Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series)

by Richards, K. R.

  When they were both spent and his lady leaned heavily against him, Jack whispered, “Promise me, my dearest Trouble, that you will not attempt to wander around alone. You must always be in my company, or one of the other gentleman, or a large group of the ladies.”

  Tuesday lifted her head from his shoulder and frowned. Yet she nodded. “I promise Jack.”

  “Thank you for giving me your promise.” Jack smiled as his thumb lightly caressed her bare thigh. He eased her down. They set each other’s appearances to rights. He slipped Charlie’s Journal inside his coat pocket.

  They turned to leave the room. Jack pulled her to him once again for another kiss. He meant it to be tender and gentle, but one thing led to another and soon they were kissing each other quite passionately once again. His hands moved to caress her bottom as he pulled her against him.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat startled them both. They broke apart quickly.

  “Mother!” Tuesday managed to recover enough to give a forced smile to her mother.

  Jack bowed. “Lady Stanbridge.”

  “Lord Elveston.” Tuesday’s mother appeared to be trying to suppress an amused grin. “Good to see you, sir. Tuesday, your father and sister are anxious to see the both of you. They are in the drawing room.” She indicated they should follow her. “Come, come.”

  “Of course. Shall we, Lady Tuesday?” Jack offered his arm.

  Tuesday happily accepted. “Yes, Lord Elveston.”

  His Trouble sported an adorable blush as they left the room following Lady Stanbridge. Tuesday elbowed him in the ribs when he was unsuccessful at completely concealing his mirth.

  After visiting with Tuesday’s family for twenty minutes, Jack returned to the library.

  He was motioned to the cluster of tables where his fellows congregated.

  “Do you have the diary?” Harry asked him.

  Jack nodded. He removed the book from his coat pocket. He set the leather bound book upon the table.

  Harry retrieved it and opened it, he perused through it quickly. “It’s almost full. There is a lot of information and entries dating back for ten months or more. We’ll have to take the time to read it, but we’ll talk about that later. Sit down Jack.”

  “We’ve received news from London,” Trevan began, “Pendarves, Carlyon and a few of Marrek’s men had just begun their watch on the names listed on Madingly’s references for the post of vicar. In two days time, three of them turned up dead. It appears the Leader of the Brown Knights is eliminating those who know him, or persons who might lead us to him. Dev and Rheese are still checking into their associates and habits. It appears three men who might have been able to identify the Leader are dead. Amelia Whitely being dead would imply the same thing. The Leader now has the information left by Davitt’s ancestor, and no doubt knows more than we do at this point.”

  “We have decided since you all have special licenses, that it would be safer if we held the wedding at an unexpected time,” Marrek provided. “We spoke with the Duchess and we will hold the wedding early this evening, just before dinner. In about two hours. She will inform Tuesday and her parents. None outside Menadue will expect this. They may already be aware there is a wedding here tomorrow. We want the wedding done and over with because Menadue will be at its most vulnerable while most of the party is in the chapel.”

  Creed interjected, “Since we were followed nearly all the way to Menadue’s door earlier, we know we are being watched from a distance. We have their accomplices whom they want dead because they know they have talked to us and they have no way to get to them. They will try. What Marrek and I suggest is that just a small party goes to the Chapel for the wedding before dinner. The rest of us shall wait here. With a heavy watch inside and out, we can have a small celebration during and after dinner.”

  Jack nodded. “That is acceptable to me.”

  “By now they are surely aware we know the Jesus stone exists since your visit to Priory Place and St. Anthony’s Chapel. They still want the scrolls, the sapphire and the cruets. Now we know they want Charlie’s journal,” Harry said. “All of that is here at Menadue. They will come for it.”

  “I agree, Harry. We cannot let them have it,” Sir John Nunn, the paramour of Rowena’s Aunt Frances, and friend to King William, spoke.

  “I received a letter from my superior at the Department. He is accompanying Ruan and Nightshade to Menadue. They might be here as soon as this evening. The letter was mailed while they were en route from an Inn in Wiltshire,” Marrek informed them.

  “Nightshade? Mr. Francis Nightshade?” Harry queried. A frown formed on his lips. “Is that necessary, Marrek?”

