Realm 02 - A Touch of Velvet (32 page)

“Please return to your seats.” Ella accepted a belated curtsy from Velvet’s sister. “How might I serve you?”

Wellston took the lead. “The fact that you did not ask immediately why Miss Cashémere and I traveled together tells me that you are aware of our situation, Lady Worthing.”

“I am, Lord Yardley.”

Cashé interrupted, “Then my uncle is at Linton Park? Or my sister? I insist that you tell my uncle I have arrived; I will see him immediately.” Her demanding, often accusatory, attitude, obviously, irritated and embarrassed Wellston, as the earl frowned openly.

“I am afraid I have seen neither since His Lordship and I took our leave of your family in London.” Ella poured them both some tea and waited for the next order from Velvet’s sister.

“That is impossible,” Cashé accused. “We trailed my uncle to Derbyshire.”.

Ella smiled indulgently at the older of the Averette twins. “I did not say Lord Averette had not come to the neighborhood; I simply said your uncle did not call at Linton Park.”

“Go on, Lady Worthing,” Wellston overrode any objections Cashé planned to make.

For the next ten minutes, Ella explained how Lawrence Lowery had come on behalf of Lord Averette, bringing Samuel Aldridge’s accusations to address to her husband. She explained how Bran had rushed to Linworth, seeking Lord Worthing’s assistance in rescuing Velvet, and how their problems doubled when Sir Carter had tracked Bran to Derbyshire to bring news of Sonali’s kidnapping. Finally, Ella explained how the men separated to stage dual rescues.

“And my uncle?” Cashé asked, a bit of sarcasm still found in her tone.

“It is my understanding Lord Averette continues his search. Lord Hellsman has accompanied Viscount Averette to London.” Ella noted Yardley’s raised eyebrow at the mention of Carter Lowery’s older brother, but neither vocalized their thoughts.

“So, did you tell Uncle Samuel that Velvet has likely been kidnapped by the duke’s former enemy?” The girl’s accusations continued.

“As Viscount Averette never presented himself at Linton Park, it was impossible to dissuade him from his misconceptions.” Ella smiled deviously.

After an awkward pause, Lord Yardley asked, “Shall you continue to seek your uncle, Miss Cashémere? It appears that Lord Averette will find nothing in London or Kent to satisfy his anger.” He and Ella exchanged knowing glances.

Cashé paused, apparently, analyzing what he said. “It appears more prudent to chase after His Grace and Viscount Lexford. Besides Satiné is in Manchester.”

“Satiné?” He asked curiously.

“My twin . . . the Fowlers took in Velvet when our parents died. I stayed with Uncle Samuel, but Satiné stayed with my mother’s brother Baron Ashton of Chesterfield Manor.”

“I had forgotten about Satiné being in Manchester,” Ella noted. “I am certain Bran will not remember. When did you last see Satiné?”

“Nearly three years ago,” the girl whispered.

Wellston began to create a strategy. “How long has His Grace been in Cheshire?”

“Since yesterday evening.”

Wellston thought aloud, “I am certain he and Lexford are in Liverpool by now. I doubt if Jamot has arrived. Maybe later today. We pressed to arrive at Linton Park as quickly as we did. Jamot had to travel through rougher terrain than did we. Plus, I know Northumberland well enough to take time-saving back roads.”

“We shall leave for Cheshire this afternoon, my Lord?”

The earl and Ella both turned incredulously towards Cashémere. “You wish me to continue to serve as your escort?” he asked in disbelief.

“Well, Uncle Samuel would not approve; yet, we have traveled this far together, and as long as I have my maid Edana with me, it will have to do,” the girl reasoned. “Uncle Samuel does not approve of how Lady Worthing conducted her life prior to coming to Linton Park.” Ella blustered, but the girl continued. “Even her aiding Lady Amsteadt in the delivery of the woman’s child is not acceptable for a woman of refined society, no matter how admirable the act might have been. My uncle would not agree with my staying under my cousin’s roof, so it is best if I continue to seek my sister.”

