The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘No way. Nothing beats a cold beer.’ Josh grinned at her and added, ‘Sorry about the dirt. Hope I won’t put you off lunch?’

  Tess pretended to sniff and wrinkle her nose, then laughed. ‘Nah, it’s fine.’ He was very dirty and sweaty, but she found she didn’t mind at all. She wasn’t exactly clean herself.

  ‘How many sheep can you shear in a day?’ she asked, curious about the whole process.

  ‘Two hundred, maybe more. I’m helping out for free here, but normally you get paid per sheep so the more you can do, the better, obviously.’

  ‘Two hundred? Wow!’ That sounded like a lot to Tess.

  Mair came back with plates for her and Louis, and everyone tucked in.

  ‘Thank you for coming, Lady Merrick.’ Mair, seated at one end of the table near Tess, passed her the butter. ‘It’s very kind of you.’

  ‘Not at all, I’m enjoying it. And please, call me Tess. I’m not really Lady Merrick any longer.’ She bumped her shoulder into Josh’s. ‘This here’s the new lord.’

  Josh rolled his eyes. ‘I wish everyone would stop saying that. Have you ever met anyone less like an aristocrat? No, plain Josh Owens, that’s me.’

  The people round the table all laughed at that, but Tess silently disagreed. He may not be posh or talk with a cut-glass accent, the way Giles had done, but he had an air of authority about him. He was a born leader, someone who got things done, just not in an overt manner. She could definitely imagine him as a medieval lord, managing his estate in a good way, fair to tenants and servants alike.

  Surely that was worth a lot more than just being born into the role?

  After lunch, Josh gave Tess a lesson in sheep shearing, finding a smallish ewe for her to have a go at. He stood behind her, his chest against her back and his legs braced behind her in case she needed a helping hand. The feel of her body moulded to his like that was exhilarating. So much so that he had to concentrate really hard in order to teach her rather than just hold onto her.

  ‘Look, you grab it by the head, like this.’ He demonstrated, wrestling the animal onto its back. ‘Clamp the head against your thighs with your elbow and put your foot under its front hoof. You need both hands for the shearing as you have to pull the skin tight against the shears in order to cut properly.’

  He placed his hand on top of her smaller one and guided her movements along the sheep’s belly, where the shears left little ridges after the fleece came off. For him, it was just routine, but he knew it could be scary at first. It took a lot of practice to get it right.

  ‘I don’t want to hurt her,’ Tess murmured. ‘What if I cut her skin?’

  ‘You won’t, don’t worry. I’ll help you.’

  He kept his hand on hers all through the task. It took much longer than if he’d done it on his own and he wondered if the poor sheep was getting traumatised, but it seemed calm enough. And Tess got the hang of things, even if she went about it slowly and carefully.

  ‘Great! You did good,’ Josh said as they let the animal go. Tess leaned forward and breathed deeply, as if all the air had gone out of her. He pulled her back up and against his chest, folding his arms round her middle. ‘Hey, wasn’t that fun?’

  She let him hold onto her for a short while, as if she didn’t want to break the contact between them either, but then she stepped away and faced him. Shaking her head, she gave him a tremulous smile. ‘Not sure that classifies as “fun” exactly, but it was certainly interesting. Thank you for being so patient.’

  ‘No problem. It’s a pleasure.’ And he meant it. He could have stood there showing her how to shear a sheep for hours. He was a sad case, obviously.

  ‘Please can I have a go?’ Louis had come over and was looking at Josh expectantly.

  Teaching him wouldn’t be nearly as much fun, but Josh liked the kid and could see he genuinely wanted to learn. ‘Sure, mate. Let’s get you a sheep.’

  As he taught Louis the same things he’d just showed Tess, he was operating on automatic, his gaze on her half the time. Even folding fleeces she was lovely and he had a vision of them working together like this for years to come. But would she want that? Today it was an adventure, something new to try, whereas for him it was a way of life he loved. Could she learn to like it too?

  That was the million-dollar question.

  Merrick Court, 18th June 2016

  ‘I’ve put some more water in the fountain. What d’you think?’

