"What's the matter with you?" Ray demanded as Florian stuttered an apology. He'd already dropped his soup spoon and just now he'd almost upset his water glass. If not for Ray's quick reflexes, Florian would have been soaked.
"Such manners for the son of a duke," Marie Therese sneered as she drained her wineglass again.
Florian bowed his head, his face pink with embarrassment while, beside him, Laila bristled.
"I'm afraid this sudden snowstorm has us all unsettled." Jacques offered, soothingly. "Please, relax and enjoy the meal. It's one of my cook's specialties."
Florian gave his cousin a grateful smile but it faded as he asked, "Won't Eleanora be joining us tonight? I was hoping to see her again after so many years."
"I'm afraid she prefers dining alone. She's angry with me for selling her family treasures." Jacques shook his head regretfully. "She doesn't seem to understand that it's necessary."
"But it's not!" A woman's voice preceded her into the room. She was flushed from cold and still wearing her winter coat and hat, rapidly melting snow still clinging to them.
"Charlotte!" Jacques rose quickly and moved to embrace the woman. "What are you doing here? Surely you didn't travel in such weather?"
"It was terrible, I thought we'd be trapped but my driver got us through. Thank goodness we'll be able to sell this place soon and won't have to worry about such horrible weather."
"Charlotte, please!" Jacques had the frantic air of someone trying to hold back a flood but Charlotte didn't seem to notice. Instead, her attention was focused on the blond who had risen from his seat.
"Florian? Is that you? Little Florrie?" Charlotte brushed Jacques aside and rushed forward to meet a somewhat embarrassed Florian. "It is you." And without hesitation she kissed him full on the lips.
"Charlotte!" Jacques protested, still looking thoroughly overwhelmed.
"It's good to see you, cousin Charlotte," Florian said formally, taking a step back and nearly colliding with Ray who put a proprietary hand on Florian's arm. "Please let me introduce you to my companions, Lady Laila and…"
"Count Courland. Of course." Charlotte eyed Ray up and down, appraisingly. "You're little Florrie's patron. But you're much younger, and better looking, than I expected."
"Charlotte!" Florian protested alone this time, Jacques seemingly having given up already.
"It's true!" She gave Ray another look before turning to Florian. "And you've grown so much, little cousin."
"I should hope so, Charlotte. We haven't seen each other since I was twelve."
"When you got lost at our villa and fell in the fountain." Florian shook his head and groaned while Marie Therese, clearly annoyed at being ignored snorted in disgust.
"Never mind this sentimental nonsense, I want to know what you meant when you said it wasn't necessary to sell the family treasures."
"It's quite simple," Charlotte said as she finally took off her coat and handed it to the waiting servant. "Papa's going to buy the rights to this entire estate as his wedding gift to Jacques and I." She turned to her fiancé and added, "You'll pick out the things you want to keep, of course, and the rest will go to auction along with this dreadful place. Papa's already agreed to give us the estate in England."
"But Charlotte…"
"I've made arrangements for Eleanora as well. A lovely place in the English countryside that specializes in patients like her."
"What do you mean? Eleanora's not sick."
"Of course she is, dear. But the sale of this place will provide more than enough money for her care. And you will finally be free of her."
"I won't have you speak like that about Eleanora!" Jacques looked ready to explode. He gestured roughly to his servant. "Show Miss Charlotte to her room. She needs rest." With the barest of bows, Jacques stormed from the room leaving a furious Marie Therese to vent at Florian.
"I'd heard the entire Rochefort line was rotted – but to see such behavior with my own eyes. To think there's nothing left of the noble line but robbers, fools and whores." She sniffed her disdain at the remaining trio and swept out of the room.
Shifting awkwardly, Florian returned to his seat and picked up his fork. The food wasn't very appealing but he made an effort to eat a few bites while Ray and Laila returned to their seats. They made a few awkward attempts at conversation, but finally even Florian gave it up and pushed his plate away.
"Please forgive me," Jacques said quietly from the doorway. He gave them a half-bow. "I'm afraid Charlotte can be a bit overwhelming. If you're willing to join me, I'll ask Samuel to serve dessert in the study?"
"No need to entertain us, Jacques." Ray spoke for the three of them as he stood. "I'd much rather spend some time looking at the items you have for offer. If they're still for sale, that is?"
"They are, despite Charlotte's ideas to the contrary. I have no plans to sell this estate. It's Eleanora's home and she's lost too much already. It's bad enough I must sell some of her family treasures." Jacques motioned for his servant to lead Ray to the vault but Ray stopped his companions as they moved to follow him.
