Chapter IV
What a glorious time to be here. Caroline thought as the carriage moved along the smooth path towards the KnightPhall estate. She had so much to do now that she was sure of her suspicions about Lord Van Brunt. She would have to keep this a secret. She did not want her family to know about this just yet. They always left blood and death in their wake when they were about their life's mission. Her family had destroyed so many over the centuries. None had ever caught her fancy like Lord Van Brunt. He ignored her from the start and never sought her out. A thrill of excitement ran through Caroline's body. She wanted this creature for herself. Her uncle had a nose for this species and sent her here to investigate after Andy inquired about a seamstress. Caroline was all set to do her job but she never thought that she would fall on love with the Lord. He was aloof, rich and extremely handsome all his other faults did not matter to Caroline. Lord Van Brunt had power that she could never have with her family. She always had to take orders. If she were Lady Van Brunt, she would give the orders.
Caroline sighed as the estate drew closer. She would have to get rid of Abigail first. She knew that the Lord had some attraction to the stray. She was not above using Abigail as leverage against a negative answer from Lord Van Brunt. Abigail would not trust her now and it would be hard to get her away from the house. Caroline had no doubt that the beast could hear her in the house from the other side of the mountain. She had to show him that she was all that he needed. She could keep her family away from here or bring them inside KnightPhall. He was intelligent. If he wanted to keep his secret safe, he would see her as worthy of his name. Abigail was the only thing keeping her from her dreams. Caroline frowned remembering the way Lord Van Brunt looked at the stray and held her in his arms when he saw her distress. She could not remove her rival on her own she would need help and that meant her uncle Corbin and his men. As much as their torturing of their victims disgusted Caroline, she would do anything to have Abraham and lying about someone having the curse was nothing new for her. She had done it countless number of times when she did not get what she wanted. Even though she was sure Corbin and her family knew she was not telling the truth, they did not care they loved the thrill of the hunt and the smell of blood. Hunting a woman would be something new and exciting for them. he Lord Van Brunt would grow to love her over time if he wanted Abigail to live. Once she gave him children, he would soften to her. He would love her without any prompting. All she had to do is banish Abigail from the manor or order her death.
Abraham could hear the three bounty hunters asking about him as he stood in the tree line of the Hollow woodlands that surrounded his home. Andy as always inquired about their reasoning for being there. He informed them that Abigail's uncle Frank is a violent man and Lord Van Brunt did not tolerate such behavior. The leader of the three men named Hank assured Andy that they just wanted to talk. Andy looked at the man to Hank's left that held the rifle. The man smiled and walked back to his horse grumbling all the way. Bill returned his rifle to the hooks on his saddle bag. He felt around his belt and made sure the knife was still there hidden in the waistline of his trousers. Once he was satisfied, Bill returned to his team. Andy looked the man over nodded and stepped to the side and let the men inside the home. He then directed the men to Abraham's private study.
What could they possibly want to talk to him about? Frank had no evidence of his innocence. These three men wanted nothing but evil. Abraham could smell their deception. Nothing civil would come from this meeting. He moved the long branches out of his path and walked towards his house with confident steps. Abigail was inside his study waiting for him. The need to have her safe ruled his body right now and his gait increased.
Caroline saw the Lord of KnightPhall walking towards his home as the carriage slowly moved down the path. She practically jumped from the carriage and quickly ran towards Abraham. She fixed her hair and dress knowing she would need to look her best when she told him about her discovery. The thought of him not agreeing with her terms even excited her more. She would have to show him her power over his life. She would have to let him know that he could only have the perfect life with her.
The smell was the first thing to hit him and distracted him from his need to protect Abigail. His eyes began to water and Abraham wondered how the humans could not smell the stench. The rancid smell filled his nostrils even more as Caroline stopped in front of him. The pale skinned woman smiled up at him as if she had some terribly important information to tell him. Her green eyes twinkled as she stared up at him. She was annoying him while her scent was killing him. The sound of voices from inside the house took Abraham's attention away from the smelly human before him. Abigail was speaking to the men. Andy was with her but Abraham wanted to be with her. He made a move to walk by Caroline but the woman blocked his path again. Abraham looked down at the nuisance.
