by Rebecca King
Lost for words, she nodded slowly and felt the silence in the cottage keener than ever.
“You won’t be alone. Inside, you will be by yourself but someone will be outside, keeping watch.” In spite of his words he placed his gun on the table between them and slowly pushed it toward her. He watched the wariness on her face be replaced with revulsion as she stared at it for a moment, and made no attempt to touch the heavy object.
“It saved my life. I don’t expect you to need to use it, but I want you to keep it close-by at all times. Although I do have men outside, they are only human and, until we know more about Joshua, and anyone else he may have working for or with him, none of us can take risks. Keep this with you at all times.”
“What will you do?” Harriett whispered, staring at the wicked-looking object and feeling sick.
“I already have another gun. The men carry spares, and I have one of those. It will be sufficient.” He didn’t add that he was more adept at using the knife which was carefully tucked away in his boot. The gun was more of a visual deterrent, so anyone watching him knew he was armed.
Harriett was about to push away from the table. It was becoming impossible to sit under his careful scrutiny and not fidget. She hated the growing distance between them and was lost for a way to deal with it. After all, their acquaintance was relatively short, and only a few days ago he had made his aversion to commitment perfectly clear.
She was keenly aware that, whatever the villagers’ opinions of her, she was still a witch. One who was pretty but certainly no oil painting, and one who had not spent all that much time practising the finer art of socialising. He undoubtedly recognised this and had realised that he wanted much more than Harriett could give him, but was too much of a gentleman to rebuff her. She had no doubt that moving to the Manor was his gentle way of ending his association with her. Although the knowledge hurt, she couldn’t blame him really and couldn’t find it within her to be angry or disappointed with him.
A feeling of sadness settled over her and with a wan smile in his direction she got up from the table and turned to stoke the fire.
“I understand,” she murmured, aware of his careful scrutiny.
“Do you?”
“Of course.” She tried to offer him a brief smile of reassurance over her shoulder but he wasn’t fooled. The smile went nowhere near her eyes, and conveyed every ounce of hurt and confusion she felt.
He wished he could reassure her but, until the matter with Joshua and his associates was concluded, he couldn’t make her any promises he may not be around to keep. The assassin had already proven an extremely good shot. He couldn’t lose sight of the fact that the next time the killer took aim, he may get a better shot. While the better option would be to remain with her and act as a personal bodyguard, it went no way toward finding the people responsible for throwing everyone’s lives into turmoil. He had done everything he could to protect her by placing a constant watch on her. Now all he could do was hope that she would do as requested, and not put herself at any unnecessary risk.
CHAPTER TEN
The following week passed in relative isolation for Harriett, who began to feel as though the walls of her small cottage were closing in on her and she could barely breathe.
At first she had ventured into the village in search of provisions. What she had learned there had been truly amazing.
The turnabout in the villagers’ behaviour toward her was astounding.
Where once they had been wary, and distant, they now greeted her warmly. More often than not, they would stop and actively engage her in conversation, enquiring about her health, whether she had fully recovered from her illness, before moving on to enquire about her father and Hugo. Some of the more notorious gossips even confided in her the latest scandals that had befallen some of the villagers. Harriett was still reeling by the time she met her father outside the pasty shop.
Having been forced to eat, she found herself seated on a bench on the harbour side, savouring the delicious pie in companionable silence with her father while they exchanged desultory conversation. As people passed, they hailed not only Simon, but Harriett as well. Her initial wariness turned to surprised pleasure which helped to lift the gloomy sense of abandonment that had hung over her since the day Hugo had left her for the Manor.
“How is the team?” she asked, finishing her pasty with a sigh.
“They are fine, as far as I know,” Simon replied quietly. “Hugo goes out at all hours of the day and night, I presume to meet the others. But I haven’t seen any of them, except Hugo, and even then only briefly.” He turned to his daughter, noting the dark shadows beneath her eyes. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but didn’t know how far he could push his fatherly advice without risking her censure.
Their relationship had progressed so well over the past few weeks, he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardise their growing closeness. Her relationship with Hugo was none of his business, but it bothered him to see her so heartbroken. Although he could understand that Hugo was trying to keep his mind on the job at hand, and had undoubtedly put more than adequate protection in place to keep her safe from harm, he almost wished something would happen to drive the two together. They clearly had deep feelings for each other but, for whatever reason, weren’t acknowledging their attraction.
“You know, I have never told you this before, but I loved your mother deeply,” he began quietly, glad that the village wasn’t all that busy and nobody was around to hear him.
He didn’t usually like to open the box of painful memories, but having done so for Hugo last week, the least he could do was open the same box for his own daughter.
“My biggest regret is that I didn’t push harder to create a space for myself in Helena’s life. She knew I was married, but our love became bigger and stronger than either of us. In the end, the villagers and Estelle drove a wedge between us. They made Helena’s life miserable to the point that she had no choice but to consider leaving with you if I didn’t leave her alone.” He was aware that his voice had grown husky with the remembered pain of those horrendous days, and could feel Harriett’s eyes boring into the side of his face as she watched him.
