Cursed

by Felicity Harper

  Time to go, I’m afraid. The girls want to get one last shopping expedition in before we leave. Love sent from all here. Send my love to Papa and dearest Caroline. I shall see you soonest.

  Yours with great affection,

  Prudence.

  Henrietta smiled as she folded the letter. How she had missed her sisters, especially Prudence. She was eager for them all to be together again and she could do with some of Prudence’s no-nonsense counsel now. No doubt she would tell Henrietta there were no such things as ogres outside fairy tales and that Sir Hardwick would do perfectly well as a husband-in-training.

  The trouble was, Prudence wasn’t here; the ogre was very real and dear to her and as for Sir Hardwick … well she didn’t know what to think about that man. She was furious with him for his terrible treatment of the ogre but she was also curious as to why he had then sought the ogre out. One thing of which she was certain was that she had under-estimated Sir Hardwick. It was imperative she speak to him and find out just what his game was.

  Chapter Twenty

  “I have given Hardwick his final challenge.”

  Henrietta looked up from her quiet contemplation of her dinner plate. “You have seen him?” she asked. Mr Briggs had returned with the news that he had been unsuccessful in his endeavours to find the knight and had been forced to leave a note.

  “No, my dear. I dispensed with the formalities and sent him a missive setting out his final challenge.” At Henrietta’s questioning look, her father added, “I simply said he must prove to me that he is worthy of my precious daughter.”

  Henrietta smiled sadly. “Have you tired of your little game, Papa?”

  Disturbed by his daughter’s uncharacteristically sombre expression, Lord Pemberly spoke earnestly. “I’m sorry if it seemed that way, little hen. That it was all a game, I mean. I never intended it to be so.” He took Mrs Hyde-Thornton’s hand in his. “Caroline made me see that the decision you must make is far too important for it to be turned into a spectator sport.”

  “Thank you, Caroline,” Henrietta said warmly. “I look forward to the day we formally welcome you to the family,” she teased and Lord Pemberly guffawed.

  “Has it been so very obvious?”

  “Yes, Papa. Though that is not to say we aren’t all terribly pleased for you both.” She looked at both of them with true affection and a silly lump formed in her throat at the sight of their obvious happiness. “Are we to expect an announcement soon?”

  Lord Pemberly looked to Mrs Hyde-Thornton and she nodded for him to continue. “We shall announce our engagement at Yuletide when the whole family is together again.”

  “That’s wonderful news!” Henrietta said through her tears. “Would that I could find equal happiness.”

  “Henrietta! What is it, child?” Lord Pemberly asked in alarm. He wasn’t used to seeing his eldest daughter looking so miserable. “I thought you were enjoying your courtship. Has that scoundrel done something to upset you?”

  “No, Papa, I’m just being silly - and confused. ” There was no way for Henrietta to speak of her concerns without mentioning the ogre: she would simply have to resolve this matter alone. “I’m probably just tired,” she muttered.

  “I expect you’re missing your sisters too?” Caroline said gently.

  “Yes I am,” she said truthfully. “I long to see them.”

  “Well if that’s all it is, then all is not lost.” Lord Pemberly sounded relieved that the issue was such a simple one to resolve. “A good night’s sleep will do you the world of good and, as for your sisters, well not long now and they will burst upon us in a flurry of complaints,” he teased.

  “Yes, Papa,” Henrietta said and reassured her father that all was now well by turning her attention back to her dinner. Happy with his lot once more, Lord Pemberly chatted away with Mrs Hyde-Thornton about the preparations for the forthcoming Winter Festival.

  Left alone again with her thoughts, Henrietta quietly fretted about the ogre and what she had learned of Hardwick.

  The next morning, Henrietta set off for the meadow. It was a cold, dark day but she could not rest indoors, not when there was so much troubling her. Tomorrow was the Winter Festival and she had yet to speak to Sir Hardwick and - most troubling of all - she still had no idea what had happened to Ogre. Her intention now was to speak to the gypsies: though she could not say why, Henrietta had the feeling they might know something of his whereabouts.

