Emilie kept hearing Percy's voice. ""Why must you bombard me? I left home to get away from it all and now you're forcing me to make a decision? I've been through hell; I don't need it again so soon." He was yelling at her. "Percy, I am sorry" Emilie kept muttering but all she could see was his angry face and then her attacker's voice, his hands hitting her, tearing at her. "Please save me" she shrieked and sat up. "Calm down, you are safe now" she heard someone say. Emilie's vision was blurry. "Percy?" she asked softly. The voice chuckled.
"Alas no, I have not the honor of being this Percy who you seem to adore" the voice said. Emilie tried to look around and made out a pair of dark gray eyes peering at her.
"Chris?" she asked, recalling the name of the person who had found her. The face that the eyes belonged to smiled.
"Indeed, milady, it is I. I am glad you remember my name, it is indeed an honor for it to be recalled by such a lovely lady" Chris said, beginning the interrogation of his little pet. "I thought you were��" she began. "The brutes that savaged you? If I had my way, I'd track them down and deal with them myself" he said gallantly. Emilie smiled through the pain. "Thank you for saving me; I don't know how I can ever repay you. You carried me all the way here." she said, glad to be protected.
"To my humble chateau and no burden was ever so light" he said, kissing her better hand. Emilie looked at her arm, one which was in a sling.
"My arm?" she asked. Chris pretended to look sad. "Your arm was sprained during your attack. You'll be right as rain in a week or so, but just to be safe" he said. "I must be so ugly now" she said, feeling with her better hand the bumps and swelling of her face. Chris was finding this all too easy. Wealthy girls like Emilie had been raised to rely on a man, unlike common girls. She wanted to revolve around someone, first this confounded Percy and now, it would be him.
"Your beauty shines through, a few days and all this will be just a bad memory for you" he comforted her. Emilie merely smiled and then winced at the pain. "Well, tell me about yourself, it will take your mind off the smarting. I am Christof Lovell, Vicompte and I was born here " he said kindly, handing her a glass of sherry and a plate of food. Emilie nodded, glad to be eating and talking like a person.
She found herself pouring out her life story. "My name is Emilie Spencer and I am from Cornwall, England though I have lived in Richmond with my half sister Tessa, brother in law, Lord Arthur Blakeney and my nephew Percy, he's a year older then me. My father felt it would be better for me with them; he wanted to be free to marry a new wife. It was nice living with them, though I missed my home. Percy and I are really close; he's usually very kind to me. But then my sister became ill and well, life got less happy. We go to France a lot and when we are in here, we stay in Blakeney manor near Calais. I hate being here, it means my sister is worse" she began. "I like music, especially the violin and reading. My favorite book is Le Morte De Arthur, I love the character of Merlin" she said.
Chris smiled and nodded. "Well, you are pretty far from the manor? What happened? What brought you to Laurel? By the way, I love music too and my favorite book is "Othello" or "Machiavelli, The Prince'" Chris answered.
"Well, after Tessa got sick, his lordship turned bitter. Percy and I reacted to Tessa's illness by being mischievous devils and Lord Blakeney by trying to reform Percy by use of the rod. Percy reacted by being more insolent, defiant and running away all the time. He just could not deal with his mother getting worse. Lordship wanted us to stay around the manor, to ask permission for everything. Yesterday, Percy was out when Tessa was having one of her better moments. He was with that perfect Laurel. When his father found out where he had been, he thrashed Percy before allowing him to see his mother. Percy and I had a few good minutes with his mother, before she got worse. Percy was terrified his father would whip him for upsetting his father. He and I decided to run away but when we left, he seemed to be sick. This Andre found us and took us to Laurel's house. We were both terrified that someone would find us but we were going to the wrong house. That's where that witch cast her spell over Percy, making him snap at me. I left to get some flowers, and well� someone hit me and took me away. I could not see his face but I'll never forget his voice. When I awoke, he tried to choke me if I would not be quiet. I cooperated and he blindfolded me, dragging me to some house and tied me to a chair with no food or water, all alone for the night. This morning, he put me in a sack, took me to the woods and..." She said, sobbing. Chris patted her hand.
"It is all right, dear. You are safe now. I met Laurel last evening, funny, she did not mention you. She mentioned this English boy who had charmed her heart away. They were to have a picnic today" he lied smoothly. Emilie's eyes flashed.
"He did what?" she spat. Chris smiled; the pet had taken the bait.
"Indeed. How tragic, he shouldn�t remember you. If you were mine, I'd think of you every minute. But I am sure you want to go home" he said, continuing his plan.
Emilie hesitated. "If I go home like this, Percy is going to be doomed and I'll be punished too" she said.