"I saw you." "What,"
Caroline lost some of her confidence seeing the anger and annoyance on Lord Van Brunt's face. "I saw you with the cat. Mind you most women would find such a scene horrifying but I found it exciting."
Abraham continued staring down at her with no indication that he knew what she was talking about.
"You should also know that my family is special and they would love to meet your kind."
His brow crinkled. "What is my kind? Are you referring to my money or estate?"
Caroline lost her smile." I…"
"I thought your family was dead."
Her smell grew even worse when she became fearful of being caught in a lie. She began playing with her hair trying to think of the words that would allow her to regain the dominate position in the conversation. "They are but I have other relatives here that look after me. They love to hunt specific beasts of nature."
The beast inside of him perked at her words. She was of that family of killers that hunted their kind for centuries. Jealousy had started this war because they could not be what they hunted. His father had avoided them but Abraham would welcome the sport of ripping them to pieces. They had killed so many of his kind. Retribution was in his soul. He wanted to taste their blood, then rip out their shriveled hearts, and show it to them. The beast inside growled until the sound of children playing reached his ears. Abraham had others to consider. These humans that lived on his land were like his pack. He cared for them and defended them from harm. He would have to be careful and not let this foul smelling bitch expose him too soon. Abigail would definitely be in danger if he continued showing favor to her in Caroline's presence. Abigail would not understand but he was keeping her safe. He had no doubt that she would go after Abigail if she suspected anything between them.
"Specific beasts of nature what are those?"
"They are wild animals with no morals or loyalty. They kill for no reason. I saw you with the cat."
Abraham continued staring down at the woman. "Someone had killed it. Its body is full of maggots and his bones brittle enough to break with the slightest tug. Would you like to see it I am sure Andy would take you to see it? What do you think I am?"
Heat caused by embarrassment and fear ravaged through her body. His look demanded an answer. Caroline had no answer. He would send her away or worse give her to the men in his home because of her lies about him. She just wanted him to love her and it was getting in the way of her judgement. She had to get out of this conversation and repair her slightly damaged reputation. She raised her eyes to look up at him but she only saw him look towards his house as if he had heard something.
Abigail's voice carried on the wind and Abraham walked away from Caroline and into the manor. She watched him leave and began cursing herself. He would never let her talk to him again. Her hands burrowed into her hair as she paced. She would have to show her hand early and bring her family here to test Abraham. Wolves were cunning. He could make her doubt herself but not her uncle Corbin.
Abraham walked into his home hearing Abigail answering questions from the men. He could smell her anger and fear and walked quicker. When he stepped into the room, everyone looked over at him. Everyone stood but Abraham's attention was squarely on Abigail. Her stress level diminished immediately. Andy moved from behind the sofa staring at Hank. He did not like the way the man stared at his Lord's new assistant.
"Lord Van Brunt we are sorry to bother you but we have to check out these claims by this lady's uncle."
"Nick is the Sheriff. Why isn't he here?"
"Well, sir Sheriff Nick declined to come with us." Hank answered. Abraham looked at Andy and his assistant walked out of the study closing the door behind him.
Abigail stared at Abraham as he slowly walked towards her. He moved as if he were gearing up for a fight. She could tell by the darkening of his eyes that he did not like the fact that Hank was so close to her. He seemed to grow bigger as he came closer to them. Anxiety and excitement filled her body as Abraham stared down Hank until the man moved from his seat to allow Abraham to sit there. Hank moved towards one of the chairs in the room. As Abraham sat so did everyone else.
"Lo…"
"Frank has no place in my home and Abigail is free to do what she wishes. She is not a child." "We can see that."
Abigail averted her eyes from the unwanted looks of the lawman. These men would harm her if he allowed it. He did not like their lingering looks or their distasteful speech in her presence. Abraham leaned his body towards Abigail. His thigh touched Abigail's as he moved closer to her. "Careful what your eyes covet it could come back to harm you."
