Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
T he memory of the colour burned into my mind long into the next day.
The shade haunting me every time I looked down at the red scar as I dressed for the day. The shade was only slightly lighter than the rose I had seen last night. Was it pink I had seen?
The sun was now high in the sky as I pulled on my corset ties. Hissing as I pulled them tighter than necessary. Desperate to hide the peppered marks Maaier had left across my skin before he led me back inside for the night.
It took an age to find a dress to cover my skin that wasn't my usual black one now hung out to dry after being washed. Peeling each piece out of the wardrobe with a hissed curse to Maaier and his lineage. I selected a high necked light grey gown and left the room.
A chill rolled through me. The tall oak trees bent in the wind. Another storm drawing near. Grey clouds drawing near in the distance.
My name sounded from down the hall. A screech followed not long after. Lifting my skirts, I rushed toward them.
The library doors were swung wide open as Arthur hurried from the room.
“Vespera.” He gasped, breathless from whatever was happening behind him.
“What is happening?” I stepped forward only to be halted by Arthur’s risen palm.
“Go back up the stairs,” He said softly. I craned my neck to the sound of sobbing in the library.
“Now!” Arthur barked. Walking backwards, my gaze remained on the room. The scent of cedar drew stronger. Warmth covered my back as I met his front.
“Come with me.” Maaier ordered softly.
An angry snarl covered my face. “Do not touch me.” I barked. I was so sick of men telling me what to do in my own home. Do not go out alone, Vespera. Don’t do this, Vespera. Oh no, don’t even think of doing that, Vespera. It was enough to drive anyone mad. No wonder Dorian hated authority so passionately.
Maaier gripped my bicep. Hauling me back with him. I tried again and again to pull my arm free. Even going as far as to try and pry his fingers with my free hand.
He led me out to the back garden, still holding me against him. Silent as the wind howled around us. The woman screamed once again. Pain filled howls sending a wave of guilt over me. Why was I not allowed to help her?
I turned my head only to be stopped by Maaier’s hand gripping my face with a gloved hand. Squeezing my cheeks hard. His hard dark eyes met mine, a silent warning brewing in their expanse. My heart raced in my chest. But not because he was touching me. I loathed that. What I was more concerned with was the commotion now taking place in the hall.
“Ghosts,” Maaier murmured. I blanched at the word. The warmth drained from my skin. I choked out a simple what.
Maaier’s gaze softened. “They’re escorting one of your grandmother's maids away. She’s being tried for the murder of her husband. Says the ghosts told her to do it.”
My stomach flipped. My heart plummeted. Please for the love of god don’t let it be Rosemary.
“It’s not your friend.” I relaxed at his soft spoken words, as if he read the expression on my face. The air coming back into my lungs.
Maaier raked his gaze over my form. My long hair hung in tangled waves. His grip dropped before leading me to a chair. I watched in silence as he removed a tie from his hair. “They won’t let you back inside until she is gone. The police are on their way.”
Maaier stood behind me. Pulling my head back to look up at him. I studied him silently. His hair brushing his shoulders. Dark eyes shining with mischief.
I gulped. Knowing the last time I saw that glint I was burned all over. Maaier’s gaze tracked my throat. Watching silently as my lips parted. A million questions ready on my tongue only to fall silent as he lowered himself to my ear.
“Did you read the book in its entirety?” He asked, his voice low. I froze. Trying my hardest to remain neutral.
“What book?”
Maaier grinned before rising above me once more. His hands wove into my hair, tilting so I looked toward the greenhouse.
“The one I gifted you.”
I almost sighed with relief.
“Not yet.” It’s not totally a lie. I had read a page before my mind wandered to the strange book. Maaier hummed before moving his hands through my hair. Fingers moving in time as he braided it back. He twisted the length into a knot. Sliding something in to hold it in place. The smallest hint of rose hit my nose.
The sound of horses drew near. Maaier moved to stand before me. His hard stare looking through the windows at the arrest.
“Don’t watch.” He ordered as I shifted in my seat. I trained my focus on the forest in front of me. Chewing the inside of my cheek to keep from retorting. The tall bare trees swaying in the gathering wind. The familiar creak of the front doors crashing open sounded. The branches swayed once more as if drawing my attention.
Maaier stood beside me. Still more focused on the woman screeching.
The tiniest shadow flickered through the expanse.
I stood slowly. Training my gaze on the flicker. Now growing larger. As if drawing near. “Maaier,” I whispered. Hoping he could hear me over the commotion.
“I told you not to watch.” He snarled. I grit my teeth. Never looking away.
The figure lingered just beyond the tree line. My skin blanched cold. A river of ice cold terror ran through. My limbs shook as I stood at full height. My trembling hands reached for Maaier. His name fell from my lips as my heart pounded against my chest. My trembling hands gripped his black cloak. Blood roared in my ears as I shook him.
Maaier turned quickly, his attention snapping to me. Wild eyes searching mine only to find where I was stuck staring into the trees.
The figure stepped into the light. Leaving the cover of the dark forest behind. The man rolled his shoulders back. His head turned as he took in the old manor looming before him.
Maaier stepped forward but I was faster. Tears stung my eyes as I hurried toward the figure. My stomach in my throat.
It had been years since I saw him. Now I would never let my father go again.
“Vespera.” My name fell from his lips like a blessing. I rushed toward him, skirts flying around me with the movement. He was older than the last time I had seen him. His thin arms opened wide as I crashed into them. He stumbled backward, steadying us as his arms wrapped around me. The long familiar scent and warmth of his chest caused the tears lining my eyes to fall. I heaved a sob as my hands wound tightly into his crisp shirt. As if he was going to disappear in an instant just like he had all those years ago. His hold crushed me. His lips kissing my hair over and over. The sound of my name falling around me.