“The hardest thing, and the thing I have most regretted in my life, was to walk away. Although I remained close by and watched you from a distance over the years, you have no idea how many times I wished I could just hold you. That you could turn to me for advice, or comfort. Or simply come to me just to say hello.” He blinked back the sting of tears for all the lost years he could never recapture.
Carefully picking up her delicate hand in his, he turned to glance at her. He could see nothing in her face but sympathetic sadness and understanding. Her generosity humbled him. “If I have any advice for you, it is that once you see something – someone – you want, don’t let anything stand in your way. Take happiness with both hands and hold on tight, because life is fickle. One day you can have everything you ever wanted right before you, and the next it can all be snatched out of your grasp in such a way that you will never get it back.” He knew he had told Hugo pretty much the same thing, but knew it wouldn’t hurt Harriett to hear it as well. He would do anything to bring his daughter happiness, even if that included a little bit of matchmaking.
Sitting on the small wooden bench, their stomachs pleasantly full, Simon stared blankly out into the boats bobbing in the harbour. “Hugo’s job is inherently dangerous, you know that. Thus, you need to understand that there are no guarantees that he can and will return to you. Not because he doesn’t want to, but–” he hated to continue and jumped when Harriett finished it for him.
“Because his job is dangerous and he may be killed.”
“So don’t take anything for granted. If you have the opportunity to be with him, even for a short time, then take it. Grab hold of it with both hands and enjoy the moment.” He had seen enough of Hugo to understand that he wouldn’t be able to refuse her, and was honourable enough to stand by her afterwards. T
his time though, unlike his situation with Helena, nothing and nobody would stand in their way.
“I can’t be like my mother. She never said she regretted having me, but I know my birth caused her a lot of problems. The village still hasn’t changed. A single mother will still bring censure.”
“I don’t think Hugo would allow you to become a single mother.”
Harriett felt her cheeks heat and hoped Simon hadn’t seen.
“Hugo isn’t for me,” Harriett whispered, giving her father a sad smile. “I love him, but I know he doesn’t love me.”
She read Simon’s scowl for the objection it was.
“He feels a sense of duty toward me, because he feels that he brought danger to my door on the night he was shot. That is all. On the previous occasions we met, he couldn’t wait to get away from me.” The more she talked, the stronger her voice grew until she felt quite proud of herself for keeping her wayward emotions in check. “Don’t confuse his sense of responsibility toward me for anything other than it is. Whatever Hugo feels for me, it isn’t love and never will be.”
“Harriett,” Simon growled, wishing he could embarrass her and draw her into his arms for a hug. Despite her bravery, she looked so sad, so lost, that she reminded him of the little girl he adored all those years ago.
“Then he is a fool for not recognising what is staring him in the face.” Simon declared, rising to his feet with a sigh and tugging her behind him. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
They had only gone a few hundred yards when they heard a heavy pounding of hooves and rattling of wheels on the cobbles. A scream behind them made Simon glance over his shoulder and swear as he stared into the whites of the horse’s eyes as it bore down on them. It was now so close that Simon could feel the warmth of the animal’s breath on his cheek.
He used his body weight to haul Harriett out of the horse’s path, panic rising as she screamed when they hit the ground with a heavy thump.
For several long moments they lay there, gasping for breath.
“Are you all right?” Simon gasped, raising himself on to one elbow to study Harriett.
She glanced at him with wide eyes, unsure what had just happened. Over his shoulder, she thought she saw Archie in disguise, but he was gone in the blink of an eye, blanked out from her view by several of the villagers who had raced to help them.
After stopping for several moments to assure everyone she was fine, she offered them a trembling smile and allowed her father to escort her up the hill toward the small cottage she called home. It wasn’t lost on either her or Simon that they were going in the same direction the carriage had just travelled at break-neck speed. Were they walking into a trap?
Simon scowled, wishing he could see around the corner. He tried to find some reassurance in the knowledge that although he couldn’t see through the dense hedge, neither could anyone waiting in an ambush further ahead. He could only hope the carriage hadn’t turned round to make a return journey, because there was nowhere for either Harriett or himself to jump clear.
“This way.”
The sharp order came from a tiny gap in the hedge beside Harriett, making her squeal in surprise. The relief was overwhelming when she spotted Archie’s face through the greenery. He held back enough of the thicket for her to squeeze through, followed by Simon, and together they walked along the hedge to the cottage. By using the hedge as protection, they could see enough of the lane to see anyone lurking, waiting to attack, but they were also sheltered from anyone waiting behind the bushes on the opposite side of the road, and they could look across the fields to see anyone approaching.
If she hadn’t still been trembling with fright, Harriett would have been quite impressed, but as it was she was driven by the need to get home, bolt the door behind her and stay there until Hugo gave her the all-clear.
