Hi Guys,
Thank you for all your lovely reviews on the last chapter, I hope you equally enjoy this one.
This chapter has quite a lot going on, but I hope I have split up the action enough so that it doesn't just become one big blur.
Some of my All that I Adore readers may get a bit of nostalgia when reading this chapter as the burglary scene has some similarities to the burglary that took place in the last chapter of ATIA. That's just because I am the same writer and therefore things will, of course, be similar.
As always check at the end of the chapter for extended notes, and please feel free to leave a review.
Happy Reading,
Sarah x
Chapter Summary -
Theodosia finally has her moment with Constance and Jefferson's plan falls into place.
"Theodosia?" called Angie, knocking before entering her room. "Oh, you are awake, perfect!"
"How so?" smiled Theodosia, placing her book to one side.
"Mama says I need to help you pack all your things" replied Angie.
"I can do a little," said Theodosia, swinging her legs out of bed, "You might just need to fold everything"
"That I can do" groaned Angie, lifting the lid of Theodosia's trunk.
"Start with the shoes," asked Theodosia, pointing to several pairs by her wardrobe.
Angie retrieved them and put them in the bottom of the trunk, before beginning to pack up Theodosia's dresses.
"Here's the pile of washing that Constance brought me this morning" called Theodosia, handing Angie the items individually.
"Hm, that's funny," she said, after passing Angie her clean stockings.
"What is?" replied Angie.
"My dress is not here?" commented Theodosia, "I know it needed washing, it was covered in mud"
'Has it fallen under your bed?" suggested Angie, beginning to search the room.
"I don't think so," said Theodosia, shaking her head. "I would have seen it fall"
At this moment Angie caught sight of Constance coming into her parent's room, "Oh Constance!" she called.
"Yes, Miss" replied Constance.
"We cannot seem to find Miss Theodosia's dress, could you run and see if Mrs B has is still drying somewhere?" asked Angie.
"Of course" replied Constance, already knowing the location of it.
"I will go and see if it has been taken to my room or Aunty Angelica's room instead" proclaimed Angie, quickly disappearing after Constance.
Theodosia called out her thanks and decided to pack up her vanity dresser whilst the search was going on.
"Busy packing I see" called a voice.
Theodosia turned and smiled at Philip. "It has to be done sometime"
"You really shouldn't be out of bed yet" he commented.
"It's a sprained arm Philip, I'm not dying" she teased.
"No but you look like you could use some help," he said.
"Quite the damsel in distress then?" she commented with a raised eyebrow.
"Not quite" he winked.
"Hold that then" she sighed, realising he was not going to let her do all the work.
"Gladly" he replied, holding a small wicker basket.
Theodosia picked up various hairpins, ribbons and small glass bottles and placed them all neatly in the basket.
"What on earth do you need all this for?" asked Philip.
"I do not just roll out of bed each morning with a sweet smell and perfect hair you know" she retorted.
"I think you look beautiful anyway" he commented.
She turned and almost rolled her eyes, "You flatter me"
"No really" he smiled.
"Believe me, if you saw what my hair looks like each morning, you would run a mile" she chuckled.
"I hope I'll get to see it one day" he replied quietly.
"Cheeky" she whispered, placing the last item in the basket and securing the lid.
Angie came back in the room, looking despondent. "I can't find it anywhere"
"Can't find what?" asked Philip, placing the basket in the trunk.
"My dress from yesterday, Constance took it for a wash and it has not returned," said Theodosia. "I hope nothing has happened to it, it was a present from my father"
"I will go and have a look for myself," said Philip. "Don't worry we will find it"
"No I am sorry Master Philip," said Mrs B, "I did not get any blue dress to wash yesterday"
"Are you sure?" urged Philip.
"Absolutely" she replied, "I washed everything that Constance brought down for me in Miss Theodosia's basket and I put everything back"
"I do not doubt that Mrs B, but can you keep an eye out for it" thanked Philip.
"I will do" replied Mrs B, before continuing on with her work.
Philip stepped outside the washroom and thought back to the previous day. He had seen Constance with a basket of clothes after he came to fetch Abraham.
He traced his steps back to the servant's exit and started to look around, perhaps Constance had dropped the garment.
It wasn't until he spotted a piece of material sticking from behind a plant pot did he see the crumpled dress.
