Chapter Four:
Attacked!
The Manor:
The crowd at the table in the dining room applauded – some of them grudgingly – as Victor Danforth finished his one-man theatrical reading, a taster of his own play. Beaming as he bowed, the playwright then sat down as Lord and Lady Hanbrook stood up again. His lordship gave a short, unscripted speech about his love and pride of his daughter, his only child. Then, clearing his throat as his emotions began to show, George Hanbrook raised his wine-filled glass towards the star of the party.
"My dear Lucy is this night, now officially a woman, having reached her twenty-first birthday. May you find your future life to be a long and happy one, my daughter. Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, dear!" added Lady Hanbrook, clinking her glass to her husband's. At her nod, the others at the table echoed the toast with their raised glasses.
Lucy blushed and smiled. She stood up to give a brief 'thank you' speech to those present – and her eyes fell upon, and lingered on, Karl. Then she sat down again.
With the last course of the delicious meal, plus Victor's entertainment and the speeches over, the next stage would be the dancing. The double doors leading from the dining room and into the ballroom were now being opened up by the butler. Through the doorway, the team of musicians were setting up their stands and readying their instruments at that very moment – flute and violins. With another man seating himself at the piano that was already in place within the ballroom.
Some of the guests rose from the table with their partners, to head for the terrace or the restrooms. Isabella however remained seated next to Karl.
"It would have been prudent to tell me in advance that you were already acquainted with the Hanbrooks, Mr Harrison," she murmured darkly to her date for the night. "And that Lady Hanbrook would look upon your arrival with disdain."
Karl chuckled as he folded in his used napkin. He looked at the lady who had asked him here, noting that she taken particular care over making her raven-colored hair look luscious. As well as wearing her finest long dark dress, Isabella was displaying a striking pair of ruby earrings.
"I apologize, Madam von Took. But I did not wish to tell you, considering that you and Lady Hanbrook were evidently already old friends. If I had told you, I might not have been allowed to come here. And I wanted to see Lucy on her birthday. What is wrong with that? You surely saw her smiling at me…"
"You will want to talk to her next, no doubt," Isabella tapped her arched fingers on the dining table before her. "Why does Lady Hanbrook object to your presence, Mr Harrison? I will ask her myself, of course – but I am interested to hear your explanation."
"When I was in the army some years back, my regiment was stationed in this area. A few men, including myself, were allocated to guard the manor from a group of criminals who had a vendetta against Lord Hanbrook. Lucy and I became friends during my stay – and from time to time, when I was on leave, I would return here when passing by. But three years ago, on my last visit, Lady Hanbrook spoke to me privately, advising me not to return. She felt that Lucy was becoming too fond of me – and she did not want her daughter to become involved with a man engaged in a dangerous occupation. My regiment was frequently having to quell those deemed to be 'troublemakers', including a few natives."
"Josette Hanbrook's mother lost her husband during army service when Josette and I were still children. I see…," Isabella reflected. "And what of the criminals? What became of them?"
"They were all rounded up by my regiment during my duty here," Karl declared.
Isabella studied his expression carefully. "And something happened involving you, particularly?" she ventured.
"You are perceptive, madam. I… I ambushed an intruder here, who tried to kidnap Lord Hanbrook. I had to kill him. But I took a bullet in the process," Karl muttered, grimacing at the memory. "Lucy nursed me, before the doctor reached me."
"So, Lady Hanbrook potentially sees you as a flawed hero," Isabella mused.
The music started up. Several people moved to the dance floor in the next room with their partners. Karl glanced around. Lucy wasn't in sight. The French schoolmistress who Isabella had introduced him to earlier, was now sat at the edge of the ballroom by herself. And close by, at the edge of the room where the terrace doors were open, stood Inspector Cooke. He had just taken a filled glass from a passing waiter…
Karl frowned at the sight of the unexpected extra guest. Now, where had Cooke been during the meal? Outside, guarding the manor? And what of Sergeant Allardyce? Why was Cooke here? Was he just taking precautions – or was he expecting trouble to brew?
