Her two very new friends rushed to her and tried to console her. Sophia talked and they listened. She told them the tragic tale of how she and Lyon came together and married. Sophia could tell no one before that moment, the tale was not something she could relay to her grandmother. It felt good to talk about it. Rowena and Libby were very kind. They each held one of her hands. They both assured her Lyon was a good and decent man; that once things were smoothed out between him and the Avalon Society, they were certain he would come to her as her husband. Sophia felt better after talking to two women near her own age. When they left her, she bathed. She lay in the bed waiting for her husband. She tried to stay awake, but Sophia slipped into slumber not long after her head hit the pillow.
Chapter Ten
“Sit down, Lyon.” Harry motioned to a chair beside him at one of the tables.
Lyon sat. He looked about and observed none were partaking of brandy or cigars. For his benefit? Maybe.
“We wish you could have come to us regarding your pain and problems with laudanum, firstly,” Harry began.
Lyon nodded somberly.
“Secondly, even though there have been some consequences which have come about due to your revealing our Society’s secrets in your drug induced state, there has been no loss of life. You have expressed your regrets to Newt, Cleve and Lachlan for your actions, and we realize you mean to make amends.”
“I do.” Lyon looked to Harry, then to the others seated around the long, massive table in Micah’s library.
“We ask only that you stay away from opium, laudanum and hard alcohol and remain the Lyon whom we see as our brother and in whom we can trust.”
Lyon’s eyes watered. He nodded. He could not speak at the moment. He felt as if there were a large lump in his throat
“We need you to remember every meeting with every person, especially this Mr. Crow and tell us what they asked and what you answered if you can remember. And we wish to question Lady Amesbury on what she knows, though I believe Newt and Cleve both questioned her. There are specific questions we wish to ask her regarding her father.”
“I will tell you whatever I can, Harry. But, I beg you, please, do not question Sophia. She was humiliated, completely dishonored. She still suffers nightmares. Today marked the first time we even shared a normal conversation. It was the first time she regarded me without hatred in her eyes or her words. Please, I beg you to let me question her for you. We were both given drugs to increase and enhance sexual pleasure. They gave me something different than Sophia, for my symptoms were milder than hers. The effects of the drug given to me wore off within ten hours. Hers lasted well over a day and caused her a great deal of pain. She burned with a fever all that time. Even after my drug wore off, she burned. Begged me…” Lyon paused, took a deep breath. He brushed away a tear that escaped the corner of his eye.
Normally Lyon would not share such personal details of his life, but these were his trusted friends. For some reason, he felt better explaining everything. He continued with a sigh, “She broke a mirror in my room after the fever left her, for she could not bear to look at herself. I feared at the beginning she might try to harm herself. ‘Tis why I sent Newt to see to her welfare. As the drug and alcohol haze lifted, I did not like the monster I became.”
Harry nodded. “All right, Lyon. We’ll tell you later what we wish you to ask your wife.” He placed a firm hand on Lyon’s shoulder. “We have to find this Mr. Crow. We are fairly certain it is he who is orchestrating all of this. Menadue was attacked yesterday. No one was injured. They are surrounded. We are surrounded. These people are kidnapping innocent women. We have to stop this, and we have to find out why they want a scroll, and which ones they are after. For the ransom note left for Owen only mentioned they wanted the Most Holy and Ancient Scrolls.”
Harry added, “We have to make certain you don’t tell them anything more. So you will understand if we watch you closely. Your bags have been checked for any laudanum or alcohol. You will not be left alone to your own devices. You and your wife will be left to your privacy at night in your room. However, a guard shall remain in the hallway at night, for our protection as well as to see you don’t go astray. The laudanum in this house has been locked in a safe, and the alcohol will not be left about the house. It shall only be brought when Micah or Libby request it.”
Lyon nodded.
