Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
THEO
Warrior walked next to Lord Thistlebury’s horse as we left the town. We rode in silence. I assumed he was as shocked as I was that I had been ordered to search each room in the manor. Or maybe he was furious with me for how the meeting with my father had gone. I couldn’t blame him.
I gritted my teeth, angry with myself for having the confidence in my plan to look for him in the first place.
Instead of bringing about a reconciliation with Rue and the rest of her family, and my father relaxing his efforts to prove her guilty, all I had done was make matters far worse for her and everyone she loved.
‘I hope you have a plan, Theo,’ he said, shocking me out of my reverie.
I wished I did. I turned to him. His eyes were filled with desperation and it was my doing. I had to find a way to put this right.
First, though, I needed to apologise. ‘I’m so sorry I misjudged everything,’ I began.
He gave me a disappointed look. ‘Berating yourself is pointless. As far as I see it, we have little time to warn my daughter, but that is something we must do.’
He was right. A plan began to form in my mind. Not wishing to leave the poor man to his own devices, I came up with what I considered to be a passable compromise. It was basic but it was something. ‘You’re right and I think I might just have thought of one.’
‘Go on, I’m listening.’
‘If we part before the crossroads, you can continue slowly towards High Marcham, while I race to the manor house. With luck I’ll have time to warn the women in the house to prepare themselves.’
‘You think they are practising witches then?’ he asked, frowning deeply.
Shocked, I shook my head. ‘I do not, but these are gentlewomen and I think not used to many visitors – let alone strange men bursting into their home and rummaging through their personal belongings.’
‘That is thoughtful of you and I am grateful.’ His expression softened. ‘I shall do as you suggest and ride ahead. I’ll be sure to go slowly and give you a chance to catch up with me before I arrive at my home.’ He frowned. ‘What do I say if I encounter one of your father’s representatives?’
I gave the scenario some thought. ‘You could say I stopped to help a stranger in distress.’ I liked the idea.
‘Say it was an elderly man who had fallen and I was taking him to his home and would meet up with you as soon as I could. At least then we will have the same story. Be vague if asked questions.’
‘Then that’s what I’ll do.’
We reached the north turning. ‘I’ll leave you here,’ I said.
He reached out and rested a hand on Warrior’s black mane. ‘Please, Theo. Hurry. I can’t let them find anything to hold against Rue, or any of the family for that matter. I owe those two women everything after how well they’ve cared for my daughter.’
‘I promise you I’ll do my very best.’
Without another word I turned Warrior to my right and took off over the nearest field. We jumped a wall and galloped across another field.
Eventually, I spotted the unmistakable pitch of the manor roof in the distance. Not long now, I thought. I prayed that my father hadn’t undermined me and sent his men ahead. I would never forgive him if he had gone behind my back.
I reached some walls that I believed were part of the estate and, finding a place ahead where the wall had partly fallen, took Warrior that way, aware that he was tiring after racing for so long. I was nearly there.
I sped past a man in a field near the manor house.
He looked up, startled to see my huge hunter.
I realised it was Jem. His look of loathing was unmistakable.
I couldn’t blame him. If the tables were turned I’d hate him too.
He and Rue were obviously close friends, I recalled.
I was jealous of how relaxed she was with him.
And now here was I, causing upset and problems for the family to which he was clearly loyal.
It wasn’t the best way to ingratiate myself with these people.