The Elusive Earl

by Maddison Michaels

  “Darn it!” Bree exclaimed. She caught Daniel’s eye. “That means we are going to have to wait for them to approach us.”

  “Oh have no fear of that, my lady,” Tarboli assured her. “They will certainly find you both, particularly as you are asking about them. Though, they might be a tad busy looking for something that they’ve lost.”

  “What have they lost?” Bree asked.

  “Well, I did hear a rather fascinating rumor this morning, which may interest you both greatly…”

  “My patience is growing thin, Mr. Tarboli,” Daniel growled.

  The man held up his hands, and his breath quickened. “I heard Mr. Penderley had escaped and took a precious treasure belonging to the Garendetta with him.”

  “Travis would never steal anything!” Bree was infuriated the man would suggest such a thing.

  “Well, he took something with him that the Garendetta want back.”

  Bree turned to Daniel. “What do we do now?”

  “We find him first.” Daniel’s voice was strong and certain. “Come, we must leave.”

  “About time,” Tarboli muttered. “Last time I do a favor for Mr. Bartardi.”

  “Mr. Bartardi is dead.” Daniel stood and held out his hand to Brianna.

  “Dead?” the man all but screeched. “How did he die?”

  “He was stabbed in the chest by someone desperate to find the journals,” Daniel said, while leading Bree to the door. “In fact, he thought you might have been the one to lead the killer to him.”

  A rather strangled noise came from Mr. Tarboli. “Are you certain Bartardi was killed by a man wanting the journals?” he said. “It wasn’t just a robber or something of the like?”

  Bree turned around and saw that Mr. Tarboli was sheet white and gripping the desk as if his life depended on it. “We are certain. The killer was apparently responsible for my parents’ deaths, too. At least, that is what Mr. Bartardi told us.”

  “But that would mean that the murderer is Il Macellaio… And when he finds out what I did…”

  “What is wrong, Mr. Tarboli?” Bree took a few steps toward the man, but he warded her off with his hand. “Who is Il Macellaio?”

  “He is death.” His eyes were staring off into the distance. “I must leave at once, or he will come for me, too. Particularly, once he hears I peddled the same information regarding the journals to the Garendetta.”

  “I knew you’d sold Travis out to the Garendetta.” Bree shot the man the most disgusted look she could muster.

  “Il Macellaio means ‘the butcher’ in Italian, does it not?” Daniel said.

  Mr. Tarboli’s eyes darted wildly across the room. “Yes, it does, and Il Macellaio will be most upset with me.”

  “Why?” Daniel questioned.

  “Do you not see?” More and more hysteria crept into Mr. Tarboli’s voice. “I didn’t realize he was the butcher, until just now when you told me the man who killed Mr. Bartardi in pursuit of the journals was the same man that killed your parents. For, it was rumored that Il Macellaio killed your parents, though no one knew who exactly Il Macellaio was. But if Bartardi’s killer is who I think it is, and he admitted to killing your parents also, then that would make him Il Macellaio. My goodness, I never would have told him of the journals if I had known that was the case. Well, perhaps I might have, but then I certainly wouldn’t have told the Garendetta after the fact.”

  “Who is this butcher?” Bree asked softly.

  “I cannot speak his name! Now, get out! Get out now!” Mr. Tarboli screamed. “I have to leave before he comes for me.”

  He pushed past where they stood and dashed down the corridor.

  Bree looked over at Daniel. “Should we try and help him?”

  Daniel shook his head. “He doesn’t want our help, and we must find Travis.” He gripped her hand and hurried from the room to the front door of the shop. “Where do you think your cousin would go?”

  Bree felt like shaking her head in frustration. She didn’t know. “He could go anywhere.” Almost immediately, Bree felt a sense of helplessness wash over her. How did one find a needle in a haystack? Well, at least her cousin was free from the Garendetta. That could only be a good thing, she hoped. But why would he take something belonging to them?