“You are quite misleared, Miss Cashé,” Wellston remarked to cease her prattle.

“Rude, my Lord? Or honest? It is a matter of perspective.”

He retorted, “From my perspective, rudeness is a long way from truthfulness. Previously, you have accepted the hospitality of Lady Worthing and her brother, and then you repeat hurtful words spoken about their family.”

Cashé flushed from his obvious censure. “I apologize Eleanor; you are my cousin, and my family is thankful for your family’s care of my sister; yet, things were quite different within our households.” She actually snarled her nose, as if in distaste.

“As I would not judge you, I would wish that you might offer me the same. Do not forget that the Good Book says, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone.’” Ella busied herself with the tea service to control her growing anger.

The girl looked offended that someone might disregard her opinion. “Such misapplication of the scripture will not silence me or my opposition to depravity. Besides, what might be said of censure for Uncle Samuel’s family?”

Ella stood suddenly, unable to not address the girl’s naiveté. “As Peter warned when referring to Paul’s letters,” she could repeat Biblical verses as well as the Averettes, “in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught or unstable twist to their own destruction as they do also the rest of the scriptures.” Eleanor took a steadying breath. “Cashé, you make everything black or white. You would like to know what I might criticize. How about the fact that your uncle thinks it acceptable to permit a woman and a child die simply to keep the lines of propriety? Or how about the fact that you have not seen your twin for nearly three years, and until recently, not Velvet for over two years? How about the fact that not once did your righteous Uncle Samuel send one quid of support for Velvet’s upbringing? I imagine it is so for Satiné, as well. I know this to be a fact for the past six years because as my father became more incoherent, the estate ledgers became my duty. How about the fact that when Velvet came of age, no one in your family acknowledged it with an appropriate dowry? Again, it was that
depraved
man known as my father who bequeathed her a dowry of thirteen thousand pounds. But even more importantly, it was my family who saw to Velvet’s education, who tended her when she was ill, who nourished her hopes and her dreams. You may be Velvet’s sister by blood, but I am her sister in life. Despite my
depravity
and my ill breeding, my family gave Velvet a home when your righteous grandmother and Uncle Samuel did not.” She gave Lord Yardley a quick curtsy. “Your Lordship, I will see to your and Miss Cashé’s carriage. I assume that you will be a gentleman and will accompany her west.”

“Unfortunately, Lady Worthing, my parents raised a gentleman.” Even the earl refused to look at Cashémere Aldridge.

“And the world is a better place for it, my Lord.” Ella could not stop herself from rolling her eyes in disbelief. “Tell my brother that I pray for the speedy and safe return of each of you.”

“Yes...certainly, Lady Worthing.”

*

“Where is my Papa?” Sonali whined. “You said that when we arrived at the old house, Papa would come for me.” She huddled on her bed, the blankets wrapped around her. “I do not want to be here without Papa.” Surprisingly, her voice did not tremble in fear.

The man did not answer at first. He lit the candles to take away the darkness. “Your Papa will come. He cannot be more than a half day’s journey behind us,” he said, at last. “I will find you something to eat.”

“Is Mrs. Carruthers well? You left her lying on the ground,” she accused.

“The lady will survive. She just has a bad bump on her head.” He moved to unlock the door. “Your caretaker fought well in defending you.”

“Must you lock the door? My Papa never locked the door when we lived here.”

“I am afraid your Papa’s rules do not apply to me.” He opened the door, left, and locked it from the outside.

Sonali looked about the familiar room. At least, she knew this place–better than being locked in the box under the coach’s seat. She had decided that she would remain brave until her Papa came after her. Papa was her knight–her prince–and she would be the brave princess fighting off the ogre and the black knight. It was a lesson she had learned from Cousin Velvet–how to be brave. Sonali curled up on the bed and closed her eyes. When she did so, none of the bad things existed. She wore a pretty gown and danced with her father. He lifted her into his arms and held her to him; everything was perfect when she closed her eyes.