"Well, shall we?" Isabella extended her hand to Karl.
"You are quite a forward-thinking lady, Isabella von Took," he noted. He took her hand anyway. "All you had to do was wait a little longer. I would have asked."
"I prefer not to wait on others, when I can lead," she retorted.
The lit candles around the walls of the grand ballroom were reflected on the chandelier adorning the centre of the ceiling. The two of them mingled with the dancers who were already moving to the sweet strains of the violins and the piano. A slow, gentle harmony to kick things off. Isabella's gloved hand was firm on Karl's right shoulder – and he applied equal firmness to his grip just above her left hip.
"You have seen the Inspector. You recognize him." Isabella stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes."
"What are you and your friend really here for, Mr Harrison?"
He hesitated – then decided to take a risk, whilst keeping his voice low. If she knew something that could help him…
"Besides seeing Lucy again? I came to investigate what was behind the deaths of those animals around town. Now, I would like to know what has starting killing people in the area. I have experience of…certain matters…from my time in the army."
"Really? Perhaps we should share information. When we have privacy, of course…" Isabella paused in her movements. "Ah…"
"What?" Seeing Isabella's sharp eyes looking over his shoulder, Karl turned round. Major Bruckner was dancing with Lucy. She did not look entirely comfortable with him, though. The elder was almost a head taller than her, as well as being broader in his build. And he seemed to be leading their dance more often than not.
"Where is your friend, Mr Harrison?" Isabella distracted him, to his relief. "In Shadowbrook?"
"Thomas? Oh, I imagine he's keeping himself busy," Karl replied with the ghost of a smile.
*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
With the party in full swing and with the servants pre-occupied, Thomas Harrow walked along the short corridor confidently, remembering to look confident and act as though he had the right to be there. Keeping quiet about his business nonetheless, he slipped his skeleton key into the lock and got to work, checking over his shoulder. One young lady, dressed as a maid, slipped by from the direction of the servants' quarters – though Thomas did not recognize her.
He did note that her hair was particularly red…
The lock that his hand was covering 'clicked'. Keeping the door open just enough to allow a little light from the lit candle in the corridor, Thomas then used that to light his own candle, set on its hand-held tray, and sneaked inside the dark room he had gained access to – shutting the door to behind him.
Before him lay the study, with its wooden paneled furniture, its leather seats, and its hidden secrets…
Keeping his head down so to avoid being seen from outside by that sergeant lurking around in the grounds, Thomas applied his skeleton key to the drawers of Lord Hanbrook's desk. Soon, he was sitting on the floor behind the desk, reading from the now-opened scroll that he had delivered to Lord Hanbrook the previous day.
He bit his lip as he scanned the contents, then placed it back exactly as he had found it. He went through the remainder of the next drawer down – mentally retaining anything of useful knowledge. He had a good memory when it came to recalling what deeds other people did…
In the last drawer was a small metal box. Drawn to it, Thomas opened it up and found the deeds to Hanbrook Manor, as well as bank statements.
"Oh, dear. Not quite as rich as you should be – considering tonight's party, are yer, Georgie?" Thomas cackled softly to himself. He put the papers back…
"What's this?" He found one final paper, at the bottom of the box, in an old envelope. "Lord George and Lady Josette's wedding certificate. And Lucy's birth certificate? Heh, heh."
Thomas remaining good eye widened at he noticed something amiss...
"What the-!?"
The courier sat in silence, his mind racing. Then, making his decision, he started putting papers back into the box. He was looking forward to seeing the look on Karl's face…
*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
Anne Marie was starting to feel uncomfortable as she sat at the edge of the ballroom. She was grateful for her foresight in having a best dress for an occasion such as this – but she was simply unaccustomed to being involved in upper-class society, which the majority of the guests present were clearly part of. Having arrived with no partner, she felt excluded from the dancing. Not that she was used to dancing, either…
Deciding to observe the nearby suited local dignitaries and their wives with their richly-colored dresses, as they made polite conversation of little importance, Anne Marie's gaze was drawn to one of the maids who, she noticed, was keeping out of sight of the other servants. This maid was carrying a silver platter of bite-sized food pieces for the non-dancing guests to sample. Underneath the platter, as she squeezed between Magistrate Kroft and Doctor Manning, the maid discreetly extracted the purse from the doctor's pocket.
