"Mandine!"
"There was a note," the old woman admitted reluctantly.
"A note -- when?"
"Early this morning I found a note under my door. It said you would be here this morning, and that you were unharmed."
"That's a matter of opinion," muttered Elise, slumping onto the hard wooden seat. She looked at Mandine. "Who was it from?"
"Think you if they bothered to leave a note under the door they would sign their name?"
"All right, all right." She stared hard at the weathered face of the older woman. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me everything?"
The old woman shrugged. "You know what you need to know, Elise."
"All right then, tell me what you know." Disgruntled, Elise set her feet as the cart jarred her sideways. "I suppose you already know what's happened?"
"The elements of your encounter last night were known to me before you left. I knew you would be unharmed."
"You knew and didn't bother to tell me?" Elise folded her arms.
"I cannot interfere, as long as no harm is directed to you."
"You interfered once." Elise fixed her with a stare.
Mandine was unperturbed. "It saved your life, Darien's, your child's."
"So you say." She bit out the words, then wished them unsaid. She bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I -- it seems my situation is getting worse instead of better."
"Perhaps you are looking at these events in the wrong manner. There are many different views which can be seen from the mountain, it all depends upon where you stand. Each view has a mirror-perfect opposite."
"Mandine, can't you speak plainly? I've got a headache already. I think it was the Hellhound, the same as the one who helped me escape that band of outlaws." She shook her head. "But something was different. I can't explain it."
"He is the night rider hereabout."
"He kissed me."
Mandine nodded complacently.
"Dammit, how can you think that's okay! I came back to be with Darien, not create trouble for myself."
"Perhaps what you wished for so hard is not what you really desire. Your destiny is twisted in places. You must put your emotions aside so that you may have a clear head. It will be of vital importance to think clearly in the weeks ahead."
"Easier said than done." They neared the village fairly quickly, which made her think the Hellhound had deliberately taken a circuitous route last night to confuse her. Or to evade the other riders.
"He said I would be in danger if I remained at the cottage last night."
Mandine nodded wisely. "There was mischief brewing."
"Did you see the riders outside?"
Mandine smiled slyly. "That I did. I watched them from up in the tree."
Elise couldn't help it, she laughed. Trust Mandine to get the upper hand before mischief could catch her off guard. "I thought I was long past being surprised by what you can do."
The twinkle in Mandine's black eyes reminded Elise of when she was a child.
Gently, Mandine touched the curve of her cheek. Elise closed her eyes a moment, memory flashing before her eyes of all Mandine had done for her while growing up. She caught her breath, and then opened her eyes. "Mandine, I wish it could have been different. You raised me for fifteen years, and I don't think I ever told you how much I love you."
"Oh, shush, Elise. We both know the love we each held in our hearts. Like your Mama before you, I cherished you and held you safe with the meager powers I possessed, but that one, that one on the mountain, he is dark and has evil intents. You must always be on your guard."
"Why does my father want to ruin my life -- Darien's life?"
"He has a dark heart," Mandine said, clucking to the cow. "Even in his finest moments with my dear Aleanna, I still caught glimpses of the darkness."
"But why did Mama marry him? That is part of the story you would never explain."
Mandine suddenly looked tormented and Elise tensed, afraid of the answer she might hear after all this time.
"Aleanna did what she felt was best to protect you, Elise." Mandine looked forward. "Just as you did what you knew was best to protect Darien and your child so many years ago, so too did Aleanna. I will speak no more of it."
Urgently, Elise gripped her arm. "There is one thing more you must tell me. Was my mother also threatened by my father?"
Mandine nodded, that was all.
#
People moved about in the village, men on horseback, women in carriages, children playing. Elise no longer felt a part of this life as she knew it. Her thinking had progressed beyond this time. Caught between two worlds the lines were beginning to blur. She didn't know where she belonged.
"Who is this Hellhound?" She dropped her voice. "What is his real purpose?"
