Page 10 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“Agnes was broken-hearted after Tom’s disappearance. She held out hope that he had gotten away. But after several weeks and no sign or word from him, she wondered if he was actually dead.”
“What do you think? Do you think he got away?” Devlin asked softly.
“No. I think Edmond had him killed. He would not stand for an underling to insult him in such a way.”
Rosalind’s voice grew softer, and the sadness in her eyes was evident. “Three months later, Agnes became ill. We did all we could, but the fever took her life.”
Rosalind was quiet for a moment. “She made me promise to raise her girls… and keep them safe. I’ve kept my promise. The girls are mine now.”
After a brief but heavy silence, the sadness in her face was replaced with resolve. She added, “And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”
Devlin didn’t doubt for a moment that she would.
Rosalind cleared her throat and stood from her chair. She carefully folded her mending and placed it back in the basket. “Are you ready for Ridley now? I think you’ll find him a bit more manageable.”
Devlin nodded, and Rosalind left the dining hall to fetch Ridley.
****
Rosalind entered the kitchen through the swinging door. Marta sat by the kitchen hearth, peeling carrots. Marta appeared to be concentrating on her work, but Rosalind knew the expression on her face was one of concerned curiosity.
“Kaylyn… Luella… how did they fare being questioned by that black devil?” Marta stood quickly and asked worriedly, “Was he cruel? Did he scare them?”
Rosalind placed her hands on Marta’s plump arms. “They were fine. They are fine, Marta. The girls were not intimidated at all.”
Marta sat back down and sighed in relief. Her tense expression disappeared and a small smile tugged at her edges of her mouth.
“Answered prayers!” she announced. “I couldn’t bear for the little ones to be frightened more than they are day to day here.”
Rosalind nodded. “I had concerns too, but Marta, I think there is more to this man than we know. When he questioned the girls, he was calm. His voice was almost soothing. I think the girls trusted him right away.”
Marta blinked once and then stared wide-eyed at Rosalind in disbelief.
“Yes, it’s true. And since they trusted him, the conversation got away from him. But you know what? He never lost his patience. Not once!”
Marta looked heavenward. “Perhaps we have misjudged this man then, milady.”
Rosalind hoped so, and then she sent up a silent prayer that Sir Devlin would be their advocate and not their adversary in the days to come.
****
A few short minutes later, Ridley raced around the corner and plopped himself in the chair across from Devlin.
Devlin looked at the lad sitting in front of him. His homespun trousers and oversized linen shirt swallowed his slight frame. Devlin noted that despite being a servant, he wore shoes, which was unusual for a child of his station. His hair was clean, but too long, and the child had a way of flipping his head to the side to get the longer tresses out of his eyes. His face and hands were clean, but there was dirt under his fingernails.
“So, Ridley. Were you in the manor house the night Lord Edmond was last seen?”
“Yes, sir. Yes, I was.”
“Tell me what you saw and heard that night.”
“That night, I helped Marta in the kitchen like I always do. I fetched water and kept the cooking fires hot. Marta had fixed chicken stew—it’s very good—one of my favorite things she cooks.” Ridley smiled. “I had already carried out the bread and bowls and such, but when I took the soup pot out to Benton to serve, Lord Edmond was already deep in his cups and swearin’ and carrying on.”
“What did he say?” Devlin asked.
“Something about not having enough money and how taking care of milady and her ‘two brats’ was breaking him. He told her he’d found a way to recover his losses.”
“What do you think he meant by that, Ridley?” Devlin sensed he was getting somewhere.