Anne Marie's eyes widened. She had only seen because she had been sat at the right angle and had been looking the right way at the right time. And now she noticed, as the maid slipped away, that the thief had red hair beneath her cap…
"Sacrebleu!" Anne Marie whispered to herself, in recognition of the other woman. Steeling herself, she stood up and started to make her way after Katarina Clark – in order to retrieve the doctor's purse.
"Good evening, my lady. I have noticed that you have not yet danced tonight." The smartly-attired man smiled widely as he stepped forward, blocking her way.
"Major Bruckner! Excuse-moi, de sil vous plait.I was just…"
He laid a firm hand around her wrist. A too-firm hand. "All I ask of you is one dance, mademoiselle."
She caught a whiff of the alcohol on his breath, and shuddered – now feeling more uncomfortable. "Is your wife not here, then, Major? Nor your mistress?" she challenged him.
Bruckner's eyes flashed in surprise, and annoyance. "Where did you learn of this slander, Miss Piaget? You have not been in Shadowbrook very long…"
"I have been around long enough to learn of…rumors…monsieur. Now, if you will kindly remove yourself from me..."
"One dance, Miss Piaget. Oh - and a peck on the cheek. Then I will forget your slur against me." The brown eyes were now narrowed into slits, as Bruckner drew in close and spoke slowly and with care over his words, right into her ear. "Or do you wish to be regarded amongst the townsfolk as a cold-hearted Frog who could not get a dance at the ball? The locals don't take that kindly to outsiders around here, you see. A few words in the right ears… The word passed onto your schoolchildren via some of the parents. Some of my workers don't like the new ideas that you are putting into their heads. The advancement of science. Respect for the primitive natives. Girls being able to do as much as boys… We don't want bad feelings to escalate in the town – do we? Now. Let us dance."
"Oh, there you are, Madame! I'm sorry that I kept you waiting!" a voice startled them both.
Looking to her left, Anne Marie saw the playwright, Victor Danforth, standing close by.
Seeing that Bruckner was thrown off-balance. The schoolteacher took the lifeline thrown to her, as she forced a smile. "…for our dance, Monsieur Danforth?"
"Ah…Yes, indeed." Victor smiled nervously at the stony-faced Major. He glanced at Bruckner's rigid hand-still gripping Anne Marie. "Or perhaps I can regale you both with an example of my singing prowess… The Major here has experience of my loud voice and the wide-ranging notes that I can reach!"
"I do indeed recall…"Anne Marie saw Major Bruckner shudder. Abruptly, he released his captive and – without a word – turned and melted back into the rest of the crowd.
"Merci, beaucoup," Anne Marie squeezed Victor's hand.
"That's quite all right, Madame. I couldn't hear what he was saying – but it was clear to me, as a trained observer of human interaction, that you needed assistance. Not that I was sure that I could do much if he did not leave you be. And, well…" His face fell. For a moment he reminded her of a sad puppy.
"Well what, monsieur?"
"I have not found anyone to dance with yet, tonight, either."
Anne Marie laughed in relief and interlinked her arm in his as she led him to the dance floor. "Then let us seek some comfort in each other, Monsieur Danforth. Oui?"
"Please… Call me Victor. I… I find your voice delightful, Mademoiselle…?"
"Piaget. But call me Anne Marie," she answered as they took up their promenade positions and joined in with the other dancers moving gracefully in time to the sweet music – her concern about Katarina overlooked, as she tried to relax after her unpleasant brush with Major Bruckner.
