Chapter 23 #2
Worst of all was that no proof seemed necessary to find a woman guilty of witchcraft. Where was the fairness in that?
‘It wasn’t only that, but it is well-known that your father has a penchant for persecuting entire households once he believes he has enough to prosecute one of them.’
I had heard this but didn’t say so.
‘He took me to one side after Martha’s execution and told me in no uncertain terms that he intended investigating me next, certain I was complicit in her crimes of sorcery.
’ He sighed wearily, looking broken, and I hated that I was causing this man further pain.
‘I’ve only known of one man being found guilty of sorcery, but I didn’t wish to be the second.
I was not, of course,’ he said, anger in his voice.
‘In fact, I was oblivious to my beloved wife practising anything of a supernatural nature until she was found guilty. Even then I found it almost impossible to believe, and now, after all these years, I suspect those who tried my dearest Martha convicted her only to appease your father for some reason.’
I waited for him to elaborate, but he seemed to think better of it. ‘You believe my father forced them to do what they did?’
He stared at me momentarily before responding. ‘I think your father possibly had information on some of them, so they had no option but to come to the conclusion he needed.’
Even with all that I knew about my father, I couldn’t imagine him doing such a thing. I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words.
Lord Thistlebury waved a hand in front of his face. ‘Take no notice of me. I’m a troubled man who still hasn’t recovered from what happened then.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘There’s something else you are keen to ask me, I can tell.’
I pushed what he had said about my father’s behaviour to the back of my mind for the time being. I must not miss the opportunity of asking another question I needed him to answer. ‘Why not take Rue with you when you left?’
He looked at me as if I was stupid. ‘Because then I would risk the Witchfinder tracking me down. Who knew how much danger I would be leading her into? If I left Rue in the home she knew, with her grandmother and aunt caring for her, and loyal staff such as Pierre and his wife watching out for her, she would be less likely to be seen as a marked person by those who had believed her mother, and possibly me, to be guilty. She was only nine, although because she spent all her time with her mother, grandmother and aunt she no doubt picked up herbalism and whatever other practices they followed, just by being at their side and helping forage and prepare herbs.’ He gave me a look clearly intended to appeal to my sympathy.
‘I honestly believed I was sacrificing my happiness to keep her safe and give her the chance of a decent life.’
Lord Thistlebury’s expression darkened. He rose to his feet and glared at me. ‘It’s been so long since I spoke about that devastating time in my life.’ He stared silently at me before addressing me again. ‘Tell me, Theo Le Cerf. You said you’re here because my daughter is in trouble?’
I saw him tense as I sought for the words to answer.
‘The Witchfinder,’ I began, using my father’s title in a pointless effort to distance myself from him, ‘has ordered me to investigate Rue since an accusation has been made against her.’ The enormity of what my father had done, if Lord Thistlebury was correct, threatened to overwhelm me.
How could I be the son of such a terribly vengeful man?
Rue’s father shook his head slowly. ‘You used my daughter’s name just then. It was very familiar of you. Am I to understand that you know Rue personally?’
I wished I could lie but had no intention of doing so. ‘We have met on a few occasions,’ I admitted, deciding to be as honest as I dared under his scrutiny. If I wanted him to do as I asked, he needed to trust me at least a little. ‘We danced. We talked for a while and got along well.’
He gave a wry smile. ‘Until she discovered who you were. Is that correct?’
‘It is. However, I’m determined to do all I can to prove her innocence.’
He stared at me without speaking. I was tempted to keep talking but sensed I needed to wait for his next question.
‘You are in love with my daughter.’
It was a statement rather than a question and I saw he expected my honesty. ‘I am.’
‘I can see by the sadness in your eyes that your feelings are not reciprocated.’
‘They are not.’
‘But you still intend doing your best for her, even if that means going against your father’s wishes.’
I didn’t like the way the conversation was leading. ‘My father only wishes for proof to back up the accusation.’
His Lordship threw his head back and laughed bitterly. ‘You kid yourself, Theo, if you truly believe he has any intention of letting my daughter live peacefully, now someone has given him a reason to punish our family further.’
I glared at him. But he was right. Whether I liked what he was saying or not, I now knew in my heart that this was what my father intended.
Lord Thistlebury folded his arms across his chest. ‘And does my daughter know you have been sent to investigate her?’
At least this was a question I could answer without hesitation. ‘She does.’
His eyebrow rose in surprise. ‘Ah. I’m impressed that you’ve been honest with her.’
I explained about taking Rue to my father’s office and then returning to the manor house and repeating his instructions. ‘I would have told her though,’ I insisted, hoping he believed me.
He walked over to the fire and rubbed his hands together to warm them, though it seemed to me the room was warm enough. ‘It cannot be easy for you to find yourself in this position.’
I didn’t answer.
‘Even though I haven’t seen Rue for all these years, I do believe she will not take kindly to you being a Le Cerf and carrying out your father’s orders.
I recall only too well how much she loathed your father.
As you are his assistant, she will probably assume you are very like him, or at least share his extreme beliefs. ’ He fell silent.
The man was very perceptive, and it unnerved me. I stared at him trying to think of a response. He was waiting for an answer and would know if I was lying. ‘She does not trust me, sir.’
‘I am relieved to hear that my daughter has her own opinions about people, like her dear mother. That is something to be grateful for.’
He sat down again and thought for a moment. ‘I am comforted to know you still wish to help my daughter despite her lack of feelings towards you. Even from the short time we have spent together I believe you to be a decent fellow.’
‘Thank you, Your Lordship.’
‘Right, now you may tell me how you intend helping my daughter and what you need from me.’