"He has protected many people and farms from the outlaw bands that burn and steal at night. Since he has been riding, fewer lives have been lost."
"A modern day Zorro," muttered Elise, remembering the tale of Zorro from a book her daughter had read as a child.
"I do not know this Zorro."
A small smile curved Elise's lips. "I wouldn't expect you to -- never mind. No one knows his identity?" she asked carefully.
Mandine shrugged carelessly. "It matters not. It is important that he stops the murdering and rapes. Some say he took on the cloak of vengeance because of something that happened to his own family. No one knows for sure."
"Except the Hellhound," Elise murmured, absently smoothing the material of the cloak. Why had she reacted in such a way to his kiss?
"You have always been ruled by emotion, Elise. Even as a little girl you could not be turned from a purpose if you felt strongly." Mandine smiled. "So many days you trusted your own judgment, certain in what you felt was right."
Several women walking alongside the road in a group waved to Mandine, their stares openly curious as they rested on Elise.
"How long have you lived here in this village?" Elise asked.
Mandine shrugged, stopping the cart beside her cottage. "However long Darien has lived here. I do not count days or years."
"You came here the same time as Darien?"
"When he came back from the sea I too returned to this area."
"You mean you followed him?"
She nodded, a small cackle escaping her. "In a way. I was here first. I knew you would return one day. I could not follow you, so I came to be with him."
"Does he know?"
"He suspects it, but what can he do?" She laughed again. "What can he do about it? Some call me a witch."
"A witch who should have died a long time ago," uttered a harsh voice behind them.
Every bit of her body turning to ice, Elise slowly turned and looked down at Rogier Lancaster.
"Hello, Father." Her greeting was flat, dispassionate. He looked well, surely, very well for his fifty nine years. His deep black hair was just as immaculate as she recalled, his upright figure as trim. His face was leaner, more weather-beaten, more dissipated. He wore a leather strap across his chest and shoulder. Elise looked away, her hands clenched behind her back. She had known, of course, that she would see him eventually.
"I cannot credit this lack of emotion in your greeting, Daughter," he reproved her. Then he smiled, a slight twist of the lips. "I returned only this morn and heard a tale that you had appeared here and I thought it a lie. But it is true. My daughter has returned home." Elise sat stiffly, then noticed Darien and Rufus as they rode up the road toward them on their horses. Her father held out an imperious hand for her to alight, but she ignored it.
"By God, that's a cold reception from a daughter I haven't seen in all these years," he complained, his voice raised. There were several people on the street and to Elise it seemed as though they moved across the street to avoid her father altogether.
"Well, Sir," Elise replied coolly, her emotions anything but, "England is a cold, damp place. Perhaps some of that climate rubbed off on me."
His face s
howed surprise and then his eyes narrowed. "You have become sharp of tongue."
Darien and Rufus rode up to hear her father's remark.
Darien raised his brows.
Rufus moved his horse closer, bowing to her. You look well this morning, he signed to her.
Darien threw his brother a dark glance.
Suspiciously, Elise looked at Rufus. "Shouldn't I?"
Undeterred by her sudden hostility, Rufus signed I am sure you always look well, no matter the time of day.
Elise smiled and signed back. Thank you.
Rogier watched the interchange with suspicion narrowing his eyes. "Here, excuse us, Sir, but even in your mute silence you interrupt my homecoming with my daughter."
Elise turned from her father's rudeness.
"It would please Mandine and I if you gentlemen," she looked pointedly at Rufus and Darien, "have time to stop and have some early morning tea."
Hurriedly, she climbed down from the wagon on the opposite side of her father. She didn't think she could bear to have him touch her again.
Elise walked into the cottage, fully expecting Darien at any moment to dismiss her invitation and ride off.
#
Rogier followed his daughter to the cottage, stopping outside the door. Rufus turned from watching the man to lean toward Darien, snapping his fingers in front of the other's face. He motioned toward the cottage.
"Why would you wish to stay?" Darien asked.