Bill lost his good mood when the eyes of the Lord met his. "He means no harm. We just want to get to the bottom of this situation. Mr. Frank has injuries that could only happen from fifteen to twenty-foot drop."
Abraham continued to stare at Bill as he answered Hank's question. "He struck her in my presence. I do not tolerate violence against an innocent. He has no right to strike her because she wants to stay here and have a semblance of a home."
Abigail watched Bill begin to sweat as Abraham continued staring at him. He was very aggressive with his questions while his leader just stared at her. The younger man with the group named Fred, seemed uncomfortable, and asked to leave. Hank let him leave. They were very confident while Abraham was not in the room. They seemed sure that she would go with them even though she told them from the beginning that she was staying at KnightPhall indefinitely. They continued to badger her even in Andy's presence. Abigail looked at Hank as he swallowed hard when Abraham turned his gaze on him. They were afraid.
"I don't agree with anyone striking a woman either but they are blood."
"What does that mean? He can abuse her whenever he feels like it or when she decides that she can fend for herself."
"He wants her back."
"I am not going with you." Abigail could not contain her anger any longer and blurted out what was in her heart. She knew that if she left with these men she would not end up with her uncle. She wanted them all to know she was not going anywhere. Hank and Bill looked at her with surprise.
"I have been given a position here with Lord Van Brunt's staff and I will stay here. I am old enough to make my own decisions as I have told you before. Does the fact that I am a woman make that impossible for you to believe?"
"We just thought that you would feel safer with your uncle?"
"Safer? No I don't think so."
Hank frowned at her words. "You don't know anyone here. He is concerned about a beautiful woman alone without any experience in the world. You have to understand his position."
Abigail straightened her back and glared at Hank. "I understand his position quite well but I disagree."
The wolf inside Abraham growled with defiance. "She has told you her choice and I expect you will accept that. She will not leave my house."
Fred walked around the library looking through the aisles until he heard the doors open. He walked from the aisles and saw a woman with red hair standing there smiling at him.
"Hello there my name is Caroline."
Fred raised an eyebrow when she extended her hand towards him. "I know who you are we met in town once. You said that I was trying to steal your money purse."
Caroline dropped her hand. "Oh, I must have been ill. I was sick for a long time a while ago I had some virus. I recuperated here with Lord Van Brunt's help. He is a great man and I am happy to say that soon we will wed."
Fred frowned at her words. The women in town were queens of gossip. He had not heard anything about a marriage. According to them, Lord Abraham Van Brunt was not the marrying type. He was too unpredictable. "I have not heard anything about a wedding."
Caroline closed the doors behind her and smiled. "It is a quiet matter and we would like to keep it that way. I however, need your help. I can't go into town because he wants me safe at all times. Can you do something for me?"
This woman had almost had him fired and now she wanted him to help her. Caroline smiled at the man. "I am the niece of the mayor I can help you be whatever you wish to be."
Caroline pulled a sealed note from behind her back and handed it to Fred. The young man cautiously raised his hand to take the note. "I don't understand why you would want to be with a man that could put that type of hurt that he put on that young woman's uncle."
"He has high morals and that man does not. He looks after his servants. Although she requires more supervision but that will change as soon as you deliver this note to my uncle. Will you help me?"
Fred looked at the woman for a moment and then nodded. Caroline smiled and walked out of the library. She headed down the hall towards Abraham's study and saw Hank and Bill making a hasty exit from the room.
"Are you alright?"
Abigail stared up into Abraham's blue eyes in wonder. She should be horrified and leaving with the men that came to retrieve her for her uncle. Abraham left nothing unsaid when he told Hank and Bill that he would rip out their hearts and pound their bones into dust if they or anyone associated with them ever showed their faces on his land again. She felt the power flowing from him and she knew that Abraham's guests felt it too.
"Yes,
Abraham leaned towards her moving his right hand over her legs. His hand hovered inches from touching the soft fabric of her dress. He lowered his hand to the seat on the other side of her body. Abigail leaned back as Abraham's body moved towards hers. Her back made contact with the back of the sofa. No matter how hard she tried, she could not slow her breathing or the desire to feel the power flowing through his body take control of hers. He moved closer to her and his lips hovered over hers.
