In the Shadows (The Blaisdell Chronicles) (20 page)

An apparition started to form through the foggy haze in my mind. At first, it was difficult to ascertain what it would be, but when I could see him wearing that familiar faded overcoat and his blue eyes, my hand reached out for him.

“Jonathan?”

No sooner had I spoke, did the image of him disappear. I sucked in my breath, when Lady Stark’s hollow laughter echoed inside my ears, so loud I thought my brain would shatter. Everything was black once again, until a bright light scorched its way through the void, bringing with it glimpses from the past. But these memories were not mine.

These French bastards are
persistent; I’ll give them that. They have not allowed me food or water since yesterday morning, but I refuse to confess my country’s secrets, no matter what happens. One of the French soldiers growls. He finds a knife and slices through my chest. My body screams in silent agony, and just as I begin to think nothing could hurt me anymore, the blade twists inside. I grit my teeth, trying desperately to keep my body taut to prevent myself from screaming. Just when I can feel darkness beginning to claim me, the large wooden door is forced open, and British soldiers come pouring inside. The French quickly surrender when they see they are outnumbered. As they are taken away, a man obviously in charge steps forward, his cheeks ruddy with exhaustion.

“It’s time to go home,” he says.

A few months later, I am back in England. The war is over, and for my role, the Prince Regent has rewarded me with title, wealth and a new ancestry home here on Avon Court Estate. I now have everything worthy of Lucia’s hand, but I block her face from my mind and pour myself another drink. I stare at the crimson liquid in the glass, to be reminded of the bloodshed on the battlefield. I am now regarded a hero. Many ladies are now interested in becoming acquainted with the new Viscount Avon, but I do not wish to know them. Since my return, I have kept myself inside my new home, drowning my sorrows in the vintage wine I’ve been spending all my money on. It’s not as if I need to keep it for my heir.

My butler, Grover, enters my study, taking the empty bottle away on his silver tray. Before he leaves, he offers a calling card, and I’m surprised to read the name on the front.
Slumping in my chair, I toss the card back on the tray. “Tell her I’m not receiving”. I can hear her argue with one of the maids outside, and as Grover steps outside, her voice becomes shrill. I can hear her booted feet rush into my study, but I do not turn to face her.

“I’m sorry sir,” says Grover. “But the lady just grabbed the wine off poor Nancy and barged in—”

With a resolute sigh, I dismiss Grover and hear the door close behind him.

She clears her throat delicately, but when I continue to ignore her, she groans loudly. “Jonathan, I demand that you speak to me!”

I turn around, giving her one of my coldest looks. Other ladies would be unnerved by such a look, but not her. Her honey blonde hair is piled high over her head, her lips are painted scarlet as usual and she is dressed in a pale rose pink gown, whilst a fox stole graces her shoulders. I am no longer a fool for her beauty.

“
To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Lady Stark?”

She takes slow steps forward, bottle of wine in her hand, as her eyes survey the room. “I am sure you won’t have heard about my husband, since you keep yourself locked in here. I thought you might like to know he’s dead.”

I shrug, although my sympathies are with Lord Stark. He had been enamoured by her beauty, unaware of what was lying beneath. Just like I had been.

She places the bottle on the side table.
“Do you have any idea what it was like lying in bed with him at night, his old, wrinkly hands touching me?”

“You married him.”

“Only because I’d hoped my sacrifice would later be rewarded.” Her voice becomes quieter. “But his death was taking too long, so I had to take matters into my own hands.” She rushes forward, falling on her knees at my side. “But he hasn’t left me a penny! Everything went to Stark’s brother, who’s now looking after the two daughters from his first marriage. Curse them! Please Jonathan. Won’t you assist me? Allow me some money and the protection of your name, for if you do not, the authorities will hang me.”

Her hands clasp together, her eyes frantic. “Remember how you used to pine for me? You were distraught when I’d married Lord Stark. But now, I shall make good on your offer.”

