He had almost grown lost within himself when he heard his name called from the path. “Lord de Grey?”
~ 14 ~
“Lady Eva.” Grey dropped his hand from the tree and emerged from within the hanging willow branches to stand before the shy yet seemingly intrigued gaze of Eva Vastel. The housekeeper’s wish that an outing might brighten the young woman’s spirits did seem to be granted for Lady Eva’s complexion was hardly as pale as the day before and her eyes were a bit less sullen though they were still dimmed by grief. She wore the black dress she’d been lent by one of the servants, though her hair was no longer free down her back but pinned away behind her head in a twist of braids, no doubt the doing of the kindly housekeeper. The bruises on her face had faded somewhat but still graced her features boldly, recalling to Grey’s mind exactly the sort of man he now found himself in search of almost certain that he must have caused them.
Despite the lady’s unnatural attire, her striking beauty once again caught Grey’s attention and he felt a small bit of unsettled emotions arousing within him, which he quickly suppressed with a curt bow to the duke’s daughter.
“Forgive me, my lord, I did not mean to startle you.” Her voice was quiet as though she feared someone would hear it.
“Think nothing of it, my lady, it was you who brought me to search the grounds.” Eva cast the baron a questioning look but remained silent. “I only wished to continue our conversation from last afternoon,” Grey explained. “I hoped you would perhaps tell me something that might be of help to you.”
Eva sighed and glanced down at an iris brushing the hem of her skirt. “I fear I know nothing that might be of help.” Her words were laced with sadness. “I know not where I was nor who I was with besides the name Avery, which cannot be enough to find the man.”
Grey shook his head. “You are right, I have not been able to locate anyone of that name in or near the area. I am afraid this man might have been using an alias to conceal his identity.”
“Perhaps, though it would be strange for the servants to call him after a name that was not his own.”
“Precisely my thoughts. It is quite the conundrum.”
“I fear it is.” Eva bent to pluck the iris at her feet and held it to her nose to sniff its scent. “I hope you did not mind that I invaded your gardens, Lord de Grey? I have long been found of gardens.”
“Not at all, my lady. It has been many years since anyone besides the gardeners have been among them.”
Eva cocked her head. “You do not care for gardens, my lord?”
Grey shrugged a bit. “I’ve no taste for them.”
“You have a beautiful array of plants, sir. My mother was a great lover of flowers.”
The baron nodded. “As was mine. Or so I am told.”
“You never met her?”
The baron shook his head. “I have no memory of her. She died when my younger brother was born. I was but two years old at the time.”
“My dear mother died of the influenza when I was a little girl. I hardly remember her, but what I do recall are exceedingly happy memories. Most of them times we spent in the garden together with my…” The lady’s face suddenly fell and her eyes darkened. “With my father.”
Grey nodded, an unfamiliar feeling of discomfort coming over him as though his nerves intended to get the better of his usual assertive nature. An uncomfortable silence fell over the two, Eva’s thoughts seemingly wandering away to better times and Grey unable to discern the reason for his absent words.
“It is a pretty spot here.” Lady Eva broke the troublesome silence in an attempt to make conversation and forget their former topic.
Again Grey nodded. “It is.”
“In the gardens at Covingdell, we have a willow tree much like this one. It is by far my favorite spot. My father and I would often—”
Eva’s speech was cut short by the passing of one of the gardeners, who bowed politely, unknowingly casting the young woman into a fearful conclusion that she would be heard should she speak further.
“Shall we go inside where we might talk, Lady Eva?” Grey’s proposal seemed to agree with the lady as she nodded quickly. The baron gestured back down the small path toward the house where they began to walk. The lady remained silent and walked behind Grey rather than at his side so that she might not reveal through impressions that she was anything other than a commoner as all of Wynthall presumed. Once installed in the confinement of the library the two seated themselves, and Grey broached a topic that Eva did not expect. “I spoke with Mrs. Byrum this morning. She said you had yet to speak to anyone. Might I ask, my lady, why you keep your silence?”