'My lord," Her eyes closed as her soft voice filled his ears. She wanted to feel his power and he wanted to give it to her but the smell of evil invaded his nostrils. Abraham lowered his nose to her neck and followed the exposed soft skin down to her heaving breasts.
Caroline leaned her ear against the door trying to hear any noise of any kind. The door suddenly opened and Abraham stood there glaring down at her. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you finishing the tapestry? Andy is planning on finding another seamstress."
Caroline straightened her body. "I was on my way to continue working on it. Sire."
Abraham knew that she was lying he also knew that Abigail was her target. "Really from our conversation earlier I think that you are spying on me."
"I want to apologize for that. I was… I don't know what I was saying sire."
Abraham turned from Caroline and looked back at Abigail standing behind him. "I trust that we will not have any further problem with your uncle. I don't like visitors coming here."
Why was he saying this to her? He knew that she could not control her uncle. A moment ago, he was going to touch her…kiss her. She wanted him to touch her. She did not know what had changed his mood. Perhaps she was giving him too much indication that she found him interesting. Her uncle could still control her life even from town. She would have to make herself useful to the lord.
"I will try to be useful to you my lord." Abigail moved around Abraham's body and towards the door. Caroline watched her walk out and smiled at the concerned look on her face. Abraham watched her leave fighting the urge to follow her.
"The tapestry awaits you." Caroline looked back at Abraham and saw the anger on his face. Fear entered her body. He would not hesitate to hire someone else.
"Yes sire." Caroline quickly walked away from the library.
Andy waited until Caroline turned the corner before walking towards Abraham. "We have a problem."
Abraham looked down at the letter in Andy's hand.
"We need to get rid of her or she will expose you and the rest of us?"
Abraham stood on his balcony looking over his land. "I am more concerned about you and the others. She has family here and they will eventually come here. She will eventually get information to them."
"We should send her away."
Abraham turned and faced Andy. "One must keep their enemies closer."
"But she means to harm Abigail. We all have seen how you are with her. You have never reacted to a woman as you do with her."
"I will keep Caroline away from her."
"Her people will come here and try to test you."
Abraham returned his attention to the rolling hills and green grass. "We have time before that happens. I will not allow them to harm anyone here. I will go down this mountain if I have to."
Andy walked up to his lord with concern on his face. "We don't know how many there are of Caroline's clan. They could hurt you."
Abraham smiled. "It is not me that you have to worry about Andy. I can go unseen if I want. I just need you to protect the others." Andy nodded and then walked away.
Abigail pulled the husk off the corn absentmindedly as she helped Leena in the kitchen. Abraham was upset about Frank. He was a man that liked his privacy and her presence here would disrupt that. Abigail laid the clean corn in the bowl beside her and picked up another piece. Frank would haunt her forever because she defied him. He would plague her until she came back. She could not in good conscious put anyone in this house in danger. She had no idea what Frank would do next. He could hire someone to try to get her back. They would not care if they harmed anyone. She would have to leave here to be safe from Frank and keep everyone else safe as well.
Abraham followed his ears and sense of smell to find Abigail within his house. Andy had come to him and told him that Abigail was leaving. She said that she was sorry that she had invaded his private life and that she knew Frank would never leave her alone. Abraham ran upstairs towards her bedroom after making sure Caroline was on the other side of his home. She had been working on the tapestry for two hours now. She wanted to stay around and annoy him and he would let her only to know when her family would arrive.
Abigail heard the soft knock, stopped packing her meager belongings, and lifted her head. "Who is it?"
"Abraham,"
She felt light headed and powerful at the same time. Her feet began moving towards the door and her hand reached for the knob. Abraham stood in the doorway staring down at her with dark eyes, Abigail slowly backed away as he walked into the room closing the door behind him. He continued following her as she backed away. When her back hit the wall Abigail let the breath that she had been holding escape her mouth. Abraham's muscled body pressed against hers as she turned her face away from him. He lowered his lips to her ear. The hot breath from his mouth made her insides melt. The palms of his hands rested on the wall on either side of her waist.