*

“We will leave the carriage behind my warehouse,” Jamot told her as Velvet rocked precariously back and forth on the seat. She had fallen from the bench more than once over the past week. She did not even open her eyes to look at the man who had entertained himself with her misery. With her eyes closed, she could picture Bran’s face. Although she doubted in real life that he searched for her, in her dreams, Bran remained her ferocious prince. “Soon we will know if your duke comes for you.” As the carriage came to a complete stop, he pushed her to a seated position. “Once I have you in the back room, I will release some of your bonds. Would you like that?” With a gag in her mouth, Velvet knew he did not require a response.

As usual, the man simply lifted her from the coach. He allowed no one else near her. She had even noted that when he had ordered the coach to stop for her personal needs, the driver climbed down and took a short walk himself. She had never seen the man, and more importantly, he had never seen her. No one knew this dark-skinned man had transported her in his coach.

Entering the warehouse through the back door, she duck-walked the line’s length of crates towards a staircase. The man periodically shoved her in that direction. To her dismay, no one else moved about the building, which was the size of a large barn or stable. She had hoped to make contact with someone once they arrived, but now Velvet felt her situation’s pure loneliness. Only she and this man knew she was here. As she began to maneuver the steps in a tittering board pattern of ropes let out one way so she could lift her leg to the next step and out another way for her trailing foot to follow, Velvet shivered, instinctively feeling fear for the first time.

“This will take forever!” Irritation laced his words. Unceremoniously, the man threw her over his shoulder, like an old blanket and carried her to the darkened room. Throwing her onto a makeshift bed, he yanked the gag from her mouth.

“As no one can hear you even if you scream your pretty head off, taking this away will do no harm.” He fastened her bonds to a support post in the room’s middle. “If you take it slowly and not tangle up the ropes, you should be able to move about some. That should help your color; you have gotten very pale over the last few days.” He finished the connection to the post. “I will bring you food and a chamber pot later. Will you be well until then?”

Velvet forced moisture into her mouth. “Yes, thank you.”

Uncharacteristically, the man caressed her cheek. Things had changed, and Velvet did not like it. Tied up in the carriage, she had known what to expect, but the total isolation she had felt since entering this warehouse frightened her. “Did I mention I once wanted His Grace’s wife for my own?” he whispered close to her ear.

“Ashmita?” The word slipped from her mouth.

“Your duke must prefer women with black hair,” he remarked as he strolled to the door. Pausing to look at Velvet, he added, “So do I.”

*

“Are you sure, Simms, that this tunnel goes under the house?” Kerrington asked.

The man, whose hair had grayed at the temples and whose face held lines from too much sun and too much wind, but whose body still held a physical litheness that spoke of strength, nodded. “Aye, Sir, it does. I followed it to the cellar myself only yesterday, before the man you watch arrived. Once in, you must make your way through a maze of rooms to the far end of the house, but narrow stairs will take you to the servants’ quarters.” They were nearly a quarter mile from Bran’s old house. “Lots of houses around here have tunnels–too much history of smuggling.”

“How many men surround the house?” Kerrington continued to confirm the details.

Whittington loaded his gun. “Ten.”

“Can you deal with them?” Kerrington required assurance.

“There is only ten.” Lowery recognized Worthing’s need to control all the odds; it was why they had chosen him as their leader all those years ago. “Come on, Captain, we can do this. We will take them out one at a time–reduce the odds before the chaos starts.”

Kerrington checked his own weapon. “Give me twenty minutes to work my way there and to find Sonali.”

“We will give you thirty. There are some narrow twists and turns that a man of your size will require a few extra minutes to traverse,” Simms shared; a gleam of excitement sparkled in his eyes.

Kerrington checked his watch. “Be wary, Gentlemen.” With that, he disappeared into the opening behind the waterfall.

*

“Yes, Sir.”

Marcus Wellston called on Chesterfield Manor. “The Earl of Berwick and Miss Cashémere Aldridge to speak to Baron Ashton.”