Chris nodded. "No one would punish you and maybe Percy should learn some responsibility. If I had lost my cousin, I'd be searching, night and day and not having picnics. I can't have you stay here, it would not be proper since my parents are not home. I promise, I'll visit you every day and take you home" he said. Emilie nodded and Chris picked her up, only dressed in her shredded clothes which was covered a bit by a blanket and both went into his carriage. On the way, they chatted and both had an excellent time. Chris now had a brilliant plan of using Emilie and a ready companion who he could tell worshipped him. It seemed not to take long for them to reach the manor. He picked her up again, as Emilie was too bruised to walk and knocked on the door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord Blakeney looked out of the window over his land, his son and sister-in-law were somewhere out there. He wondered what they were doing at that moment, if they were well, if they ever intended to return. He knew that Percy would do everything to protect Emilie, but there were some things out there which they were not prepared for. Tessa was in the next room sleeping, who could say what dreams passed through that deranged mind. Was he in them, was there something left in that failing memory of the happiness they shared so long ago. He saw a carriage approach, where Percy and Emilie in it? He waited where he was listening as the servant, Dessau answered the door. His hearing was sharper than ever before, listening, praying that the children had come home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dessau opened the door to find a tall, refined nobleman standing there with a batter girl in his arms, he didn't even recognize Emilie through those bruises and bumps. He bowed and gestured them to enter and said, "Good morning, milor! Might I inquire your business here? Were you attacked? Do you need a doctor or the constable?"
Chris carried Emilie in as Emilie gasped a bit. "Dessau, it's me, Emilie. Why don't you recognize me? Oh God, what is going on?" she asked as she began to cry. Charlotte, who had always been a gossip had run to see who was at the door. A young lord, not Master Percy, darker looking was holding a girl who had clearly been battered. There was something familiar about her, yes, under the bruises was Miss Emilie. "Miss Emilie! What happened to her? Who did this to you, miss?" she asked, shocked. Wait till the cook heard this. "I ask to see his Lordship, now. She does not need your impertinent questions, Madame, are you blind to see that she had been hurt?" Chris snapped, turning to the butler. "Is his Lordship home?"
"Y-yes, milor!" Dessau stammered. "Please come this way into the Parlor, while I go announce you, m-milor!" Dessau pointed the way.
Lord Blakeney had heard enough. Emilie was back without Percy, and Emilie was hurt! What happened to Percy? He headed to the foyer before Cristof and Emilie had gone even a step into the parlor. With some horror and anger, Blakeney some the battered form of Emilie in the arms of some good Samaritan. "Stop your fizzying Dessau and summon the doctor immediately. Charlotte, go fetch something to cover the girl, then prepare her room. He approached Cristof and took Emilie from him. "I thank you for timing rescue, messiuer," Blakeney said to Cristof, then to Emilie, "Don't worry, my dear. You're safe. The Doctor is on his way."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Charlotte smarted at the way that lord yelled at her as if she was stupid. The nerve of those young folk! She watched the young lord carry Emilie in gently. Before they could take another step, Lord Blakeney had come, obviously hearing the boy yell at the servant. "Charlotte, go fetch something to cover the girl, then prepare her room." He ordered. Charlotte was curious to what had happened but reluctantly she curtsied as soon as she heard the order. "Right away, sir" and ran through the house, she could not wait to tell everyone. "Did you hear, Miss Emilie has returned, half dressed, alone and hurt, carried in by some handsome lord. No one knows where Master Percy is. I wonder what she was up to. She was probably giving him a good reward for saving her. Her face was so bruised up that we barely recognized her, I wonder if the handsome lord or Master Percy struck her" she said as she stopped everyone on her way from the groomsman to the little kitchen maid Nellie. All sorts of stories were coming through her head. Maybe that nobleman had saved Miss Emilie from the wrath of Percy and had come to claim her hand in marriage. Or maybe, he had killed Percy and taken Emilie by force. Oh, this was such good gossip. She went upstairs to Emilie's pretty room and fetched a dressing gown, not caring the color or weave. She then quickly made sure that a fire was lit in the room and that Nellie had filled a basin with water. She then made sure the sheets were fresh and a nice warm quilt was in the room. Everything had been kept ready in case the children returned in the night so it took little time. She looked about, it was all ready. She ran back, curious to hear what happened. Emilie was being held by Lord Blakeney and sobbing a bit. She seemed to be very much shaken as she told her story of how she had been kidnapped and left to die in the woods. How exciting, being saved by such a handsome lord, albeit one with a quick temper. Then she heard what the young Lord said.
