Page 38 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“We can hope, friend, we can hope.”
The hour had grown very late. Alden announced he would retire to his bedchamber, and Devlin did not argue. And even though his body was heavy with the strain of the day’s events, his spirit was light. As he dropped into his bed, his mind reeled over all the questions he needed answered to solve this puzzle and save Rosalind, the children, and the quirky servants he had grown so fond of.
****
What is that wretched noise?
Devlin had no idea what time it was. Ridley had not tended his fire and dawn’s light wasn’t seen through the cracks in his window shutter. Devlin let loose a few choice expletives, a loud sigh, and leaped from his bed. He threw only his breeches on and stomped out of his room.
Someone was pounding on the manor door incessantly, he realized at the top of the stairs. Alden emerged from his room, dressed only in his drawers, which weren’t cinched at the waist. Sword in one hand and the other holding up his knickers, If Alden engaged in a fight, it just might evolve into a battle likened to Viking berserkers, when in a bloodthirsty rage, rid themselves of their clothing and fought naked.
“Who in the bloody he—” Alden started to rant but stopped when Rosalind opened her chamber door, her wrap tied around her.
Devlin took in her tousled hair and sleepy eyes and thought she never looked more beautiful. She glanced at the two scantily clad men but wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
“Lady, do you know who is responsible for this wretched knocking at this early hour?” Alden asked politely.
Rosalind simply shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.
The men and Rosalind quickly trod down the stairs to the entry hall. Devlin marched to the door and swung it open. Minute snowflakes floating in the frigid predawn air blew into the entry of the manor house. Before him stood a man, short of stature and clothed in fine robes.
Devlin knew who this was. Not from his face but from the two guards that flanked his side. Each carried the king’s banner. The coat of arms consisted of three lions and a shield divided into four quarters. The fleur-de-lis of France was in the first and fourth quarters, the lions of Scotland in the second, and the harp of Ireland in the third. He’d carried this banner into many conflicts.
****
Lady Rosalind blushed in embarrassment. She could only imagine what was going through the clerk’s mind. There were two half-naked men at her open door, and she stood there onlyin her night dress and wrap. Oh, the impropriety! But still, there wasn’t anything she could do now.
“Mr., uh, Mr. Kelley, I presume. Please, come in.”
Devlin and Alden stood in the doorway and refused to let the man and guard pass through for a second or two. Rosalind could tell that Devlin was wary of this man. She placed her hand discreetly on his muscled shoulder, gave him a little pinch, and he finally moved to the side. Edward Kelley grunted as if he was extremely inconvenienced by being there and entering. His large eyes bulged from his head, and he looked down his pointy nose with disdain at his surroundings.
“The fire is warm in the great hall, Mr. Kelley. Please go take a seat and warm yourself.”
By now, Ridley was awake, and he stoked the fire in the grand fireplace feverishly to ward off the cold in the room. Benton, slightly disheveled because he’d dressed so quickly, had arrived and directed the royal entourage into the hall.
“Woman!” Kelley barked at Rosalind, “Warm ale! Now!”
Devlin moved faster than a bolt of lightning, grabbed Edward Kelley by his fine cloak and raised him nearly off the ground. His guards immediately took offense and drew their swords. Alden, in turn, stood at his friend’s side, grasping his sword with both hands. His knickers fell to the ground and puddled at his feet. Marta entered the great hall, took in the entire scene with a shocked gasp, and dropped the tray of hot drinks she carried.
“I will show you only a bit of grace here, Mr. Kelley. We’ve shown ourselves in your presence, let’s just say, not in our best light, and you obviously do not know who you address. But that “woman” is the lady of the house, Lord Edmond Capell’s niece, Lady Rosalind, and will be afforded the respect that is due to her. Am I clear?”
Edward Kelley was speechless, but he managed to nod his head, and quickly called his men to stand down.
“Alden, retrieve your pants,” Devlin said. “I think Mr. Kelley will mind his manners more closely now.”
Without taking his eyes off the guards, Alden made himself more decent and backed away from his friend.
“Oh, goodness,” Rosalind said with a slight smile as she turned to Ridley, who stood with his mouth wide open in surprise. “Quickly, bring more drinks out to our guests and then we’ll help Marta clean up that mess.”
To Edward Kelley, she said politely, “It was an easy mistake, Mr. Kelley. We certainly didn’t expect you until the day after tomorrow, and you caught all of us still abed. We were quite surprised to hear the pounding on the door. Sir Devlin tends to be a bit prickly when he first wakes up. And Mr. Danby, well… well, him, I’m not too sure about, especially now. Please excuse me while I make myself more presentable. Benton will see your needs whilst I dress.”
Rosalind retreated up the main stairwell, only to race down the back servant’s steps again to the kitchen to help Marta. She hadn’t quite recovered. Rosalind found her sitting in a chair with a cold compress on her forehead.
“Really, Marta! Everything is fine. Our guests from the palace are warm and comfortable and sitting by the fire. With some hot drinks, they’ll be fine. Devlin will calm down, and everything will be just fine.”
Ridley bounded into the kitchen, poured more warmed ale, and then blurted, “I think Sir Devlin will punch that toad man right in the face. He’s just sitting there glaring at him. He’s not even making a move to get dressed.” Ridley grabbed the tray and headed back out.
“It doesn’t sound fine, my lady,” Marta replied weakly.
