Page 42 of Never Leave Me
“We’re fairly certain.” Jasper backed out and brushed the dust and cobwebs from his shirtsleeve. “We believe the stonemason who built this castle in the early 1300s purposefully crafted the hiding place to store treasures he stole while he worked on finishing thedungeon area. The spot went undiscovered until Lionel built the lab here, so it will be the perfect place to store holy water.”
Ellen peered into the deep recess and then at the nearby stairway. “I have no guarantee that I’ll be able to put anything down here.”
Jasper began ascending the narrow flight of steps, his footsteps slapping against stone. “Dr. Lionel wants you to make this your place of residence.”
“Is that possible?” She started after him, bunching the thick train of her skirt to keep it from dragging against the damp, dirty floor.
“He suggests that first you need to make the acquaintance of the family who lives here to gain access to the hiding place.”
A part of her couldn’t believe she was having this kind of conversation. It was as outlandish as her attire—a medieval gown Jasper had rented from a costume shop. “Make their acquaintance? How am I to do that?”
“According to the records we located in the castle library, the Worth family resided here during the latter part of the fourteenth century. A number of knighted sons and no daughters—at least recorded.”
“And exactly how is that supposed to help me?”
“Dr. Lionel recommends you taking an interest in one of the sons.”
Ellen halted halfway up the stairway and stared after Jasper, her blood turning cold. She waited for him to turn around, grin, and tell her he was kidding. But he climbed the rest of the stairs, leaving her behind.
Her already-difficult mission to find holy water had just grown exponentially more difficult and dangerous.
Protest pushed for release as she hurried the last of the distance. At the top, she gathered the cumbersome skirt again with its draggingtrain and had to practically run to catch up to Jasper and the beam of his flashlight cutting a trail through the shuttered interior.
“Jasper, please. You can’t be serious.”
“You’re gorgeous, Ellen. One of the sons will fall for you and any story you tell him.” The tone of his voice told her he wasn’t entirely convinced she would cross time and that this was simply a fairy tale.
Real or not, she had to consider all her options. “I don’t want to get involved with a man. Maybe you should take me to Chesterfield Park, and I’ll hide the holy water there.”
“Dr. Lionel wants you to hide the supply here at Reider Castle. Then he’ll be assured he’s the only one who can gain access to it.”
Of course, Dr. Lionel wasn’t about to let her go to Chesterfield Park and risk someone seeing her, not with Harrison’s search effort in progress. And the truth was, she didn’t want Lionel personnel to get anywhere near Harrison, not after Dr. Lionel’s threat to harm Harrison.
Jasper passed through the great hall, dust motes swirling around their feet. “If you’re unable to place the holy water into the hiding place at Reider Castle, then put the supply in the cathedral’s crypt. The hiding place there isn’t as big, but you can fit several bottles.”
“I’d have more luck putting the holy water there, don’t you think?”
“You’d draw a great deal of suspicion going in and out of the crypt, especially as a woman. The better choice is to befriend the Worths and use the nook at the base of the dungeon stairs.”
“Don’t you think that will draw suspicion too?”
“It’s less public. I’m sure you’ll figure out a way.”
At the very least, she could become friends with the entire family—not just one of the sons. She trailed after Jasper into the front hallway, clutching her gown and trying not to trip. “As Marian’s sister coming for a visit, how will I explain why I’m here and not at Chesterfield Park?”
“Tell them you were attacked from behind, separated from your traveling companion, and knocked unconscious.” Jasper halted in the doorway.
Outside, the evening sky was lavender. The glow of the setting sun added a splash of colorful lace along the edges of the forest line that stood beyond the castle wall. It was hard to believe that less than twenty-four hours ago she and Harrison were on the private jet returning from Saint Lucia.
“Do whatever you need to, Ellen.” Jasper softened his tone. “If this really works and you do end up in 1382, I have confidence you’ll win everyone you meet to your side. You always do.”
“Thank you, Jasper.” She guessed he’d given her as much of an apology as he could for his part in everything.
The inner castle grounds were overrun with weeds along the high, stone walls of the bailey as well as the castle itself. In the flower beds on either side of the portico, a few tulips had managed to push their way through the dead brush that remained from the previous summer, but otherwise the outside of the castle was as dreary as the inside.
Across the expanse of the bailey, an iron gate hung half off its hinges in a crumbling arched gateway. Beyond was a bridge spanning a shallow river. If there had once been a moat, it was long gone. In the evening light, the river was glassy with the wildflowers growing along the banks reflected in the water.
Was this it? Her last look at life? Or just her last look at this present life?