Eva sighed. “I suppose I am terribly frightened of being discovered. I know it appears terribly selfish, but if my uncle would expose me to such a man as was this Master Avery, I’ve no idea what he might do should I return having evaded his scheme and most certainly set his plans awry.”
Grey nodded, having presumed as much. “Quite understandable. But may I assure you that all under my employ dislike your uncle, perhaps as much as you yourself do. They are completely trustworthy.”
“I am certain they are, my lord, but what would occur should they find out that I, the daughter of the duke, was found ill on the road and have been living in the house of the baron, Lord de Grey?”
“You were kidnapped, Lady Eva. Anyone who knows how you were discovered and in what condition would surely understand the necessity of such a stay at Wynthall or any other place.”
“I do hope so. I suppose that is why I do not want anyone to know who I am. All seems so much simpler if my identity remains a secret.”
“Had I not suspected you were the missing lady, I might have turned you out or had you sent away. You are risking much by your silence.”
“Much is at stake, my lord.”
Grey nodded, knowing fully well how much was risked by all that Lord Alex had hoped to accomplish, if indeed he were the schemer. “If there is a way to restore the duke’s title to you, then we must do it, and soon. Tell me more of this Master Avery.”
The lady shook her head. “I know nothing more, my lord. He was well dressed, a rather young man about my own age. Besides him, I saw only the maid and a man who accompanied her, theysaid not a word to me.”
“How did you come to escape this place in which you were imprisoned?” Grey’s inquiry caused the lady’s eyes to fall dim as she began to tell of her escape.
“I tried many times over the few months I was imprisoned to get away from him. The first time was a day the maid had forgotten to lock the door. Whether it was on purpose or accident, I know not, but I took the advantage and ran for my life. Unfortunately, I was caught by one of the servants. Apparently he’d been warned that if I was seen to detain me and that he did. He returned me to the master immediately, and I was locked in my room without a word from him. I was there without food for two days before he came in and told me that should I try such a thing again, he would kill me. What he did not realize was that he threatened me not. I would have rather die than stay in his house another moment. After that, I had no other chance to escape. He kept the door bolted at all times, and I had no hope of overpowering him or the housemen who brought me my food. Master Avery continued to torment me with thought of our union, and each time I attempted to defy him, he grew angry and struck or starved me. Eventually I grew ill, but he refused to send for a doctor because they would surely know me. As I slowly grew weaker, and the day of our intended union grew nearer, I knew that my chances of escaping were lessening by the hour, so one evening, when I heard the housemen coming down the hall with my meal, I collapsed on the floor as though I had fainted. When he came upon me, he ran to fetch Master Avery and left the door ajar.”
Eva smiled slightly as she recalled the event. “I had never been so relieved. I got up immediately and ran down the hall but this time toward what I hoped was the back entrance. Thanks to the mercy of Providence, it was and there was no one to be seen or to see m
e for it was already very dark out. I escaped into the woods and ran like a madwoman. That is how I tore my clothes and scuffed my hands so. I ran until I could run no more and collapsed on the ground. A moment later, I slipped into unconsciousness. When I awoke, it was still very dark and raining, I had no way of knowing how long I had slept, but I was soaked through and had a terrible chill. I knew I had to get further away from the house in which I was kept, but I knew not where I was or where to go for help, so I walked through the trees until I found a road.”
“The road from Lochson.” Grey’s sudden interruption caused Lady Eva to cock her head in question.
“Lochson? Why do you say Lochson?”
“Because you were seen there.”
“Seen? By whom?” The thought obviously disturbed the lady for fear that such knowledge would lead to her uncle locating her whereabouts.
“By a farmer. He thought he had recognized you and took the information to the Earl of Bondeville, who brought it to me. He was unsure if the farmer had been correct, but now I see that he must have been.”