It was completely soaked through, as it has rained most of the night. The mud was now deeply embedded in the fabric and upon letting the dress fall into shape he spotted the giant tear, now ruining it utterly.
Philip knew this was no accident and knowing how much Constance hated Theodosia, he knew who was to blame.
"I am sorry Miss," said Constance. "I do not know where your dress has gone"
Theodosia exclaimed sadly, "How could it have gotten lost?"
"I do not know" replied Constance.
"This has never happened before" scolded Angie. "You were the last one with the dress, this is your fault!"
"Now Angie" hushed Theodosia. "I am sure that Constance has a good explanation"
"Miss I took your washing down to Mrs B, gave her basket, collected it and gave the contents to you this morning, I don't know what happened to your dress" explained Constance.
"That's funny" called Philip, catching the end of her speech. "Every single bit of that was a lie"
"Philip what are you talking about?" asked Theodosia.
"Are you going to tell her Constance?" demanded Philip. "Or shall I?"
Knowing she was ruined, Constance kept her mouth shut and stared at the floor.
"Very well" proclaimed Philip. "I found your dress Theodosia, stuffed behind a plant pot, completely soaked and a giant tear from top to bottom"
He held up the dress and both the girls gasped at the state of it.
"Oh no!" cried Angie. "It's ruined!"
Theodosia didn't say anything, she just looked at Constance in confusion. "Why would you do this?"
Constance did not reply.
"She asked you a question Constance," said Philip. "She has to the right to an answer"
"I have been nothing but kind and friendly to you" exclaimed Theodosia. "Why would you ruin my dress?"
"You could still fix it" Constance dared to mutter.
"How am I to fix that much damage hm?" demanded Theodosia. "It's irreparable, even for me!"
"That dress meant a great deal to her" scolded Philip. "Why would you ruin it?"
"You know why" exploded Constance. "As does she!"
"Excuse me?" retorted Theodosia. "I am quite oblivious?"
"I bet you are" spat Constance.
Theodosia ordered cooly, "Philip take Angie outside please"
Angie, who by now was wide-eyed and very confused gladly followed her brother outside the room, unaware of how this situation had exploded in such a way.
"Now" breathed Theodosia. "I want whatever I am being accused of to be revealed right now"
"You know exactly" replied Constance angrily.
"Listen, unless you want me to go and bring Miss Eliza or Mr Schuyler into this, I suggest you start talking to me because none of this makes any damn sense!" exclaimed Theodosia.
"Abraham" cried, Constance.
"What about him?" demanded Theodosia.
"You have stolen him from me!"
"What!"
"All he talks about is you and how much of a fine woman you are!" continued Constance. "He used to love me and now all he does is love you!"
"Abraham is not in love with me!" retorted Theodosia, "What a stupid thing to accuse me of"
"You don't hear how he talks about you!" snapped Constance. "It's all Miss Theodosia this, Miss Theodosia that like you are anything special!"
"Whatever he chooses to say about me is his own business" retorted Theodosia. "I have no feelings for him whatsoever"
"Yeah?" replied Constance, "Then why does he keep coming to see you all the time?"
"I have been teaching him to read and write" replied Theodosia.
"What the hell does he need to read and write for!" exclaimed Constance. "He is just an outside worker?"
"But he could be so much more" exclaimed Theodosia.
"Yeah if he marries you!"
"What a ridiculous thing to say!" snapped Theodosia. "I am simply his teacher and friend, nothing more!"
"I don't believe it" replied Constance.
"Believe whatever you want, but all I know is that you have taken ideas and twisted them" proclaimed Theodosia. "And now I am left with a ruined dress"
"I am sure you have more" muttered Constance.
"None like this one" retorted Theodosia, pointing to the dress now lying over the chair. "A very special gift from my father, now to whom I shall have to explain why it is completely past repair"
"What the hell is going on!" exclaimed Abraham, bursting through the door, followed by Philip.
"Philip why?" sighed Theodosia, slightly irritated that he had brought Abraham into this already out of control argument.
"This needs fixing" he replied.
"If you could please take control of your girl Abraham" exclaimed Theodosia. "I am past the point of reasoning with her!"
"Constance why the hell you yelling at Miss Burr for?" scolded Abraham.
"Cause she's a liar" Constance snapped.