Curiosity, Rufus signed. The same as you.
"Ruf," warned Darien, keeping his voice low so Rogier Lancaster would not overhear, "Do not play with that devil. He'll send you straight to hell."
Rufus smiled, then dismounted. Rufus spelled out in sign E-L-I-S-E. He tossed his brother the reins to his horse and sauntered toward the small cottage.
Darien groaned inwardly, knowing full well what his brother was telling him. If he, Darien, was not interested in pursuing Elise, then Rufus surely would. Rufus was bored being away from the sea and sought adventure. Looking at Rogier Lancaster, Darien knew this was not the place to find it.
#
Elise had no idea if there were even the makings of tea in the cottage, much less anything else. But she should have known better. Whether they were magic or luck, she didn't question the loose tea and a new loaf of bread she Mandine place on the small wood counter. Elise prepared a tray.
As a child she had come to accept the fact that Mandine was different and special. Mandine was the one who had comforted her when she fell, or cared when disappointment rode her. In her father's household, growing up had been very difficult. Her father had never been one for demonstrations of affection, and since Elise's mother had died shortly after her birth, Mandine had been the only one to show her any type of love.
Rogier had no liking for Mandine. He'd tolerated her presence but had kept her at a distance. Mandine had entered his household when Aleanna, her mother, had arrived to be his wife. He had tried, unsuccessfully, to oust the old witch.
"Mandine," Elise said now. "I've often wondered if my father was afraid of the power you possessed."
Mandine lifted a brow. "Elise, it is not my magic which frightens him. It is what I know."
She gripped Mandine's hand. "Please be careful. You know he has no humor."
Mandine pattern her arm. "All will be as it was meant to be. Do not worry. Come, take the tray."
Elise was surprised when she brought the tea tray outside to find all three men were still there. She placed the tray on a small table in the apple orchard behind the cottage. Elise poured tea into the cups.
She handed Rufus the first cup. He stared at her, some emotion in his eyes deepening. She shook her head, then looked around. Darien and her father were both watching her and Rufus. Her father's expression showed displeasure, and Darien . . . Darien looked furious and ready to explode.
Perhaps she could obtain some information while they were here. It was at least worth a try.
"Mandine told me of a phantom who rides at night." Suddenly, the silence was absolute. Looking up in surprise, Elise wondered if the subject was taboo.
Her father scowled, downing his cup of hot tea in one gulp. Harshly he said, "Polite ladies don't mention the Hellhound in company."
Face red, Elise felt like she'd been slapped.
"He's a murdering thief --" he continued.
"Mandine said he helps people --"
"How can you listen to that old crone? She's ready for death anyway, and her mind is as foggy as early mist."
Furious, Elise stared at the man who had fathered her, hating his crudeness. Suddenly her father stood up and took several steps back. Elise turned to find Mandine behind her. Her father might talk harshly of Mandine, but he knew to keep his distance.
"There's a different story about, Lancaster," Darien murmured. The older man looked at him and then at Rufus, the brace of pistols he wore. "He's helped the people hereabouts when the murdering thieves run at night. I doubt the murders of which you speak are the result of the Hellhound. I would wager they belong to the thieves."
Rogier spat on the ground. "No doubt the Hellhound fosters that kind of attitude among common folk."
Breathing deeply, Elise listened to them argue. She couldn't trust her father, she had learned that long ago, even before Mandine's revelation. She also knew it would do no good to confront him.
Her thoughts returned to the night before. Had she spent the night with a murderer in that barn? She put her hand to her head. She couldn't believe it could be so. He had helped her escape those other outlaws who had kidnapped her.
"What if the Hellhound is forced to ride to keep people safe?" she asked. "If there are outlaws riding at night who do what they want, who will protect the town?"
"That is nonsense," Rogier shot back. "You are not back a week and already you involve yourself in issues about which you know nothing. There is local law enforcement. They keep the townspeople safe. Outlaws will answer to them, as the Hellhound will answer. He will be brought to justice."