"When I found her, she was crying "Percy". I connected the two and I wonder how could anyone abandon Lady Emilie like that? It just irked me. So I took her home instead of finding this Percy" He said sharply and Charlotte knew this would go bad for the young master. Lord Blakeney was already worried and a bit angry; she pitied Master Percy when he got home. The young Lord went on, describing how Miss Emilie cried in her sleep, what a victim she was and irresponsible Master Percy had been. There would be fireworks soon! She said, remembering to keep her distance. She knew that at least. Oh, she'd have much to tell at the inn tonight. The young lord went on, saying how much he liked Miss Emilie and how he'd like to come visit sometime. He was behaving the way Lord Blakeney had always wanted Percy to be, obedient, respectful and poised. It was very romantic, maybe something good like a wedding would result.
* * * * * * * * *
Chris walked in and bowed his head to the Lord Blackeny as he carried the weak girl. As Emilie saw Lord Blakeney, she shivered; sure he was going to yell at her but remembered, he would not do it while Chris was here. "Sir, I am so sorry for running away; I'll never do it again" she said sobbing as she was placed in Lord Blakeney's arms.
Chris ignored her tears and concentrated on Sir Blakeney. "It was an honor to help her. My name is Cristof Lovell, Vicompte, humble servant to this fine lady. Don't cry, my lady, you're home, you are safe now" Chris said and sighed mournfully as he told his Lordship what happened. " I am sure you are wondering what happened. Well, I like to walk around the countryside after I finish my studies, it keeps me strong. It was evening and I met my friend Laurel and she told me how she had this English boy, Percy at her house. She seemed all bubbly about it. Well, I thought little of it till my morning walk the next day. I noticed my friend Laurel with a tall blond boy having have a picnic and thought nothing of it. Later, on the way home, I noticed some shreds of fabric on the ground and went to investigate. I found Lady Emilie in a bad state, clothing and injury wise. Well, being a gentleman, I carried her back to my house and had a servant tend to her." he began, using the description Emilie innocently had given to him. "After she woke, we talked a bit and she told me a man had kidnapped her the day before and that she had been separated from her companion Percy who had yelled at her and told her to leave since he wanted to be with his friend." He began.
Emilie wanted to interject that was wrong, she had been nagging Percy. Chris could be right though. Anyway, Percy had wanted to be with that girl, Chris had told her how Percy was caught under her spell. "I had gone a bit away to calm down, and was knocked unconscious. When I awoke, I was being carried by some horrid man. I screamed but no one heard me. He threatened to kill me and when I capitulated, I was blindfolded and was taken to a house. I was taken to a room, tied up there with nothing to eat or drink all alone. I spent the whole night like that and in the morning, I was taken into the woods and beaten. He tore my clothes and he...hit me" she said, starting to sob again.
Chris patted her shoulder, glad his pet was being good. "When I found her, she was crying "Percy". I connected the two and I wonder how could anyone abandon Lady Emilie like that? It just irked me. So I took her home instead of finding this Percy. I wanted to keep her with me, to protect her, but my father told me that one must never allow a lady to stay unchaperoned in a male's house and I could hardly disobey Father. So I brought her here to her home. I hope you won't be too hard on her for running away, she's badly hurt. I just can't believe how alone she was, with that boy looking after his girlfriend and spending time eating instead of looking for such a sweet angel. Poor Lady Emilie, she cried for him in her sleep, apologizing for asking to return since she was worried about you. All she kept saying was "Please, let's go home, I want to go home, Lord Blakeney will be worried"." Chris said, aware of what an impression he was making. Emilie was not listening, she was too dizzy to speak and just relishing being home where no one would hurt her. "I would like to ask your permission for something. I spent a bit of time, all in good propriety and found Lady Emilie as sweet as an angel. May I come visit her sometimes?" he said, earnestly, being more saccharine then sugar itself. He had infiltrated enemy territory and was firmly placed.
"Here, you are, Miss Emilie" she said softly, slipping the gown around Emilie's shoulders, as one arm was in a sling. Emilie nodded her thanks and for a moment, Charlotte felt a bit of pity for her. She could see the girl was still in shock, that she was scared and exhausted and she did not seem to be the independent, spirited and intelligent young lady Charlotte had served, just a frightened child who wanted to be held and protected. "Poor thing, she really must have been through some pain" she thought. "Her room is ready, sir" she said when the young Lord had finished speaking.
"Thank you, Charlotte," Lord Blakeney responded, then to Cristof he said, "I beg your pardon, sir, but I must see to the young Lady. You will make yourself at easy in the parlor, I would like to speak to you momentarily." Lord Blakeney carried Emilie up to her room, with all the tenderness of carrying a child to bed. He set her on the bed, dipped a wash cloth into the basin of water by the bed and applied it to Emilie's burning forehead. "It's all right, dear girl. You're safe the doctor will be here shortly."