  Tess had asked Josh to meet her in the knot garden. A whole week had gone by without them finding the time to work on the hedges. He’d been busy helping Fred, with Louis as their assistant. She’d done her bit there too, but part of the time she’d had to be in her workshop finishing a couple of orders that had suddenly come in. The hedge cutting had been put on hold, but now they were finally free to continue.

  It would seem he’d arrived a lot earlier than her today though and he had been busy. She glanced towards the water, feeling a strange pull as though it was wanting her to come closer. Tess gave herself a mental shake – she was getting too fanciful for words. Water couldn’t do anything to her, it wasn’t alive. Sure, it seemed to act as some sort of facilitator for her dreams, but now she knew that, she was the one who decided when and if that happened. She turned to Josh.

  ‘Very pretty. I don’t understand why this was allowed to get so overgrown. It’s a beautiful spot. Let’s get on with the hedge trimming, shall we?’

  ‘Sure.’

  After a while, Tess ventured to ask him about the house. ‘Have you heard any more from the estate agents? Are they putting Merrick Court in Country Life?’

  ‘No, not yet. I can’t seem to make up my mind.’ He stared over towards the old stone bench they’d cleared and frowned. ‘Something’s holding me back.’

  ‘You like it here?’ Tess could understand if that was the case. The house was lovely and she’d been enchanted with it the first time she’d come here. How much more intense must that feeling be if you actually belonged?

  ‘Yeah, I do.’ Josh looked troubled. ‘I just don’t know if it’s me. Lord Merrick and all that.’

  Tess smiled. ‘You’d still have the title even if you went back to New Zealand.’

  ‘Yeah, but I wouldn’t use it and I could forget all about that. Here it seems to go with the house. It’s like everyone’s going to see me differently because of it. Not the real me. Know what I mean?’

  ‘I think so. But maybe you just have to change their perceptions or pre-conceived notions of what an earl should be like?’

  ‘Yes, maybe.’

  ‘Is Rosie still hassling you about buying the house?’ Tess had heard via Louis that his mum hadn’t given up hope yet.

  Josh sighed. ‘Yeah, but every time I think of her owning it instead of me I see red. No idea why. Like she says, at least she’s family, sort of.’

  Tess laughed. ‘She has that effect on people. Either way, you will let me know when you’ve decided, right? I’ve made some enquiries and there are a couple of places to rent round here but I need a bit of notice to pack my stuff.’

  Josh frowned. ‘Of course. No rush. I think I’ll stick around at least until the end of the summer to give me time to think things through.’

  ‘Well, you should be living at the Court so I’ll see if I can move out by the end of July. It’s all wrong, you camping out in Bryn’s little cottage when you own a huge house.’

  ‘No worries. I think Bryn’s happy to have me there and I’m enjoying it too. He’s a nice guy. Reminds me of my grandpa.’

  A few hours later they were more or less done. ‘I think that’s as good as it’s going to get right now.’ Josh stood up and stretched out his back.

  Tess noticed his tan had deepened even more and, as always when working in the garden, he was without a shirt. He didn’t appear self-conscious about showing off so much of his body, but then why should he be? It was superb. She’d had a hard time concentrating on her shears, rather than Josh. She sat down on the rim of the
fountain, with her back to the water, and stretched out her legs in front of her. The weather continued hot and she was getting quite a respectable tan too.

  ‘Yep, that’s definitely enough, I’d say,’ she agreed. ‘Wish this water was drinkable. I’m dying of thirst. I suppose I’d better …’

  Josh held up his hand. ‘No, stay right there. I’ll go get us something cold from Bryn’s little fridge in the shed. He doesn’t just keep milk in there for tea, you know.’ He grinned. ‘Or at least he doesn’t when I’m around. I stashed some beer and Coke in it earlier.’

  ‘Sneaky.’ Tess smiled back. ‘Okay, I’ll just rest for a bit then.’

  Without thinking she stretched out a hand behind her and stuck it into the water, which was now lapping the rim of the fountain behind her. Again, she had the sensation of being drawn towards it.