“Lyon, you must realize, they would have come after us for the scrolls anyway. We cannot forget that Davitt knew of one scroll when he came into Stonedown Manor that night in Glastonbury. You were manipulated. Someone else might have been used as a pawn in your stead. They recognized your weakness and used it to their advantage. They even helped your addiction along. We do trust you not to allow this to happen again.” Micah spoke.
“Wincanton…your life changed because of what I did. I am sorry,” Lyon turned to Micah.
“I am not sorry, Lyon. I am happy. So is Libby. We are fine. I love her, Lyon, and Libby loves me.” Micah smiled.
“Owen, I apologize. You must have been out of your mind with worry when your sister was taken,” Lyon offered to Lord Fitzlewis. “I would have been if it were my sister, Sarah.”
“I was. But, everything turned out surprisingly well, as both Harry and Micah said, and quite happily for Micah and Libby. Now we just need to stop anything else from occurring, keep others from being harmed, and find these bastards who control this Brown Coated army and we’ll all be fine,” Owen explained.
“I just ask, that no more important secrets be told to me until I defeat these demons for good,” Lyon announced to them all.
The colleagues agreed somberly.
They began to quiz Lyon on his interactions with Mr. Crow and company in London.
“Can you tell us about this Mr. Crow’s appearance, Lyon?” Harry asked.
“He was shorter than me, I think. He did smoke opium, or at least appeared to be, for he lounged beside me in his Limehouse den and used a pipe. He dressed as a gentleman. Truly, more like a noble. He wore a diamond pin in his cravat. The diamond was good-sized. His speech was that of a gentleman.”
“Was he familiar to you? What of his looks?” Owen asked.
“I remember thinking he seemed familiar to me, though I could not place him. His hair was dark. Dark brown, I think. Dark eyes. Brown, or black even. His skin was pale, pasty actually. Though, I’m certain mine was as well. I wasn’t eating much then.”
“Did he have any scars or marks? Was there something he wore that was distinguishing?” Micah queried.
“Yes, a small, thin scar on his chin, sort of diagonally crossing his chin. And a ring. On the hand he used to hold his pipe, his right hand. It was a large, signet type ring. It reminded me of a Templar cross, but it wasn’t quite that. And the colors were brown and white. I remembered thinking I never saw the exact symbol on his ring before.” Lyon actually smiled, pleased that he could remember some things.
“What type of cross?” Harry quizzed him.
“It wasn’t Maltese, Celtic or Orthodox. I believe it was a traditional Latin cross with fleur-de-lis end caps. The ring was simple and plain with just a small amount of decoration. The cross was white, the shield behind it entirely brown.”
“Very good, Lyon.” Micah continued, “Then there is some significance to the color brown.”
“Brown or Braun can stand for stability, grounding, convention, order, security, foundation, dependability,” Newt voiced aloud.
“Also the symbolic color for humility, poverty, plainness, as in the robes of a monk or priest,” Owen spoke up.
“Even opaque, muddy, dirty,” Charlie offered. He shrugged, “Keeping the truth hidden. Keeping the followers in the dark?”
“That’s good, Charlie. Let’s take some of those words that would have meaning for a group intent on keeping the Secrets of our Lord, the Secretum Domini, from coming to light,” Micah suggested.
“Order, Convention,” Harry began. “Keeping to the conventional views of Christ
. The accepted. The norm.”
“Foundation. Keeping with Christianity’s traditional foundation,” Jack mused aloud.
“Humility, poverty and plainness as in monks and priests might suggest a pious religious order against any deviation from the traditional teachings of Christianity,” Lyon offered and then shook his head. “Run by people who run opium dens and whorehouses of the lowest quality? Who steal women? How does that fit in?”
“Keeps people in the darkness? Unable to see the Light,” Micah posed. “Fanatical groups go to extreme measures often times to retain their control.”
“Something to think about,” Harry commented to Micah. He turned to Lyon, “What of your encounter with Madame Dubois at her prestigious house of pleasures?”