He noticed her trembling even though she was immersed in blankets. "Don't fret, dear. I'm not angry at you." But Percy was a different matter. That demmed boy was off gallivanting with some French hoyden, and allowing his poor aunt to be ravaged!
Dessau arrived moments later, with one of Tessa's doctors. He left Emilie to the doctor's care with Charlotte to stand by ready to see to Emilie's needs and to notify Blakeney of anything urgent. He sent Dessau ahead of him to see to the young Lord's needs. Blakeney paused for a moment in the hallway, trying to bring his anger under control. The blaggard who had done this to Emilie would have to pay for his crimes, but Percy... Blakeney would settle things with his son. He had lamented the relationship he had failed to build with his son, but evidently Percy was all he feared and worse besides.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chris nodded and sat down in the spacious parlor as Lord Blakeney carried shivering Emilie up to her room. The plan was going too perfectly. Chris was quite pleased with himself. This Percy, whoever he was, was coming home to a hornet's nest. Emilie was taken up to her room, carried gently by her brother in law. She did not even have a chance to say goodbye to Chris but she was too tired to even speak. Everything hurt her and all she wanted to do was sleep. Emilie was then placed into her warm soft bed and his lordship sponged her head a bit. It felt very nice to be scared and she snuggled into the blankets and quilts. She still was shivering, when was he going to yell at her for running away? Lord Blakeney assured her nothing would happen to her and Emilie gratefully nodded as she went to sleep.
The butler offered him some refreshments, but Chris declined and stood respectfully when his lordship came in. He had figured what he wanted was a perfect son and Chris knew just how to be that. Anger in check, Blakeney returned to the parlor to meet his guest. "My dear sir, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service you have done my family. How can I ever repay your kindness?"
"It was no trouble, my lord; it was the duty of any gentleman. My father would have done the same thing; my only wish is to be just like him, to please him. I am sure you would have done the same. How is Emilie doing? She truly is an angel. I just hope that Percy knew how scared she was. I'd never let anything happen to such a lady like her. You seem troubled, sir. Is there any way I could help you?"
Lord Blakeney gave him a weak smile, if only Percy had such loyalty and manners as this young man. "Monsieur, you have already been if infinite assistance to me and my family. Emilie is doing well. The doctor is already upstairs tending to her," Blakeney responded. Percy's image appeared before him sitting beside some faceless French girl and it took all of his English upbringing to contain his temper. "And if Lady Emilie is agreeable, you are most certainly welcome to call upon her. May I ask who your father is so that I might complement him on raising such an honorable son?"
Chris smiled and bowed his head. "Ah, you give me too much credit for something that was my duty. My father, it is he who is truly a paragon of virtue; I am shadowed in him as the flower is to the mighty oak. I am the son of the Compte Gustav and Comptess Musette De Mercer de Lovell who are now in Paris. My father has given me a test, seeing if I can manage the estate for a week on my own. He has been teaching me finance. It's harder then I thought it would be, but I am pleased at the chance to prove myself to him. I regret that I must be going. I still have work to do at home and I would not dream of disappointing my father. I shall return later and thank you for allowing me to visit milady Emilie. She truly is a wonderful and brave maiden. I just wish I could give the monster who did this to her his just reward" he said, reminding himself to give Albert a bonus for all his excellent work. Charlotte stepped in. "Sir, the doctor said Miss Emilie has a fever and she's very badly bruised. She's also badly shaken and she had a small concussion which will makes her very drowsy. All in all, sir, she's badly hurt. The doctor feels she should have cold compresses put on her face to stop the swelling; she should rest and recover her strength. Miss Emilie can barely lift her head from the pillow, she's so weak. Dr. Sherborn does say that her looks were not badly marred and she will be recognizable in a day or so. She asked that you sit with her, she's afraid to be alone" she said, curtsying. She then handed something to Chris. "Miss Emilie asked me to give this to you" she said politely. Chris looked at the gift, a necklace that she had been wearing. "Tell milady I shall treasure this gift with my life and that my every prayer will be for her swift recovery. By your leave, sir" he said, bowing his way out. Next stop was Laurel's house to lure this Percy home to the trap.
Lord Blakeney shook the young man's hand, then seeing him off, went upstairs to tend to Emilie. The doctor was still there, applying a cool cloth to the girl's face. Lord Blakeney took a seat beside her bed and took her hand in his, "I am here, dear girl, an I won't let any harm come to you."