"Excuse me?" exclaimed Theodosia, Philip having to step in front of her to stop any more bones from being broken.
"You had better watch your mouth" hushed Abraham. "You can't say things like that to her!"
"Why the hell are you defending her!" exclaimed Constance. "Just admit it!"
"Admit what?" demanded Philip.
"That they are in love with each other!" cried Constance, as if she was stating an obvious fact.
Theodosia actually held back a laugh as did Philip. Abraham looked more embarrassed than anything else.
"Constance, stop talking," he said. "You embarrassing yourself"
"I am not, you are in love with her!" exclaimed Constance. "Just say so!"
"I am not!" he nearly shouted. "I cant have any friends that aren't you is that it?"
"But-" she stammered.
"But what?" exclaimed Abraham. "You ain't been nothing but hateful towards Miss Theodosia since I started taking lessons from her, now because you think you know something, you act like a fool"
"Abe c'mon" she begged.
"Nah Constance" he continued, taking a step away from her. "I am done with you, you are hateful, damn spiteful and I don't want nothing to do with you. You best leave me and Miss Burr alone you hear?"
"Abe" choked Constance, on the verge of tears.
"The difference between you and Miss Theodosia is that she is a lady and you ain't" replied Abraham. "It ain't got nothing to do with class, you just like hurting other people's feelings, well now you are only gonna be able to hurt your own"
He turned to Theodosia and Philip. "I am sorry, sorry about the yelling and your dress"
"Its alright Abraham" nodded Theodosia.
He quietly left the room despite Constance's protests.
"Go down to the kitchen and pull yourself together" ordered Philip. "My mother will need you soon, and keep away from this room understand"
"Yes Sir" replied Constance, hurrying from the room.
Jefferson sat alone in a small tea room beside the Town Hall, patiently waiting for his guest.
The newspaper presented to him upon arrival was keeping him somewhat occupied, however, the stories of upcoming hanging's and elopements hardly peaked his interests.
"I'm here to see him" he heard a gruff voice say.
Flipping the top of the newspaper down, he nodded to the waiter who was trying his best to block the entrance and keep the man from entering.
The man, dressed in cheap clothing, happened to bump into a young lady whose husband instantly took offence.
"You will apologise!" he ordered.
"For what?" replied Jefferson's man. "Your dearest knocked into me"
"Its alright Harry" the young lady hushed, trying to pull her husband away.
"That's it sweetheart" mocked Jefferson's man. "You run along now"
After some insulted mutterings, the young lady and her husband exited the tea room, as the man sat down opposite Jefferson with a loud sigh.
"Quite the place you've brought me too" he commented.
"It doesn't tend to draw much of a crowd" replied Jefferson. "Unlike your entrance"
"What can I say" chuckled the man, opening his hand which now contained a large brooch. "She bumped into me"
"Stolen goods at the lunch table" muttered Jefferson. "How very modern"
The waiter tentatively approached the table and quietly asked, "Will you gentlemen be requiring any refreshments?"
"Tea" replied Jefferson, then looking across at his guest.
"You haven't got any whiskey have you?" he asked the waiter.
Before the waiter had the chance to respond, Jefferson interceded, "We are in an establishment that sells tea, that might limit your choices"
Jefferson's man rolled his eyes. "Tea then"
The waiter hurried away and Jefferson got straight to business.
"I take it that everything is in order for tonight?"
"Don't worry Boss, everything is under control.
"Good" replied Jefferson. "Position your men around the property, keep it subtitle until nightfall. We do not want any neighbours becoming suspicious"
"This is not my first burglary" chuckled the ringleader. "I know what to do"
Jefferson raised an eyebrow, "Quite"
"Where in the house is the goods?" asked the ringleader.
"They will be inside his safe, located in his office" replied Jefferson. "It is on the first floor, the second room on the left"
"You know the house quite well" commented the ringleader.
"Consider it previous research" replied Jefferson cooly. "This cannot fail"
"My men aren't paid to fail," said the ringleader. "We won't disappoint"
"See that you don't" replied Jefferson.
The waiter returned with the teapot and cups. Jefferson poured himself and his man a cup and watched as he swallowed the hot liquid with remarkable speed.
"Not one for etiquette are we?" commented Jefferson, slowly taking his tea.
"No, that's for the ladies" replied his man, letting out a satisfied sigh upon finishing his drink.