"You're free to do as you choose. It will take me some time to examine the items in the vault and I doubt you'd find it of interest."
Florian nodded and smiled, knowing Ray's real reason for going alone was so he could savor the treasures without distraction. It was fine with Florian, he had something else in mind.
"In that case, I'm going to bed early," Laila declared. "I was up before dawn and I'm tired."
Once they'd all gone in separate directions, Florian turned away from his suite and strode towards the stairway at the end of the hall. He had a distant memory of Eleanora's room being in the west hall and he was hoping he might find it, or at least find a servant that could direct him. He wasn't sure why he didn't just ask Jacques, but he seemed uncomfortable every time Florian mentioned her name and Florian didn't want to upset him any more than he already was.
Smiling a little, Florian shook his head at Charlotte's behavior – she hadn't changed much over the years. She'd been bossy and demanding as a child too. Poor Jacques – it would be a challenge being married to her.
Distracted by memories, Florian barely paid attention to his path. It wasn't until he'd followed a turn in the corridor and taken several steps that he realized what lay on the carpet ahead. Hurrying, he knelt down and gently touched Marie Therese's shoulder. His hand came away sticky with blood.
Heart pounding, Florian looked up, calling for help when a flash of movement drew his attention. He turned to look just as a sound startled him and he turned again just in time to see something moving towards him fast, aimed for his head. He shifted back but not quickly enough. Blinding pain knocked him sideways but before he could struggle to rise, a pair of hands reached out and closed around his throat.
Vision blurred, he reached up desperately to try and fight off his attacker, getting in a few solid hits before lack of air weakened him and he fell into darkness.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I'm beginning to re-think the idea of buying anything here, sir. I'm not used to having to fight off knife-wielding ladies in order to buy artwork." Ray carried the unconscious girl into the living room where Jacques and Charlotte were sitting in front of the fire. He placed the girl on the sofa and helped himself to a brandy from the nearby cart.
"I told you Eleanora was crazy, Jacques. Perhaps now you'll listen. She needs help – more help than you can give her. You know mental illness runs in her family; it was just a matter of time before it claimed her too."
"Enough, Charlotte, please!" Jacques walked over to the unconscious girl and placed a coverlet over her. He turned to Ray, his expression deeply troubled. "I am sorry, Count Courland. Eleanora has been very upset about my selling the family treasures. Please forgi.."
A cry for help interrupted him and Ray reacted immediately. "Florian!" Before the others could move, Ray was out the door and taking the stairs in the direction of the cry. Along the way, Laila joined them and, unnoticed by the others, Eleanora followed them.
"No!" Ray shouted in horror at the sight of an unconscious Florian lying in a pool of blood beside Marie Therese. Marks in the shape of fingers darkened the blond's pale throat. Tenderly, Ray lifted Florian up into his arms, letting out a sigh of relief when he felt Florian breathing. He slapped the blond to wake him, earning a weak protest from Jacques and a complaint from the newly-revived Florian.
"Marie Therese is dead," Jacques reported solemnly but Ray barely noticed, his attention completely on Florian who was resting against Ray's chest, clinging to him.
"There are footprints outside. They must have climbed down this tree." Laila pointed out the window to the large tree that practically rested against the house. It would have been a dangerous climb down with all the snow, but not impossible.
"I'll have to call the police," Jacques said, sounding a bit dazed. He looked at Ray and frowned at the sight of his cousin being lifted up in his patron's arms. "Will Florian be all right?"
"He's got a fever. If you could send some aspirin and some tea to our room?"
"Yes, of course." Jacques exchanged a look with Charlotte then glanced at Laila. Eleanora was nowhere to be seen. "I'm sorry for this disturbance. If you'd like to go back to your rooms. I'll take some of the servants and see if we can catch this criminal."
"Jacques, no. It's too dangerous. Let the police handle this." Charlotte gripped his arm, her face pale with fright.
"She's right," Laila added. "You should lock all the doors and windows and call the police."
"Yes, yes of course." Jacques looked at the body of his guest and motioned to his servant. "I suppose we shouldn't move her but surely we can cover her. I can't just leave her like that."
"That should be fine." Laila assured him, looking off in the direction that Ray had gone. "If you'll excuse me, I'll see if Ray needs anything for Florian." Laila left quickly, before she had to listen to any more nonsense. She'd be glad when they could leave this place. The drafty old house made her uncomfortable.
Arriving at Ray's suite she knocked lightly and waited until Ray opened the door. "I just wanted to see if you needed anything?"
