When Cristof arrived, he noticed the butler standing outside. "Ehem, I would like to call on Lady Emilie" he said, to catch the man's attention.
Dessau was startled by the appearance of the young vicompte, but he did recognize him as the man who brought home Emilie. "Yes, sir. This way, sir!" Dessau said as he lead Cristof into the house and into the parlor. "One moment, sir." Dessau crept up the stairs and rapped on the door to Tessa's room. After several moment, Blakeney opened the door and peered out. "The young man that brought Lady Emilie home is here."
Blakeney stood there for a few moments. "I'll go speak with him in a moment."
Chris seated himself in the parlor, clutching the flowers almost nervously. He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt quite ill at ease. Something was not right, he could feel it. He heard some whispering and cocked his ears. "Did you hear, the whole house is talking about it, Miss Emilie is lying almost dead, I heard Master Percy beat her up for coming home without her. At this rate, Lord Spencer may lose both daughters to his Lordship. Lord Blakeney's really in a fury today" one said. "Who was the boy Dessau carried in? He was whipped so badly, what did he do?" the other voice said. "I don't know, some delivery boy but His Lordship sure didn't like him. Almost flayed the skin off him with his riding crop" the first said. Chris grinned. He was sure the delivery boy was Andre, so the brat got a good flogging from Lord Blakeney, did he? Pity he wasn't there to watch, it would have been fun. This gave him an idea. He vaguely wondered what happened to the pet, most likely she had been beaten for running away. Well, she obviously was alive, the butler seemed calm enough. Had the pet died, he'd be frantic. He hummed to himself as he sat. "Laurel, soon everything will fall into place and then you will be mine, forever!" he said.
Blakeney adjusted his clothes and went to Emilie's room. "M. Lovell is here to see you. Do you feel up to company?"
Emilie smiled to Blakeney's words and knock on the door. "Yes sir, I'd enjoy seeing my Chris. Just let me change my clothes. I'll be out in a moment," and turned to Danielle. "All right, get me dressed," she ordered. Danielle helped her mistress out of the nightdress and into a beautiful cobalt gown that was Emilie's favorite. She was laced up, (loosely, Emilie could barely stand without support) and Danielle placed on her prettiest lace stomacher. As Danielle positioned her slippers, Emilie looked in the mirror. While the gown was lovely, it's neck was too high, at Lord Blakeney�s insistence. She yanked it down a bit, so that a bit of cleavage showed. She placed on a pearl necklace, that made enhanced it a bit. She was now dressed like a grown up Lady. She then pinned her hair under a cap, since it was matted and dirty, and stared at the mirror. While she looked pretty, her face was still horridly bruised. She smiled, at this rate, Lord Blakeney might have her sent to a nunnery but it was all for Chris. She opened up the box and took out face grease. Lord Blakeney hated face paint too but she had to look her best. A few moments later, Emilie looked far better, the bruises almost covered up, her cheeks and lips afire. With Danielle's support, she made her way to the door and opened it. "Chris is in the parlor?" she asked as she looked up at her guardian with a smile, hoping he wouldn't notice.
Blakeney looked Emilie over, brow furrowing when he saw the make-up and that too much of his sister-in-law was apparent. He would have commented on the use of the make-up, but it hid most of the nasty bruises. He felt that except when used to go out amongst society, the use of make-up was for whores and he didn't want anyone thinking that of Emilie. "You will re-adjust your neck line, my dear, before we go down, you may use that make-up until you've healed at which point you will leave it in my custody. You are a proper English lady, I will not have you looking like a woman of ill repute." He turned to Danielle, when milady has finished with her interview you will draw her a bath, however I would like to see you and Charlotte in my study on 10 minutes."
Emilie thought she had gotten away and moved to go down. Her brother in law stared at her with a frown and Emilie sighed. Drat, foiled! How did My Lord always manage to be able to see through everyone, especially her? Now the make-up, which had taken her five months to save up pocket money and find was going to be left in her brother in law's custody, which most likely meant thrown out, smashed, or to be used only with his permission. She wanted to protest, but she wanted to see Chris so badly, if she misbehaved, she'd be locked back in her room. The neckline was even worse, she was a grown girl, sixteen! Why did he always insist on her dressing as if she was a Spanish Virgin, awaiting the nun's veil? She wanted to look pretty for Chris! "Yes sir," she muttered and obediently pulled her collar up a bit, though it was still rather low, nowhere near the collarbone. Danielle looked up and curtsied. �Yes sir, but Charlotte's on her day off, your lordship. She'll be back tonight"
"Then you go down to my study now, I'll will be there shortly," Blakeney said coldly. He walked to where Emilie was standing and offered her his arm. "You cannot meet a young man unescorted."