Lyon rolled his eyes. “Once again, I was foxed. She brought me into her private room. We smoked opium. She asked me about Glastonbury, what we found there. She wanted to know what else we were looking for.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I didn’t want to tell her anything. But I was desperate for release, but unable to because of the drugs and alcohol. She put something on my skin that made it – well it helped. I guess I told her some things right before, well, before it was over. She would bring me to the edge and ask questions before continuing.” He shook his head in disgust.
Lyon exhaled loudly, “She asked me if we found a scroll. I told her we did. I might have even told her which ones. I told her a lot more; about the gems, the gold, the cruets and the sapphire. Newt pulled me out and took me home, thank God. I’m sorry.”
“Did you mention which members were in possession of the scrolls?”
“He did. I heard that part,” Newt said. “And Lyon, were you aware there was a gent in the room while you were with Madame Rosier? He sat behind you, just watching. He was dark-headed and sported a slight scar on his chin. He was dressed in brown too. I didn’t notice his hands, so I did not see a ring. But, I’ll bet it was our Mr. Crow.”
“No, I don’t remember him, just the whore.” Lyon shook his head again, this time he exhaled heavily.
“Thank you, Lyon. This information does help.” Harry pulled at his chin. We need to send someone who is not an Avalon Society Member to Madame Rosier’s establishment to watch her and this Mr. Crow. Also, we need to someone to go into the Limehouse District and watch Crow’s establishment, the Jasmine Star.”
“I’ve got a few friends I can trust,” Newt offered. “I’ll get them on it.”
“Good. Thank you, Newt.”
“Anything else at all you can remember, Lyon?” Harry asked.
“Newt told you about Sophia and what she heard? They selected her particularly for me. They hit her. She was bruised on her chest, arms and legs, and on her cheek. They were going to kill her when we were passed out and blame me. They planned to kill me later after my character was ruined and make it appear to be a suicide.”
“He told us. Did Sophia see Mr. Crow?” Micah queried.
“I don’t know. She was drugged. I’ll ask her for you.”
“We would appreciate that.” Micah nodded. “We discovered recently that her father, Nathan Hart, was accepted into the Avalon Society just months before his death. Can you question Sophia on his scholarly pursuits and any research he might have been working on at the time? Newt said her father spent his time researching the treasures acquired by William Paulet during the dissolution that disappeared from Basing House when Cromwell sacked it in 1645. The only item she mentioned to him was the Holy Rood, or Black Cross, of Waltham Abbey. It would help if we knew exactly what he was looking for; why, and what documentation he had, if any.”
Lyon nodded, “Cleve asked her the morning we left. He had compiled a great deal of research, but it was discovered to be missing after his death. Before his drinking and gambling began, her father believed he was close to finding the Black Cross. Sophia was not aware he joined the Avalon Society. I assure you my wife would tell us if she knew anything.”
“Thank you, Lyon.” Micah said.
“I’m sure you are weary after your journey. Let’s get to bed and meet again tomorrow.” Harry said after hearing the clock chime the midnight hour.
As Lyon started to leave the room, Micah stopped him.
“Lyon, I just wanted to tell you, I’m glad you’ve made it through this and that you are getting better. Not only are you our friend and colleague, but you’re like a brother to most of us, at least that’s how I feel. We’ll stand behind you as long as you are trying.”
“Thank you, Micah,” Lyon offered him a half smile and went upstairs. He wanted to put this night behind him and crawl into bed where he could at least hold his sweet Sophia.
He undressed, slid into the bed, and pulled the sleeping Sophia into his arms. He kissed her temple and then the curve of her neck. Only then did he feel stronger. That everything would work out fine for them both. Maybe in time, they might be truly man and wife. Either way, Lyon grinned to himself at the memory of Sophia kicking at and stabbing their attackers earlier that evening; he’d married a feisty little hell-cat!
Micah stripped and slipped into his bed. He smiled happily when he discovered his sleeping Libby was as naked as he. He spooned up against her. He toyed with waking her but decided not to. He knew at some point her wiggly little bottom would rouse him up. He buried his face in her hair and fell into blissful slumber.