"Thank you, Laila, no. A servant brought tea if you'd like some. Florian's warming up by the fire and then we're going to bed. Do you need anything before you turn in?"
"No, but I hope it's clear enough to get out of here in the morning. Jacques is calling the police and I'd rather not stay around for that."
"Agreed." Ray touched Laila's arm. "Check your room before you go to sleep. Florian mentioned that he felt like he was being watched and now this. Make sure your windows and door are locked."
"I will," Laila smiled gratefully for Ray's consideration and waved goodnight to Florian before leaving them alone. She was almost to her room at the opposite end of the hall when a woman's scream startled her.
"Now what?" she wondered as she heard Ray's door open. She hurried to join him and they raced downstairs together to find Charlotte holding her bleeding hand and shouting at Jacques. "I told you she was crazy. She stabbed me." She waved the injured hand under Jacques' nose. "Look!"
"Charlotte, please."
"I don't want to hear it, Jacques. You always defend her, but she's getting worse. You can't let this continue. For all we know, she's the one who killed Marie Therese."
"Where is Eleanora now?" Ray demanded, "Why don't we get her here and ask her what she's doing."
"She was in the parlor. But..."
Ray led the way down the hall but knew he wouldn't find her there. In fact, he had a terrible feeling and, as he passed by the window he looked out and had it confirmed. "Florian!"
The others rushed to the window in time to see a tall man running away with the blond lying limply over his shoulder. Without hesitation, Ray ran out into the snow after him, not bothering with hat or coat. Laila hurried after, grabbing the nearest thing at hand - a blanket and raced to catch up. She shoved it at Ray then struggled to follow as he raced ahead into the darkness. She could hear Jacques and Charlotte shouting behind her but barely gave them any notice. She needed to focus on where she was going.
After a while she slowed to a walk, shivering in the cold and finally conceded defeat, slowly turning away to trudge back to the house. She met Jacques and several of his servants a short distance back and accepted the blanket they offered. She wrapped herself in it intending to go back when Ray emerged from the darkness, scratched and wet and shivering in the cold. He looked murderously angry.
"I need a key to the crypt."
"What? Why?"
"Because that's where Florian is. I saw him carried into the crypt but the door is locked and I couldn't break in."
"Of course. The key," Jacques turned to his servant. "Do you have your keys with you?"
"Yes, sir," the man handed over a heavy ring after selecting a large ornate key. "This is the one, sir."
Thank you, Ray took the key and hurried off without another word.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Thank you, Theodore." Eleanora watched as the man placed Florian on the ornate bed and fastened the shackle around his ankle. The blond had a bruise on his temple but Eleanora didn't let Theodore see how displeased she was. Instead, she gave him her sweetest smile and went to him for an enthusiastic kiss. He was responding so eagerly that he barely reacted to the pinprick on his neck. It was only when Eleanora pulled away, her expression cold that he understood what had happened. He reached for her but she stepped back and watched as he wavered and fell against the wall, struggling to keep his footing.
It took the better part of ten minutes for the poison to do its work. Eleanora watched until the last moment when the man who had spent the last fourteen years catering to her every whim fell heavily to the floor and remained still. With a huff of annoyance, Eleanora eyed the distance between the fresh corpse and the centerpiece of her underground haven – an elaborate coffin. She should have made the bastard open the thing and climb in, just as he'd once forced her mother to do.
No matter, she was strong enough and it wasn't like she had anything to do until her prince awoke. It was disgusting work, heaving open that coffin and having to look at what little remained of her mother. No matter, mother would have Theo to herself, as she'd always wanted. What did it matter that the brittle bones were crushed by the weight of the corpse? They were both in hell for eternity now. The very place Eleanora had dwelt for so many years. But now, thanks to the return of her prince, she'd soon be free.
She shoved the coffin lid into place and brushed her hands as she smiled sweetly at her dear Florian. She took up a light blanket to cover him, then frowned when she realized there was a bit of dried blood in his hair from where Theodore had hit him. Theo was an imbecile until the end, she fumed, "I told him not to hurt my prince."
Placing one knee on the bed, Eleanora draped her body over Florian's and licked away the blood. It was delicious as she knew it would be and she savored the taste. Soon she'd have her fill of it, as she'd have her fill of Florian in other ways. But first, she really should take care of the minor distraction of her prince's patron. The man had tarnished her prince and would have to be punished before she could finally begin the purification.
She cast one last took around the room, deeming it acceptable for her prince before she left, closing and locking the heavy ironwork gate behind her.
::end part 2::