*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
With the babble of voice fading away behind him, as he strode forward, Karl found his quarry seating in the gazebo, overlooking the gardens – just out of the reach of the nearest torchlight fitted to the stone walls bordering the terrace. For a moment, he stood still on the garden path and took in the image of the young woman that she had become – and how she had grown from the girl that he had teased and played with games with when he had been posted here. Games that she had been happy to share with him – croquet, and hide and seek in the maze. The occasional shared horse ride, too.
Lucy was staring sadly at the pond before her when Karl approached. Looking up and seeing him, her expression changed immediately to a bright smile – and she rose to her feet, moving forward to meet him halfway on the path. She pecked him on the cheek, and he squeezed her momentarily.
"I am glad to see you looking well, Lucy."
"Welcome back! Three years you've been away."
"You kept count…"
"I have! It's been too long, Karl. I didn't think you would make it!"
"I wasn't going to miss your night, Lucy. Despite your mother's disapproval of me," he reassured her.
"Do not let her stop you. She may not approve of you being a soldier who is liable to get hurt – but papa likes you, especially since you did deal with that horrid man who came here after him!"
"Well… I may be still dressed in my uniform, Miss Hanbrook. But that's partly for show. I have now finished my service. I am now a free agent!"
Lucy's mouth dropped open. "You are…? So…, do you now have a job that mother will approve of?"
"Ah… No. I came back to see you – but there's work for me here too, it seems."
"Such as…?"
"Let's sit down, Lucy. I never really told you about some of the things I came across when I saw service in the continental army. Please listen to what I have to say. And remember – we made a pledge to each other, years ago…"
"…never to lie to each other. I know." Lucy nodded. She looked grim. "I'm ready to listen, Karl."
In the next few minutes, Karl made his explanations. How, during his time in the 4th Light Dragoons, he experienced activity of creatures that could not have existed. And, even when his superiors were aware of the situations after the dust had settled, those creatures still did not officially exist. Reports of a banshee that he helped to banish in New York State. A warlock raising the dead who was terrorizing a village in Pennsylvania, before the squad Karl fought with ended his reign of terror. A squad that one-by-one joined the enemy's forces as they were killed by the walking dead and ghouls – leaving just Karl and one soldier who had barely held onto his sanity in the aftermath.
"…I know that it all seems incredible. But it is all true. And now something…"
"…has been killing those animals in the last month," Lucy whispered.
"More than that. Men and women are dying – with some of them being turned to stone! It's true – I swear!"
"Karl… I believe you…" Lucy's voice shook. She shivered. The air was turning foggy. "Last night… Something ghastly happened. In the study…"
"…the wall bled. Isabella von Took has told me," Karl admitted. "That Inspector Cooke seems determined to refuse that there are unearthly forces at work. Do you know why he is here tonight?"
Lucy shook her head. "Mother and Father are definitely keeping secrets from me, Karl. I sometimes wonder if they hold secrets from each other. In fact, mother seemed determined, when I returned from my horse riding with Miss O'Hare, for me to spend my time in my room to prepare for the party. I had far more time to prepare than I needed."
Karl stroked his beard. "Isabella told me of an incident involving her and your mother in the garden, this afternoon…" He related the story.
"A stray cat? In the maze? And it vanished mysteriously?" Lucy looked bewildered. "Could it be…the cat of Elaine Bartlett?"
"Who?"
"Oh! Of course. You were not around when she was alleged to have committed her reign of terror. She and her husband moved into the area nearly three years ago, building a new house in the woods. Not long afterwards, Mr Bartlett was caught having an affair. In the months that followed, both he and his lover died in mysterious circumstances. Then farm animals began to sicken and die. Rumors began to fly, Karl…"
"Let me guess," he interrupted. "She was accused of being a witch."
"Well, actually. The first rumor was that Elaine Bartlett tried to gain favor with the town elders, including my parents – in order to avoid being charged with the odd deaths of Mr Bartlett and his lover. Miss O'Hare would not tell the details, but I realized from her that she and the other elders all grew to fear Elaine Bartlett. It was then that the accusations of witchcraft began flying around, as babies started dying – babies from houses where Elaine Bartlett's cat, Solomon, was caught sneaking into."