The distant sound of the police carriage pulled away but I paid it no mind. The only sound I could hear was the thump of Father’s chest. He’s here. He’s back. He is truly here this time. Not some hopeless childish dream.
I smiled through the tears. Slowly pulling apart I looked into his eyes. He looked down at me, still towering over me. His hands lifted to cup my face. The tears mirroring those on my face covered his.
“You’ve grown.” He breathed a laugh. I grinned at him.
“You look so much like her.” The ice cold terror had thawed into a river of warmth. I couldn’t speak. Not knowing what to ask first. Where were you? Why come back now? Did you know about my attack? Will you stay here with me this time?
“Vespera.” Maaier called behind me, his footsteps sounding toward us. Father stiffened before me, watching over my head as Maaier stopped behind me. His hands falling to my shoulders.
“Hello,” He said cautiously.
“Good afternoon, Master Florian.”
“Long time no see, yard hand.” Father smiled. His concern fading as he assessed the man behind me.
“Father, this is Maaier. My…” I trailed off. What was this man to me now?
“Keeper.” Maaier finished.
“Keeper?” Fathers brow quirked.
“I was hired to keep her safe,” He said, pride ribboning his tone.
“I see you’ve done it well.” If only he knew.
I looked over at my father. His hair now tinged with white strands at the temples. Wrinkles crinkled his forehead. Wherever he was these last few years, the world was harsh on him.
“Come. Let’s go see Sophia.” He squeezed my shoulders before turning me to face Maaier. His steel gaze focused on my smile. Shuffling awkwardly, he smiled back. The expression was forced.
He led the way inside and I couldn’t be happier despite the ordeal of the morning.
I called for Grandmother before finding her in the main hallway.
My grin plastered to my face. I held fathers arm in mine, not wanting to let him go.
Grandmother froze. Her nose tuning up as she recognised the man who entered her home.
“Theodore,” She drawled. Distaste evident in her voice.
“Sophia. You look well.” Father beamed.
Maaier met Sophia, whispering something in her ear before moving out toward the front door. I frowned slightly before lighting my expression once more. Where was he hurrying off to?
“You’re back,” Grandmother stated. Her hands clasping in front of her. A sign she was most displeased with the situation.
“Yes. And I intended to stay this time.”
“For now.” Grandmother retorted but forced a smile. She’s turned her attention to me. “Vespera, the library has been cleared for you. The girl caused quite a mess in her fight to flee this morning but it is all cleaned up now.”
“What happened?” I dared to ask.
“Young Gracie was taken away. She was suspected of murdering her husband,” She said matter of factly, she was never one to lie to me. As brutal as the truth could be, she would always tell me it.
“Gracie couldn’t even kill a fly.” I was shocked. How could this nineteen year old kill her husband? She was peaceful. Sweet. Not a murderer.
Grandmother hummed her agreement. “Maaier has gone into town to find out more information. I need to know if this was in any way related to your attack.”
“Her attack?” Father questioned. That answered one of my questions at least.
“Yes.” Grandmother rolled her eyes. “Vespera was almost murdered a few weeks back. We have been keeping her here safe in your absence.” Her jaw ticked. I had never seen her this mad. The rage radiating off her was palpable.
“What happened?” He said, his voice low.
“A man tried to drown her,” Sophia said. Her tone snide as she looked over Father once more, “And another attacked her in the kitchen, slicing her open like fresh meat. She’s lucky to be alive at all.”
“We believe it was the same person.” I offered, having slipped my arm out of fathers.
Up the hall Dorian fluttered through the people. Weaving through with Victor close behind her. It was the norm lately. I was finding the two were always close together.
“Theodore,” Dorian gasped. Drawing up behind Grandmother. Her head tilted, wild curls littered with flowers falling over grandmother's shoulder.
“My my, Dorian. Haven’t you aged well.” Father beamed.
Victor stood behind her. His nose wrinkled slightly as he took in the scene. Noting the tension in the air.
“Well, well fucking well. Now we know that the killer is back.” Arthur’s voice echoed from upstairs. He clapped his hands with each step he descended, his grin viciously savage. Father’s expression darkened. The two had never gotten along. Dorian stiffened as she stood beside me. Her hand drifted to my back.
“Speak for yourself.” Father kept his tone cheerful but his eyes were wild with anger. Arthur huffed before coming up short beside me.
“What makes you say that? Are you blaming me for the deaths of those young women? Wasn’t it you that hated any woman that resembled your wife after she passed? A lot of women killed looked like her…” He trailed off with a shrug. I threw him a withering glare to which he paid no mind. A twisted giggle sounded from up the staircase. Of course Magdelena would find this funny. I exhaled a heavy breath.
“Enough! Surely enough time has passed for you two to simply get along.” I raised my brows, daring them to fight me on the matter. They both opened their mouths to protest but were silenced by grandmother’s hand lifting into the air. Her approving stare on me.
“Vespera is right. This has gone on too long. What matters is that our girl is safe. With Theodore here, we can keep an eye on him to make sure he was not the one stalking in the night.”
“Me?” Father blubbered. “It wasn't me!” He turned to face me. I believed him. How could my own father hurt me?
“Why did you leave?” Arthur pressed.
“Enough!” I raised my voice. “We can discuss this at dinner. Dorian, come with me.” I extended my hand to which she took gratefully. Smiling as she led me up the stairs to our room. The men left alone as Grandmother pushed past them and down into the kitchens. No doubt barking orders for a dinner that would be tougher than eating leather. Although I think I would have preferred that than the night that was to come.