Page 72 of The Artisan and the Duke
Boris scoffed, “What if we have already alerted him? By the time someone from London gets here, he could be gone. Besides, we have not even found him yet. Let us at least verify that he is here.”
“Very well,” Gregory sighed softly. “Let’s hurry. It will be a long ride back to London.”
Boris paused, and Gregory pushed past him into the next room. The glow of the candle was a beacon that Gregory softly crept towards. The room door was ajar, and Gregory peered through it. There in the flickering light was a hand on the floor just in view. Pushing the door open, Gregory gasped, “Uncle.”
The man was sprawled on the floor where it appeared he had been ambushed. Gregory knelt to make sure the man was alive but never got the chance. There was a searing pain in the back of his head, and everything went black as Gregory fell forward onto his uncle.
***
“This is ridiculous,” Jules fumed. “Can’t we just go? Gregory should have been home by now.”
Fredrick nodded. “That’s true. He’s had plenty of time to return if there were no complications. We should give him until the morning. We won’t be able to see where we are going at night, and we need to be rested for the ride,” Fredrick said reasonably.
Lady St Claire quickly agreed, “Yes. You should never set out on a journey fatigued. First thing in the morning, you may set out if you wish.”
It looked as if Jules would have little choice in the matter, so she sighed and got up to go to her room. She wished fervently that Sherry had returned with her from the country estate but was also glad that the girl had not been subjected to all the horrors of the last few days. There was a clamour at the door as William rushed to get to it.
Before William reached the door, however, Boris pushed it open and burst into the foyer all gasping sobs. His clothes were tattered and wet. “I rode as quickly as I could,” he gasped out.
“What is the meaning of this?” Fredrick asked as he stepped out of the sitting room where he had been with his mother. Fredrick eyed Boris with distinct disdain that the man seemed not to notice.
Boris shook his head. “Fred, dear Fred, it brings me great sorrow to come here and tell you this,” he sobbed out.
“What is it? Just speak,” Fredrick said with frustration and mounting dread. “Where is Gregory?”
Boris put his hands out in defence. “Please do not think ill of me because I bring this news. I am as shocked and disheartened as you are,” Boris said piteously. “We rode out to Glenwood, but on the way back, Gregory became agitated. He became angry, stating that it was my entire fault that all of this was happening. He accused me of being behind the abduction of Her Grace.” Boris shook his head slowly as if trying to understand.
“He said that he had already taken care of Uncle and now he was going to do the same to me. I did not know what to do. I pushed him away as quickly as I could; I saw him fall off his horse, but I dared not go back to check on him. I just rode as quickly as I could home.”
Fredrick stared at the man blankly. “That is the most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard. Gregory did not trust you, but he had no reason to hurt you. We have no idea where Uncle Lawrence is or has been,” Fredrick fairly shook with indignation.
“You dare to come in here with such talk,” Jules said as she stepped out where she could be seen at the top of the stairs overlooking the foyer. Boris’ face morphed into shock.
“Your Grace, I had no idea that Gregory had found you. He certainly gave no indication,” Boris said in surprise.
Fredrick snarled, “How do you know who she is? You have never met her.”
“I guessed,” Boris said simply. “Lawrence described her to me, and I just assumed. What other lady would be here, after all? And with such a bold tongue?”
“Tell me where you last saw Gregory,” Fredrick demanded of his cousin.
Boris nodded and said, “Of course. I can show you if you like.”
“No. Just tell me,” Fredrick said dismissively. He had no interest in being alone with the man who may have led Gregory into a trap.
Boris nodded. “As you’ll have it,” he said. “I last saw him as we were leaving a small house in the woods just north of Glenwood Hall. Take the road that bypasses the main estate and goes back into the forest. You will not miss it. I hope he is well, but I do wish you to be careful.”
Jules walked down the stairs and stood at the bottom beside Fredrick. “You need to leave,” Jules said flatly to Boris.
Boris looked between Fredrick and Jules. “I came here out of respect so that you would hear about it before the courts did,” he said as he turned to go to the door.
“What do you mean?” Fredrick asked warily.
William opened the door to let the nobleman out. Boris stopped in the doorway as he looked back over at his cousin and the Duchess of Thornton. “You know as well as I do, dear Cousin, what the penalty is for trying to kill another nobleman,” he said with little emotion. With his words spoken, Boris turned and walked out to his horse.
Jules frowned. “What is the penalty?”
“A nobleman who kills another or attempts to can be stripped of his titles, properties, and even hanged,” Fredrick said quietly.