"How many men are you bringing tonight?" asked Jefferson.
"Five"
"Only five?"
"Two lookouts and three men for the work" replied the man.
"Seems a little risky" commented Jefferson.
"Well with one girl in the house, it's not going to be hard" chuckled the man.
"About that" began Jefferson.
"Oh here we go" sighed the man.
"There may be one other in the house," said Jefferson. "My little birds have told me that the maid of the Hamiltons has a young man on her arm. He may also be inside tonight"
"Two against three" concluded the man. "Easy"
"No harm is to come to the maid remember" ordered Jefferson.
"As you wish" replied his man, now getting up from his seat.
"I will meet you later," said Jefferson, "Do not be late"
His man nodded and left the tea room, much to the relief of the waiter.
The evening air in New York City was warm and pleasant.
Lucy walked along the Hamilton's road, accompanied by Thomas. They had spent the afternoon together, visiting his mother who lived just outside the city.
They both stopped as they reached the Hamilton's home.
"I'll see you tomorrow then?" she asked.
Thomas paused.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"Nothing" he replied, "I was just hoping that I might be allowed to stay here tonight?"
"Thomas, you know that's inappropriate!" exclaimed Lucy. "The family comes home tomorrow, I would be dismissed if they found you here!
"I just don't like the idea of you being in this big house by yourself" confessed Thomas.
"I have done it plenty of times before, besides I have so much work to do" assured Lucy.
"Please let me help" urged Thomas.
"Thomas, what about Mr Burr's garden, you have your own work to do!" she reminded.
"Not today," he said. "I have been given the whole day off, the evening included"
"Please don't lie to me," she said sadly.
"I'm not lying, I promise" urged Thomas. "I could never lie to you"
"Thomas" she sighed.
"Please!" he begged. "I'll get on my knees if that's what you want"
"Don't be so silly" she hushed, aware that people were still roaming around.
"Then can I stay and help?" he asked.
"Well," she said. "You would have to sleep on the floor, we don't have enough beds"
"I'd sleep in the fireplace if that's what it took" he smiled.
She smiled in return, "Alright, come on"
Lucy and Thomas walked up the pathway, and Lucy quickly unlocked the door.
The pair went inside, unaware that they were being watched.
"That lock shouldn't be too hard to pick Boss" commented one the men, leaning against their carriage. "Looks old"
"We are not going in the front door" replied the Boss, "We'll go in the back and come out the front door, it can easily be opened from the inside"
"How much longer are we waiting?" asked the man.
"A few more hours" replied the Boss. "That's our orders"
Theodosia sat in her room, still shaken by the events of the morning.
Her solitude was interrupted as Eliza gently knocked on her open door.
"Hello darling" she called. "I am sorry to spoil the lovely quiet but I have a letter from your father for you"
"Oh thank you" replied Theodosia, taking the letter from her.
"Forgive me for opening it," said Eliza. "The letter for myself was sent in the same envelope"
"That's alright" smiled Theodosia, slightly glad that the letter was open as she would have struggled to open it with her sprained arm.
"Let me know if you need anything" smiled Eliza, before once again leaving her alone.
Theodosia sat back down on her chair and took a deep breath. She had no idea what this letter was going to say.
To my Theodosia,
I must say upon reading Mrs Hamilton's letter about your injury I was deeply concerned, as I could not be there with you. I was however calmed by the explanation that you had been seen by a well-trained doctor who had handled your arm with care.
I will be interested to hear from you how such an injury came about? To my knowledge, you are still a proficient rider, who even as a child took great care with horses and their temperaments. It did surprise me to hear that you fell from the horse, it seemed very out of character. Mrs Hamilton explained some issue with her husband's objection to you riding a certain saddle, but that does not surprise me given Alexander's own strong and certain opinions.
On a different note, the work you have been sending back to me has not been of the standard that I would expect. I can only assume that your summer has been spent in relaxation rather than with your books. This I am sure this will be remedied once you return home.
I have not written this letter to scold you, my dear, please do not think it as such. I am glad that you have had such a wonderful time and experienced new and exciting things beyond the city.
I have received shining reports from Mrs Hamilton and her sister Mrs Schuyler Church as well as a truly glowing letter from Mr Schuyler. It listed to me how wonderful it has been to have you as a member of their household and how your help has been immeasurable. Mrs Hamilton went on the praise your loving friendship with her daughter and how she has benefitted from having such a wonderful companion.