Emilie nodded her head and took her brother in law's arm. "Of course, thank you, sir" she said again, just wanting to see Chris again. She leaned heavily on him, it wasn't easy to walk, and she was still dizzy. She allowed him to take her down the stairs. "My Chris, he is here" she whispered, her face alight with joy. Sitting in the divan was Chris, holding roses, she loved roses! "Chris!" she said with a smile. Chris rose and bowed low. "Your servant forever, my lady. These humble little blossoms are for you. I hope you are feeling better" he said as the pet allowed him to kiss her hand. "Thank you, now that you are here I am" she whispered, her cheeks even more aflame. "My Lord, a pleasure to see you again, how are you this fine day?" Chris said, releasing her hand and bowing slightly again.
Blakeney nodded his head to Cristof, "Very well, sir, I thank you. I pray you forgive me, but I have business to tend to. He looked over his shoulder at Dessau who stood in the foyer. He looked at Emily and said, "Dessau, will remain here to escort you back to your room." Blakeney stepped out and motioned to Dessau to draw closer. "Dessau, stay here. Should anything that would compromise Emilie's honour transpire, I want you to carry Emilie back to her room and keep her there. Send for me immediately. Can you do that?" Dessau nodded.
Emilie and Chris nodded and sat down. "You look lovely, my sweet Emilie" Chris said, trying to please the pet. He took her hand and kissed it again tenderly. "I was so worried about you, I thought of you all night. You look far better" he said, glad he didn�t have to see all those awful bruises. The pet had obviously made herself up to look nice for him. Emilie smiled. "Thank you, you truly are my hero, The roses are lovely" she said. Chris stroked her cheek. "Only the best for my lady. You know I always think of what's best for you, right? I hope you were not punished, but I had to bring you home" he said. The pet looked a little surprised but nodded.
"Of course, you saved my life. I am under house arrest, Lord Blakeney won't let me leave my room without an escort but I understand, I needed to go home sometime, it was better then when I was all right" she said, glad he could not see the bandages. He inched a bit closer. He wanted to make sure she was still his.
"It's a shame I didn't get that brute who hurt you" he said. Emilie laughed. "I know you'd defend me" "I'd love to teach him not to touch a lovely lady like yourself. Well, this is what happens when you run away. You should stay where men can protect you, men like me" he said and kissed her cheek.
Dessau cleared his throat, "Milady, I don't believe your brother in law would approve."
Emilie laughed. "Really Dessau, he doesn't approve of anything enjoyable. You didn't see anything" she said, feeling braver with Chris. Chris grinned, it was clear he held all the reigns.
"And he'll be most cross when he finds you acting in such a manner!" Dessau said firmly.
Emilie stopped a bit. A cross brother in law was not on the agenda. "Well, he doesn't have to know, as long as you keep watch, and don't say anything about it. Calm yourself, nothing will happen, you worry too much" she said flippantly. Being around Chris made her feel invincible. All she wanted to do was find favor in his eyes. Chris decided to see how loyal she was and gave her another kiss, this one longer then before. 'Ah Emilie, I bless the day I found you. I'll never ever stop thanking God for you" he said softly.
Dessau was quickly losing patience with Emilie. Until recently, Emilie had only committed minor transgression against Lord Blakeney's wishes. Now she was opening disregarding his wishes; no wonder Lord Blakeney had been so severe in his punishments. Dessau didn't want to put himself into an further troubles with Blakeney and perhaps if his lordship had some other outlet he might forget Dessau's minor indiscretions from earlier in the morning. "I'm afraid, M. le vicompte, milady, that this is highly inappropriate behavior! I request, messieur that he follow me to his lordship's study, where I am sure milord will wish to discuss your interactions with Lady Emilie." He turned to Emilie. "Milady, I ask that you stay here so that I may escort you to your room." Dessau waited to Cristof to rise and follow him, deep inside Dessau felt a thrill at the idea that he might see a nobleman horsewhipped by his lordship.