  And then, as though expecting her, there she was: the same gypsy who had given her the trinket.

  “Good day, Lady Henrietta!”

  “Good morning. I’m afraid I don’t know your name ….”

  “Mala, Queen of the Gypsies,” the woman replied with an impish smile. “You are looking for me?”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  “What sort of Gypsy Queen would I be if I didn’t know?” she laughed. “What is it you seek, child?”

  “I … I am looking for the ogre.”

  “Now that is interesting,” the Gypsy Queen said. She fixed her dark eyes on Henrietta’s as though she could see into her soul. “You are not afraid of the creature then?”

  “No! He is a good, kind man. He is my friend.” Henrietta had spoken more sharply than she had intended but she would not allow the gypsy to speak ill of her ogre. Mala’s eyebrows shot up but she looked more surprised than angry by Henrietta’s tone.

  “And why do you think I would know where he is?”

  “I didn’t know where else to look. He has gone and I need to find him.”

  The gypsy said nothing. For a long moment, she looked as though she were somewhere else, her eyes seeing pictures only she could see. Then, she looked at Henrietta. “Let destiny be your guide, Lady Henrietta.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean,” Henrietta said impatiently. She had no time for riddles. “Do you know where he is?”

  “No - but worry not: you will have your answers by the time the mid-winter moon rises.” She winked at Henrietta and laughed as though she were jesting with her. “As I said, my Lady, destiny will lead the way.”

  Henrietta realised she wasn’t going to get any answers from the gypsy. She pulled one of her green ribbons from her pocket. “If you see him, please give him this. He will know what it means.”

  The gypsy took it from her with a smile. “I shall. And, my Lady, do not be afraid.”

  Henrietta frowned. “I’m not afraid!”

  “Perhaps not - yet.” Mala laid a gentle hand on Henrietta’s cheek, “But it is just as well for you to remember destiny can be a fearsome beast.”

  It was time for him to return home. He had left his brother, Gabriel, holding the fort for too long and now it was his turn to take responsibility. He had been back to Warwick only twice in all the years since the curse had been laid upon him and, though his brother had done a fine job with the Kingdom, Albern knew that he did not really wish to rule.

  His people still had great affection for the true heir to the Kingdom and Albern knew that was more than he truly deserved. Even so, for him to rule as an ogre would be troublesome for them all. Their neighbours, while peaceable, would not take kindly to having an ogre King abutting their lands. It was a problem that would have to be addressed.

  For now though, there could be no more hiding away. He must end his self-imposed exile and be a King to his people. Let Gabriel captain his ships, as he longed to do, while Albern ruled the Kingdom as he had been born to do.

  There was something else he must do before he could return to Warwick, though, and that was to speak with Henrietta. He could not leave without first telling her his true identity.

  “Lady Henrietta!”

  Hardwick’s sudden appearance in her clearing startled Henrietta. “Sir Hardwick! How did you know to find me here?”

  He shrugged. “I saw you going this way.”

  She found it strange he had not thought to show himself before now. She had be
en here for some time hoping the ogre would appear. She let the matter go: she had other concerns that needed to be addressed.

  “Have you come here because of the message I sent?”

  “Message, my Lady? No. I have come to speak with you of the final challenge.” He gave her one of his easy smiles, which she did not return.

  “What of it, Sir Hardwick? The challenge was set by my Father, not by me.” She kept her tone light, not yet wanting him to know how angry she was with him.

  Hardwick bowed in acknowledgement. “Of course,” He took her hand in his. “It is just that - for obvious reasons - I wish to do well in this challenge.”

  Henrietta fought the urge to snatch her hand away. “Perhaps, then, you should consult with the ogre - as you did the last time.”

  There was a long pause as Hardwick considered this new development. “He told you?” he asked eventually.

  “Not as such.”

