Page 25 of Witchbane

‘That is of no consequence to you, sir.’ I smiled, surprised that a servant would act in such a demanding way about the family he served. ‘I am at a disadvantage. You know my name but I am ignorant of yours. May I ask it?’

He clenched his teeth briefly. ‘I am Pierre Laffoley. Head groundsman at Thistlebury Manor.’

I didn’t comment on the state of the place. I had no idea how much land was attached to the manor, or how much help he had in maintaining everything.

Again, something caught my eye in one of the attic windows. I gazed upwards but if there had been anything there it had disappeared.

I indicated the window. ‘Someone is at home,’ I said. I saw him follow the direction of my finger. ‘I would like to speak to whoever that is, presuming they are family.’

He was staring at the window, his demeanour altered to one of surprise. ‘You must be mistaken, sir. Maybe it was sunlight on the window, or a shadow, for no one is at home presently.’

Aware that I was wasting my time, I decided I should return in a few days but come directly from Stanthorpe rather than through the village where everyone seemed to know this woman. At least then I might be able to catch her off-guard.

‘In that case I shall leave and return at a later date.’ I didn’t wait for his answer but retraced my steps back to Warrior, who was impatiently pawing at the ground.

As I rode away, I turned back to look up at the windows. There was something dark about this place, but nothing I could put a name to. One thing I did know for certain was that being there had unnerved me. I thought of my father and how he wouldn’t let something as meaningless as a suspicion of a ghostly figure deter him, then set off at a trot down the rest of the drive and onto the main road.

Frustrated with my lack of success, I did know one thing: Rue Underwood wouldn’t escape me as easily a second time.

Chapter Twelve

RUE

‘You can come out now, Rue,’ I heard Pierre call from the kitchen.

Relieved to be able to step out from behind the cupboard with the false back, I quickly made my way out of the basement spell room to where Pierre, and now Jem, my grandmama and aunt, were waiting for me. Their faces were ashen, and I could tell the news I was about to hear wasn’t good. I exhaled sharply trying to remain calm.

‘He’s definitely gone?’ I knew he would be if Pierre was calling for me but felt the need to double-check.

‘He has, but promised to return.’

‘What?’ I asked, a sense of dread washing over me. ‘When?’

He rested a hand on my shoulder. ‘Do not fret, Rue. I told him you were away for a few days. It will give us time to arrange for you to go and stay with a friend.’

‘What friend? We both know I have none.’ I stopped short of adding, Thanks to my family keeping me hidden here as I grew up.

‘Hmm.’

Hearing Jem’s reaction, I realised my comment had stung him. I gave him an apologetic smile. ‘I meant friends who don’t live at the manor.’ It was a feeble attempt to rectify what I’d said, but he accepted it.

‘You also have your cousins,’ Aunt Sorrel reminded me. ‘My son and daughter will both put you up in their homes if you wish to stay with them.’

‘Thank you.’ I decided to watch my words a little more carefully so as not to offend those closest to me.

No one spoke for a few seconds, each of us lost in our thoughts.

‘What was he like?’ Aunt Sorrel asked. ‘Theo Le Cerf? I heard his voice, which was deep and not unpleasant, but couldn’t see him from where I was hiding.’

Pierre considered her question before answering. ‘It is difficult to say. The other night at the inn I was too busy trying not to show my eagerness to leave. Today all I wanted to do was make sure he didn’t force his way into the house and find Rue. All I do know is that he came on behalf of his father.’

My grandmother’s hand went to her collar, under which I knew lay the crystal amulet she wore for protection. ‘Just as we feared.’

Theo had come looking for me. I was horrified. Maybe I had antagonised him by running off without a word? Was he that insecure of a man that he would hold that against me? I hoped not. If he was here on his father’s behalf then he wasn’t trying to find me to charm me. If only. I thought of the way he had looked at me. If he was attracted to me I might have a chance to persuade him to be kind and not take me to his father. But then I thought of how I had run away from him and then ignored him when he tried to acknowledge me at the market. What a fool I had been.

‘But what could he want with me?’ I asked, hoping I might be wrong. If the Witchfinder had sent his son to find me, then he must suspect me of witchcraft. Or could it be that he hoped I had information about other witches that might help him in his quest to rid the populace of people like me and the women in my family? No, I was my mother’s daughter and he must know I would never be persuaded to inform on other witches.

‘He wouldn’t say.’ Pierre frowned. ‘I believe you must leave here as quickly as possible before he returns.’