Emilie turned pale with terror, right through her layer of cosmetics and tears filled her eyes. Her headache was coming back. There would be no discussion; Lord Blakeney would flay Chris just like he had scourged poor Andre, all because of her! Then she'd be severely punished too. She had to do something. "Please, no, we're sorry, we'll stop. Don't take him to my brother in law, I beg you. Chris and I will behave according to etiquette, I'll sit across the room, please don't let us be punished. You saw what happen to that poor delivery boy, surely you'll just forget what happened here. Please, no more of this" she pleaded.
Chris's lip curled, not realizing the danger he was in. The pet was reduced to begging from servants? "I shall go no such place. Emilie, what kind of Lady are you, begging like that from servants? You should be ashamed of yourself. How could you act so stupidly? Begging, it's obscene. I say, the Lady has said she wishes me to remain here and therefore you'd better obey here. Come on my pet, order him to leave us be" he rose and demanded to the girl who was almost in tears. Emilie shook with terror and held on to his jacket. "You don't understand" she whispered. Chris turned white with rage. "I know what's best, SAY IT. Don't disappoint me, I know you can be better then some pitiful little mouse. Come on now, be a good pet and say it" he snapped, but managed a smile at her. Emilie nodded tightly.
"Dessau, I order you to not mention this to anyone and to leave my guest and I alone. I don't have to listen to you" she said as forcefully as she could. Chris sat down and stared at Dessau with a satisfied smile. "Good, very good"
Dessau's lips thinned into a hard straight line a flush coming to his cheeks, "My Lady, I have been given orders from his lordship himself," Dessau said trying to keep his anger in check. "M. le vicompte will come along with me now, or I shall have to lay hands upon him and forcefully take him to his lordship. My only other option would be to lock you both in and fetch Lord Blakeney..." It let his words trail off hoping Emilie would realize the consequences of having Blakeney see this scene, and with Emilie make-up in such a state that might further enrage his lordship.
Emilie's eyes were widening in terror, she looked like she was going to faint. "Chris" she whispered desperately. She had taken this too far, she could feel that her make up had been smudged but she could tell she had no choice. Dessau would never defy her brother in law and her stupid little commands meant nothing. "Chris, I am so sorry" she said, slowly rising. Chris could see that this was going to be a problem, but he could always turn on the Lovell charm or at worst, blame the pet's "advances" and hope the valet wasn't there. The worse thing for the Lord to see was the pet, men got protective of Ladies like Emilie. Man to man, he could deal far better. He stood up and bowed to her. "I am sure you understand that I...better go, I don't want you to get in trouble. I'll do anything for you. I'll find someway of reaching you, my lovely pet" he said, unable to stop his voice from trembling. "Well, lead on" he said imperiously. Emilie looked ready to follow, this time there was no doctor to hold her down.
Dessau bowed Cristof out of the room, then followed after giving Emilie a look of reproach as he left. He locked the door behind him and beckoned Cristof to follow him to Blakeney's study.
The two men left, Chris looking pale, Dessau looking furious and Emilie heard a click. She was locked in, all alone, unable to help Chris, being held here till his Lordship "dealt" with her. She burst into a stream of oaths that would have earned her a sturdy slap by her brother in law. Everything was her fault, she wished she could disappear. First Andre, now her Chris and she knew very well what would happen when Lord Blakeney got to her. She burst into tears, wondering what would happen to her Chris and to her. She sat on the divan and sobbed, all alone.
*****************************************
Chris was not about to allow himself to face an irate lord. He stopped after walking through the hall. "Um, this matter can be dealt with in a more civilized manner, shall we say" and retrieved from his pocket ten louis, a large sum. "Emilie won't say anything, and really, do you want to make your Lord angry at the little Lady? She's most injured, after almost dying yesterday, don't you think you overlook this one incident which I swear won't repeat itself" he said, offering the money.
Dessau looked around them to assure himself that no one was around to hear their interaction. Ten louises was a large sum, one very hard to refuse. The children were merely acting as he might have acted at that age. And Lady Emilie had had enough pain in the last few days to last a lifetime. "I suppose a youthful indiscretion can be overlooked.
