Page 71 of The Artisan and the Duke
“Oh, this is such a morbid thing,” Lady St Claire said with a grimace. “I have no love for the man, but even I do not wish to see him dead, at least not at my son’s expense.”
Jules frowned. “If Boris is involved, then we really do need to find him and Gregory,” she said with worry.
“The Glenwood Estate is quite a ride, and it is also vast. If we get there then we still have to locate wherever Lawrence is holding up, which I guarantee is not going to be at the main house,” Fredrick said reasonably. “We will give him a day, and if he is not back, then I promise I will ride there personally.”
Jules said firmly, “If you go, then I will go with you.”
“Do you recall what happened the last time we went somewhere together?” Fredrick asked with a laugh.
Jules sighed and crossed her arms. She had refused all of Lady St Claire’s attempts to get her to change out of her disguise, so she sat most scandalously on the sofa in her breeches and ample button-up shirt. “That is not funny, Fredrick,” Jules said with a frown.
“You are right. Forgive me, Your Grace,” Fredrick said with a smile, “But I still think you should wait here with Mother. It would be more prudent to do so.”
Lady St Claire interrupted, “I sincerely hope this conversation is all futility in the morning, and Gregory is walking up those steps. I really do not know how much more worry I can possibly contain for your children.”
Jules gave the woman a worried look and put her hand compassionately on her mother-in-law’s arm. “I am so sorry to cause you grief, but he is my husband,” she said softly.
“I know,” Lady St Claire said with a smile as she put her hand over Jules’ hand. “I am very glad that Gregory has found such a loyal wife, but I do wish you were a bit more cautious.”
Jules hesitantly said, “I promise that in the future I will attempt to have more discretion, but I cannot promise that until I know Gregory is safe.”
Lady St Claire smiled warmly and nodded. “I suppose I can live with that.”
***
Gregory was tired of horses and trails. More than that, he was tired of his cousin and his droning voice that seemed never to tire or crack. Boris was still talking, but Gregory had given up listening to the man a long time ago, most of Gregory’s devotion had been put towards simply staying awake.
The woods on the Glenwood estate were dark even during the day, at night they were pitch black enough that they ran the risk of running their horses and themselves into trees or holes. Gregory followed the twisting trail and the outline of his cousin ahead of him. Finally, Boris slowed and waved for Gregory to dismount as well.
Boris whispered, “There’s a small house up ahead where he stays sometimes. I was not sure if we would find him here, but there does appear to be a light on. We should approach cautiously.”
Gregory nodded as it was a reasonable assumption that his uncle might be willing to use some sort of violence to keep from coming back to face the charges that would be brought against him.
Gregory tied his horse to a tree and proceeded to follow Boris on foot through the woods in a more direct route to the house so as not to be seen as they approached.
It took only a few yards into the woods before Gregory spotted the light that had tipped Boris to the fact that perhaps someone was home at the secluded house.
The light twinkled and flickered as if someone had lit a candle or perhaps a fireplace despite the warmth of the evening. Gregory caught himself on a low tree branch and almost stumbled. Boris turned to him quickly and raised his finger to his lips.
“Sorry,” Gregory whispered. He and Boris waited, but there were no noises from the house. Once Boris deemed it safe, they crept through the trees.
The house, despite the light, was quiet as Gregory and Boris approached. Boris peered gingerly into one of the windows. He shook his head at Gregory and waved Gregory towards the back door.
Gregory stepped softly up the steps and took a breath before he twisted the knob. Boris soon joined him as Gregory pushed the door open with a nod to Boris. The inside of the kitchen was dark, and Gregory whispered, “Perhaps they are sleeping.”
“Or reading,” Boris said with a nod. “Let’s go towards the study. That’s where the light was that we saw.”
Gregory followed Boris as the man motioned for Gregory to follow him. There was eeriness to the quiet that Gregory did not like. The silence was too profound. Gregory’s own breathing sounded far too loud, and the crunch of their boots over the wooden floors sounded louder than thunder.
“This does not feel right,” Gregory said softly as he caught up to Boris when the man paused in a doorway.
Boris frowned. “The silence is very heavy, but hopefully that means that Lawrence is asleep and will not be much trouble to overpower.”
“We should go back and have the guards come with us,” Gregory said quietly as he followed Boris.
Boris shook his head. “Has your courage abandoned you, Cousin?”
“No, I have just gotten reacquainted with my senses. I should not have ridden while my blood was hot. Mother and Fredrick were right. This is not a good situation, Boris.” Gregory took a deep breath. “We need to go.”
