Page 25 of The Forsaken
“All right,” Gabe conceded. “You can discuss this with Rhys. As long as production is on summer hiatus, I guess he can’t do too much damage. Have you spoken to Sylvia?” Gabe asked carefully. Relations with Sylvia had been strained since Gabe called the police on Jude when he’d disappeared with Emma.
“I have, but the conversations were brief and confined to inquiries about my health and the well-being of the baby. She’s still upset about not being invited to our wedding. And about Jude, of course.”
“Has the prodigal son returned?”
“Yes, Jude has come back to Sylvia’s, but only temporarily. Seems he’s moving in with his girlfriend, Bridget.”
“Isn’t that the girl who colored Emma’s hair pink?” Gabe asked, his jaw tightening in that telltale fashion. He was still upset with Jude for taking Emma out without permission and not telling anyone where he was going. Thankfully, no harm had been done, but Gabe had been frantic, especially since Jude wouldn’t answer his mobile for hours.
“Yes, that’s her. Sylvia is rather in the dumps about it,” Quinn replied. “Jude is her baby.”
Gabe didn’t reply as he surveyed the hole in the floor. The kitchen had been practically demolished. A large chunk of the black-and-white tiled floor had been taken up to extract the remains and the plumbing was exposed. There was still no running water, and the leaky pipe would need to be replaced, if the plumber could be persuaded to return.
“Is your mum ready to come back home?” Quinn asked as she organized the labeled plastic bags on the table.
“Not yet. I don’t want her back in the house until the water is running and the floor has been retiled. I worry about her falling into the hole.”
“Gabe, this place is a money pit,” Quinn said carefully. She knew Gabe shared her sentiment, but it was still his ancestral home, and he might take offense at her description.
“I know.” Gabe sighed. “I know. And so does Mum.”
“Shall we get going?” Quinn asked, eager to return to London.
“There’s one more thing I need to do before we leave,” Gabe replied.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, fairly sure he’d had an idea regarding the remains. “I know that look.”
“I’m thinking I need to find the floor plan for the original house.”
“Do you think such a thing exists?”
“My family has been on this parcel of land since the Conquest,” Gabe replied. “The original structure must have been a fortress, but they expanded it over the centuries and eventually opted for comfort over safety. This house was built in the eighteenth century. Perhaps there are plans for the modern structure somewhere in Dad’s study.”
“Gabe, how is it possible that this house was constructed without the remains being unearthed?”
“That’s what I was wondering,” Gabe replied as he headed for the study, determined to find the answer.
SIXTEEN
APRIL 1461
Belford, Northumberland
Kate breathed a sigh of relief when the twin roof peaks of the Grange finally came into view. She ached from being in the saddle all day, but Hugh didn’t seem similarly affected and talked easily as they made their way toward the house. His demeanor had changed, possibly because he was no longer worried about Guy. He seemed lighter somehow, and more gallant. Kate was grateful to him for bringing her home, but she worried about her father’s reaction to her Lancastrian escort. She didn’t think her father would turn Hugh away, but she wasn’t at all sure of the type of welcome he would receive, given recent events. Her stomach twisted with anxiety when Hugh dismounted and helped her down from her horse.
Isaiah came running out of the stables to take their horses and bowed to Kate from the waist. “Welcome back, Lady Catherine,” he said solemnly. “Your father will be much relieved to see ye home safe.”
“Thank you,” Kate said and turned to Hugh. “We’d best go inside.”
She gazed at the imposing façade of the Grange. It was built of gray stone and shaped like the letter E. The house had been commissioned by her grandfather, a man who had valued not only appearances but comfort and wasn’t satisfied with the wattle and daub structure his own father had built. The rooms were spacious and light, and were adorned with tapestries, handsome furniture, and silver candleholders. When Kate had reminisced about her home during her time at the priory, she had always imagined it bustling with activity, but at the moment the place looked almostdeserted. Most of the shutters were closed against the light and the yard was unusually quiet.
The entrance hall was cool and dark. No one had bothered to light the sconces or lay the fires despite the nip in the air. Kate looked around in dismay. Where was everyone? She opened the door to the front parlor, but it was empty, as were the dining hall and all the other rooms on the ground floor. Even the servants didn’t seem to be about.
“Mother! Father!” Kate called out.
“Lady Catherine!” Mildred came rushing from the kitchen at the back of the house. She looked flushed and nervous as she curtsied to Kate and Hugh.
“Mildred, where are my parents?” Kate asked. She looked around anxiously. “Where’s everyone?”