  “Then how … ?” Too late, Hardwick realised he had mishandled the situation. “Lady Henrietta, you are mistaken.”

  “Please, Sir Hardwick,” Henrietta said, keeping a firm hold on her patience. “I just want to know what happened between you and the ogre.”

  Hardwick sighed dramatically. “If you must know, my Lady, he attacked me.”

  “Really?” She gave him a disbelieving look. “Was that before or after you tore my arrow from his shoulder?”

  “Come now, my dear, “ Hardwick sputtered, “what else was I to do?” He looked appealing at Henrietta. “He might have made off with your arrow!”

  “Good Lord!” Henrietta all but shouted, “Do you really think I wanted my arrow claimed at such a brutal price?”

  Sensing he was losing ground, Hardwick conceded defeat and performed a deep, respectful bow. No, of course not. My apologies, Lady Henrietta. I have allowed my usual high standards of gentlemanly conduct to fall foul of my zeal to win and claim your fair hand.”

  “Indeed,” Henrietta said disdainfully, not yet ready to let Hardwick off the hook. “And now would you care to tell me why you sought out the ogre? And, please, don’t bother to lie. Mr Briggs has already told me you were looking for him.”

  Hardwick paced restlessly in circles around her. “You don’t understand, Lady Henrietta. Things are not quite as they must seem.”

  “Then perhaps you would care to enlighten me?” She watched him warily, growing dizzy at his pacing. “Well, Sir Hardwick?”

  “Very well.” He stopped and looked at her, his expression aloof. “If you must know, it was the ogre who first came to me. He insisted he be allowed to help with the challenges.”

  “So it was the ogre who built the bridge?”

  “It was - but I had been about to make you something spectacular myself before he intervened.”

  “You mean, like the battering ram?”

  Hardwick laughed self-deprecatingly. “Touché, my Lady. You are a wit, as ever! And now you see why I thought it best to speak with you on the matter of the final challenge. I do not wish to ruin my chances of winning your hand because of a silly misunderstanding.”

  “So now, you want me to tell you what you should do to prove yourself worthy of my hand? Is that it, Sir Hardwick?”

  “I wouldn’t have put it quite like that but - yes - I suppose I do.”

  Henrietta looked at him coldly. “And that is exactly why you are not worthy of my consideration. I have tried to make allowances for you, Sir Hardwick, with the assumption that you would take the time to understand me - but you have clearly chosen not to bother.”

  “No! That is not true, my Lady!”

  “Then tell me, Sir Hardwick: tell me one thing that you know of me.”

  “Why I - I know that you are quite unusual in your dislike of hunting.”

  “Yes, it would be difficult to misinterpret a boot to the shins as anything other than displeasure. Is there anything else that you might have gleaned from our conversations?”

  “So many things, Lady Henrietta! Too many, surely, for me to trot them all out for you now!”

  “So that would be a ‘No’ then. As I have begun to suspect, Sir Hardwick, your interest lies not with me but with the competition itself. I think it best we end this charade now, don’t you?”

  “But, my Lady! There is still time for me to prove myself worthy! tomorrow is the Winter Festival. I am to present to you there, remember?”

  “I see no point, Sir Hardwick. We can end it now with no hard feelings. Your reputation need not be tarnished. I shall lay the blame at my own door.” Henrietta gave a stilted laugh. “I will plead a fickle heart.”

  “I cannot let you do that, Lady Henrietta,” Hardwick said almost sadly.

  Henrietta sighed. “I’m afraid you have no choice.”

  Hardwick shook his head, looking genuinely regretful. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, my Lady.” He whistled and, as Henrietta turned, she saw his men emerging from behind the trees.

  “What is this meaning of this?” Henrietta demanded nervously.

  “Let me introduce you to our wedding guests, my dear,” Hardwick said into her ear as he slipped a hand over her mouth to muffle her screams.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Papa!” Prudence called out happily as the girls and Aunt Penelope shed their outer clothing in the hallway. Lord Pemberly and Caroline appeared from the drawing room looking bewildered. “Surprise!” Prudence announced. “We left a day early to beat the wretched fog. It seems we made it just in time as it was snapping at our heels the whole way here!”