I rise abruptly, stiffening my posture. “There was no offer. It was just a silly young lad’s infatuation.”

“You don’t wish to marry? That’s fine
. I have no desire to have another husband anyway. But perhaps I could become your mistress?”

She stands up and removes her stole, revealing how low her décolletage really is.

I look away. “I have no desire to have a mistress.”

“Are you sure?” she purrs, leaning closer. “I can please you in many ways.”

I step away from her to stand by the fireplace. “You no longer move me, Lady Stark.”

I can hear the angry stomp of her feet. “Be reasonable, Jonathan! The authorities—”

“Will hear about this unless you leave.”

“There was a time you would have done anything—“

Her voice lowers, but there is no denying her surprise. “My God. You still love that dead girl?”

My hands are shaking so much, I can feel my temper rising. I try to regain my cool, but Lady
Stark dares to come closer. Now she’s angry. “How can you favour that little wretch?”

My patience is flagging and I move away, but Lady
Stark boldly follows, and leans on tiptoe, pursing her lips, speaking in a silky voice.

“
Perhaps I can change your mind?”

I shove her
away from me. She stumbles backwards, falling into the chair. Leaping to her feet, her boots sounding loudly on the wooden floor, she shouts bitterly, “Go to hell!”

She tries to slap my face, but my hand catches her wrist before impact. “You think I’m not already there
?!”

Before she can react, I march her to the door. Just as I release her, she abruptly turns, a cold expression masking her features. “You’ll never find happiness with her. I’m going to make certain of it.”

I frown at her in confusion. My love is already dead, so why is she cursing us? Perhaps she just wishes to make me furious. “Get out of here, Eleanor!”

Relief seeps through me when she heads for the main door. But before she leaves, she calls over her shoulder. “Don’t think this is over. It’s only the beginning.”

I return to my study and immediately see the wine on the table. I march over and pour a glass, sinking back into the chair, staring morosely at the fire. I’ve thought I’ve buried her in my heart along with the drink, but now I’m thinking of her again. My heart wrenches and I take a long drink. Suddenly, it is difficult to breathe. I collapse to the floor, dropping the glass and it smashes. My eyes find the label on the bottle of wine I’ve just opened, just as my pulse weakens.

‘See you in the next life.’

My eyes flickered wide open, and I jumped up, struggling to control my frantic breathing. For a moment, I thought I was dead. And then a dull, throbbing pain at the back of my neck caught my attention and I looked around, but everything was black.

“Lucy?”

Had someone said my name? My hands reached for the source of the pain, partly wishing I’d remained unconscious. Slowly, I began to recall the events leading to my sore head, although I had no idea why I couldn’t see anything. Dust assaulted my nostrils, as I fought back the urge to cough, unsure I should be making myself known. But I couldn’t stay like this forever. My eyes became adjusted to the darkness, and I was now able to make out the eerie shadows stretching from hidden objects surrounding me. Only a thin stream of moonlight shining through a window separated itself from the darkness. I shivered, and when I rubbed my arms, noticed that I was touching bare skin. Blinking in the wan light, I knew why I was chilly. My t-shirt and jeans were gone and I was wearing a very thin white dress. My skin tingled with unease, realising Alex or
Ellen, or perhaps both, had been undressing me whilst I was unconscious.

“Lucy, is that you? Answer me!”

I turned in the direction of where the voice was coming from, freezing when I saw the moonlight reveal a leather shoe in the corner that wasn’t my own.

“Lucy!”

I shook free from my shock, as the realisation sank in.

“Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”

I tried to focus where Roger was concealed, slowly being able to make out his stocky figure silhouetted against the now greyish coloured wall.

“I’ll live,” I huffed in response. “What happened to you?”

“That Ellen turned up at your house looking for you not long after you’d left. She had a friend with her, a guy. They demanded to know where you were, but I was so angry at her lies, I did something I’d sworn I’d never do again.”

