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We parted on the best of terms and I headed for the bridle path he had pointed out. He called out after me, “See to it, miss, ye head home before dark. Wouldna want ye to get lost.”
I smiled and said that I would as I took a wide path from the stables towards the Pine Forest where the dirt path continued.
I stopped before entering the woods, as the day was moving into dusk. Well, I could just walk a short distance and then backtrack after all?
All at once, the sound of someone sighing was too clear to deny.
I turned sharply. No one there.
Then I heard, “Bloody hell…I can’t go any farther, lass.”
“What?” I said, and made a circle in place. I stared at the tops of the trees surrounding me, I looked through the path, I looked back at the field. “Who said that?”
Nothing.
“Come on, I heard you very clearly. Why are you hiding? Are you trying to scare the new girl on the block? Well, listen up, not working. Now show yourself, or are you scared of me?”
Still absolutely nothing.
I looked up at the trees again, picking out a few with low branches that someone could climb. No one there. I tried to discern if someone was hiding amongst the lower evergreen bushes, but if someone was, I couldn’t find them.
A chill feathered up my spine and all my instincts were on alert. I know what I heard. So, now what?
It was late, perhaps not the time to explore the Pine Forest. After all, how would it look if I got lost on my first day? I’d feel
a fool.
And then an unmistakable scent hit my nostrils. Something evil was in the woods, hiding in the shadows.
I have very good senses and I took another whiff. Blood!
There was no mistaking the scent. Fresh blood…? What the hell was going on?
“Hurry, lass…get back to the house. He can’t enter the castle. Get back, hurry!” that familiar voice yelled worriedly.
Sounded good to me.
I backtracked towards the barn, then took a short cut through the pasture to the house, scampering over the post and rail fencing, and breathing hard as I reached the stone paving.
I looked back over my shoulder as I rushed inside and found both Davis and Mrs. Tunny in the Great Hall staring at me.
“What is it? What happened?” Mrs. Tunny asked. “Ye look as though ye bumped into the divil himself!”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Spooked myself when it started getting dark,” I said as casually as I could.
“Look, we are on our way home…we always leave before it gets too dark,” Mrs. Tunny said. “Come home with me. I’ll put ye up ‘til Mr. Ascot can find ye a place of yer own. Ye shouldn’t be here after dark.” She reached out and clutched my hand. “Aye, ye are most welcome. Do come…but make up yer mind. We have to leave now!”
“That is so, so kind, but I’ll be just fine here.” I was surprised by the complete look of distress that filled her eyes. Davis stood stoically at her side, not saying a word, but the disapproval he felt was a palpable thing.
“Right then,” Mrs. Tunny gave it up, “I left ye m’number on the kitchen counter. Keep it with ye and if ye want me to fetch ye…I will, but ye’ll have to meet me outside. I won’t get out of the car…not here…not after hours.”
What the hell was going on? These two were genuinely afraid. I managed a smile and said, “Got it and thank you so much, Mrs. Tunny. If I feel threatened in any manner, I will call you.” No point arguing, as I could see how really concerned she was.
Davis said, “Aye, then, miss. Personally, I don’t think ye’ll be threatened, but from time to time, strange things do occur here. I used to stay in the butler’s quarters when I first started working here ten years ago, but…I found I’m more comfortable in town. Near the pub and all. Ye might feel the same seeing as ye are so young and should get out some.”
I was amazed. I had not expected Davis to give me more than the time of day. “Thank you, sir. That is something about which I will really give some thought.”
“Well, ‘tis five-thirty now, best stay to yer suite after seven and ye’ll be fine. Let’s go, Mrs. Tunny, I’m meeting a few friends in town after I drop ye off.”