  “Would he return to Cosenza?” Daniel continued to question her as he pulled open the door. “Or head for Naples?”

  Bree shook her head, suddenly at a loss. “I don’t know… One would think he’d try to get back to Naples and the safety of the Villa, but then Travis has always been rather dogged about whatever he is chasing…”

  They began walking briskly back down the street from the direction they had come from. They had to find Travis and find him soon. The treasure! Oh my goodness, that had to be it. Unless, of course, whatever they were suggesting he took from the Garendetta superseded his hunt. Though Bree still doubted Travis would have taken anything. He was no thief.

  She tugged on Daniel’s arm and came to a stop on the footpath.

  Daniel looked patiently down at her. “What is it?”

  “I think he may have gone to find the treasure.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” he said. “He’s been held prisoner for nearly two weeks, and you think he’d go haring off to find some fabled lost treasure?”

  Bree nodded at him. “That is exactly what my cousin would do.”

  Daniel clenched his jaw and cringed. “Damn it, you’re right.”

  “You do realize, to find him, we’re going to have to find the treasure, for that is where he will be heading,” Bree said.

  Without warning, Daniel grabbed her and spun her around behind his back, as roughly two dozen soldiers on horseback thundered into the street from both ends.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Bree was getting rather tired of Daniel always dragging her behind his back in an effort to protect her. Gallant though it was, it was clearly unnecessary, as she could see the uniforms on the soldiers belonged to the Prince’s guard.

  Stepping around him, she looked on as the men surrounded them but thankfully kept a respectful distance. A moment later, the conclave of soldiers astride their horses parted, and Alessandro cantered through directly toward them. He reined his horse to a halt a few feet from them and was wearing a supremely unhappy look across his face.

  Bree was about to give Alessandro a piece of her mind for making such a spectacle, but then from behind him, an old man astride a stallion slowly emerged. She felt her mouth go dry, watching as each soldier he passed bowed his head in acknowledgement.

  Though he wore no crown, Bree knew it was the Prince. Her grandfather had come for her.

  The man sat tall in the saddle, his clothes tailored to perfection, and though he had to be in his seventies, he was still possessed of a head full of silver hair, and one could see the handsome man beneath the age lines etched on his face.

  Bree regarded him boldly. The thought flittered through her head that he had the same brown eyes as her mother, and that there was definitely a hint of uncertainty in their depths, an observation that helped to lessen the anxiety that had started to grip her.

  A second later, though it felt like hours, he halted his horse in front of her and slowly dismounted. Bree didn’t know how long they both stood there, taking each other in. But then the Prince’s breath hitched, and his eyes welled with tears.

  “You look just like your mother.” His voice was rough with emotion. “Just like my Isabella.”

  Unaccountably, Bree suddenly felt shy and uncertain. She didn’t know what to say to him. “Why didn’t you find me sooner?” she blurted out.

  Oh goodness, she couldn’t believe she’d just said that! Daniel was right; her mouth was truly going to get her into trouble one of these days.

  “I didn’t mean to ask you that,” she hastily added, in an attempt to rectify the situation. “Well, I did, but not straight away. I have this rather terrible habit of asking questions with little thought beforehand.”
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br />   The Prince smiled. “As your mother did, too.”

  “She did?”

  “Oh yes. I often lamented over her impulsiveness, though I was very proud that she would not be cowed by anyone or anything.”

  Bree found herself smiling back. The thought that she took after her mother was a comforting one.

  “But to answer your question,” he continued, “I thought you had died with my Isabella when you were but a baby.” He paused as if to collect himself. “I would never have stopped looking for you if I had known you were alive. Never, not even for a second. You must forgive me for simply taking someone’s word that you had also perished. I should have made certain.”

  Bree felt her own throat tighten. She felt Daniel’s palm against her lower back, warm and steady. Having him there, touching her, filled her with a sense of safety. “I believe you would have. I don’t think there is anything to forgive you for.”