  “We need him. He is the only man I can send out alone who will come back with a body or someone to glean information from. He is a formidable weapon, Harry. He is no danger to us, you have my assurance.”

  Harry gave Marrek a wary look and slowly nodded.

  Marrek continued, “Lyndhurst spoke with the King, who wishes us to hurry up and draw the Knights of the Brown Order out. That is the reason Stephen will join us in Cornwall. In light of the recent deaths of three suspected Knights of the Brown Order, one viscount and two Earls, I am certain His Majesty will feel safer when we have ferreted out the identities of all of the Grand Knights. Sir John also received an urgent letter sent by messenger directly from His Majesty stating the same. The scrolls and Secretum Domini are translated. The gentlemen who are not getting married tonight will begin trying to translate the pictographs from the Norman arch at St. Anthony’s Chapel early tomorrow morning.”

  “And we need to read Tuesday’s diary,” Jack added.

  “Yes. We shall also formulate a plan to get some of us to Fairy Cross to look for the ancient stone. Once Lord Lyndhurst arrives, we will draw up the plan for the public display of the Holy Relics found in Glastonbury. We are certain the location will be Truro. We have decided, Jack, that in order for this to end, we must draw them to us in Truro,” Gabriel said in a serious tone.

  “It’s starting to look like that is the only choice we have now,” Jack nodded. “To lure them in. If only there was a safe place for the women to go.”

  “There is not,” Micah said. He shook his head adamantly.

  “The ladies are safest with us, Lord Elveston,” Sir John agreed.

  “I know,” Jack agreed with a heavy sigh, “they are safest with us. However, that does not mean they are truly safe. Not until the Knights of the Brown Order are eradicated. Let’s get a plan in order so Gabriel, Trevan and I can marry our ladies this evening, and keep us all safe until we reach Truro, shall we?”

  “Let’s get to it,” Trevan said.

  A half an hour later, the gentlemen were informed that Ruan Menwennick, Lord Ince, had returned to Menadue with Stephen Johnstone, Lord Lyndhurst, his daughter, Anna, and Mr. Francis Nightshade.

  Ruan, Nightshade and Lord Lyndhurst came straight to the drawing room, while Lady Anna was taken upstairs to freshen up and rest before dinner.

  “Nightshade?” Trevan whispered to Marrek and gave him a look of concern.

  Marrek nodded. “He will be fine. I will make certain,” Marrek assured his cousin.

  “Yes, you will.” Trevan sized up the tall, powerfully built man across the room. He defied fashion, wearing his long, straight, jet-black hair in a queue. Though his attire was of an expensive cut, it was plain and simple, without any fripperies. His facial features were harsh. Trevan had never seen Nightshade smile. It unnerved him to know such a dangerous, unbalanced man would be sleeping under his roof with so many at Menadue under his care. He looked to Marrek again.

  “The house is full of family, Marrek,” Trevan persisted.

  “Creed and I have been discreetly warning the gentlemen unknown to him to give him a wide berth. He would never harm a woman. He will be on his best behavior.”

  They spoke in hushed tones.

  “Are you sure?” Trevan asked.

  “I am certain. I know Shade ve
ry well, cousin. The episode that took place several years ago has been embellished by gossips in London parlours. The man Shade killed had cruelly murdered his woman, who was carrying his babe. He was justified in his action. The man taunted him in public. His Majesty would not allow an unhinged man to operate within the Department.”

  “I heard he tore the man apart,” Trevan scowled at Marrek.

  “He did.” Marrek commented matter-of-factly. “Do not worry, I have everything in hand.”

  Trevan sighed. “You had better.” Trevan warned as he looked in Nightshade’s direction again.

  Nightshade raised his head. His dark gaze met Trevan’s. Shade’s eyebrow lifted in curiosity. The hint of an arrogant smile slightly turned up the corners of his mouth. He gave Trevan a short nod.

  Trevan sighed. “Very well, cousin. I trust you.”

  Marrek gave him a sliver of a surprised smile. “Truly? Good to know. Shall we get started?”

  “Yes.”