Libby’s wiggly bottom began arousing him several hours later. They still lay spooned together. Micah could not help himself. He was hard as a rock. He rose up on one elbow and began to place soft kisses along Libby’s neck. He allowed his hand to cover her breast and tease her nipple. She wiggled a bit and snuggled closer against him. Her eyes fluttered open. He increased the pressure on her nipple. His other hand slid between her legs, which she parted to allow him access. He found her wet already. He slipped inside her, “Mmm, sweetheart.”
“Is it morning, Micah?”
“No. It’s only two. But your wiggly bottom woke me, sweetheart. Forgive me, I could not stop myself.”
“Mmm, you feel good, Micah.” Libby moved her bottom back to take him more fully inside her. “Very good. I never dreamed the marriage bed could be so wonderful.”
“It shall always be so with us, my love.” His lips moved down her neck. His hand stayed at her breast, caressing, teasing.
They continued their slow, sweet rhythm for a long time, both content to savor the wonderful sensations of their joining. When Libby began her soft little pants, and her body tightened, Micah thrust deeper within her. They shattered together, riding the waves of their pleasure. Micah held her close afterward.
Libby turned to face him when her breathing returned to normal. She snuggled against him. She lifted up to give him a sweet kiss.
Micah deepened the kiss. He brought his arms around her, resting his hands on that firm little bottom he so adored. He pulled her against him. They kissed for long moments. After Libby yawned, Micah tucked her head beneath his chin. “Sleep, sweetheart.” He brought the covers over them. He savored holding her in his arms long after she fell asleep. What he and Libby shared was love. He could not imagine being any happier.
Micah sat up quickly at the sound of gunfire coming from outside. He shook Libby’s shoulder. “Wake up, Libby. Get dressed!”
He rose and pulled on the trousers and shirt he snatched up from the floor and ran into the hall, closing the door behind him. Most of the guests were placed in this wing; it being easier to watch over everyone. Harry, Owen, Lyon, Matthias, and Charlie exited in much the same state of dress, shirts and trousers. “What’s going on down there?” Micah’s voice boomed down the stairs as he began to descend.
“Under attack! Sons of bitches are trying to get in!” Newt’s voice sounded from below.
Owen passed Micah on the stairs, his pistol in hand. He turned and stopped Micah.
“Get the ladies together in one room. One of you must stay with them!” Owen looked to Harry upstairs t
hen to Micah on the stairs.
The gunfire continuing outside, the ladies dressed quickly without benefit of their maids. All three sported thick braids, and donned their gowns without benefit of stays when they worriedly stepped into the hallway to join their husbands.
“I can put them in the safe room.” Micah suggested.
Harry nodded. “Good idea. Do it now. You stand guard outside the safe room.”
“Harry! This is my home. I need to be downstairs,” Micah argued as he came back up the stairs.
“Someone has to stay with them.” Harry looked meaningfully at Micah again.
Micah realized they could not let Lyon know where the scrolls were hidden. “All right, Harry. You win. You and Lyon go downstairs. Give me some kind of signal if they get into the house.” Harry, Lyon and Charlie headed downstairs.
At least there was a safe hidden inside the secret room, so the scrolls were not visible inside the old priest hole.
It was located in Micah’s bedchamber. A bookcase actually swung open to reveal a ten by ten foot room. It was not a huge room, but not as small as some priest holes. Inside there was a small table with a candelabra and two chairs. Micah pulled another small chair in for the third lady, his wife, to sit upon.
“Pay attention, ladies. This lever will open the door if you should need to get out in the event of an emergency. You will wait for me or Harry to open it. If something should happen to me you would hear it. If that should happen you do not make a sound. You wait, hours if necessary until it is completely quiet in this house. Only Harry and I know where to find you. You are not to come out until I open the door, or if something happens to me, until you are certain it is all clear. Understood?”
Lords of Honor Page 17