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ she muttered, but this time she couldn’t resist. She turned around and stared into the clear liquid that filled the basin. The compulsion became stronger, almost as if it was sucking at her innards. Tess swallowed hard, scared now but unable to move away. She knew what was going on, but wasn’t sure she wanted it to happen. But maybe she didn’t have a choice? That made her angry, and in consequence, braver.

  ‘Okay, I get it. There’s something else you want to show me, Mistress Dauncey.’ She glared at the fountain, as though the spirit of the dead woman was in there. ‘Fine, bring it on, but be quick. Josh’ll be back soon.’

  She concentrated on the water surging round her fingers as she slowly stirred the little waves, and the sounds of the garden faded into the background. Instead, there was only darkness and menace …

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Raglan Castle, 18th June 1646

  Arabella was deep in thought as she headed for her own room late one evening and didn’t see the shadow that detached itself from a corner until it was too late. Glyn had grabbed her and put one hand across her mouth before she had time to utter so much as a squeak, and although she fought him with all her might, he half carried, half dragged her towards the pantry.

  ‘We have unfinished business you and I,’ he muttered, huffing with the effort of keeping her from clawing at him and kicking him. ‘You’re a little hellcat, but it won’t do you any good. I’m your master and the sooner you learn that, the better it will be for you.’

  She bit his hand. ‘Never. I’ll never be yours—’ But with an oath, his hand returned to her mouth and pressed even harder, almost cutting off her breathing.

  Arabella noticed they were heading for the stairs down to the wine cellar. Where was everyone? Had they all gone to bed? Why didn’t someone come and help her? She made as much noise as she could behind Glyn’s hand, but only muffled squeaks came out and it made her even more breathless to the point where she thought she might faint.

  He forced her down the circular staircase and into a dark tunnel that led to the cellar, but then stopped halfway. There was a window embrasure in the wall, almost as thick as a full-length man, and here he pushed her onto her back, launching himself on top of her. Again, she managed to free her mouth and screamed. The sound echoed off the damp stone walls, but she doubted anyone would hear. A sob of both fury and fear tore out of her, and she thrashed her head from side to side to avoid his disgusting mouth, which seemed to her to be slobbering all over her face and throat.

  ‘Lie still, bitch!’ He slapped her hard and Arabella’s head buzzed.

  She tried to blink to clear her head and continued to fight him, but he had her pinned down and his hands were working their way up underneath her skirts, bunching them up beneath her. As he fumbled with his breeches, she screamed again. ‘HELP! Someone, please, help m—’

  ‘Shut up!’ Glyn hit her again, this time so hard she blacked out for a moment.

  When she came to, she found the weight of him lifted off her and heard a crunching sound. She looked up and in the faint light from the window behind her, she saw Rhys bashing Glyn’s head against the stone wall.

  ‘Don’t. Ever. Touch. Her. Again! You whoreson!’ he snarled, hitting Glyn once more for good measure. The man sank to the floor like a sack of grain, his eyes rolling up into his head.

  ‘Is-is he dead?’ Arabella whispered, her voice hoarse with fear and shouting.

  ‘Unfortunately not, but he will be if he tries to force you again.’ Rhys held out a hand and pulled her gently off the ledge. ‘Are you hurt? Can you stand?’

  ‘I … no, not hurt. And yes, I th-think I can.’

  But she was shaking so much that in the end he just picked her up and carried her up the stairs and into the Great Hall. There was still no one about, so he headed for the big oriel window where there were some seats. No one would see them there unless they came in through the doors at this end of the room.

  Now that the ordeal was over, Arabella found that tears were coursing down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them, but felt foolish to be crying now that she was safe. ‘I’m s-sorry. I can’t seem to …’

  ‘Shhh, it’s all right, cariad.’ Rhys pulled her onto his lap and just held her close, rocking her like a small child. ‘He won’t hurt you again, I’ll see to it. I’ll report him to Lord Charles and he can deal with him. He’s firm when it comes to discipline.’

  ‘No, don’t! He’ll find a way to hurt you after he’s been punished. Trust me, I know him. It’s not worth it. As long as he can’t g-get to me again …’

  ‘Are you sure? I can look after myself.’