  After introductions were made for those few who did not know Lord Lyndhurst or Mr. Nightshade, the men sat down at the long table.

  The new arrivals were briefed by Marrek, Trevan and Harry. Lord Lyndhurst took notes and asked many questions of them.

  After all information had been exchanged and reviewed, Lord Lyndhurst spoke, “It is a good, solid plan, gentlemen. I agree. It is time to lure them to us. We shall do so with the treasures going on display in Truro. In the meantime, we must make haste to discover the secrets in this diary of Silverley’s. We need to find this stone, and hopefully the relic. Time is of the essence.”

  Stephen continued, “Luring Garlock and his men to us is a much better plan than being taken by surprise. Those of us in the Department are familiar with Garlock. He is predictable, and not overly smart. He is good at what he does and knows how to take every advantage in a situation. But, he is ruthless and dangerous. Garlock is feared even in the underground for his cruelty. He seems to enjoy torturing his enemies. Not too many want to make an enemy of him. We can formulate a plan to lure Garlock to us once we are in Truro. We can meet tomorrow morning, the first thing before breakfast.”

  Lord Lyndhurst grinned and went on, “Tonight we have a wedding,” he offered the grooms a nod, “Congratulations by the way, gentlemen. I’ll summarize, please let me know if I’ve left anything out.” He looked down at the notes he had scrawled upon a piece of foolscap.

  He adjusted his spectacles as he read over his notes then he began, “Tomorrow some of us shall look for the stone at Fairy Cross. The others remaining at Menadue will read the diary.” He looked up from his notes, “Gentlemen, let’s get six men to read Lord Silverley’s diary. One can read aloud and the others take notes. A new reader can take over every half hour, and we’ll continue on into the early evening if we must.”

  “Good idea, Stephen,” Harry said. “That will bring us quicker results.

  Stephen looked to Marrek, “Tomorrow evening, after dinner, we will begin to plan out the display of the Glastonbury Treasures in Truro, and come up with our plan. Trevan said he has ideas for several locations. Sir John and I both know what His Majesty envisions for the affair. We’ll discuss each location in detail. I am hoping some of us can visit the locations in Truro before we make our final decision. The King likes the plan of displaying the Glastonbury Treasures to draw out the Knights of the Brown Order. The Monarchy is highly concerned by the fact the leaders of the Knights of the Brown Order appear to be members of the peerage or men who hold important official offices. His Majesty wishes to expose the traitors as soon as can be.”

  Harry nodded. “As do we. Now let’s go through our security plans for the wedding, shall we?”

  The other gentlemen agreed.

  “Oh, Senny, Wenna, you look beautiful! Your mother would be so proud of you both.” Morva Chynoweth, the Duchess of Penrose, wiped a happy tear from her cheek as she looked at her dear friend Ailla’s daughters dressed for their weddings; Wenna’s to her son, Trevan, and Senny’s to her nephew, Gabriel. She paused to kiss Wenna and then Senny upon their cheeks.

  “Well, I had best look in on Gabriel and Trevan. I’ll send Lanyon up to fetch you. It will be in the next few minutes, I am certain. It is almost time, my dears.” Morva urged the other ladies to exit the room with her, leaving Wenna and Senny alone.

  Wenna noted her sister’s hands were trembling. “Senny, why are you nervous?” Wenna asked as she gave her sister a hug.

  “I know nothing about being married or being a wife. And I know not much of anything about the marriage bed.”

  “Oh,” Wenna frowned, realizing that she should have explained some things to her sister.

  “Gabriel said I need not worry, that he would explain everything, but I would feel better if I knew something,” Senny looked to her sister anxiously.

  “Senny, don’t you worry. Gabriel is a good man,” Wenna smiled. “He loves you and I think he does want to explain everything to you himself. I wouldn’t want to take that away from him,” Wenna offered as she breathed a sigh of relief. She reasoned that she should not be the one explaining the act of fornication to her sister, since she was not supposed to know anything about it herself.

  Seeing her sister’s wary look, she continued, “I do not know anything about being married or being a wife either, but I love Trevan, and I know we shall get through it together. It will be the same for you and Gabriel.”