"The local law is too busy running errands for you," Darien said in a low voice.
Rufus came up behind Darien and Elise saw the covert jab he gave his brother. Darien ignored him. "Can you deny that?" Darien asked.
"If there are any errands, it is of a state nature. I issue town reports to the State once a month." Rogier sat back in his chair as if he enjoyed toying with the younger man.
"Yes, I am sure there are reports made," was all Darien said.
He turned to Elise but she had a faraway look on her face. He wished he could read what lay behind the beauty of her face. Was there something beyond her control that occurred that night twenty-four years ago -- he stopped his wayward thoughts. Damnation! She'd have him defending her after all this time! Was he as weak in the head as his brother Rufus seemed to be about her? How could someone disappear for twenty or more years unless they wanted to? He should just walk away now and move to Virginia with Adeline, start a new life.
Rufus slapped him on the back, indicating it was time to leave.
"It grows late, and we've many miles to travel," Darien said.
"You are going away?" Elise asked pleasantly.
"We have business in Catskill and Albany. We expect to return by week's end."
"You may as well get your farewells out of the way," injected her father, his voice cold. A pleased smile played about his mouth.
Elise turned to him, brows raised. His words made Darien pause also.
"Why do you mean?" For a moment, Elise thought it was his less-than-subtle manipulation technique, a threat that she would never see Darien or Rufus again. Fearful of the things her father could do, she said carefully, "I'll see them when they return."
"You shall not. You are coming home with me." Rogier sliced a thick wedge of bread from the loaf on the tray.
Elise looked at him coldly. "No."
"You shall come with me. How do you expect to live?"
"I've been in rougher s
pots than this. Don't let it worry you."
"You are my daughter. Of course you will do as I say."
"A daughter no longer in your household," Mandine said softly, placing a hand on Elise's shoulder. Elise half-turned toward Mandine, but she looked at her father.
"I make my own decisions. I will not be returning with you."
She picked up the tea tray.
"Elise!" He bellowed, his face reddening as she continued to ignore him. He came after her, grabbing her arm and swinging her around. The tray slipped from one hand, the cups shattering as they hit the hard ground. Elise stared at the shards at her feet.
"Look what you have done!"
Rogier kicked at the broken crockery.
"You will do as I command," he said imperiously. "Your place is with me, not here in this dirty cottage."
Elise stepped around him, barely holding onto her control. They all stared at her, she could feel it.
She stopped on the cottage threshold, not surprised that her father followed on her heels, his face red as he pulled at the belt swinging from his shoulder.
Darien intercepted him, his hand flashing out to clamp around the wrist of the older man. With a grimace of pain, Rogier looked up at him, then his free hand pulled a pistol from inside his waistcoat.
"I thought I was rid of you twenty years ago," snarled Rogier.
Rufus came from behind and deftly twisted the pistol until it popped from the other man's hand.
"Stop this!" Elise said angrily.
Rogier swung his fist toward Darien. "How do you dare to interfere -- I'll have you both --"
"Listen closely," Darien rasped, stepping back with a cold smile. "He is about to threaten our worthless lives."
With a quick snap of his wrist, Rufus sent the pistol soaring toward the apple orchard.
"You will have to fetch your weapon to carry out your threat," mused Darien, lips curled derisively. "We can't wait, old man. Business matters press."
Darien pushed the man away from him and they moved back toward the road and their horses.
#
Rogier shook his fist at Darien and Rufus. "I'll make you pay, Remington. Hear me well, you shall pay. You and that mute brother of yours."
Elise watched them, a deep fear snaking through her at the hate on her father's face. He was not one to forgive a slight, no matter how trivial. Her father's behavior had not changed, and she feared he might be even more vicious. Darien and Rufus shrugged off his threats and rode away, but she remained unsettled. Finally, Rogier mounted his own horse and galloped off in the opposite direction without a word.
Time Travel Romance Collection Page 35