"So what happened?" Karl pressed Lucy.
"I was not there. My parents forbade me to attend any of it. Mrs Bartlett was arrested at the start of October, last year, on the charges of witchcraft committed against livestock and the people. At her trial, she was found guilty – but even at her hanging, outside of the town hall, she pleaded her innocence. I have heard from the groundskeeper here, Mr Devlin, that the Shadow Witch – as they were calling her now – cried out her last words with fury, even as the hangman's rope was about to go around her neck. She said. 'You have not seen the last of me! Four seasons hence, on All Hallow's Eve, I shall return and plunge this town into darkness… You… will all…die!'" Lucy fell quiet for a moment and shivered – both from the chill air, and from her own unease. "Minutes later, she was dangling, Karl. So Mr Devlin said."
"And one year on, All Hallow's Eve is almost upon us," Karl thought aloud. "If this 'Shadow Witch' is indeed somehow behind these latest animal slaughters and the deaths of those recent people, then how is she doing it? What manner of creature are we dealing with?"
"Karl…" Lucy angled her face towards him. "Since I am now officially an adult, mother should not stop me from being with whom I want to be with… Perhaps we should team up and investigate these matters together?"
His eyes widened at the thought. "It will be dangerous, Lucy. Whatever is making its presence felt, it is deadly. People have been killed – either torn apart or turned into husks, or turned into statues."
"Husks!?"
"Oh, yes. I've seen the evidence, Lucy – even if Inspector Cooke is still struggling to accept that. If you wish to help me with this investigation, we will need to watch each other's backs…"
"Karl – I know you, as well as my parents, wish to shield me from harm. But I do see something of how the ordinary people live, on my travels. I am only too aware of how cocooned I am from the woes of the world. I don't wish to be rich, yet helpless. I wish to help my fellow human beings to live better lives, free from misfortune and early death! If something…unearthly…is killing my father's people, then I have to do something! I am educated. I can ride, and shoot. I know the area…"
Karl slapped himself in annoyance.
"What is it?"
"I forgot to bring you your birthday gift! Here… Happy birthday to you, Lucy Hanbrook." Karl reached into the inside pocket of his green army jacket and presented her with a sapphire necklace. "Sorry it's not in a box! But I know blue and greens are your favorite colors."
"Oh… Thank you!" Lucy felt the weight of the jewel in her hands, and smiled as she allowed Karl to fit it around her slim neck. With that done, she gave her friend an affectionate squeeze. "So… Can I take this as a sign of acceptance that we can work together?"
"Well, yes. I will be happy for you to work with me and Thomas…"
"Thomas… That one-eyed courier, Thomas Harrow?"
"That's him."
"Oh! I've seen him around the manor again yesterday. He's rather…lacking…in the manner of a gentleman." Lucy pouted.
Karl laughed. "I am sure he would not disagree with you, Lucy. But apart from you, he's the nearest I have to a friend around here, at present. He's rough, sure – but he's fine."
"All right. I guess I can learn to work with Thomas, as well as you. What about Isabella von Took, your dance partner? Where is she now?"
"After we exchanged information about our recent strange experiences, I said that I had to give you your birthday present." Karl made a peeved expression. "I find her to be…sly. And you…? You did not seem to be happy with Major Bruckner."
"I was not. Father and Mother seem to want to be firm friends with him, so they called upon me to dance with the Major. But there is something…repulsive…about him in his eyes. And he did not bring his wife to the par-!"
"I say!"
Startled, Karl and Lucy looked up, to see the plump figure of Victor Danforth striding across to them. He was fanning himself with his hand. "Good evening, Miss Lucy, Mr…"
"…Harrison. Good evening to you. Too warm in the ballroom?" Karl smiled.
"Indeed. I have just had a delightful couple of dances with that charming French lady from the town – but she has now had to see to…" He coughed. "…her toilette. In the meantime, I thought I would look at these gardens in the moonlight. Er, not that I can see much of the moon through those thick clouds… But anyway, may I again congratulate you upon coming of age, Miss Hanbrook!"
