Page 70 of Haunted Hearts

Serena’s eyes flashed over to Lillith’s, and Blaze held his breath. He hoped the word witch wasn’t going to be mentioned.

“Natural herbs used by healers. Naught else,” Lillith answered for her.

“Yes, that’s right,” said Serena. Thankfully, Posy didn’t say a word.

“What are you doing here, Lord Arthur?” asked the earl.

“I’m here for my niece’s wedding to Lord Blaze,” Arthur answered. “I brought a priest with us who will marry Beatrice and me as well.”

“A double wedding. How nice,” said the earl. “So, you’ll be aligned with the Paynes then?”

“Yes. We will,” said Arthur.

Blaze saw Milo and Orvyn enter the great hall and head in their direction. This was the last thing he needed right now. If either one of them said a word about what they saw last night, Blaze would have no chance of knighthood, marriage or anything else. He’d be lucky not to be burned at the stake along with his mother.

“Before the wedding takes place, I have something to discuss with Lord Payne, regarding his request for knighthood,” said the earl.

“My lord, I had no idea you were coming. Have you made a decision, then?” asked Blaze, feeling as nervous as he was the first time he kissed Lillith.

“As you know, Lord Blaze, your father was once my head knight and one of my most trusted men,” said the earl. “However, you were only training to be a knight.”

“Yes. Of course,” Blaze answered. “I have completed the rest of the training on my own over the past five years. I have practiced and kept up with my skills and am ready now,” Blaze said, trying to convince the earl.

“Aye, I agree you are more than ready,” said the earl. “However, there is one thing I needed to know before I give you an answer.”

“Of course. What is it you need to know? I’ll tell you anything,” said Blaze.

“My question isn’t for you, Blaze. It is for my spy that I’ve put here, watching you for the last year.”

“Spy?” Blaze didn’t like the sound of this.

“Yes. My man tells me your skills are exceptional, but I haven’t heard an answer from him on my other question, so I decided to just show up and ask him myself.”

“I’m sorry,” said Blaze. “I don’t understand.”

“I can explain.” Orvyn stepped up to join them.

“Orvyn? You’re the earl’s spy?” asked Blaze. This was the last thing he ever expected to hear.

“I’ve always been able to trust Orvyn completely, plus he is my cousin,” said the earl. “That’s why I planted him here at Skull Manor to watch you and report back to me.”

“This has something to do with you meeting with villagers in secret?” asked Blaze.

“Aye,” said Orvyn. “It was our way of staying in touch. The earl sent missives to a certain villager he trusts, and we used him to send messages back and forth so you wouldn’t become suspicious. He sent a missive last night, but you stopped me from going to the village and I was not able to respond.”

“What is this all for?” grumbled Blaze, crossing his arms over his chest, not liking to be fooled.

“I needed to know for sure if the rumors of your family being witches was true or not,” stated the earl, making Blaze cringe. This was it. The time of reckoning. Orvyn could expose them all, or he could help put the rumors to rest.

“And you asked Orvyn to find out.” Blaze glanced over at Orvyn who looked just as nervous as Blaze felt. He hoped he could count on the man to help him. He hoped that after what he’d found out last night, that the man could be trusted. After all, exposing Blake and his mother would only be exposing his dead wife as well. That would break any trust between the cousins.

“Orvyn, tell me,” said the earl, right in front of everyone. “Have you seen any evidence of this family, especially Lord Blaze, doing anything at all that would be considered . . . witchy?”

There wasn’t a sound in the room as they all waited for Orvyn’s answer. Everything depended on what he would say.

“Nay, Earl Birmingham, I can’t say I saw anything witchy at all for the entire time I’ve been here. As a matter of fact, the Payne family is just as normal as anyone else. I’m afraid everything bad you’ve heard was nothing but just rumors.”

“See? I told you so,” spat Arthur. “Now, let’s get on with our double wedding.”