“This is the very thing I have feared,” Lady Eva exclaimed. “I’ve no doubt he also was sure to tell my uncle. He will be looking for me near here.”
Grey nodded gravely. “Indeed, for he has been already. He came to me only the day before I met with Bondeville, asking for my aid in the search.”
“Oh, Lord de Grey, he will surely find me!”
“No.” The baron shook his head as his eyes roamed about the room while his mind worked in an attempt to connect the known facts. “No, he shall not find you. He will know better than to show himself here. All we must do is keep you within the concealment of the house and grounds and do all we can to locate this man who imprisoned you.”
“But why do you say he will not come here?” Eva questioned, fear still evident in her anxious voice.
“Because he knows if he does, I will surely turn my wrath on him.” Grey was blunt, having no notion to hide his intentions should he again cross paths with Alexander Vastel.
“Why should you dislike him so?” Lady Eva questioned curiously.
“All dislike him, my lady, not just I. You yourself have said as much.”
Eva nodded, her eyes still searching his. “Yes, but you do seem very keen on your hatred, sir.”
To this, Grey said nothing, only turned his gaze toward the nearest window. “Not a man on this earth could take kindly to Lord Alex,” he spoke after a moment. “He is a dog not worthy of his brother nor the title as duke.”
Eva bent her gaze to her intertwined fingers. “Do you truly believe he is guilty, Lord de Grey?”
“I cannot be certain, not with the knowledge that the man who held you intended to marry you. Did you recognize the house in which you were kept?”
Eva shook her head regretfully. “It was so dark and my mind so disseminated I thought not to even note in which way I ran, much less to take in the characterization of the house.”
Grey nodded understandingly. “If only there were some proof against your uncle, we would need not know of the house nor its occupant, for Lord Alex would surely tell us all upon threat of prison. You are certain it could not have been his voice in your chamber that night?”
“I can be neither certain nor uncertain, my lord. I thought I heard him, but as time passed, I began to wonder if it were truly him or my own fear of him. As you say, what sense does it make that he would marry me off rather than kill me and have all to himself? I confess I do not know what to think.”
Grey shook his head unknowingly. “There is no sense to it, I’m afraid, no way for us to know with certainty whether or not he was involved.”
There was a silence before Eva’s reply. “You believe I should face him then? Claim the title and pray he makes no move on my life?”
Grey sighed. “No. Not without the appropriate help. Even if he is not to blame, such risks cannot be taken until we are certain.”
“But I have no proof, nor am I likely to find it. You said the man to whom I was given was not among any records and you knew not of him.”
“I know nothing of him, but that does not mean all is lost,” the baron assured. “I am acquainted with few and my records are hardly up to date. We shall consult the magistrate and see what he has to say about this man called Avery.”
“You think he will know of him?”
“I should think so. I shall send word to him and inquire.”
Eva nodded though her expression was troubled somewhat. “Why do you do this for me, Lord de Grey? Why do you help me so?”
Grey looked from the window back to the lady and spoke earnestly, “Because your father was a good man, he deserved to have his heir take over what he prized rather than his foolhardy brother, and I will do all I can to prevent his name from becoming only as good as Lord Alexander’s.” Eva nodded, accepting such an answer for she herself felt the same passion she hoped was seen in the baron. Though she did wonder at his very apparent hatred for Lord Alex, which appeared to be so much greater than even her father’s and perhaps hers as well.
~ 15 ~
“Have this taken to the magistrate at once and await his reply,” Grey instructed Byrum whom he met in the corridor with a sealed envelope inquiring after the gentleman Avery, who it seemed was the only one that might be persuaded to provide the needed evidence against Lord Alex. Grey hoped that upon the discovery of Lady Eva’s captor, all would be revealed and perhaps in exchange for his own life the young man would tell all that was known to him, therefore alleviating Covingdell of the man whom they feared would promise Lady Eva’s destruction.
