Chapter Three #2
The sprawling manor consisted of two levels and then a third-level attic space that at one time would have housed servants.
Brown vines crept up the weathered stone walls and into the cracks where the stone crumbled away.
Perhaps in the summer, when the vines were green and full, they hid the crevices and faults in the masonry.
Capell Manor boasted several glass windows, and those on the main floors were clean and clear, but those on the third were covered with grime, and one was broken.
Then his gaze panned left and right, and he assessed Edmond’s lands. The fields were level to rolling, and a forest of hardwoods bordered the estate to the north. There was potential here for a prosperous estate. If he needed money, why had Edmond never cultivated the land?
A well-worn path led to the stable. Young Ridley wrestled a large saddle off Alden’s horse.
Alden stepped up to help the boy, but he muttered, “I’ve got it.” And just as he appeared to topple with the weight of the gear, he righted himself and dragged the saddle over to a rack, placing it there. He returned to the horse and began brushing its white hide with a soft brush.
“The boy has a way with the horses,” Alden said as Devlin approached.
“Young Ridley seems to be a hard worker,” Devlin acknowledged. “But grooming doesn’t prove he’s a good horseman.”
Alden shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But that demon of a horse of yours enjoyed a good groom and several treats just before you walked up.”
Devlin stared in disbelief at his friend, but he didn’t come out to speak about Ridley or horses for that matter. “Tell me. Did you find anything useful?” he questioned with a clipped tone.
“Not much,” Alden replied.
Devlin’s eyes narrowed, his mouth set into a line. His jaw flexed.
“I questioned every farmer that worked lands within an hour’s ride from the manor. There weren’t many,” he noted.
“None of them had anything good to say about Edmond. One was even so bold as to tell me to check the nearest brothel or even the pits of hell, and that’s where we would find him. But none had seen him or offered up any useful information.”
Devlin emitted a long, frustrated sigh.
“Except for one.” Devlin’s interest was piqued again.
“One man, who lives directly east of here, said that Lord Edmond’s mount was found outside his cottage, quietly eating hay the morning after he supposedly went missing.”
“Did he see any signs of Edmond?” Devlin asked.
“He said he fetched his son from his bed and told him to take the horse back to the manor house immediately and inform Lady Rosalind of finding the horse the way they did—saddled but no rider.”
Devlin’s temper flared. No one mentioned that Edmond’s horse was found, saddled, the day after his disappearance.
“He then jumped on his old nag and went looking for Edmond. He figured he’d gotten drunk and taken a fall from his horse.
He said he rode for nearly an hour, but there was no sign of him.
“But here is something strange.” Alden paused.
“When the son returned the horse to the manor, he was met by Benton at the servant’s entrance.
The boy told him that he had an important message concerning Lord Edmond for the lady. ”
“There’s nothing odd about that,” scoffed Devlin. “For your sake, I hope there is more to this telling than you’ve disclosed so far, friend.”
Alden gave a slight nod of agreement and continued.
“I found out that Benton, yes, the ancient relic of a manservant, told the boy that he would hear his message and that Lady Rosalind was not to be told or bothered as she might find the news upsetting. The farmer said his son was intimidated by the normally mild-mannered servant’s tone.
So, the boy told Benton about the horse he had put in the stables, and he left. ”
Devlin thought for a moment, and he wondered why Benton was withholding information from his lady. It seemed improbable that the old man had something to do with the disappearance, but he wasn’t going to rule the possibility out.
“Interesting…” muttered Devlin, but he didn’t elaborate on his thoughts.
“What about you? Did you uncover anything in your interviews this morning?” Alden inquired.
“Nothing of real substance. I’ve only spoken to the children.
But I learned that Lady Rosalind and Lord Edmond had an argument, and Edmond struck his niece across the table.
And that Edmond often behaved that way. Ridley and the girls often hid in a secret location until Edmond passed out and it was safe to exit again. ”
Alden shook his head in disgust. “Lord Edmond sounds like a real gentleman.”
Devlin watched as the boy eased his head out of the stall and eavesdropped on the men’s conversation, a pitchfork still in his hand.
“You have something to add, boy?” Devlin called out. “Did you know about the horse being found and returned the day after Edmond left the manor?”
Ridley slipped back into the stall as if he didn’t hear the question, so Devlin and Alden walked over to the door and peered between the wooden slats.
“Answer my question, Ridley,” Devlin commanded.
Ridley stopped his work, turned to the men, “Yes, I did. But not until later that evening. I overheard Benton tell Lady Rosalind.”
“And what was the lady’s reaction to that news?” Alden asked.
“I wasn’t able to hear all of what she said. But she wondered if he was attacked by a highwayman. Something like that.”
“And that’s all you heard?” Devlin pressed further.
Ridley nodded, and as he left the stall, he replied, “Yes, that’s all I heard. Now, I must finish here. Marta gets quite cross if I spend too much time with the horses, and I still have work to do.”
“‘Ey! Mr. Dandy! Where’s the hound?”
Devlin gave Alden a questioning glance. “Did you bring Grim back with you from the fields?”
“I did. He went to your horse’s stall as he usually does. I’ll take a look around and see if I can find him. Probably ventured out and found a rabbit to chase.”
“See that you find him,” Devlin commanded. “Ridley, come with me. We will look on our way back to the house.”
They both scanned the lands to each side of them. After only a moment, Marta screamed, along with the sound of a loud crash coming from the kitchen. Sir Devlin and Ridley sprinted to the door and leaped inside.
“What is it, woman?” Devlin asked quickly.
A large goose stuffed for the evening meal lay on the floor, and potatoes, parsnips, and carrots were strewn across the kitchen.
Marta’s hands shook, but he quickly realized she was more angry than frightened.
“Who let that devil dog of yours out of the stable?!” she yelled. “Look at our dinner!” She pointed at the floor.
Marta then grabbed a large iron pan from a hook hanging from the ceiling and shook it in the air. Devlin was impressed, and a bit frightened himself. That pan must have weighed as much as a small child, but she swung it easily.
“Where did he go?” she bellowed fiercely, and she started in the direction of where the dog ran. “I’ll teach him, I will!”
Devlin ran after Marta, her bum leg not troubling her a bit now, he observed. Ridley was not far behind. But when they reached the great hall, the scene that met them brought them all to a standstill.
Grim, the fierce, warrior dog who fought alongside his master, the dog that shredded the arms and legs of many men, and struck fear in all who saw him with Sir Devlin, was approaching Rosalind and the children.
Devlin’s heart jumped in his throat. Grim had never met a child. He never allowed anyone to touch him except for Devlin and sometimes Alden. The dog trusted no one.
Lady Rosalind sat in her chair with her mending but had heard the commotion in the kitchen. She looked toward Devlin and Marta, and then her gaze traveled to the side of the room where she saw the large black dog walking, or perhaps stalking, in her direction.
“Don’t move, Rosalind. Children, for God’s sake, just sit still. I will get the dog.”
Alden appeared next to Devlin and gasped.
“Alden, ready your sword,” Devlin said with a catch in his voice.
Rosalind looked at them all like each of them had grown an extra head. “Why do you all look so frightened?” she asked innocently.
By this time, Grim had sauntered over to Rosalind’s chair.
The dog didn’t appear to be bristling or showing signs of aggression, but still, Devlin stood frozen.
He didn’t want to make any sudden movements.
Grim’s massive head almost held level with Rosalind’s face.
She placed her mending in her lap and focused her attention on the massive beast now standing next to her chair.
“Aren’t you magnificent?”
Grim’s ears flicked forward, and his yellow eyes fixed on Rosalind.
Rosalind’s hand reached out.