  Senny took a deep breath. “You are correct.” She looked apprehensively at Wenna, “There is nothing you think I should know, woman to woman?”

  Wenna hugged her sister. She smiled and shook her head. “Only that what is coming is a very pleasurable experience. Trust Gabriel. He has always been there for you Senny. I trust him and know him well enough to know he will take every consideration where you are concerned. You must believe that. I think Gabriel has loved you for a very long time. He has always taken special care with you, and I know he will tonight. After tonight, you will have no more worries.”

  Senny smiled at Wenna and nodded her head. “That is true. I just have fear of the unknown. After tonight it will no longer be unknown to me.” She gave her sister a half smile.

  A knock on the door startled them both.

  “It must be time.” Senny looked to Wenna. Her sister was beautiful in her medium blue, silk gown, wearing the Chynoweth Sapphires. Her auburn hair was arranged in an intricate coiffure.

  Senny wore her own silvery blue gown with the sapphire pendant she had been given by Archangel Michael. Their maid had also arranged Senny’s hair in a much more formal coiffure than her simple, everyday style.

  Their younger brother, Lanyon, entered the room after Wenna opened the door. He was dressed impeccably, his usually unruly shock of reddish brown hair was neatly combed and tamed, no doubt by one of the Chynoweth’s valets.

  Wenna realized that her brother was now a young man. He was taking his position as the man of their family quite seriously. The thought brought tears to her eyes.

  “Are you ready ladies? Your grooms and Grandfather await you at the Chapel,” Lanyon nodded with the politeness of a gentleman, yet he grinned like their mischievous, younger brother they knew so well.

  Wenna looked to Senny.

  Senny smiled at her. “Yes, Lanyon, we are ready.”

  Lanyon grinned. He extended both arms, one for each sister.

  “I am the luckiest man today to be escorting two beautiful brides-to-be to the altar.”

  “We must hurry, Mama. We are to meet Lord St. Erth at the foot of the stairs,” Lady Wednesday Inwood urged, wishing her mother would stop fretting over her sister’s appearance and make haste.

  “We are two minutes late already.” Wednesday added when neither her mother nor her sister acknowledged her words. She sighed and pushed her spectacles higher on her nose. She had taken to walking over the last year and her loss of weight had resulted in her spectacles not fitting properly. She had long ago grown tired of being referred to as the plump Inwood sist
er.

  Of course, Charlie had always been the first to tell her she was not plump. He told her that her figure was much like her mother’s and that she was more womanly in stature, whereas Tuesday took after their father’s side of the family, being more slender and longer of limb. Charlie always laughed and told her he took after both sides of the family, he was tall, and stocky with legs he felt were too short and arms he thought were too long. He would kiss her cheek and tell her she was far more beautiful than an ape, which is what he felt he resembled. Wednesday knew he was just trying to make her feel better. He did not resemble an ape at all. Her big brother was as handsome and dashing as any of his colleagues from the Avalon Society.

  Charlie always reminded her that women came in different shapes and sizes and there were men a plenty who liked each type. He told her the most important thing was who the person inside was.

  Charlie always assured her she was worth her weight in gold there. He said there was no one sweeter than his sister Wednesday was. At the memory of Charlie, Wednesday sniffed. She fought to keep the tears that threatened from falling.

  It must be that it was an emotional day, Wednesday told herself. Charlie should have been here with them. Her sister Tuesday was getting married. Oh, how Wednesday missed her brother. Her heart still ached every time she thought about him being gone.

  Wednesday was now the only one of her living siblings who was not married. She might well remain so for she had never had a suitor. She felt all alone, save for her Mama and Papa. She loved Mama and Papa, but they could never be her closest allies like Charlie or Tuesday were. Tears stung her eyes again.

  Charlie, Tuesday and her elder sister Sunday all had the trademark Inwood sandy, golden hair and blue eyes. Wednesday’s hair was a medium brown. Not sandy, not dark, it was just a mousy brown. Her eyes were an unremarkable hazel. She was known as the plump Inwood sister, though she told herself with no small amount of pride that she was no longer as plump as she once was. She happily reminded herself that her spring and summer gowns had to be taken in two inches this year.