  “Girls!” Lord Pemberly said, holding his arms out to them. They ran to him, bestowing him with hugs and kisses.

  “Where is Henrietta?” Prudence asked.

  “We have been wondering the same thing ourselves,” her father said worriedly. “Briggs and Collins are out looking for her now and I was just about to leave myself.”

  “She’s missing?”

  “No, Millicent. I’m sure she has just lost track of time,” Caroline reassured her. “You know how she can be when she has her mind on other things.”

  At that moment, Miles walked in. “ Prudence, if we are to make it back to Merrington before the fog settles, we must leave now.”

  “Miles - Henrietta is missing!” Prudence cried, going to her husband and taking his hand. “Please go with Father and find her.”

  “Of course!” Miles said immediately. He was as fond of Henrietta as she was of him and the thought of her outside in foul weather was unsettling. “Lord Pemberly, does anyone know where she last went?”

  “Mrs Huggett said she left early, saying only that she was going for a walk.”

  “A walk?” Penelope asked aghast. “In this weather!”

  “It wasn’t like this earlier,” Lord Pemberly told her. “And you know what Henrietta is like. No weather is so foul that it will keep her indoors all day.”

  “Yes but she wouldn’t stay out this late.” She looked from her father to Miles. “Please, find her. Lord knows what might have happened.”

  The coach slowed and Henrietta blinked as the hood was finally removed from her head. Hardwick smiled at her from across the carriage. “Is that better, my dear?” he asked congenially, as though nothing were amiss.

  “What are you doing?” Henrietta asked, trying to free her hands from their bonds. ““What do you mean to gain from this?”

  “Why, marriage of course!” Hardwick crossed his legs and settled back as though Henrietta were not a hostage to his scheme. “We will marry at the monastery. It is but a day’s ride from here - maybe two in this weather.”

  “I will never consent to marrying you now!” Henrietta said vehemently. “You are quite mad if you think I would!”

  “Hush now, darling,” Hardwick said, patting Henrietta on the knee, “or I shall have to put the hood back on.” He leaned back to survey her. “You are excessively fond of those sisters of yours, are you not?”

 
“What do my sisters have to do with this?” she asked warily. Surely he would not harm her sisters?

  “Think about it, my dear. Were it to become known that their eldest sister had run off with a penniless Lord, it would, I am sure, adversely affect any future prospects those two delightful young ladies might otherwise have.”

  Henrietta tried to tug at the ropes that held her but succeeded only in tearing the delicate flesh of her wrists. “What are you talking about? I haven’t run off with you!” How could she have underestimated him? It was quite clear to her now that Hardwick was a mad man.

  Hardwick sighed regretfully. “I know that and you know that but - well - you know what gossip is like ….”

  It spreads faster than the plague, Henrietta thought, remembering her sister’s words. And it kills reputations just as efficiently. It would matter not a jot if she refused to marry Hardwick now. Her reputation was already in tatters. He was right, of course: once word got out about this, her sisters’ reputations would also be ruined. Hardwick wasn’t mad at all. He was a scheming scoundrel! It seemed that the handsome and charming Sir Hardwick, who had inexplicably fallen for her over all others, was - in fact - only after her inheritance. How depressing to be proved right in such a foul manner.

  There was only one way Henrietta could see of getting out of this mess and that was to escape Hardwick’s clutches and get home before the Winter Festival.

  Lord Pemberly and Miles returned at nightfall. They went into the sitting room where the ladies were anxiously awaiting them.

  “You didn’t find her?” Prudence cried, her hand going to her mouth.

  “It’s impossible to see a thing any further than a hand’s width in front of your face,” Miles replied. “We shall go out again once we have warmed ourselves.”

  “You aren’t just going to leave her out there?” Millicent sobbed.