Chris smiled. "Excellent I thought you'd see my point. You seem to be a reasonable man. I wonder if you could help me on a small venture I have. From what I hear, Lord Blakeney is most angry that he did not catch the person who hurt my dear Lady. Now, I have an idea who did it, one that will benefit all of us. It's a simple matter really. Give the Lady Emilie some warm milk to make her drowsy. Then you get a curl of her hair, from the underside of her hair, so it won't be immediately noticeable. I want it taken before she washes her hair though. That is all I need from her now. You'll be well rewarded financially, and think of how happy your master will be to have a scapegoat for his anger, and he'll be much happier, thinking he has defended the honor of little Emilie. He'll be in a good mood, all it takes is a little work and think of all the benefits. A happy Master, thirty more Louis and my gratitude. Do you accept?"
"You know who did it?" Dessau asked, stunned. Even he would like to have a chance at that villain. "I'll do it if it catches the villain who beat her." And the money help the matter.
Chris nodded. "Excellent and yes, I think I know who it is. That Andre, I just heard your maids say he was here. I heard him bragging how his friend had kidnapped a little lady and how the friend had tied the girl up after beating her, so that he could fetch Andre to have some fun but that the girl disappeared. That boy is a bad seed, pretends to be honorable but really, he's horrid. I can't stop thanking God what I saved Emilie from, I was just so happy to see her, now that I know what danger she was in. Now, I don't have proof besides my word so It's vital I get that hair, to get him convicted. Please don't tell Blakeney though since it's a bit underhanded, but we are only convicting the guilty. I want it to look honorable to him, to save face. So mum is the word. Agreed?"
Dessau paled, "The tailor's delivery boy?" The boy he had taken up to Emilie's room, he was one of the villain�s responsible? "I understand." Lady Emilie was trying to protect such a villain, poor, diluted girl.
Chris smiled. "I thank you for your help, but I better leave. Emilie's make up is mussed and I think it be best if I am not tempted anymore. Give her my best" he said and allowed Dessau to bow him out. He rode away, his plan was emerging nicely. He would visit the girl tomorrow but he had to have a talk with Albert first.
Chris rode home, greatly relieved to have escaped dealing with Lord Blakeney. He didn't like to say so, but the man terrified him. He was quite sure that Percy wasn't the only one beaten, the pet seemed petrified of her guardian. He obviously had pushed it too far, but she was as loyal as a peasant to him. He would have the hair soon, and his plan would be complete. He came back to the Ch�teau and summoned Albert. "When I had you to take care of the girl, did you take some of her jewelry as I ordered? If so, I need it" he said, sitting on his favorite chair, thinking.
Albert reached into his pocket and produced a beautifully ornate silver bracelet with and insignia engraved on it. "Will this do? It looked valuable and personal."
Chris looked at it. "It does, indeed." He read it. It was a coat of arms, most likely the Blakeney. "Perfect, this will do wonderfully" and reached into his pocket and took out the largest bill he had on him. "Fair payment for excellent work" he said. As soon as he got the hair, he'd order something from Planchette. "Did you discover anything of use" he asked.
"Beyond the fact that he's into buggery? Unfortunately not yet, my lord," Albert replied.
Chris shuddered and crossed himself. Buggery, what an abomination before God, he frankly thought people like that obviously didn't go to Church enough like he did. Did it not clearly state in Leviticus that it was wrong? Alas, they lived not in biblical days or his problem would be solved. "Well, that's no help, but as soon as I get the hair, we'll need to plant the bracelet, the hair and the cloth on that delivery boy. I am sorry, my good man, after all your excellent work, the girl can barely walk and resorted to using make up, that you won't take the credit but I am sure you'll agree. How can we arrange for it to planted?"
Albert grinned slightly, "Perhaps this can be of use... I found them in Planchette's stable and recognized them as Andre's. Evidently someone gave him a good whipping, thought you'd like a souvenir." Albert produced a set of torn and bloody garments. Those that Andre had worn that morning.
Chris smiled and leaned forward. "Perfect, wonderful. I am afraid I shan't keep this souvenir, but it will be put to far better use. I must say, your work is excellent. Tomorrow, as soon as I get the final piece of the puzzle, I'll need you to put it back and to give an paper to the constable"
Albert smiled menacingly, "Your will will be done."