I also received a letter from a Mr Henry Kingston. Who I believe you became acquainted with at the Schuyler Ball, who commended me for having such, and I quote, "a kind, compassionate and intelligent daughter, who executes herself and all that she does with such poise and elegance, far beyond her years".
To hear such reports about you my darling makes me very proud. And now perhaps, as I see that you can truly flourish in society without having your father by your side, I can allow you to participate in more social activities, now I see you are ready for them.
I do look forward to seeing you tomorrow, as this house has been quite lonely without you.
Rest well my darling,
Papa
Theodosia laughed and continued to read the letter several times. She was happy to hear that her father approved of her progress and was overjoyed to think that some of the constraints placed on her may be lifted.
"I never knew that this house was so big!" exclaimed Thomas, following Lucy around the bedrooms.
"They have a lot of children" replied Lucy, "Mr Hamilton needed a big house"
"And you keep it all clean?" asked Thomas, "how?"
"Well I confess Miss Eliza does most of the cleaning and cooking herself, I help when she needs me" smiled Lucy, busy shaking out some blankets.
"She is a remarkable lady," said Thomas.
"And a most kind one" replied Lucy.
The both moved along the corridor and Lucy put the key into Alexander and Eliza's bedroom door. She was puzzled to find it open, "That's funny, I locked this door?"
"Who could have opened it?" asked Thomas.
"Perhaps Mr Hamilton needed something," said Lucy, "he has set of keys himself"
They both went inside and Lucy swiftly lit several of the gas lamps. "I just need to dust off a few things"
"What a beautiful bed!" exclaimed Thomas.
"It is isn't it" smiled Lucy. "It was a tenth anniversary present from Mr Alexander to Miss Eliza, he had it commissioned especially"
"It looks like oak?" commented Thomas, running fingers down one of the bedposts.
"Solid oak" she replied, brushing off the blanket. "I can't even begin to move it by myself, Mr Alexander and Philip along with Miss Eliza all have to lift it if we need to clean the floor"
"I can imagine" smiled Thomas, still admiring the craftsmanship.
Lucy went about the room, quickly making sure that everything was ready for tomorrow.
Both of them, however, were alerted as a crash came from downstairs.
"What was that?" exclaimed Lucy.
"I have no idea, I had better go and check" replied Thomas.
"Okay but tell me if anything broke, I'll need to try and get it fixed," said Lucy, blowing out the gas lamps and ushering Thomas out of the room.
Thomas disappeared down the stairs and Lucy only a little unnerved moved along the landing into Philip's room. She quickly realised that the bedding needed cleaning and pulled off the blankets and pillows. As she tugged at the sheets she noticed that they were caught in one of the top corners of his mattress.
Lucy groaned as she lifted the heavy mattress and saw a bundle of letters hit the floor.
They were tied together with a ribbon and the visible handwriting was very fine and neat. She saw the name Theodosia at the end of the top letter but shrugged it off.
"Where can I put you?" she muttered to herself. "Ah!"
She noticed a pile of letters already on Philip's desk and decided to place them there. They can't be that secret.
Carrying her washing out of the room, she began descending the stairs calling out to Thomas.
"Did you find what the problem was?" she asked. "Thomas?"
Reaching the bottom of the stairs she looked around, "Thomas hello?" she called again.
Hearing another crash coming from the washroom, she walked down the steps and commented, "I hope you are not trying to take any food from the parlour, Miss Eliza will know if you have!"
Reaching the washroom, she tossed the load of blankets into a large pan on the table, before suddenly becoming aware that she was being watched.
She turned around and cried out as she saw Thomas had been gagged and tied to a chair, with two men beside him.
He was desperately trying to tell her something but the gag kept his pleas to a loud muffle.
Within seconds she knew what he was trying to tell her, two hands wrapped around her body, one palm covering her mouth and nose, then another on her waist, pinning her to the man behind.
"No screams lovely girl," the man said, taking joy in her distress. "I won't hurt you"
Lucy tried to struggle against the man's grip and Thomas was equally desperate to protect her, tugging with great force as his restraints.