  ‘No, please. Everyone will gossip about me and they’ll think … they’ll think the same thing you did the first time you saw us together. And once people begin to suspect something, no matter what you say the doubt will always remain. No smoke without a fire they’ll say. Really, I couldn’t bear it.’

  ‘Very well, I won’t say a word, I promise.’

  Arabella relaxed and leaned her head against his shoulder. She was safe.

  Merrick Court, 18th June 2016

  ‘Tess? Tess! Are you okay?’

  Josh dropped the cans onto the grass and sank down next to her. She was slumped against the fountain, half lying on the ground, and appeared to have passed out. Thankfully she was breathing; the sight of her chest rising up and down went some way towards tamping down his first panicked reaction. He touched her arm. ‘Tess, talk to me.’

  ‘Josh? Oh, ow …’ Tess blinked at him, her eyes unfocused and the pupils dilated, almost obliterating the blue irises around them.

  ‘Did you faint? Too much sun?’ He looked up but the sun’s rays weren’t as strong now and there was a tree partially shading the area around the fountain. Perhaps she’d just worked too hard.

  ‘Mmm, maybe … don’t remember,’ she muttered, but she kept her eyes down and he had a feeling she was lying.

  ‘Can you sit up?’ He helped her into a more upright position. ‘You want your drink? Beer or Coke?’

  ‘Coke, please.’ She held out a hand that was visibly shaking and sipped from the can he opened for her.

  ‘Seriously, what happened?’ he asked, not believing for a minute that she didn’t remember.

  ‘I don’t know. I guess I got dizzy and … I-I’m sorry, but I can’t explain.’

  Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and Josh felt his heart melting. Without pressing her for any more answers, he sat down next to her again and pulled her close, holding her until she stopped shaking. They sipped their cold drinks in silence and Josh stared with unseeing eyes at the beauty around him, feeling confused.

  What the hell was going on?

  After a while, her regular breathing told him she’d fallen asleep and he closed his own eyes. He became aware of a faint noise, a sound which was growing into something recognisable. A single word, repeated over and over again.

  ‘Listen, listen, listen …’

  The admonition, insistent and cajoling, was carried on the wind, a susurration passing from leaf to leaf in the bushes and branches around him. It invaded his brain and Josh
blinked into the setting sun. To his right, he noticed a shadow under the trees, agitated, restless. It was fairly obvious it was trying to communicate and, as far as he knew, Josh was the only person there with whom it might actually work. Adrenaline raced through him and his pulse rate went up several notches. It had happened before with the mirror; it could work again. But did he want it to? Yes, definitely. He focused on the shape, addressing it in his thoughts.

  ‘You want to tell me what’s going on? Does it have something to do with Tess?’

  The shadowy form seemed to nod. Josh took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally. After a lifetime of ignoring the lost souls he wasn’t sure he was ready for this, but if it would help Tess, he’d go along with it.

  ‘Okay, I’m listening.’

  He closed his eyes and tried to free his mind from all other thoughts, waiting for the voice until it rang out again. ‘Listen.’ And then the images came too …

  Raglan Castle, 18th June 1646

  Rhys felt like a cad. ‘Forgive me. I shouldn’t have doubted you, I see that now, but I have to admit I thought you might be a Parliamentarian spy and … well, I believed you were a couple, perhaps even married.’ He didn’t want to tell her he’d been jealous, but that was the truth. The green-eyed devil, pure and simple, because he wanted her for himself.

  ‘A spy? Me? Whatever gave you that idea?’

  Rhys took a deep breath and decided to be honest with her. He had been a fool to doubt her, but he’d been justified to a certain extent. The fact that he’d let his liking … no love, for her, and consequently his jealousy, blind him to her possible innocence was something he regretted now. He winced. She’d come so close to being raped tonight by that bastard Howell. If he hadn’t been watching the man and heard Arabella’s screams, things would have ended very badly for her.

  He couldn’t bear to even think about it and suppressed a shiver.

  ‘Very well, I’ll confess. I followed you to Merrick Court one night and I put two and two together, obviously coming up with the wrong answer. But you must admit it was a bit suspicious, you going there of all places.’