  A great look of pain lanced across the Prince’s face, and he wobbled slightly. Bree rushed up to him, but Alessandro beat her there and gripped her grandfather’s upper arm. “You need to go back to the palace and rest.” Alessandro murmured to the Prince.

  “Nonsense!” The Prince declared. “I am fine.” He swatted Alessandro away and then turned his full attention back on Bree. “Perhaps you would do me the honor of returning for dinner with me, and we can finish our conversation then? And your husband, of course, would be most welcome.” He gestured toward Daniel, who was quietly standing behind her.

  Bree didn’t know what to say. Now, that she’d met her grandfather, she wanted to find out as much as she could about him and her mother. But they had to find Travis, though she doubted the Prince, or more particularly, Alessandro, would let her go and do so. At least, not without a whole mountain of soldiers escorting her for protection. And Travis would surely panic and hide if he saw a regiment of soldiers after him.

  “We would be delighted to accompany you,” Daniel spoke from behind.

  “Good,” the Prince declared. “I shall look forward to talking with you, too, and ensuring that you will be able to properly look after my granddaughter.” His expression suggested that Daniel better measure up.

  Bree swung around and stared at Daniel. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “We have to find Travis.”

  Daniel leaned in close to her ear. “It is getting too late now to do so. Besides, who would know the area and its surrounds better than the Prince and Alessandro? They may be able to help us, as we have no idea of where to begin on our own.”

  “We have my mother’s clues.”

  “Which we do not understand,” Daniel murmured back. “Besides, if Tarboli was aware that your cousin has escaped, I daresay the Prince is, too, and he will probably know a lot more than Tarboli did.”

  She paused and thought about what he said. “You may be right.”

  “I often am.”

  She rolled her eyes at him before turning around to face her grandfather.

  “If you are not ready to do so yet,” her grandfather began, “I unders—”

  “It would be an honor to have dinner with you,” she interrupted him, unable to stop a soft smile from creasing the corner of her lips. She realized that it would indeed be an honor, and one she was very much looking forward to.

  A huge grin spread across the Prince’s face. “Excellent. And I hope you will both also be my guests at the palace. I know you are looking for your cousin, who has escaped from the Garendetta.”

  “Told you,” she heard Daniel mutter from behind.

  “My men and I may be able to assist in your search,” the Prince continued, “and also help keep you safe.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Bree curtsied quickly. “That would be most appreciated.”

  “Please, you must not be so formal.” The Prince paused. “It would be my greatest pleasure if you were to call me grandfather. But only if you wish it,” he rushed out. “If you do not, that is perfectly fine.”

  Bree paused. She’d never had a grandfather before. It felt nice to have one finally. “Thank you, Grandfather.”

  His smile seemed to grow even wider, and his whole countenance was suddenly more energized. “Alessandro!” the Prince called. “Send word ahead that my granddaughter and her husband will be joining us as our most special guests. A delicious feast must be served in recognition of the Principessa’s return.”

  “Yes, my Prince,” Alessandro inclined his head in acknowledgment before whispering something to the two soldiers sitting on their horses beside him. One of the men turned his horse around and rode away from them, whilst the second one dismounted and led his horse over to Daniel and Brianna.

  “Principessa,” the soldier began, “I pledge allegiance to you and vow to protect you with my life.” He bowed low and held the reins out to Brianna. “Please, you and your lord must take my horse to ride to the palace on.”

  “Why, thank you,” she said, somewhat taken aback by the passionate declaration. She took the leather bit from him and gently walked up to the magnificent bay chestnut. The animal reared slightly, but she softly sung to it, and it soon settled and nuzzled his head against her throat. She giggled and began to stroke its neck. “That’s a good boy.”

  She glanced up at the Prince and froze. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “Is everything all right, your High—Grandfather?”

  The Prince seemed to shake himself slightly. “Just an old man and his memories, my dear. You see, your mother, too, would sing to the horses, and instantly, her voice would calm them.”