Lucy giggled as she allowed the playwright to take her hand and kiss it. "Thank you for your play recital. I enjoyed it," she declared.
Karl stiffened as he saw Thomas standing at the base of the steps leading to the terrace. The courier was looking directly at him.
"Excuse me, Lucy. Thomas requires me…" Karl stood up.
"Don't worry about me, Karl. Mr Danforth will keep me company here, until you get back – won't you, sir?"
"What? Oh yes!" The balding man replied. "So long as Mademoiselle Piaget doesn't fret over where I am. I had to rescue her from the Major, from what she told me…"
"Really? Tell me more…" Lucy patted the seat next to her, inviting Victor to join her…
*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
Moving towards the shadows at the outside edge of the maze, Karl stopped and faced Thomas.
"Right… We should be out of earshot here. So, did it all go well enough?" he asked.
Thomas gave a lop-sided grin. "Got inside the study and the desk drawers easy enough. Didn't take any money, as I promised you…"
"Good. If that was missing, his lordship will be aware that someone…"
"Don't you worry. I made sure that everything was back in its place. And the Hanbrooks would indeed miss their money, if I took it – because they ain't well off! That would explain why the extension wing is still in a mess. I've also come across a letter from Major Lucien Bruckner to his lordship – saying that he'll pay him money if Georgie continues to 'keep his lips sealed' about his military past…"
"What about his past?"
"Bruckner was dishonorably discharged, a few years back. Don't know why. But listen. Bruckner wrote that in the future he would divorce his wife, and leave her 'the farm'. He would be willing to refuse any dowry, should there be any chance of taking Lucy's hand in marriage…"
Karl's face turned rigid. "He…wrote that?"
"Uh-huh. Got a fancy for her, yourself – ain't ya?" Thomas smirked.
"Thomas…! She is a good friend. She saved my life here! As I defended her father… Talking of whom, do you expect me to believe that he is agreeing to marry his daughter to a man who she doesn't even like – let alone love…? My God. If he's planning to inherit the manor when both Lord and Lady Hanbrook have departed this world, by marrying Lucy…"
"Well. It seems that Bruckner has some hold over Lord Georgie. But you need to keep your voice down. There's more to tell! I found the scroll that I delivered to his lordship from the mayor in Tidewater. Carver writes that the smugglers are becoming more active – someone prominent in Shadowbrook seems to be aiding them. Also, that 'Jessica' is predicting the return of 'the Shadow Witch', and that she has to be stopped from carrying out her revenge against all of the elders of both Shadowbrook and Tidewater, after they failed to honor their agreement with her, when she got rid of-"
A scream interrupted Thomas's narrative. It was a female scream. Karl recognized it immediately – and he spun round, just as the man's scream joined Lucy's repeated one. There was the flapping of wings. Large wings. Not a bird…
Karl's keen eyes peered into the gardens and saw…
"Thomas!" Karl hissed. "Grab the saber that is hanging inside the display case in the hallway. Now!"
"On it!" Thomas bolted for the house, via the nearby servants' quarters – whilst Karl ran towards the figures who were attempting to flee towards the manor.
Close by, Lucy was being held by Victor's hand as they tried to cross the gardens – but she then tripped over her long dress, and fell onto the path.
"Mr Danforth! Help…!"
But Victor was still running towards the terrace steps, too blinded in his panic to realize that the pull on his hand had vanished. As he stopped and collapsed against the nearest window of the ballroom, panting – he suddenly snapped into focus, and cried out.
"Miss Lucy! Oh, I am so sorry-!"
Glaring at him, Lucy tried to pick herself back up. She kicked off her shoes.
With a raven-like cry, the creature dropped down from the mist above and landed in the center of the gardens, right before her – and it turned its green-grey face towards Lucy. It held its bat-like wings wide, blocking the young lady's flight to safety, as it bared its fangs and claws, hissing maliciously...