Roger allowed a few moments to pass before pressing on. “Your mother was innocent when I’d hit her. But this
bitch
wasn’t. So I lost it. The woman was certainly feisty, but it was her friend who managed to stop me.” His hand reached for his jaw. “The next thing I knew was waking up here.”

I leaned against the cold wall behind, staring at the light at the window, dreaming of escape. I returned my gaze to Roger, and remembered
Briggstow’s actions. I wanted to hate him again, but I just couldn’t manage it. Besides, if I were ever to get out of here, we’d have to work together. I moved around the room, bumping into boxes I hadn’t realised were there. My hand touched the objects inside and when I held it up to the light and saw the portrait of Viscount Avon, I knew we were in Lucia’s bedroom.
My
bedroom, whilst I was wearing this ridiculous gown. Two hundred years ago I was meant to marry the Earl of Sulis, and today he was planning it again.

Lady
Stark had promised they’d meet again, but it was all through spite and jealousy. Being separated from Nathan only heightened my worst fears. Ellen really wanted to make him suffer.

A tear filled in my eye, but I shook it off. I couldn’t let anything happen to him, especially after I’d been given this second chance to have him in my life.

“We have to get out of here,” I said, running to the door, but it was locked.

I felt for my pins, but my hair was loose and none were there. Damn it! Roger stood and tried using his weight to break the door down, but he wasn’t strong enough. My gaze flickered to the tall window, partially hidden by the boxes. I moved them aside, and noticed they were still glass doors leading to the balcony, now long gone. I tried the handle and struggled with it. Roger came from behind, put his arm over my shoulder and broke through the glass with his fist. He slipped his hand through and opened the door from the outside. A soft breeze sifted, pulling me in the direction of the nearby woods, the same woods Alex had taken me to for the picnic. I closed my eyes and could feel the energy building as I tried to picture Nathan. What I saw resembled a distorted picture, but I knew it was his figure I saw tied to the tree.

My heart had chosen its path. Now was the time to follow it.

Using the same tree Jonathan had, I reached out to the nearest branch and stepped across.

Alarm rang in Roger’s voice. “What are you doing? You’ll fall and break your neck.”

“I’ll be fine. I have to find Nathan,” I replied, as I started lowering myself down.

“But I’ve just got you back. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

It had taken longer than I’d have hoped, but I was thankful when my feet met the solid ground. I looked back up for
Roger, grateful to see he had followed. But when he landed, he groaned loudly. “Bloody ankle!” He tried to stand, but kept stumbling backwards, cursing under his breath. “I don’t think it’s broken, just twisted,” he grumbled.

The breeze blew quicker, sending strands of hair over my face. I didn’t have much time.

“I have to go.”

Roger called out. “Wait!”

“I can’t leave him. Don’t worry. I’ll be back, Dad.”

Before he could acknowledge what I’d said, I headed for the woods.

Staying in the shadows, I peered around a wide, old oak tree. Alex’s back was to Ellen in a clearing, a small fire blazing between them.

Ellen
spun around. “You know. I’ve tried to do this as smoothly as possible. I thought I could earn her trust, but Nathan’s interference and her returned memories haven’t helped. Since then, our tactics have had to change.”

Alex’s face crumpled, as it disappeared into his hands. “I just want her to love me. That’s all.”

“It would have been possible, but we’d have needed her consent…”

“I wanted her to look on me as she did him. Her love had to be
genuine
.”

Ellen
groaned, stomping back to the fire, and crouched to throw a handful of gravel over the flames, making them hiss in response. From the side, the orange glow made her features harden in appearance. I fought a constriction in my throat, trying to concentrate on scanning the area for Nathan, but the spite in her voice made me pause.

“I don’t understand why all you men want her. If only she’d have married you instead of having that liaison with your brother.”
Ellen stared into the flames. “It will be harder to claim your bride now.”

“Why?”