The man's grip tightened and Lucy began to struggle to breathe. "I don't want to hurt you" he threatened, "so don't make me"
Lucy then became very still, very much believing his threat.
"Good" the man replied. "Now promise me you won't scream"
Lucy nodded and gasped for air as the hand was removed from her face. "What do you want!"
"I am glad you asked that" replied the man, enjoying this burglary more than most. "You get straight to the point"
"You are no friends of Mr Alexander" cried Lucy.
"No, I am not" the man replied, bending his tall frame down to level with her. "But you are, so you are going to help me"
"I don't want to," said Lucy boldly.
The man and his men laughed.
Lucy recoiled as the man in front of her, brushed several of her stray hairs behind her ears. "You see my darling" he began. "You may not want to help me or need to help me, but here's the problem"
Lucy awaited the answer.
"You don't have a fucking choice," he said bluntly.
He saw the fear in her eyes and knew that she was going to be cooperative.
"Now," he said. "I need access to every single one of Mr Hamilton's letters, all locked away in his office, can you help me?"
Lucy did not give him an answer.
The man sighed and made her turn around to face Thomas, who was still trying to free himself, much to the amusement of his guards.
She gasped in terror as the man behind her pulled out his revolver and pressed it against her head.
"Now I have been given strict orders not to hurt you," said the man, talking into her ear.
"However" he continued, "I have been given no orders not to hurt him"
He aimed the gun at Thomas, who now stared wide-eyed at Lucy.
"Will you help me now?" the man asked. "Or do I have to kill him first?"
Lucy nodded, "Please don't hurt him!"
"Of course" he smiled, placing the revolver back in its holster. "But" he added. "If you or pretty boy over there, scream or try to run for help, I will shoot you both, understood?"
Both Thomas and Lucy agreed.
"Now, where are the letters?" he demanded.
"In - in Mr Alexander's office, in his safe" stammered Lucy.
"I assume its locked?" commented the man.
"Yes" replied Lucy.
"And the spare key?" asked the man.
Lucy pointed to the top shelve in the room, which stored spare pots from the kitchen.
The man retrieved the key and then ordered. "Take me to the office then"
Lucy began nervously walked out of the washroom, glancing over at Thomas who looked as terrified as she did.
She jumped as the man behind her slapped her rear, urging her on. "Come on my dear, we don't have all day"
Thomas took particular insult to his action and grunted furiously against his gag.
"It's alright little boy" teased the man. "If I had a girl with a figure like that, I'd protect it too"
Lucy made sure she got up the stairs quickly, wanting desperately to avoid any more of that man's touches.
Once outside the office, Lucy took out her keys and fumbled to find the right one, whilst the man stood behind her, tossing the key for the safe in between his hands.
She barely had the door open when he pushed past her and scanned the room for the safe. Quietly lighting a gaslamp, she told him."It's beside the desk" her voice no more than a whisper.
The man looked and found it, lifting it off the floor and onto Alexander's desk with a loud bang.
Lucy watched in despair as the man easily opened the safe and whistled as he lifted out Alexander's duelling pistols.
"Now these are a thing of beauty," he said. "Is that brass or gold in the handle?"
"I -I wouldn't know" replied Lucy quietly.
The man weighed the gun in his hand, "feels too light to be gold"
"Are you going to take them too?" she asked.
The man laughed, "I might come back one day and get them, but that's not today"
He tossed them down onto the table and found a large collection of letters, addressed and received from the woman in question, Mrs Angelica Schuyler Church.
"Are these all his letters?" he demanded, holding the pile up.
"As far as I know" replied Lucy.
"I need better than that," he asked bluntly.
"I don't know" she whispered.
"You don't seem like the lying type" commented the man, throwing the pistols back into the safe and slamming the lid shut. "But I will just have a little look around"
Lucy was tossed the pile of letters and caught them, dropping several as she did.
She watched as the man pulled open every drawer and emptied every box, grabbing more letters as he went.
The man was nearly finished when a loud banging from the side of the house was followed by a knock at the front door.
He looked at Lucy and pulled her by her hair out of the room before demanding, "Who is that?"
"I don't know!" she whimpered.
The person at the door knocked again and even called through the letterbox. "Miss Lucy are you there?"
"I-I know who it is" she confessed, upon hearing the voice.
"Well?" he demanded, making sure that they both stayed well away from the windows.
