Page 67 of A Duke Under Her Spell
Oliver and Mr. Wheatly both stood and waited to see what had brought on such a response. The kitchen staff looked as if the world might be ending as they gaped at their masters in complete and utter shock. It was clear that such a sight was rare indeed to them. Lords did not usually descend below stairsen masse,if at all.
Lord Alexander stepped forward. “My butler tells me that two unsavory characters have been asking about a Miss Marybeth Wright. I take it that you are said persons?”
Mr. Wheatly placed a staying hand in front of Oliver before he had a chance to say something that they would both regret. “Unsavory no, My Lord, but we are indeed looking for Miss Wright,” Mr. Wheatly answered, bowing in an effort to give the proper courtesy.
“I recognize you. You are the butler at Arkley Hall, are you not?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“And what is it that you desire from Miss Wright that she has not already given to your household?” Lord Alexander demanded to know. All seven of the brothers’ stance bespoke a willingness to do either of their visitors harm should they misspeak. Oliver was quite taken aback by their response.
“She has not returned home, and we are concerned for her wellbeing. Our master, the Duke of Arkley, left in search of her two days hence and has not returned. We fear the worst might have happened,” Mr. Wheatly spoke the truth as best he could in spite of the noblemen’s glares.
“She is not at her croft?”
“No.”
Lord Alexander exchanged a look with his brothers. “I see.”
“To be quite frank, My Lord, we were somewhat concerned that Lord Enfield himself might have done her some harm,” Oliver admitted throwing caution to the wind.
Instead of reacting angrily, Lord Alexander nodded slowly as if considering the idea as being plausible. “It is possible. He was quite angry over the passing of his heir, our brother Lord Stephen. He no sooner returned from the forest, before storming off back onto it.”
“That does not bode well for Miss Wright’s safety, My Lord, but would he harm His Grace the Duke of Arkley over such a matter?”
“In a fit of temper, it is entirely possible that he might if the Duke were perceived to be in his way,” Lord Alexander admitted, his face lined with concern. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. My brothers and I will join your search.” Examining Oliver’s pale face, he noted, “Perhaps it would be best if you both returned to Arkley Hall to await their return there. We can see to searching the forest.”
Oliver started to shake his head, but the pain cut him short. “I will not abandon her.”
Lord Alexander studied him once more and a light of respect sparked in his eyes. “Very well,” he nodded his consent. “But we will not wait for you.”
“Agreed,” Oliver nodded slightly so as to avoid any further pain.
The brothers filed out of the kitchen and back up the stairs, while Oliver and Mr. Wheatly made their way back out to the Dowager Duchess’s contraption. By the time they had crawled back into it and were ready to set off again, the seven brothers appeared around the side of the house, mounted and armed to the teeth. They were a menacing bunch, their eyes as cold as steel, filled with determination.
With a nod of Lord Alexander’s head all seven brothers set off in different directions, their horses’ hooves pounding the ground in thunderous unison. Oliver and Mr. Wheatly rode back toward Arkley lands. “We should look to see if they might be at Blackleigh Castle. Marybeth has always spent a great deal of time there with her grandmother’s birds,” Oliver suggested.
“Right,” Mr. Wheatly nodded, and turned the horse in the direction of the castle.
* * *
When Marybeth awoke again it was to the sound of men talking to one another. At first it was muffled, indistinct, but then as she climbed further to the surface of consciousness, she realized that she recognized one of the voices as the Duke’s. “Release her and I will do whatever it is that you wish. There is no need to cause her any further harm.” His voice sounded very angry.
“Felix,” she mumbled, lifting her head to look in the direction his voice had come from.
“Ah, look who is awake,” another voice she recognized remarked, chilling her to the bone. It was Bernard Weatherton, the Earl of Bredon.
“What have you done?” she asked in fear. “I did everything you told me to do!”
“Yes, you did, but my plans have changed.”
“Your plans?” Marybeth asked as she attempted to sit up and face her captor.
“Yes, my plans,” the Earl sneered in disgust as he hauled her to her feet.
Marybeth looked around her and found Felix being held at gun point. “I did as you said. I stayed away from Arkley Hall, from the Duke. Why have you gone back on your word?”
“Because at that point there was still hope that my sister would wed the Duke and Arkley would be hers. His secrets would have become her secrets, including those of Blackleigh Castle. Instead, you came along and ruined everything. No sooner did we return from Bath than Cordelia absconded in the night. She has gone to live with our aunt in France. We are out of time and the debt collectors are upon our doorstep. I need the treasure now and the two of you are going to get it for me.”