Ellen abruptly rose. “I’ve noticed some things about Lucy. She’s not the same girl anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“The times I tried using my rune stones to predict her future. I’d hoped to scare her, but something kept blocking my visions.”

“Perhaps you’re losing your touch.”

“I most certainly am not! It’s her! She must be doing something, although I don’t know if she’s even aware of it.”

I’d had e
nough of this. I still had to find Nathan. As if to answer my silent question, Alex rose and moved towards a tree, where a tall figure was propped against it. Battered and bruised, his head hung low, hands tied behind the back of the tree. There, he sat, not moving an inch. I yearned for a sign that he was alive.

A fine breeze echoed through the trees, as the dark clouds overhead started to rumble. Alex slumped down in front of the
fire, running hands through his dishevelled hair, making it look for a moment like he had horns. I crept forward and behind Nathan, who didn’t acknowledge my presence. The wounds were less threatening that I had feared, but I hated seeing him so still. Gently, my fingers reached for his face. His eyes slowly opened, blinking in confusion.

“My heart’s desire. I’m sorry I didn’t save you,” he whispered. “But I’m glad I’m dead, for I get to see you again,
my darling Lucia.”

Perhaps the beatings from
Ellen had scrambled his senses. “I’m Lucy, not Lucia,” I replied, hastily going around the back of the tree to untie him.

“
Luc
y
?
”
I heard him say.

“And we’re not dead, but we soon will be if you don’t snap out of it.”

I must have spoken louder than I’d wished. When one stretched black shadow filled Nathan’s tree, I knew I’d given the game away.

“Well, if it isn’t my intended. Do you like the gown I chose for you?”

I slowly stood, not quite able to meet Alex’s gaze.

Suddenly, Alex yanked me into his hold. I didn’t know if I was more scared of his roaming hands or the Swiss Army knife he suddenly flicked from his pocket.

Nathan made a low, guttural sound from the back of his throat that almost sounded like a growl.

“I’d stay back, if I were you,” Alex warned, pressing the cold steel against my cheek. “One false move and Lucy will be wearing more scars than she was born with.”

“Damn you, Alex. If you harm her, I’ll kill you with my bare hands!”

Alex tightened his hold around my body, his fingers digging into my ribs. “I’ve waited two hundred years for her. And now, she’s mine.”

Nathan’s voice became flat. “I won’t let her go so easily.”

“But you
wil
l
let us escape together. You’ve taken everything else from me. You owe me that much.”

“Very well. You can have the money. I don’t want it. But release Lucy. I cannot allow you to ruin her life.”

Alex tilted his head back and laughed. “
Me ruin her life?
I’m not the one who turns into a beast when he closes his eyes!”

Nathan ignored the jibe. “Then let us settle this once and for all.”

“Suits me fine.”

“Don’t go anywhere,
baby,” Alex said into my ear. “This won’t take long.”

I ignored his arrogance and came forward. “Don’t let this end in violence. You’re related. You should have an understanding—”

“
Understanding
?” Alex’s brown eyes had darkened abruptly. “My mother had to go through this, twice! Not long after they separated, she turned from me, since I only reminded her of my father. You should know how that feels, Lucy, since Lord Briggstow turned from Lucia after his wife’s death. Or am I speaking with Lucia now?”

My throat convulsed as he said her name. I could feel the return of that same energy beginning to spark inside.

Lucia?

He used my brief distraction to his advantage, lunging at Nathan. I tried to step in between, but Nathan pushed me out of the way. “No, Lucy!”

Almost simultaneously, the heavens opened and rain began to fall. I gasped when Nathan’s head snapped back against the bark of the tree behind him and Alex pulled his fist back, ready to strike, but Nathan ducked and swung a roundhouse punch, knocking Alex’s head to the side. He quickly recovered, grabbing Nathan’s backhander and kneed him in the chest, hurling him into the ground inches from the flames.

Knowing I had to do something, I ran forward, only to be pulled back again into someone’s arms. I glanced around and saw
Ellen.