“At once, I shall have it sent, my lord.” Byrum took the letter in hand and disappeared into the maze of corridors. Grey turned and made his way down the stairs and through the halls in direction of the library. The corridor was dark and quiet, and only two chambermaids bowed as their master passed them on the way. Lady Eva had left his presence after growing rather weary, and Grey had instructed, per her request, that the physician see her no more as the lady insisted she was well on her way to mending. The baron knew that she was frightened by all who crossed her path and obliged her the favor of relieving at least one of her regular visitors. Mrs. Byrum, however, he knew he could not deter for the lady needed company whether the housekeeper knew of her identity or not.
Perhaps she will do as I encouraged and speak to the woman, Grey thought as he neared the library, though he doubted the poor girl comfortable enough to expose herself. The baron resumed his seat hoping to work through many business matters that he had yet to accomplish. Though he attempted to focus only on his work, his mind again wandered to thoughts of the Vastels and more particularly Lady Eva. Grey knew what it was to be caught within the strongholds of those so close in acquaintance with whom relationships had long been strained but could not be severed. He knew the burden that was born by those left with no choice but to be thrown about under a controlling hand and he resolved, if anything, to free the young woman from such a controller as Alexander Vastel and see the man’s ruin as he did, whether he be guilty or not.
Grey remained at his work and wandering thoughts undisturbed for some time before there was a knock on the library door. Not bothering to take his eyes from the papers before him, Grey called, “Come in.” A moment later Byrum entered, bowing to his master, “Lord Bondeville is here, my lord. He wishes to speak with you.”
Grey furrowed his eyebrows, looking up from his array of scattered papers. “Lord Bondeville? I spoke with him only yesterday, what can he want?”
“He said only for me to tell you that he is here, my lord.”
“I see.” Grey stood and moved around the desk. “Where have you put him?”
“He is in the front parlor, my lord.” Grey nodded, leaving the library to weave his way toward the parlor at the front of the house, a room intended for the entertainment of guests, though it was rarely in use. The only guest who ever came to Wynthall was Lord Bondeville himself, though it was un
like even him to show unexpectedly, which caused Grey to wonder at his coming.
The earl was not seated but standing before one of the uncovered windows, looking out at the rolling fields and moors when Grey entered and called a greeting. “Lord Bondeville, it is a pleasure to see you again so soon, sir.”
“And you as well, Grey.” Bondeville shook the young baron’s hand with a smile that lasted but a moment. “You’ve heard the news in regards to His Grace the Duke of Dawcaster?”
Grey nodded gravely. “I have. Lord Alex sent a messenger from Covingdell soon after his passing.”
“No doubt the same man who brought the news to me. It is a sad state of affairs.”
The baron nodded. “Indeed it is. His Grace was a good man.”
“The best of men. And if his death were not enough, they have yet to find Lady Eva and now the duke’s brother will have the title only to drag it and the honor of the Vastel name through the mire of every tavern and den of thieves to be seen in England.”
Grey moved passed the earl, his expression somewhat sore. “I should think that detail the manner of your visit, Bond. Am I wrong?”
Bondeville sighed. “You know how I feel about you assisting Lord Alex in the hunt.”
“Yes, and you know how I feel about it. I shall not help him, Bond, and not even you shall convince me to do so.”
“James, can you not see what will occur if the lady is not found? Alexander Vastel will no longer be of little importance, he will be a duke, the highest of nobility, he will have lands and estates and—”
“I am well aware of the privileges of the peerage, Bondeville,” Grey snapped irritably. “But I shall not aid him in finding a young girl who could no more rule over him then a mouse could a viper. Do you not see that so long as Lord Alex remains, there is no hope for the duchy whether he rules it or his niece does? Should she become the duchess suo jure, he will manipulate and control her as though he himself were the duke. She may as well live her own life elsewhere away from the man and have done with it.”
Wynthall Manor- The Wynthall Manor Trilogy Page 11