comfortable in it. If you insist on staying with me the entire day, at least sit on the bed and try to get comfortable.” She patted the empty space beside her.
Marrek paused. He wasn’t entirely certain he trusted himself to sit on the bed, so close to her. Her lovely chestnut hair was down and mussed from sleep. Her cheeks colored slightly as he gazed at her. She was in her nightrail.
However, he did as she requested. He could see how important it was to her. He realized she might be feeling a bit lonely within this marriage, just as he was. He reminded himself that as recently as this morning she had grieved for Charlie. He wondered at that moment if it were possible for a person to grieve for their lost mate and have affection for another at the same time. He could not come up with an answer.
Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) Page 34