"It's the butcher's son," she said. "My mistress wanted meat here for when the family returned home"
"You knew he'd come" hissed the man.
"No, he was supposed to come in the morning" cried Lucy.
"Go and get rid of him" ordered the man, pushing her towards the stairs.
Lucy hurried down the stairs and saw that one of the men that was guarding Thomas was waiting in the hallway.
He was shooed away by the man upstairs who was following Lucy.
Before she had the chance to open the door, the man pulled out his revolver and stood in the darkness by the entrance to the drawing room. In clear sight for Lucy but not for anyone on the outside.
"Miss Lucy?" the young boy called again.
"Just a moment" she replied, trying to make sure she looked calm and presentable.
She opened the door, no more than a crack and said to him, "Jack you were supposed to come in the morning, it is far too late to make me come to the door"
"I'm awful sorry Miss Lucy, my Pa wanted the meat rounds done tonight" apologized the young boy.
"Well, alright," said Lucy slowly. "Give me the meat then"
"Well, I normally bring it through to the kitchen for you" exclaimed Jack. "Its heavy I can't ask you to carry it"
"Well you can't," she said.
"Why not?" he asked.
Lucy looked to her right and saw the man pointing the gun at her. "I have - just cleaned the floor, your boots will make it muddy"
"I assure you, Miss Lucy, I wouldn't bring mud into this house" objected Jack.
"I'm sorry Jack," said Lucy. "But you can't come in"
"I'll come back in the morning then?" offered Jack. "Like we arranged?"
"Yes please" replied Lucy, quickly shutting the door.
She peeped out of the window beside the door and saw the rather confused and a little offended Jack wander back down the path, climb back on his cart and ride away. None the wiser about what was happening inside.
"You have certainly peaked his interest," the man said, "let's hope he doesn't come back"
After Lucy and the man had gone back to collect the letters, they headed back to the washroom, where Thomas was still being guarded.
"I have done what you asked," said Lucy, "Please untie him"
The man clicked his tongue and smiled. "As you wish"
Lucy did not like his smile but was relieved to see one of the other men was un-tying him.
Once Thomas had his arms again, he immediately punched one of the men in the face, prompting the other one to grab him from behind. Lucy shouted at Thomas to stop but he wouldn't listen.
The first man quickly recovered and gave Thomas several punches to the stomach, which left him on the floor.
Lucy rushed forwards to aid him but was restrained by the first man. "No please!" she begged. "Don't hurt him"
The first man signalled to the other two, resulting in Thomas getting a further two kicks to the stomach and several to his back. Lucy desperately struggled against the man but he was far stronger.
Once Thomas was barely conscious, the man ordered them to stop. "You have had your fill boys"
Opening a small door, he practically tossed Lucy down into the wine cellar, smiling as she landed with a cry of pain.
Thomas was also lifted off the ground and thrown down the few steps, landing at Lucy's feet. She instantly took his head onto her lap and started cradling him, praying that he would wake up.
"Thank you for your help little one," the man said before slamming the door closed.
Before Lucy could try to get up and open the door, she heard a large bang on the other side, they had clearly moved something in front of it.
She sat there with Thomas, listening as the voices and footsteps faded.
It took an hour for Thomas to wake up, he called out in a weak voice, "Lucy!"
"I'm here" she hushed.
"Are they gone?" he responded, his voice hoarse.
"Yes," she replied.
"The men didn't hurt you did they?"
"No, the only thing that hurt me was seeing you in pain" she confessed, kissing his forehead.
"When are the family coming home?" he asked, before coughing violently.
"Tomorrow afternoon" she replied, rubbing his back.
"How are we to wait till then?"
"Jack is coming in the morning to deliver some meat, I can only hope that he will force his way in if I don't go to the door," she said. "I think he already knows that something is wrong"
Thomas nodded, "Come and lay beside me"
Lucy was in no mood or position to put into question her modesty, she happily curled up next to him and began the long wait til morning.
Note time!
Okay, so Theodosia had her moment with Constance. I will be resolving that whole situation in the next chapter as I would like to have them part as friends.
But the main thing you are probably all happy about is that after about ten fucking chapters of set up, we FINALLY got the burglary scene. It was very fun to write and I hope you enjoy it. The aftermath is going to be equally enjoyable to write :)
The next chapter will be out on the 18th of May.