Archie took his leave of them at the end of the field, standing and watching as they left the protection of the thicket and disappeared into the safety of Harriett’s cottage. Once inside, Harriett began to shake. Although she tried to put a brave face on it for Simon, he wasn’t fooled and took the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do for so many years.
Easing his arms around her slowly, he drew his daughter into his loving embrace and simply held her while she wept.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I don’t usually cry,” Harriett whispered several moments later. Accepting the white kerchief Simon held out to her, she dried her eyes and offered him a sad smile.
“You have been through a lot in such a short time. It is inevitable that it will catch up with you,” Simon replied, placing several kisses against her temple. He fought the need to cry himself at finally having his deepest wish come true. The feel of the young woman in his arms was so very different to the toddler she had been, but was just as precious.
“Why don’t you come to stay at the Manor?” he added, knowing it was against Hugo’s plans, but not really giving a damn. Nothing would come between him and his daughter again – even Hugo and the Star Elite.
“Right now, Romilla is the last person I want in my life,” Harriett sighed regretfully. “You know she hates me.”
“But you are my daughter, Harriett.”
“I know, but until Romilla leaves for her uncle’s, I don’t think it would be wise for me to go near the Manor. Right now, I don’t want to cross swords with her.”
Although he didn’t agree with Romilla keeping Harriett away from the Manor, he could understand Harriett’s reluctance to go near the place. He silently made a promise to send Romilla on her way as soon as possible.
He took his leave of Harriett half an hour later, with a promise that he would return to see her in the morning. Harriett dropped into the chair beside the hearth in the kitchen with a deep sigh. Once more the heavy silence within the small abode settled over her, feeling oppressive until she wasn’t sure she could stand it any longer. She spent the rest of the day trying to keep herself busy, baking enough food to last for several days, before moving to her workroom and concocting some of her mother’s old potions.
By the time she had changed into her nightgown, and settled beneath the sheets, she couldn’t ignore the deep pang of hurt at Hugo’s absence. Surely someone would have informed him of the afternoon’s events by now. Simon had no doubt hosted Hugo at the evening meal, and Archie would have updated Hugo on the near-miss with the carriage. So why hadn’t Hugo come to see her and check she was fine for himself?
A tiny voice inside her warned her that she shouldn’t have expected anything else. After all, he hadn’t made her any promises, and had in fact done exactly the opposite, reiterating that he wasn’t in a position to offer her anything. Not that she had asked him for anything. But it would have been nice to know he was concerned enough for her welfare to drop by and simply check on her. He didn’t have to stop long, just poke his head around the door - anything to let her know that he was at least concerned for her wellbeing.
Her conscience reminded her that he was deeply involved in the investigation, trying to find the people who had come close to taking both of their lives, and didn’t need the added distraction of her, but still, the feminine part of her just wanted to know he cared.
That was the crux of the problem. She strongly suspected he didn’t care. Not the way she cared about him. Was her love down to the fact that Hugo was the first handsome man she had met who was interested in her? Maybe. Did she love him because whenever he was around she felt incredibly safe and protected? Most probably. Was she hurt at receiving confirmation that he didn’t really care about her? Definitely.
She wasn’t sure what woke her, but Harriett lay in bed for several moments, and simply listened. Her heart pounded in her ears, although she hadn’t had a nightmare. One moment she had been asleep, the next wide awake and listening for – well, something. She frowned into the darkness, but could hear nothing. Everything was still and calm; almost too calm.
After several moments, she yawned widely
and snuggled back down under the blankets. Closing her eyes, she tried to blank out her wayward thoughts as they immediately reminded her that she hadn’t heard from Hugo. When she began to wonder where he was, she sighed, turned over and blocked out the mental image of him that swam before her.
It was then that she became aware of a scratching noise coming from the window directly beside her. It was almost as though someone was drawing nails down the glass. The high-pitched squeak was loud in the still night air, and was interspersed with faint scratching.
At first she wondered if it was a mouse, but it was a very noisy mouse. Even rats didn’t make that much noise, she reminded herself, carefully easing out of bed. The fire had died down while she had been asleep, allowing the chill of the cool night air to permeate the bedroom. Shivering as cold began to snatch the warmth from her body, she tugged a shawl around her shoulders and, as Hugo had done many times at the kitchen shutters, tried to find a gap in the bedroom shutters to peer through. The solid wood was enough to protect her from prying eyes outside, but gave her the perfect opportunity to see if anyone was out there.
Her hand flew to her face as her heart pounded heavily in her ears. There, mere inches from her face, was a cloaked figure dressed entirely in black, scratching away at the window frame. That was the noise that had woken her.
Slowly backing away from the window, she gathered her clothes and moved to the darkest corner of the room to dress, all the while wondering how she could get help. Weren’t any of the Star Elite out there, keeping watch on her cottage as they had said they would? If they were out there, why weren’t they attempting to stop the person gaining entrance? Because of the darkness, and the cloak the person was wearing, she could see very little of their face, but surely none of the Star Elite would try to gain access to her house in such a way, would they?