“Surrender, Jonathan! I have
Lucia!” she shouted, proudly.

I struggled in her hold, but she hissed in my ear. “Stop that this instant!”

Nathan’s attention quickly reverted to Ellen, and as he shoved Alex aside and sprang to his feet, I suddenly felt something cold and sharp pressing into my neck.

“Don’t move or I’ll gut her like a fish!” she spat.

The icy blade nicking into my skin made me freeze. I tried not to show my fear, but the bitter scent of my own blood only reminded me of something I’d buried deep with my memory a long time ago.

Ellen
leaned her face against mine. “Remembering yet?”

Fat raindrops slid over my cheeks, as I closed my eyes, feeling my skin tingle with unease.

I sit, staring morosely at the closed wooden door, dreading the moment it will open and I’ll be led to my funeral. Bessie enters my chambers, but I barely acknowledge her. She moans something about how cold the weather is recently, but I don’t answer her. When she crosses my line of sight to light the fire, she turns back, seeing me, and sighs heavily, crouching before me. She begins rubbing my bare arms, her touch warm against my chilled skin.

“My lady, why aren’t you wearing your housecoat? You will catch fever unless you make yourself warm. How long have you been sitting here in your shift?”

Bessie rises, mentions something about chocolate and leaves again. A warm cup of chocolate usually delights me, but I’m in no mood for such a treat. 

There is a knock at the door. Two footmen enter the room, bringing in an assortment of gifts in various shapes and sizes, placing them on the table. When they are gone, my eyes graze over the brightly coloured ribbons elegantly wrapped around the boxes. Some are in small trinket boxes, and I assume they are precious jewels of some sort. The labels are from various family friends. Lord and Lady
Vectis, the Duke and Duchess of Londinium and even the Earl of Kernow, the memory of his over-eagerness at the ball now just a vague illusion I push aside. I move along, keeping myself as numb as possible. If I cave in to my need to cry, I fear I’ll never be able to stop. I accidentally bump into the corner of the table, and see something drop by my feet. I lift up the item, a wooden, jewel-encrusted box, slightly longer than the span of my hand. A label attached to the velvet with gold trim ribbon confirms the gift is for the Earl of Sulis from my father, but something inside tells me it’s meant for me.

Hastily, I remove the ribbon wrapped around it and slide off the lid. My fingers graze over the familiar jewel-encrusted knife that belongs to my father. I hold it upright by the hilt, turning it around, its gleaming, shiny metal reflecting from fire in the hearth. I touch the tip with my finger, and curse when fresh blood drips to the floor.

Keeping the blade at my side, I walk to the window, pressing my fingers against the pane, making the blood smear the glass. I look past my reflection, and see the grey clouds gathering. The wind picks up, pushing the flowers along the lawn to one side.

The tears well in my eyes, and I blink, placing my hand on the mirror. Warm tears flood my cheeks, and I am unable to mask my sorrow anymore. Never again will he hold me in his arms, warming me with his words of comfort. Never again will he kiss me, each time causing me to hope he’ll finally make me complete. Without Jonathan, I am nothing…

I can feel the blade still within my hand. Soon, Bessie will be back, and the maids will return to prepare me for my wedding. Death is my salvation.

A knock at the door sounds, just as I swipe the blade across my neck. I gasp for air, and find myself looking up at the ceiling, the painted cherubs staring back at me, until shocked faces appear, blocking the view. They scream and panic, as one uses her apron to try to stop the blood. Another disappears, and then one cherub with large brown eyes is crying, her hands fumbling over me. She says something, but her words are jumbled. Breathing isn’t so easy, but as they fight to save me, I sense the end is near.

My body feels lighter, darkness enveloping my vision. Warmth diminishes the pain. A smile tugs at my cheeks. No one can hurt me anymore. Soon, I’ll be at peace.

“Jonathan...” I barely whisper, an
d then everything becomes black.