"There is nowhere for you to go." His voice was soft and smooth in her ear.
"I...my uncle will not stop this campaign against you until he has me again. I do not want to be the reason for your stress."
Abraham lowered his nose along her neck and breathed in her scent. The beast inside grumbled with lust and need for this female. "I cannot allow you to leave. My actions are all that you need to pay attention too. Do you understand me?"
Abigail closed her eyes and nodded unable to do anything else. Her body would only respond to him. She could barely stand on her own two legs. She felt his hands on her waist when her strength faltered. Abigail trembled as waves of electricity rampaged through her body when his hands touched her.
"Answer me Miss Mills."
It took a while but she managed a very soft yes. Her feet suddenly left the floor as he picked her up bridal style and carried her to a chair and sat her in it. Abigail watched him through a foggy mind as he walked towards her bed and her belongings. He picked up the small bag and walked towards her.
"You are safer here Miss Mills. I will not have you anywhere but here."
He had only to touch her and her body became formless. She had no control over anything and he wanted her to pay attention to his actions. Was his annoyance with her for someone's benefit, Caroline perhaps? What did she know about him?
Abraham stared down at her for a moment longer before walking to the door. He carefully opened it and walked out closing it behind him. Abigail looked towards the bed and saw that her sack was gone. He had taken all her possessions with him. She used her still shaking legs and arms to hoist her body from the chair. Something was amiss here. He was hiding something from her and it had to do with Caroline. She did not miss the woman's joy that Abraham was cross with her. Her mind began to wander over the reasons for his curtness but Abigail quickly put a stop to it. This was not her problem. If she wanted to be useful to Van Brunt, she should do what Andy asked of her and nothing more. He had his secrets that he wanted to stay secret and she respected that.
"He wants me to stay." Abigail stared at her empty drawers realizing that she had no clothing but what she was wearing now. She ran her hands over the soft fabric, walked over to her window, and stared out over KnightPhall lands. Her eyes immediately went to the figure below her window staring up at her. Abraham stood there staring up at her. His body primed for attack though she did not know from what. Abigail laid a hand on the window sill as her body became weak as she stared down at him. She could not look away from him even if she wanted too.
Abraham turned from her at the sound of a carriage coming onto his land. The occupant inside wasted no time in allowing the carriage to stop, he jumped out and walked towards Abraham.
"Ichabod your two months early,"
The look on his friend's face made Abraham tense even more. "We have major problems Abraham."
Abigail watched the two men as they walked towards the house with haste. Something was definitely amiss and she was a part of it. She did not wish to be a part of anything. She knew what he had said but Abigail had to leave. She walked away from the window and towards her door; she opened it and waited until she heard the door to the study close. She walked down the hallway as if she were on some errand from Andy. She took the stairs with a casual pace and headed to the front door. No one said anything to her knowing she was Andy's assistant and did odd jobs. Abigail walked outside into the bright sunshine and headed around to the back of the estate. No one would see her leave. She remembered the way back into town. The Sheriff would help her get free of Frank and Van Brunt and his people would be safe from Frank's meddling.
"Did you hear me Abraham? They are coming here. I have killed two already. They are on the trail of Greg and he is heading to you. I tried to talk him out of it but he is desperate."
Abraham sat quietly as Ichabod talked. "They will try to expose you but I come up with a way for you to beat that silver test."
Ichabod frowned at his friend. "Are you listening? Does any of this concern you?"
Abraham focused his attention on his friend and frowned. "I am very concerned but at this moment I have to hunt."
"What hunt what?"
Abraham stood. "Show me the test when I return. My quarry is cunning and has a very good sense of direction. It travels fast but as we know so do I. We shall return by nightfall. Andy will see to your comfort."
Ichabod watched his friend walk out of the study and towards the back of the manor. Whatever he was hunting was much more important than saving his own life.
Ichabod raised an eyebrow in astonishment. "It's a woman."
Author's Notes
I thank you for reading and hope that you enjoyed it. Please excuse any errors that I have made ~Frostbytefire