  “She did?” Bree asked.

  “Yes,” her grandfather confirmed. “There is much I see of her in you, and this makes me both happy and sad.” He shook his head but then clapped his hands. “Come, we must go, and then we shall talk and get to know one another. I can also tell you of the latest news concerning your cousin.”

  Ten minutes later, Bree found herself gaping up at the towering turrets of the palace, watching as a royal blue flag inlaid with the prince’s coat of arms proudly flapped in the brisk afternoon breeze. She glanced at the facade of the palace: grand stone stairs led from the inner courtyard up to the entrance. At the top of the stairs, extremely tall and ornate wooden doors stood, which were inlaid with gold and silver filigree decorations.

  An array of soldiers and servants lined each side of the stairs, forming both an honor guard and a pathway for them to walk up. The soldiers all had alert expressions on their faces, whilst the servants were looking at her with smiles of welcome.

  It was like a fairy tale.

  Daniel was standing beside her, and she found his very presence to be a comfort.

  “Welcome to your home, if you wish it. A home you should have known long ago,” the Prince said softly beside her. He turned and smiled before he held his hand out.

  Belatedly, she realized her own hands were curled into tight fists, and she was digging her nails into her palms, so much so that they were beginning to sting. Breathe, Bree, just breathe, she chanted to herself.

  Carefully, she unfurled her fingers and placed her own hand in his. She was surprised at the strength she could still feel radiating through him. He nodded happily, and they began their ascent up the stairs to the entrance, with Daniel and Alessandro following closely behind.

  The Prince introduced her to each one of his loyal soldiers and servants lining the stairs, causing the climb, which would normally take a few seconds, to take several minutes.

  But it was nice to meet them, and even more impressive that her grandfather knew all of their names by heart, not that she had any chance of remembering them all; there were far too many of them to do so in such a short space of time. Though if she did stay here, there would be plenty of time to learn them.

  Her chest constricted at the thought.

  There were so many people watching her as they bowed or curtsied and said how pleased they were to meet her. Most wore smiles, but some couldn’t disguise their curiosity, utterly absorb
ed in each step she took. She’d never been the subject of such unadulterated attention before. It was immeasurably disconcerting. Particularly when she was wearing a dirty and rather raggedy-looking dress. Oh well, if they thought less of her because of her disheveled appearance, that was their concern.

  She lifted her chin and sailed up the last few stairs. They crested the top step, and the Prince stopped in front of a very dignified-looking gentleman with raven black hair starting to streak white in various places. The man standing before them was probably in his fifties but looked very fit and had a welcoming smile spread across his handsome features.

  “This is my man of affairs and dear friend, Lord Mondesta,” the Prince introduced. “Lord Mondesta is the reason why Cosenza has flourished and become the wealthy principality that it is today. He is a genius in exporting the wonderful produce and goods that Cosenza specializes in. Without him, the region would not be so rich and abundant.”

  “You praise me too highly, your highness.” The man inclined his head firstly at the Prince and then at Brianna. “It is a great honor to finally meet you, Principessa. We were all so elated to hear you were actually alive.”

  He took her hand and bowed over it.

  “It is nice to meet you, too, my lord.” Bree smiled back at him.

  “The honor is mine, Principessa,” he replied. “Ever since we heard you were alive, we have been desperately searching for you. And, might I say, you look exactly like your mother.”

  “You knew my mother?”

  “Yes. I was lucky to have been able to call her a friend.” He released her hand and straightened. “The world lost one of its loveliest creatures when she was taken from us.”

  He shook his head as if to ward off the sadness Bree could see lurking in his eyes, even after all of this time.

  “But we have been blessed to find you.” There was a sense of great solemnity in his voice. “Indeed, your grandfather has been unable to talk of little else.”

  The Prince laughed. “Yes, I must admit, I have been boring everyone with my happy tales of having discovered you are alive.”