Page 68 of The Artisan and the Duke
“Everything is fine, and we were just leaving. Apparently, the tip was just rumours. Good day, Sir,” the guard said graciously as he dipped his head and walked down the steps past Fredrick. The two guards outside the door, followed by several others spilled down the stairs behind the lead guard.
Fredrick watched them all clamour onto a waiting wagon and only then did he turn and go up the steps. A grey-haired man met Fredrick at the door. The man eyed Fredrick warily, “Can I help you, Sir?” the man asked as he eyed Fredrick’s nice clothes.
“I am Fredrick St Claire, His Grace’s brother. He is away at the moment and could not come himself to collect Her Grace,” Fredrick explained.
The man looked confused. “I don’t understand. Did you not see her along the way?”
“No,” Fredrick said worriedly. “I spoke to Tom and then came straight here, but I saw no one save a guard or two along my route here.”
The man sighed heavily, “I sent her toward your manor house over an hour ago. You should have passed her on the way. Forgive me, Sir. I am Charles Foster, the Guild Master here.”
“It is nice to meet you,” Fredrick said then he looked around. “I will head back at once and pray that I see her along the way. Perhaps she merely took a different route than I.”
Master Foster nodded, “I wish you good speed. I fear the guards did not really believe that Her Grace was not here. They may be out looking for her as we speak.”
***
Jules was almost to the manor when two men hailed her from across the street. She hastened to keep moving, but she heard one of them call out, “Stop there!”
Running would only make them give chase, but Jules saw the lights of the manor house just ahead. She saw the gate and sighed wearily. She stopped and turned towards the two men. “Is there a problem?” she asked trying to stamp down the fear that crept up with every step the men took towards her.
The guardsmen stopped near her, and one of them said, “We are looking for an escaped criminal. Where are you headed?”
Jules looked between the men. She decided to try and play it off. Perhaps they were not even looking for her. “I am expected at St Claire Manor,” Jules said as she gestured towards the large house across the street. “If I’m late, His Grace will have my head,” Jules said urgently hoping that they would believe her just some servant of the St Claire household.
The guardsmen looked at each other. “Odd thing that. We have reason to believe that the criminal that we are looking for might be headed for the St Claire home. What did you say your name was?” the taller of the two guards asked suspiciously.
“I didn’t,” Jules said and then hastily added, “It is Henry Miller.”
The other guard said to his friend, “Aren’t we looking for a woman? This is clearly a boy.”
They eyed Jules for a moment. Jules had already begun to get ready to run for the manor when there was a familiar voice. Fredrick shouted over, “Hello there. Is there some issue?”
The guardsmen looked around at Fredrick. “No, Sir,” the taller guard said hastily. “We were just asking this boy some questions.”
“They are looking for a criminal and decided to harass me about it,” Jules said.
Fredrick shook his head. “You had better get on to the manor. I will set this gentleman straight,” Fredrick said as he nodded his head towards the manor behind Jules. Jules dipped her head in thanks then took off at a run across the street. “Now, about this search for a criminal and how you thought it necessary to impede one of our servants about it, I think His Grace would find that most interesting,” Fredrick said with absolute sincerity. He eyed the two nervous guardsmen.
Finally one of the men said, “Our apologies, Sir. We were merely asking the boy if he had seen anyone suspicious.”
Fredrick took a deep breath and said, “Do not let it happen again.”
The two guardsmen assured Fredrick that it would not as they hastened to leave. Fredrick watched them for a time and then went to join Jules at the manor. She was waiting outside the manor by the steps when he rode up.
“You’re okay!” Jules said with relief as Fredrick dismounted. No sooner had he landed on the ground than Jules embraced him.
Fredrick smiled and patted Jules on the back. “And I am so grateful to see you unharmed, at least for the most part. Come inside, and you can catch us up on your misadventure,” Fredrick said as he ushered Jules towards St Claire Manor.
Chapter 14
Gregory waited impatiently for Boris to be ready to leave. He gave the maid that came through the room tidying up a smile despite his mood.
The timid woman bobbed her head at Gregory and left the room as quickly as she had entered it. Gregory was beginning to wonder if Boris would ever be ready when the man finally came into the sitting room to collect Gregory.
“Ah, there you are,” Boris said as if Gregory was somehow not exactly where Boris had left him.
Gregory intoned, “Yes, here I am. Are you ready to go?” Gregory stood up and eyed Boris expectantly.
